Portugal Bike - Cycling Vacations in Portugal
ABOUT PORTUGALBIKE: Since 1995 we have been organizing Guided Bicycle Tours in Portugal under the name of BTTour. We have already organized more than 150 Bicycle Tours and more than 7500 people have ridden with us. In 2003 we decided to offer something else – to show our beautiful country to those who live beyond our borders. We created PortugalBike to share with people all over the world some of the most unique biking experiences. In 2006 we were Finalists in the PUBLITURIS Travel Trade & Hotel Guide 2005 Awards for the «Best Company of Active and Animation Tourism in Portugal».
Being a Portuguese-owned Company, we know our country better than anybody else and we want to expose people to places and curiosities about Portugal that only a Portuguese knows! Our target is that you visit Portugal …riding a bicycle! On PortugalBike Tours you have the opportunity to visit our historical, cultural and landscape heritage in our Natural Parks, enjoy the sun and the beaches, and at the end of the day you can recover your strength with an exquisite dinner. You can taste our famous wines, amazing cheeses and lovely desserts, and sample typical dishes of each region of Portugal.
You will rest in cozy and charming accommodations. We always choose 3- or 4-star quality hotels whenever possible in each region. Our accommodations are always the best offer of each region.
WHAT CAN WE EXPECT ON A PORTUGALBIKE TOUR? PortugalBike Tours are designed so we begin at a certain point and we end elsewhere. You do not start and end at the same place. We think that is the best way to discover Portugal …riding a bicycle! Read the specific information about each ride to learn more details.
PortugalBike Tours can be Guided (with a Guide) or Self-Guided (with a GPS device with all tracks recorded). The big difference between the prices for Guided and Self-Guided Tours is that the Self-Guided Tours do not include dinners, picnics, energy bars and water during the day. There is always a backup car to provide any assistance you may need. If you want to take a Self-Guided Tour with dinners included, this can be arranged.
PortugalBike Tours have a maximum of 16 participants, and a minimum of two. Larger groups are also possible upon request and according to our availability. Our Hybrid (or Trekking) and Mountain Bike Tours are prepared for one week (8 days / Sunday to Sunday) and Road Bike Tours are prepared for 8 or 12 days.
The dates of PortugalBike Tours are according to our calendar, or on request, according to our availability and with a small extra fee. The prices below are for the scheduled PortugalBike Tours. However, if you wish a different date, ask us for prices and availability.
|
|
| Property Amenities |
Restaurant |
Business Center |
Steam Room |
Bar |
Internet Connection |
Wheelchair Accessible |
Room Service |
Conference Facilities |
Animal Friendly |
Laundry Service |
Swimming Pool |
Concierge Desk |
Storage Areas |
Gym |
Travel Desk |
Car Park |
Sauna |
|
Room Amenities |
Private Shower |
Microwave |
Telephone |
Private Bathtub |
Air Conditioning |
Fax |
Private Jacuzzi |
Electric Fan |
Minibar |
Private Toilet |
TV |
Coffee Maker |
Private Kitchen |
Video/DVD/Movies |
Hair Dryer |
Stove |
Internet Connection |
Trouser Press |
| Additional |
WHAT DOES THE PRICE OF THIS PORTUGALBIKE GUIDED TOUR INCLUDE? - PortugalBike Tour with a Guide (or Self-Guided) - Transfers from and to Lisbon Airport - Accommodations (usualy a 4*-quality hotel, double bedroom occupancy. Single supplement available) - All breakfasts - Car connections at some stages - Luggage transport from Inn to Inn - Permanent Backup Vehicle (on Guided PortugalBike Tours) - Daily energy-bars and water (on Guided PortugalBike Tours) - Daily nourishing and energetic picnics (on Guided PortugalBike Tours) - Dinners at the best restaurants with our famous wines and desserts (on Guided PortugalBike Tours) - Personal Accident Insurance - Liability Insurance - Techno-Mechanical Assistance - First-Aid assistance on location - Documentation about the PortugalBike Tour - Other specific costs of specific PortugalBike Tours
|
| Nearby Attractions |
- You can visit interesting historical places, such as castles and palaces, medieval villages and megalithic monuments. - You can enjoy the sun at our famous and vast beaches. - You can see the manufacture of some products as they were manufactured 100 years ago. - You can ride in the Natural Parks. - You can see some unique geological aspects, such as calcareous caves.
|
|
|
WHAT KIND OF TOURS DO WE OFFER? There are three types of PortugalBike Tours:
1) Road Bike Tours are on asphalt roads (100%). We always try to avoid roads with a lot of traffic, preferring secondary roads. On these tours, you ride more km/day than on a Hybrid Bike Tour. These tours are always Self-Guided (with a GPS device on the handlebar), so that you are completely free to ride at your own pace, but there is always a backup car to give you any assistance you may need. You use a Road Bike (700x23 wheels). 2) Hybrid Bike Tours (or Trekking Bike Tours) are mainly on asphalt/tarmac (more than 50%) with some off-road rolling trails. Usually the tours are a little bit longer than the Mountain Bike version tours. It is the best and most relaxing way to know a country by bicycle while also having fun. These tours can be Guided or Self-Guided. You use a Hybrid Bike (700x38 wheels with a little front suspension).
3) Mountain Bike Tours are mainly on off-road rough trails (more than 50%), sometimes technical, with very little asphalt/tarmac. You need some biking skills and you need to be in good shape. Usually, these tours are a little bit shorter than the Hybrid Bike tours. It is the best way to know a country and feel the challenge of nature. These tours are always Guided (ask us for self-guided); you will only have to follow your guide through wonderful single-tracks in nature. You use a Mountain Bike (26x2.1 wheels with front suspension and hydraulic disc brakes).
Our target is that people visit Portugal …riding a Bicycle!
DIFFICULTY LEVELS: Each PortugalBike Tour is classified according to its difficulty level, from 1 to 5. Level 1 is the easiest and level 5 is the most difficult.
=> Levels 1 and 2 are for Beginners (You are not in good shape) => Level 3 is for Intermediate Bikers (You must be in good shape) => Level 4 is for Advanced Bikers (You are fit and in good shape) => Level 5 is for Expert Bikers (You are in very good shape! You are a winner!)
Besides the classification for overall difficulty level of each PortugalBike Tour, each day is also classified from 1 to 5. When the trails are difficult, we ride less km/day and when the trails are easy, we ride more km/day. Please note that the purpose of PortugalBike Tours is not to train, but only to enjoy your bicycle, nature and environment.
PORTUGALBIKE TOURS (and their versions):
1. Castles and Natural Parks (Road Bike) 12 days / 11 nights / 8 days cycling / 2 days rest - Advanced Regions of Portugal: Lisbon Region and Alentejo (inland)
2. Towards Algarve (Road Bike) 8 days / 7 nights / 5 days cycling / 1 day rest - Intermediate Region of Portugal: Alentejo and Algarve (coast)
3. The Sea and Mystical Sintra (Hybrid Bike) 8 days / 7 nights / 5 days cycling / 1 day rest - Intermediate Region of Portugal: Lisbon Region
4. The Wild Islet and the Medieval Village (Hybrid Bike) 8 days / 7 nights / 4 days cycling / 1 day walking / 1 day rest - Intermediate Region of Portugal: North of Lisbon Region
5. The Megalithic Heritage in Alentejo (Hybrid Bike or Mountain Bike) 8 days / 7 nights / 5 days cycling / 1 day rest - Intermediate Region of Portugal: Alentejo (inland)
6. The Beautiful Alentejo Beaches (Hybrid Bike or Mountain Bike) 8 days / 7 nights / 5 days cycling / 1 day rest - Intermediate Regions of Portugal: Alentejo and Algarve (coast)
7. The Seven Castles Route (Hybrid Bike or Mountain Bike) 8 days / 7 nights / 5 days cycling / 1 day rest - Advanced Regions of Portugal: Lisbon Region and Alentejo
8. Serra da Estrela …Sheer Down! (Mountain Bike) 8 days / 7 nights / 5 days cycling / 1 day rest - Intermediate Region of Portugal: Centre of Portugal
Please contact us or link on our website!
|
|
| Required Skill Level |
Intermediate
|
| Required Equipment |
Optional
|
| Our Certificatons |
- Licensed by D.G.T. (Portuguese Tourism Board). License no. 12/2003.
- APECATE Member Associated (Portuguese Association of Professional Organisers of Congresses, Tourism Animation and Events).
- PACTA Member Associated (Portuguese Association of Cultural Animation and Nature and Adventure Tourism Companies).
- ARPTA Member Associated (Regional Association for the Promotion of Tourism in Alentejo).
- In 2006 we were Finalists in the PUBLITURIS Travel Trade & Hotel Guide 2005 Awards for the «Best Company of Active and Animation Tourism in Portugal».
|
Mountain Skills & Disciplines |
Hiking |
Mountaineering |
Canyoneering |
Backpacking |
High Altitude |
Caving |
Camping |
Traversing |
Coasteering |
Rock Climbing |
Aid Climbing |
Big Walling |
Ice Climbing |
Free Climbing |
Ropes & Knots |
Bouldering |
Solo Climbing |
Belaying |
Indoor Climbing |
Lead Climbing |
Rappeling |
Traditional Climbing |
Top Roping |
|
Avalanche Awareness |
Outdoor Survival |
First Aid |
Environmental Awareness |
Navigation |
Search & Rescue |
|
|
|
|
|