Portugal

As with all our VBT experiences Portugal did not disappoint. The trips are planned well from the time you take off from home until you land back at home. The transfers, the accommodations, and the in between are well thought out and planned. Any necessary changes are planned for. Portugal is tourist friendly, they are ahead of the curve with the pandemic, follow the rules. It is tough to find a bad meal, the weather was great; there is a lot of history. The cycling was easily doable for all who cycle 25 miles with some wind or hills. If you take only a few trips, make this one.

Portugal was our 11th VBT trip and 12th biking trip. It was the best or at least equal to our other great trips. The guides were the best ever and the hotels , especially the Farm House, were excellent. The biking was challenging at times but very good overall. We highly recommend the trip and very much want to return to Portugal. Great food, great wine and a beautiful country. We felt very safe on the roads and highways as Portugal drivers are very courteous to bikers. Absolutely nothing to complain about and as with all VBT trips, a great value.

The bike routes were well planned and reasonable is length of travel. We were in need of an air pump and it was promptly provided. This however should be available in future ventures and should travel from hotel to hotel with our luggage. The hotels were reasonable but not a five star as we expected. The meals provided by VBT we less than average and should have perhaps been planned at a more authentic Portuguese restaurant. Our bike routes had very little authentic stops along the way. Some pre arranged activities would have been enjoyable for example a port tasking, or a local Market or even an authentic coffee shop where we might be expected and served a coffee and pastry. Also a planned final dinner with the group and perhaps a leader to join us would have ended our trip nicely.

Portugal is a beautiful country. On this self-guided cycling trip, we got the best of rural, urban and coastal scenery. The accommodations were always very good, and breakfasts were included. Our bikes had 27 speeds, and we definitely needed the granny gear for the hills. The two included dinners were also very nice.

We loved this trip! Beautiful and varied biking routes; knowledgeable, competent and engaging guides, top-notch hotels, delicious food and interesting cultural activities. I wish I could do it all over again!

We thoroughly enjoyed our first VBT experience. The tour route was very well laid out and we cannot not say enough about how impressive our tour leaders, David and Frederico, both of whom are natives of Portugal. Kudos to VBT for the way they planned and conducted our tour!

Perfect trip, VBT staff/guides above and beyond!!!

This trip was the perfect combination of biking and cruising. The Emerald Radiance was a top-notch level Riverboat with a crew that felt like family by the end of the trip. The rooms were small but had every important amenity. In the evening were entertained by local dancers and singers that were an excellent representation of the local culture. This trip should be on everyone’s list.

The trip was fabulous, we explored northern Spain along different parts of the Camino. The local guides were fantastic; friendly, knowledgeable, confident, concerned for our well being and safety. Everyone got along really well. The tours of the towns with the pottery and goat cheese tours with lunch was a highlight. Food was abundant, we actually agreed that after the luncheons we only needed a very light dinner. Hotels were amazing. Absolutely loved this trip and our guides. I went into this trip thinking we were walking enough distance to obtain the Camino certification, we went to get one and the official man behind the counter told us “ impossible “ This was a disappointment for me. I would have liked that in the description of this trip. I was not the only one with this expectation. I called the office of country walkers when I realized it was not an official walk a few days prior to the trip and was told to just walk another 15 miles to reach the criteria. This was not possible on this tour. I am planning to return and walk the Camino as a pilgrim and obtain the Camino certificate. That is important to me and from this trip I realize it is doable. The trip was more than just the walk and I got so much out of this trip that I can say was well worth it and will be life changing.

I loved this trip. The group was so compatible, no "problem people". The hotels were top rate! The meals were great, albeit too much food. The guides became friends! The bus driver rocked! And the path/trails well thought out. Totally enjoyed it!!! Hope to do another country walkers trip again in near future. Jean

The tour exceeded my expectations. Northern Portugal is beautiful and the walks were interesting and scenic. The hotels were all great and very different. Our tour guides were outstanding! They were very knowledgeable and communicated well. Included food and drinks were of high quality. I don’t have anything negative to say about this tour.

This was a fabulous trip in every way. The hiking and scenery were wonderful. The guides were superb and attentive to every detail. The hotels were beautiful, comfortable and in interesting and fairly remote places. The placement of the hotels made for a a very scenic trip and the ability to get to places that I could not do on my own. The food and wine were outstanding. Even the transfer of luggage as we were hiking was so smooth that we did not have to worry about anything. I also took the extensions including Porto at the beginning and staying in Lisbon at the end of the trip. I actually worked out a special airfare arrangement with the company and booked a hotel for a longer time staying eight full nights in Lisbon, which is a beautiful city. I cannot say enough positive things about my experience on the trip to Portugal. The entire experience exceeded my expectations. Thank you.