Bike: Fado-Coimbra

IMG_0562bThe 14 day cycle tour Fado-Coimbra is an extension of the tour Land around Coimbra. Your trip starts at Quinta no Pinhal. At each accommodation you will benefit from an extra day of rest. This tour ends with a stay in the ancient university city of Coimbra where you'll be wellcomed in the historical Hotel Astoria.

From € 839 p.p.

Nationaal-park-BuacoIncluded

  • 13x overnight stay with breakfast
  • 6x lunchpackage
  • route descriptions
  • route maps
  • GPS tracks
  • personal route information
  • luggage transport

Day 1

IMG_0010You will be welcomed at "Quinta no Pinhal". You can try your rental bicycle. Overnight stay at Quinta no Pinhal.


Day 2

IMG_0560aYou will get acquainted with the landscape of Beira Litoral; hilly/sloping, lots of greenery and water. A drive of 39 km. The start is in Vila Nova de Poiares cycling direction Penacova. high above the Mondego with from here a beautiful view over this river. On the way you will pass 14 restored mills at Gavinhos, in some of them you can spend the night, here you can test your climbing skills. Halfway you will pass through the village of Lorvão which is known for its monastery and especially its beautiful church. In the pastelaria (bakery) opposite the monastery you can taste the delicacies made according to the ancient recipe of the monks. Overnight stay: Quinta no Pinhal.


Day 3

kanoen op mondegoWalking or cycling you can enjoy the surroundings using a military map. It is also possible to canoe, ride a horse, or you can just stay at the swimming pool or go to the river beach of the river Mondego at Penacova. Overnight stay at Quinta no Pinhal.

Day 4

IMG_057646 km. Today you will cycle from Vila Nova de Poiares to Ceira dos Vales. The major part of this trip you will follow the river Ceira, during this trip you will pass by a Praia Fluvial at Casal de Ermio where you can take a refreshing bath in the river. At the end of this tour you will pass by Lousa, situated at the foot of the Serra de Lousa. An area with beautiful green landscapes, a lot of trees, water, and the ruins of a Moors Castle from the 10th century surrounded by little chapels. Entering the village (coming from Gois) you will see two of the various luxurious ancient residences of the 17th and 18th century (casa de Cima and casa de Quinta do Cano) which Lousã possesses due to the industrial revolution of that time. Just outside of the village the most impressing residence Quinta da Santa Rita. Overnight stay:: `Quintal Álem do Ribeiro’.

Day 5

Quinta 2Today you can choose between a short ride of 14 km to a natural pool build of schists nearby a Moors Castle, a round trip of 35 km or you can pick the ’Queens’ tour (58 km) in the Serra de Lousã to a height of nearly 1200 m, where you can feel the overwhelming calmness and a superb view over a big part of middle Portugal, from the Atlantic Ocean to the Serra de Estrela. A trip passing the Aldeias Serranas, abandoned mountain villages with very old small houses build of flat natural mountain stones. This whole trip is rich of wonderfull ’ Miradouros’ (views). The descent brings you through an unpaved road back to the track Gois-Lousa. If you want to ride a part of the queen's ride, you can do that too, a route along slate villages. Overnight stay: ‘Quintal Álem do Ribeiro’.

Day 6

Alg_011Today is a day to relax. You can go for a walk at the "Serra da Lousã" with the scenic environment of the ruins of a castle built at the 10th century and lovely small chapels. Or you can visit one of the old mountainvillages. A day at the pool of the "quinta" or a refreshing dive in the cosy constructed natural pool in the streamlet of the river at Lousã. In the nearby restaurant (Burgo) there you can enjoy a very good meal. Overnight stay: "Quintal de Além do Ribeiro".

Day 7

IMG_0560aToday a ride of, 58 km from Ceira dos Vales to São Lourenço de Bairro. You drive along the village of Penacova, highly above the river Mondego, forward to the national Parc of Buçaco with its stunning hotel (see appendix) in manulinion style.uitzicht over de loop van de rivier Mondego On the way you will pass numerous fountains, a lot of unspoiled villages and olive groves and orange orchards, surrounded by pineforests. In the National Parc of Buçaco you will find the Mata do Buçaco, a wood of 105 ha, surrounded by a wall of 5 km and 11 entrances. Via Luso, a spa well known for its therapeutic mineral water, you pass the wine region “Bairrada”. Your destination is Quinta do São Lourenço in São Lourenço. Overnight stay: ’Quinta São Lourenço’.

Day 8

IMG_015170 km Today you cycle via Mira to Praia de Mira, wide sandy beaches and a fresh sea. Between the two places stretches a part of the wide pine forests with which one tries to counteract the sand drifts in the dunes - about 5000 hectares. For a change, a trip on flat roads in Praia de Mira, with its typical houses built on stilts (palheiros), where fishermen still practice traditional trawling, is a popular summer resort. Or a trip of 34 km in the wine region of Bairrada. Your visit starts at Quinta de Ortigão, founded by the man who first produced sparkling wine in this area, Augusto Brandão Alegre. Afterwards you drive on to Curia and visit the wine shop Bairrada where you can taste wine from this region. the visit ends at Caves de São Domingos. On the way back you can visit the winery Aliança in Sangalhos. Here is also a museum with African masks. *In the evening you can try the Leitão, the regional specialty of the Bairrada region. Overnight stay: "Quinta São Lourenço".

Day 9

QSL-PoolYou will stay at "Quinta São Lourenço", which is situated in the viticultural region the Bairrada. It is possible to visit one of the winecellars of Aliança, go to the wine-museum in Anadia or you can use your extra day to enjoy at the large sandy beaches of the Atlantic ocean. Your overnight stay is at Quinta São Lourenço".

Day 10

Kastanjepoffer in de straten van CoimbraYou start in São Lourenço for your last trip of 27 km or 67 km. The first part you will encounter ancients hamlets, some of them partly abandoned. Before you enter the famous age-old university town of Coimbra, you will pass various rice-fields nearby Gandara.You can also take your bike on the train to Coimbra, that will shorten your trip to 27 km. Cycling along the river Mondego you will reach the historical town-centre. The ancient university and the cosy, narrow shopping streets worth to be visited. Een kastanjepoffer in het oude centrum van Coimbra By the southide you leave Coimbra and driving along the astonishing valley of the river Mondego you ’ll reach your final destination. Overnight stay: `Quinta no Pinhal’.

Day 11-13

COIMBRA aquaductAfter breakfast at Quinta no Pinhal you will be transported to Coimbra to enjoy the 11th -13th day of your trip. Here you will stay 3 days at hotel Astoria, situated in the historic centre of Coimbra and along the river Mondego . A visit of the ancient old city offers a lot of culture, typical portugese tiles, beautifull gardens and traffic free shopping areas.Aquaduct cenrtum Coimbra A variety of historical buildings, musea and palaces, but also modern architecture are the reasons to stay. The cities University has the oldest history and the highest reputation in Portugal. It is possible to have a guided tour at the University, especially to see the famous library in manuelean style. Weekly fado concerts will be held in the historical centre of the city. The fado of Coimbra is only represented by men and has the impression of romantic serenades. Botanische tuin Coimbra Downhill you will find the "Jardim Botânico" (20 hectare). It is a terrace build garden with both tropical and subtropical trees and plants. Departing from Coimbra iit is also possible to make some short day trips by train and /or bu Quinta no Pinhal

Day 14

fadoAfter enjoying the delightful breakfast at hotel Astoria, situated in the historical centre of Coimbra, your trip will end.


Equipment

Your rental bike is a hybrid bike with Shimano parts, front suspension and 21 gear, luggage rack, water bottle holder, bicycle pump, repair kit and bike computer. You can borrow bicycle bags for a small deposit on the spot. You can also rent a bike helmet. We recommend to wear a bicycle helmet.

Fiets_zwart

Extra days

It is possible to book an extra day at all of the Quintas. In Vila Nova de Poiares you will have the opportunity to book a cano trip at the river Mondego. Or just stay and relax at one of the lovely Quintas.

Environment

In this region, called the Pinhal Interior, because of the great number of pine trees, also exist a lot of olive orchards, eucalyptus and citrus trees but also cork oaks and of course the big amount of "vinhas" vineyards. In spring the mimosa with it´s typical yellow sweet smelling flowers decorates this region. Often you will meet the peasant cart with the dunkey. A lot of the portugese people here live of agriculture. In the summer there are a lot of markets and festivals with music and dancing to honour the saint.

Mondego

NIF:PT506832074; A mansão no pinhal Lda, Rua da Paz 37, 3350-094, Vila Nova de Poiares, Portugal; 00351-960082018; info@qnpportugal.eu