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Portugal Biking
From Vintage Porto to Douro Valley Vineyards
Portugal will charm you. From the crisp white vinho verde, to Francisco, the Count of Calheiros, who welcomes you as a guest to his manor home. Portugal's charm gets to you at every turn. Two converted monasteries will be your hotels. Rich port wine will cap off each authentic Portuguese meal. The fado, a nostalgic folk music, will grip you. Every passing farmer. Every distinct blue and yellow azulejo tile mosaic on ornate churches in the sleepy villages you'll pass through. It's a charm that takes European culture, landscapes, flavors and wines and makes them uniquely Portuguese.
Request an itinerary here or reserve this trip now.
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• Roman ruins, baroque manors and medieval castles
• Glide on quiet roads in the Douro Valley with river views
• Dine, lodge and dance with Count Francisco at his home
• Gerês National Park, where a tableau of pine, heather, granite and water stretch to the horizon
• Guimarães, a World Heritage site-town considered the birthplace of the nation
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Day 1
Dine, lodge and dance with Count Francisco at his distinguished manor home. Ride past lush gardens, vineyards and quaint stone homes, perhaps sharing the road with horse-drawn carts. Saúde! Toast with a glass of vinho verde, a sparkling wine.
• One night at Paco de Calheiros. A traditional country manor house owned by the Calheiros family, the inn features a swimming pool and tennis courts.
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Day 2 Amares
Descend into the beautiful market town of Ponte de Lima, crossing a 14th-century arched bridge. Gentle farmland makes way for winding climbs en route to Caldelas, the first of the spa towns in the Penedes-Gerês region. Smooth and spicy? Nutty and complex? A private tasting reveals the finer nuances of port.
• One night at the Pousada de Amares Santa Maria do Bouro. A 12th-century Cistercian monastery, beautifully restored under the direction of famed architect Eduardo Sorto and featuring courtyards, fountains and a pool.
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Day 3
Gerês National Park, where a tableau of pine, granite and water stretches to the horizon. Keeping eyes on the road is tough when views of the blue lake and heather-clad mountains are so sublime. In the little spa town of Gerês, shop for herbal teas and pottery. Explore majestic Guimarães, a World Heritage site considered the birthplace of the nation.
• One night at Pousada de Guimaraes Santa Marinha. This stunning 12th-century Augustin monastery with lovely gardens is considered one of Portugal's architectural treasures.
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Days 4-6
Glide on quiet roads in the Douro Valley with river views Amarante, a hamlet founded by Romans in 360 B.C., invites exploration. Spin past vine-laden slopes and almond orchards in the Alto Douro wine region, where grapes have been cultivated for millennia. Stop to sample or keep on biking? It's up to you. A scenic river cruise carries you through port wine country
• Two nights at Aquapura Douro Valley. Stroll among cedar and cypress, swim in the heated pool and indulge at the spa - this Small Luxury Hotels of the World member, nestled in vineyards along the Douro River, has it all.
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Dates: Aug 29-Sep 3, Sep 5-10, Sep 12-17, Sep 19-24, Oct 3-8, Oct 17-22, May 15-20, 2011, May 29-Jun 3, 2011, Sep 11-16, 2011, Sep 18-23, 2011, Sep 25-30, 2011, Oct 2-7, 2011
Length: 6 days/5 nights
Level: 2 to 4
Cost: $3998 - $4298
Single Supplement: $620 - $720
(Please note: Prices are subject to change. Please view current pricing here.)
Meals: All meals included except 2 lunches and 1 dinner.
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