Day-To-Day Itinerary
8-day option
Day 1: Porto
Day 2: Porto - Esposende, 37 mi. (60 km)
Day 3: Esposende - Caminha, 35 mi. (56 km)
Day 4: Caminha - Bayona, 25 mi. (40 km)
Day 5: Bayona - Pontevedra, 40 mi. (64 km)
Day 6: Pontevedra - Caldas Dos Reis, 16 mi. (26 km)
Day 7: Caldas Dos Reis - Santiago de Compostela, 25 mi. (40 km)
Day 8: Departure
Day 1: Porto
Your first day will be spent in Porto, an ancient port city, once an outpost of the Roman Empire, steeped in history and tradition. Located along the Douro River Valley in Northern Portugal, Porto is one of the oldest European cities and its historical center was proclaimed a World Heritage Site by Unesco in 1996. Once you settle into your tour hotel, you can make your way to our partner's bike shop for a bike fitting followed by an included guided walking tour of this beautiful city. Three tours are offered daily. 10 am, 3 pm, or 4 pm. This will lead you through the art and tradition, such as the blue and white tiled churches, as well as some contemporary highlights including the bookstore that influenced J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the magnificent Stock Exchange Market.
Day 2: Porto - Esposende, 37 mi. (60 km)
On this first day of cycling, you will enjoy the seaside landscapes and small “Portuguese Rivieras” such as Póvoa de Varzim. This is one of the oldest fishing villages in Portugal with an ancient center, old fishermen district, beach districts and an emerging contemporary east district. Póvoa is a hotspot for nightlife as well! The town of Vila do Conde became important in the 15th century as a shipyard and played a role in the era of Portugues discoveries, know as El Dorado. It has always had an ancient connection to the sea, as do all the coastal cities. The journey ends in Esposende, a seaside city located in the North.
Day 3: Esposende – Caminha, 40 mi. (64 km)
On the agenda today is Viana do Castelo, another seaside city that was very strategic during the era of the Discoveries. During the XIV-XVth Centuries, it was here that the ships were built to sail to Brasil, India, Africa and other Portuguese colonies. Final destination today will be Caminha, on the delta of the river Minho which became an important trading port early in the 14C, shipping wine to Britain and later importing products from Africa, India, and Brazil. Today, Caminha is known for its green rural landscape and pine forests clinging to the slopes of the granite mountains, which provide good hiking. The river estuary is good for boating and the beaches are popular in the summer.
Day 4: Caminha - Bayona, 25 mi. (40 km)
Today the route leads into Spanish territory, ending in Bayona. In the days of the famous voyages of Christopher Columbus, this was the first port to hear about the discovery of America and today a replica of the Pinta is permanently moored in the harbor. Apart from the sea landscape, you can also get lost in the old city center, made up of a tangle of inviting lanes, with a handful of 16th and 17th-century houses and chapels. There are quite a few churches and other small buildings of architectural and historical interest, but Bayona's most prominent building is the Castelo de Monterreal, a castle on the edge of the town, providing excellent views of the town and the surrounding coastline from its elevated position.
Day 5: Bayona - Pontevedra, 40 mi. (64 km)
The fifth day will follow the route of the Vigo and pass by San Simon’s Bay. Following then the coastline, Pontevedra will be the destination, with its abundance of natural beauty. It is a city built on a hill with some streets sloping down to the Lérez River. The old city center is well preserved and contains numerous historic buildings and monuments. Pontevedra is proud of its cultural and natural heritage.
Day 6: Pontevedra - Caldas Dos Reis, 16 mi. (26 km)
According to historical archives, the first inhabitants of Caldas Dos Reis were a pre-Roman community that lived from the hot springs of this territory and since the Middle Ages has been part of the pilgrim path to Santiago de Compostela. Apart from the rich cultural heritage, like Arcade, Caldas de Reis is also known for its “empanadas” of lamprey and the traditional Spanish bread. Even today, the hot springs are a special tourist attraction.
Day 7: Caldas Dos Reis - Santiago de Compostela, 25 mi. (40 km)
This last cycling day will end in Santiago de Compostela and the end of your cycling pilgrimage. It does not matter whether or not you believe in the legend of St. James and value of the "pilgrimage", Santiago is one of Spain's finest cities. The cathedral of Santiago dominates the golden granite square with its Baroque towers, covered everywhere with ornamentation. The city is surrounded by the hilly, lush terrain of Galicia, dramatic coastal scenery, delicious seafood, fine local wines, and an easygoing ambiance.
Day 8: Departure or extension of stay.
Train ticket back to Porto is included in your tour price.
9-day option (self-guided only)
Day 1: Porto
Day 2: Porto - Esposende, 37 mi. (60 km)
Day 3: Esposende - Caminha, 35 mi. (56 km)
Day 4: Caminha - Bayona, 21 mi. (33 km)
Day 5: Bayona - Vigo, 36 mi. (25 km)
Day 6: Vigo - Pontevedra, 24 mi. (39 km)
Day 7: Pontevedra - Caldas Dos Reis, 16 mi. (26 km)
Day 8: Caldas Dos Reis - Santiago de Compostela, 25 mi. (40 km)
Day 9: Departure
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Pricing Information
Travel Details
This tour is run by Sergio Marques.
We value the strong relationship we have with our local partners and the services we provide.
We are not a broker.
We do not inflate tour prices.
We are simply travelers helping travelers.
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Tour Reviews
Claudia W. 2 months ago Verified Reviewer
Our tour guides, Henrique and Sergio, were wonderful. They provided us with excellent equippment and ensured we were all fitted properly. Read more… Safety was always a priority. In addition, they were attentive, helpful and cheerful. They arranged for meals, set appropriate time schedules and set a biking pace that worked for all. They made excellent recommendations for additional activities. Both were highly professional and dedicated to helping their guests enjoy the trip. They were also very good looking.
I highly recommend this trip and would encourage others to consider it. E-bikes are a good option for those who want assistance going uphill. There is quite a bit of uphill and at times it is very challenging.
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Matt Sugerman 1 month ago
I concur. I was on the same tour and had a great time. Sergio and Henrique were superb guides and I would not hesitate in recommending them to anyone.
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KEVIN 2 months ago Verified Reviewer
This trip was so incredible on multiple levels,
Sergio and his staff Henrique, Diego and Marta were fantastic. The equipment was excellent as was the walking tour of Porto.
The accommodations were unbelievable especially the Torre do Rio The two paradors were amazing in history and comfort. Each of the hotels provided great rooms and breakfasts. The service at each location was wonderful and really appreciated.
As we did this as a unsupported self guided tour we were on our own. This gave us the opportunity to meet many amazing people along the way. As many people do this as a religious pilgrimage by walking or riding there was no shortage of opportunities to meet new people. We met people that will be friends for years.
This tour is listed as easy to moderate. I would not recommend this to newer riders as a lot of the tour is on trails of sand, gravel, rocks, dirt and other surfaces. There is also many climbs.
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Kap R. 3 months ago Verified Reviewer
I and my wife took 7 days bike trip from Porto to Santiago De Compostela. We had a very wonderful experience and saw amazingly beautiful scenery. It was a very good hotel and accommodation was fantastic.
7 Days, non-stop biking was a little tough. I like to suggest that 3 days bike and one day break time if a course is hard.
Soaking wet, but we have a great time....
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Kristi K. 4 months ago Verified Reviewer
The views were amazing, the guides were gracious and knowledgable, the food was so very yummy, and the people of Portugal and Spain so friendly! Trip of a lifetime.
Suggestion: have a fresh pair of cycle shorts for each day of the trip. I got nervous when I had to send mine out to launder, but they did come back in time.
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Ralph W. 4 months ago Verified Reviewer
We did a self-guided tour and completed it a week ago. 5 stars and more! First, Sergio was simply fantastic in providing new bikes, a GPS with clear markings every step of the way, and support whenever needed. The city tour of Porto by Enrique was great. The ride itself along the coast and then into Spain was excellent. The hotels were terrrific and all top notch. Cannot recommend both the tour and Sergio enough. Riding along the Camino trail that thousands over the centuries had walked was a wonderful experience, and entering the Cathedral Square was a moving experience.
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Greg and Judy 4 months ago Verified Reviewer
This was our 3rd guided/supported ride with trip site and our favorite. The biking along the coast was fantastic and easy going with perfect weather. The last 3 days had some steep hills and cut through beautiful small towns in Portugal and Galicia but Sergio and Enrique helped support the group and took time to catch our breath and hydrate. We had never been to Portugal before but found the people extremely friendly and helpful. Sergio and Enrique were wonderful guides and organizers. They seemed to anticipate the groups needs and really overachieved with making us enjoy the culture. Sergio made sure we tried all the great food and drinks of the region. The hotels were exceptional. The Torre do Rio could be one of the best small country hotels in the world!
Meeting and greeting thousands of Pilgrams hiking the Camihno along the route made the ride truly unique...Bon Camihno!
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Nicole 4 months ago Verified Reviewer
What an incredible trip! Sergio and Henrique were amazing guides and did everything to make our trip one of a kind. The bikes are great quality and the ride had the most incredible scenery. I loved that you biked near the coast on some day, in the forest for others and then got to spend the night in the most beautiful hotels across Portugal and Spain. This is definitely a trip you will remember for a lifetime.
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Mercedes Nejatali 5 months ago Verified Reviewer
A fantastic bike tour. Very well organized and executed. Sergio and Enrique went above and beyond to make sure we had the best of the time while staying safe. The scenery was amazing, the hotels were top notch, and food was wonderful.
This was the best bike trip we've had so far, and we highly recommend it to fellow bikers.
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Jan & Jim Roy 5 months ago Verified Reviewer
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Jehiel from Tripsite 4 months ago Staff
Hi Jan & Jim,
We do apologize that the transfer wasn't organized. We tried to get in touch with you to set up the transfer but did not hear back.
We hope despite this issue you still had a great trip!
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Lisa O'D 5 months ago Verified Reviewer
Whole trip end to end was fantastic! Sergio and his crew of Tiago and John were amazing ensuring that we had what we needed including a tour of Porto. Sergio in particular was extremely responsive and went above and beyond to provide a great experience.
The views were incredible, nice camaraderie with the walking pilgrims and the accommodations were incredible really augmenting the trip experience. Highly recommend this trip however, just know of the hills and elevation changes as you train pre-trip.
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Gary M. 10 months ago Verified Reviewer
Our self-guided bike ride along the Camino from Porto to Santiago de Compostela was a bit tough along the walking trail sections; but, the overall experience was fantastic. The high quality accommodation was exceptional - just what we needed at the end of each day! Recommend to anyone with a reasonable level of fitness.
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Marci C. 10 months ago Verified Reviewer
The entire trip was incredible! So glad we chose the upgraded accommodations as we stayed at some remarkably unique properties. Two were old castles and one we referred to as the garden of Eden. The scenery was incredible throughout the route and the food was delicious! The best part of the trip was the people we met along the camino. So many bikers and hikers were there from around the world on personal journeys and were incredibly interesting to talk to along the route and whenever we stopped. I would definitely recommend this trip and will absolutely do it again. Tripsite was amazing recommending this trip at the last minute and for connecting us with the fabulous local company who took care of us while we were there.
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Jane S. 11 months ago Verified Reviewer
So much of this biking trip was on trails or roads with views of the Atlantic Ocean almost the entire way. It was a gorgeous ride which gave us the opportunity to experience so much of the beauty of the Portuguese and Spanish coastline. The trail we rode was for the most part the same one being used by the pilgrims on the spiritual journey to Santiago de Compostela, Spain which is where our trip also ended. That in itself was so inspiring, seeing the many folks from all over the world making that trek.
If I had one suggestion it would be to find an alternative to biking through the city of Vigo and its metropolitan area. That was the most stressful part of the trip and unfortunately where we got lost the most.
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Carlos da Mata 12 months ago Verified Reviewer
Olá,
Gostaria de saber se você fazem somente o aluguel da bike e quanto seria para um período de 7 dia saindo de Porto e indo para Santiago pela Costa.
Grato
Carlos da Mata
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Tom H. 1 year ago Verified Reviewer
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David C. 1 year ago Verified Reviewer
This was a trip of a lifetime. There were plenty of climbs and equal downs. The small towns and seasides were magical. Some tough riding on stone streets in Portugal and some other challenges with fire damaged roads. Overall, the natives were supportive and friendly. Food and wine made the trip!
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Manuel Cordeiro 1 year ago Verified Reviewer
My wife and I flew all the way from South Africa to do the self guided tour from Porto to Santiago. This was a way to celebrate our 28th wedding anniversary and what a treat. Sergio, Tiago and Diego were totally professional and made sure we got the right sized bicycles for our trip. The route was amazing, the hotel accommodation was spectacular. Especially in Bayona and Caldes dos Reis. We would recommend this ride to anyone who wants to do the Camino de Santiago over a six or seven day period. We will be back with Sergio and his team soon.
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Valerie K. 1 year ago Verified Reviewer
Overall the trip was excellent. Sergio and his crew could not have been more accommodating. They went above and beyond to provide a great experience. Although I realize that it is difficult to grade the level of cycling difficulty for people of different ages and abilities, the trip was more difficult that I was expecting from the description.
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Christine T. 1 year ago Verified Reviewer
The accommodations each night were such a treat! The guides and the care they took was excellent!
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Katharine S. 1 year ago Verified Reviewer
Other highlights include turning in our Pilgrim's Passport to receive our certificates of completion, attending Mass in the Cathedral, as well as the magnificent coastal scenery along the way.
Sergio and his team - Tiago, José and Pédro - are real pros. Safety is their number one concern and they are extremely attentive to the needs of their riders. The bicycles were well-maintained and adjusted as required.The support van was a much appreciated added feature.
Our accommodations were top-notch, in fact one place was the nicest in which we have ever stayed. The breakfast selections at every stop were plentiful and varied.
It was enjoyable speaking to the walking pilgrims and finding Read more… out their countries of origin.
If walking is not the way you choose to complete your Camino Journey we highly recommend joining this tour. Make sure that during your preparation you not only cycle "distances". Cycle "hills" and if possible a "variety of surfaces".
Everyone in our group of 22 felt a real sense of accomplishment having completed 280 km of challenging terrain.
The great food, wine and fellow cyclists add to the enjoyment.
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Jacalyn C. 2 years ago Verified Reviewer
Cycling on the camino in Portugal and Spain was beautiful at every turn but the most memorable part was the wonderful people we encountered, both those walking or cycling and those who lived along the way.
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Michael J. 2 years ago Verified Reviewer
All trips with Hennie are always the best experience possible while on 2 wheels!
Thank you very much for all of your hard work in providing the best tours possible!
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Janine B. 2 years ago Verified Reviewer
I loved this trip, even tho it rained two days we were riding the Camino. Our guide was very knowledgeable and so patient and kind. My only concern was the bicycle was too large for me and there was no other option in the shop. I am 5' 1" tall and was on the same bike as my husband who is 5' 11". I needed a smaller bicycle. But I managed. It also did a Bike and Barge with Tripsite three years ago and was very pleased.
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Mike Tansey 2 years ago Verified Reviewer
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Jacalyn C. 2 years ago Verified Reviewer
The self-guided cycling tour of the Camino in Portugal and Spain was a great way to experience the Camino with our own small group.
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Kelly . 2 years ago Verified Reviewer
We did the self-guided tour using the Garmin gps. Once we got familiar with reading the gps the route was fairly easy to follow. We started with only 1 Garmin, but got a second gps on the second day of our tour. I highly recommend having 2! We found it very helpful double checking the route between the two of us.
The accommodations were outstanding! And each hotel had such a nice breakfast each morning!
Everyone we had contact with was helpful and friendly.
The description of the route "easy to moderate" would be accurate for persons who are physically active on a regular basis. Portions of the route could be very difficult for some.
I would suggest more emphasis on long days riding than the mileage. The bikes were very comfortable, but heavy in comparison to the bikes we are accustomed to riding. And the route conditions vary so much along the Read more… way that it is slow bicycling.
This was my first cycling trip and I loved it! Would highly recommend it!
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Luis Crouch 3 years ago Verified Reviewer
This trip was, like others organized by Tripsite, fantastic. The duration was perfect, the rating easy-moderate was correct. Note that there are a few places where you have to dismount and walk your bike. The local partner in Porto was great. My brother's chain snapped, and they organized a repair in the next town before we even got to it, and my brother's bike was fixed within hours.
The local operator clearly care about cycling a lot. They were very organized and friendly and gave us a walking tour of Porto the day before we set out.
The scenery is fantastic, the food is great, take advantage and eat a lot of cod! I wish we had stayed a little longer in Santiago, as it is a wonderful city. The bikes we were provided were excellent. In short, one of the best adventures of my life. I'd recommend it to anyone.
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Jehiel 3 years ago Staff
Hi Luis! Thank you so much for this feedback. We are very lucky to have such a great local partner and offer this tour to our clients. We hope to help you plan your next trip!
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Ivette S. 3 years ago Verified Reviewer
The road from Caminha to Baiona was the most memorable part of trip. The hotel in Caldas dos Reis was beautiful!!
Our guides Pedro and Tiago were very good.
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Bruce S. 3 years ago Verified Reviewer
Sergio did an excellent job. He provided transfers from the airport and even though flights got seriously delayed, he was there to meet everyone. His bikes were in top condition, he provided the most complete selection of tools and spares that we have ever had, he was very accessible, his restaurant suggestions were very good, and his GPS routing worked flawlessly. When we finished one trip, he made sure the bikes were cleaned up and tuned up before we started the next leg.
The trip notes were very brief but what was provided was accurate and the GPS made up for any gaps. This was an incredible trip provided by an a very well run provider.
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Lorne M. 3 years ago Verified Reviewer
I have been on several Tripsite trips over the last few years, and this was one of the best. There were several reasons: The food and wine was fantastic and inexpensive; the scenery was incredible; the hotels were great, and I loved having the route on a GPS. One of the highlights was our walking tour in Porto - Joanna was absolutely terrific - her knowledge and guidance made for one of the best days of the trip. Sergio was great - he looked after us well on the first day, making sure the bikes were properly adjusted and we were all comfortable and he followed up with us via email during both weeks. He also came out to our hotel after the first week and cleaned and serviced the bikes!! The "bonus" was Sergio's restaurant recommendations - each one served authentic local cuisine and were not "touristy". I have already recommended this trip to several friends.
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Marci Cincotta 3 years ago Verified Reviewer
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Barbara petersen 3 years ago Verified Reviewer
Loved the trip and especially our guides, the hotels, the food., the scenery..The Way was interesting and challenging (some gravel, some sand, beach boardwalks, etc; walked a bit but not because it was too hilly. We actually biked theough vineyards and even under trellises of grapes!! ) If you have a choice don't start the cycling portion on a weekend during beach season. (Dodging beach goers disturbs the scenery and calm). Porto is lovely and interesting too. A great opportunity to slow down and enjoy the countryside. None of us needed to ride in the van!!!
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D. Blank 3 years ago Verified Reviewer
The guides and the bike shop owners were extremely caring and knowledgeable, and well organized and accommodating. Our contentment was clearly a priority as was safety. Dealing with the U.S. Office was very efficient and pleasant. We actually used their after hours contact phone for a flight pickup change and they were very responsive.
This was our second Tripsite tour and we are highly impressed with quality and value!
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Rycharde Farah 3 years ago Verified Reviewer
Fizemos, eu e minha esposa, em maio/junho de 2016, o Caminho Português da Costa a Santiago de Compostela. Foi fantástico, excelente organização! Recomendo.
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Sue Wise 4 years ago Verified Reviewer
The entire trip was incredible. The route is extremely varied and beautiful. Starting in Porto and riding through seaside villages along the coast, then crossing into Spain and continuing along the coast, the riding is mostly flat and the views of the ocean just breathtaking. There are parts where you ride on bike paths, roads, boardwalks, cobblestone farming paths, and even a little single-track mountain biking type trail (which leads to a secluded beach area!). Later, the route takes you directly onto the Way of St. James (Camino de Santiago) and the riding is more hills and dirt paths, but also through small villages and historic areas. You follow this exclusively for the last 2 and a half days. You'll see many walkers making the pilgrimage - be sure to wish all a "buen camino"!
We opted for the self-guided version, using the GPS. This was perfect for us. We could linger in areas for photos, rest when we wanted to and ride at Read more… our own speed. The GPS was easy to follow and also included interesting waypoints, such as waterfalls and old churches and monasteries. This really added to the trip.
The hotel accommodations were awesome! In particular, views from the Parador in Baiona and the quiet, rustic beauty of the Hotel Torre do Rio were very memorable. The towns where we stayed were lovely and interesting to walk around after a day of riding. Don't miss some of the recommended restaurants - we tried a few and they were excellent.
Ending in Santiago de Compostela, we visited the beautiful cathedral and lovely old town center. This is a terrific ending to the trip. Don't forget to get your "Compostela" to commemorate your travels.
Sergio did a fantastic job with everything - the bikes were great, the pre-trip instructions clear, the accompanying trip notes good, the GPS easy to follow. He checked in with us a couple times just to make sure everything was going well. He's put a terrific trip together!
This will be a trip we remember and talk about for years to come. Highly recommended!
Traveled - early May 2016.
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Margie Hovan 4 years ago Verified Reviewer
Spain & Portugal were delightful but the guides worked so hard at keeping us safe & happy that they made the trip an exceptional experience. I will definitely tell friends that this was a wonderful trip.
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Mary Burkhard 4 years ago Verified Reviewer
I wish I could say more about the route, but unfortunately, because of a biking accident, I was only able to ride the first day. The ebike seemed to be a really good one, but the combination of wet, slippery roads, the boost of power from the ebike, and the urging to use a higher boost mode on the bike was not a good combination. I know it's why I fell.
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Donna DeLeo 4 years ago Verified Reviewer
The scenery was spectacular, the challenge was invigorating, the people were interesting, the guides were ever helpful and informative. Loved everything.
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Lynn Conrad 4 years ago Verified Reviewer
The trip included wonderful biking-many bike paths, trails and traffic-free lanes. It was made special -even inspiring- by following the route of St James--the Camino -- a historic pilgrimage route.
Having tour guides made the trip stress-free thus more enjoyable. Their knowledge covered all aspects of the trip: best routes,history of the area, the best places to eat, out-of-the way special sites, translation and more.
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Mary Daly 4 years ago Verified Reviewer
I felt this was more of a moderate to difficult ride not easy to moderate the tour guides treated us like family.
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Sally Fischbeck 4 years ago Verified Reviewer
A wonderful experience! We biked on paths, boardwalks, back roads, through woods, along the beautiful Atlantic coast, beside pilgrims walking to Santiago, through city streets and sidewalks, and more! We opted to stay in 4 star hotels, which I would definitely recommend (converted palaces, monasteries, etc.).
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Klazina van Buren 4 years ago Staff
I never expected this trip to show that much variety in scenery, was awesome.
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Tim and Jan 4 years ago Verified Reviewer
“Self-Guided Bike Tour Porto to Santiago de Compostela - 6 days cycling”
Sergio and his team did themselves proud - congratulations. This is a bike tour with a difference....from the excellent personal service, to the included walking tour of Porto, to the interesting and varied ride, to the high standard of the hotels especially the absolute gem Torre de Rio at the end of day 5.
The ride for the most part follows the Portuguese Caminho way, so is not always smooth and easy, but this is to be expected by its very nature, and adds to the challenge.
My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed the trip and unreservedly recommend it to all enthusiastic cyclists.
Visited June 2015
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