Cycling the Portuguese Camino: Porto to Santiago de Compostela

Highlights: Porto

Our tour starts in the magical city of Porto, or Ribeira do Porto as it is known locally. Porto is known for its impressive views of the Douro River and of course port wine production. Take a stroll across the city’s iconic metal bridge to its sister city on the south bank, Vila Nova de Gaia, featuring docks lined with famous Porto wineries. Locals will tell you it is the best place to admire Porto from afar!  Enjoy the famous Douro River and the colorful city of Porto, home of proud happy people with a quick smile. We’ll take our bikes for a test ride today and enjoy dinner together before embarking on our adventure!

Highlights: Ride in Portugal’s Wine Country

Have you spotted the colorful rooster that is Portugal’s unofficial mascot? If not, keep your eye out; the rooster is said to embody the Portuguese love of life and it originates in Barcelos. But, before we get there, we must say goodbye to bustling Porto. We ride out on a bike path that eases us into the peaceful wine country. Expect fun hills and green lush vistas along the way along with plenty of other cyclists with whom to share an “OLÁ.”

Highlights: Explore historic Ponte de Lima

Today’s ride is short so you can take full advantage of beautiful country roads that lead to the oldest village in Portugal, Ponte de Lima. Often considered the postcard village of Portugal, Ponte de Lima is situated on the banks of Rio Lima and is the heart of the green wine region. It is also home to a very old tradition dating back to Roman or even Phoenician times: Vaca Das Cordas, or “playing with wild cows”. Vaca Das Cordas is a type of bull-running through town, followed the next day – generally in July, by the Festa do Corpo de Deus (Corpus Christi), when flowers carpet the streets. Stroll through the picturesque historic center and along an old bridge where you’ll likely spot pilgrims walking along the Portuguese Camino de Santiago.

Highlights: Pedal to Spain, the beaches of Baiona, Columbus’s first port

On March 1, 1493 the first of Columbus’s ships touched shore in Baiona. The news of his “discovery” of America soon spread to the rest of Europe. Today’s ride follows the coast and Minho river as we pedal north towards this historic port and cross into one of the most beautiful regions of Spain, Galicia. Toast your arrival into Spain with a glass of Albarino or by relaxing on the beach in Baiona.

Highlights: Explore Ria de Vigo, Jules Verne’s 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea

Today’s ride starts out flanking one of the geographical features that characterizes the Galician coast – a Ría, or a drowned river valley that is open to the sea. Though a Ría is the opposite of a lagoon, they look the same. The ride skirts the city of Vigo and you’ll jump on a ferry to cross the Ría de Vigo. In 1702 a landmark naval battle (Battle of Rande) took place outside Vigo, the largest Galician city. The battle between Anglo-Dutch and French-Spanish fleet was over the arrival of Spanish galleons laden with an immense treasure of gold, silver and jewels. Though the story of what happened next varies a treasure hunt for the gold ensued and included Jules Verne’s Captain Nemo in 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. We’ll continue to pedal north to reach Pontevedra, our home for the night. It’s worth your time to explore the medieval heart with its old granite houses and spacious squares.

Highlights: Scenic views of the Galician Mountains, Padrón Peppers

Leave the water behind today with a short climb to a mountain spine providing glorious views as a reward. It’s a perfect day for a picnic. Make sure to seek out some of Padrón’s infamous peppers. First brought from South America 400 years ago by monks and then grown in the gardens of a convent in the tiny village of Hébron, Padrón peppers became a quick favorite on local dinner tables – and are now famous throughout Spain. The monks traded the peppers for necessary items and 400 years later, they are still in demand. The peppers are no longer grown by monks but by generations of locals who have adopted both traditional methods and modern technology to offer their product to Spanish and UK markets. Watch out, these peppers are as addictive as popcorn but can catch you by surprise if you find a spicy one!

Highlights: Santiago, St James Cathedral and the end of the camino.

A short ride through the country side brings us to the larger metropolis of Santiago de Compostela, one of the world’s most important religious and spiritual sites thanks to St. James and his shrine. Popular since the Middle Ages as a religious pilgrimage to visit the remains of the martyr St. James, the town and its associated pilgrimage routes continue to attract travelers of all types. Once we arrive, you’ll have ample time to discover the famous Cathedral of St. James, the heart of Santiago. Tonight, we’ll celebrate our journey’s end with a special farewell dinner.

Highlights: Pilgrim’s Mass at Noon

We’ll offer a tour in Santiago this morning. You might also want to stick around for the Pilgrim’s Mass at noon at the Cathedral. If you would like to participate in these activities, schedule flights after 3:30 p.m. Buen viaje!