A trip that combines natural beauty with great food and wine is a sure fire way to enjoy the best of Europe – and, as VICTORIA MILNER discovers, doing it on two wheels can be an especially rewarding option.
Cycling is undoubtedly the sport du jour. Whether you live in Singapore, Sydney or Seattle, you’ve no doubt eyeballed the packs of lycra-clad cyclists speeding around your neighbourhood. For some, lycra is a vehicle for their midlife crisis (you know who I mean) but for others, cycling is a more relaxing pursuit.
When a friend suggested a cycling jaunt in Portugal, I initially scoffed. While I don’t mind riding to the market on a Saturday, piling the basket high with fresh produce, then riding the 10 minutes home again, cycling for a holiday seemed quite beyond my pedal power.
After a little research, though, I began to think that not only could I tackle such a holiday, I might also enjoy it. The allure of picturesque landscapes and exceptional food and wine, with some exercise thrown in, didn’t seem like a bad idea at all.
Destination: Portugal
Self-guided biking holidays are having their moment in the sun. An organised, active holiday where you don’t have to endure the pain of a big tour group can make for a rewarding trip. The other beauty of this kind of travel is its flexibility. The key is to work with a tour company that can create an itinerary to suit your needs. In our case, those were to enjoy some fairly easy cycling while also having time to explore.
Portugal is an ideal country if you’re looking for somewhere away from the tourist hordes. What particularly appealed to us about the Northern Portugal itinerary we chose was the opportunity to see Porto and the Douro Valley. We’d be enjoying a vibrant European city break and also experiencing some spectacular nature.
This story is from the May 2017 edition of EL Singapore.
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This story is from the May 2017 edition of EL Singapore.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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