• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Go to Expat Living Hong Kong
GET OUR NEWSLETTER

Lifestyle Guide To Moving To & Living in Singapore - Expat Living HomepageLifestyle Guide To Moving To & Living in Singapore - Expat Living

Moving to Singapore and not sure where to start? Expat Living is the essential lifestyle guide to living in Singapore.

Menu
  • Living in Singapore
      • Living here
      • Neighbourhood Guides
      • Schools
      • Property
      • Work And Business
      • Finance
      • For Guys
      • Environment
        • White Ginger agate necklace12 Mother’s Day Gift Ideas
        • how to delete duplicate photosHow to manage your photo duplicates
        • International Baccalaureate Continuum school.International IB school with a 40-year legacy
        • Dog in poolPet-friendly places at Dempsey
      • View all
    Close
  • Things To Do
      • Things to do
      • EL Events
      • Calendar
      • Competitions
      • Noticeboard
        • Free Your Self From Pain | Katie Byron with Russell BrandGreat podcasts we are listening to!
        • bookGreat books: What to read this month
        • FireflyWhat to watch this month
        • feautureWhat’s on this week and beyond
      • View all
    Close
  • Kids
      • Enrichment
      • Kids Things To Do
      • Mums & Babies
      • Schools
      • Tots & Toddlers
      • Tweens & Teens
        • White Ginger agate necklace12 Mother’s Day Gift Ideas
        • tantrumHow to handle toddler tantrums & meltdowns
        • low school fees in SingaporeA primary school with lower school fees
        • International Baccalaureate Continuum school.International IB school with a 40-year legacy
      • View all
    Close
  • Homes
      • Home Decor
      • Readers’ Homes
      • Furniture
        • KitchenSpruce up your kitchen décor
        • Arete Culture- customised furniture singaporeGetting custom-made furniture – just right for you!
        • Kitchen AidHome News: décor, furniture and more!
        • Island Living -where to buy a good bed in singaporeWhere to buy a really good bed
      • View all
    Close
  • Travel
      • Asia
      • Australia & New Zealand
      • Rest Of World
      • News
      • Travel Offers
        • AmanHotel deals & Singapore Staycations
        • GullfossThe most Instagrammed waterfalls in the world!
        • westinFun staycations for families and foodies
        • food7 Instagrammable cafés in Sydney
      • View all
    Close
  • Wine & Dine
      • Asian Cuisine
      • Western Cuisine
      • Bars & Clubs
      • Groceries & Speciality Services
      • Recipes & Classes
        • le petit depot singapore wine deliveryOnline alcohol delivery – wine, champagne, beer & spirits!
        • Bar reviw – boogie stLatest bars in Singapore: New drinking spots!
        • kombuchaWhere to get Kombucha: Fizzy goodness
        • Fat Belly SocialNew Nibbles: Foodie news!
      • View all
    Close
  • Style & Beauty
      • Fashion
      • Hair & Beauty
      • Beauty Offers
        • LUXE Botanics Camu Brightening Serum, $160Brightening serums and creams for dark spots!
        • best trainersNeed a new pair of trainers?
        • skin pigmentation treatments5 advanced facials for pigmentation
        • expat womenWhere to find clothes in Singapore that fit!
      • View all
    Close
  • Health & Fitness
      • Dental
      • Fitness
      • Medical
      • Wellness
        • best trainersNeed a new pair of trainers?
        • kombuchaWhere to get Kombucha: Fizzy goodness
        • health tip: stretch at your deskHow to be healthier: 5 simple tips
        • JuiceHealth News: What’s up!
      • View all
    Close
  • Shop
    • PRINT MAGAZINE
    • DIGITAL MAGAZINE
    • BOOKS
    • Close
Home » Travel » How to explore Portugal by bike

How to explore Portugal by bike

2nd June 2017 by Intern 3 4 Min Read

https://expatliving.sg/travel-singapore-portugal-travel-holiday-bicycle/

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.

Porto, Portugal, Portugal by bicycle, europe, travel, holiday, portugal bicycle tour, self-guided biking holiday, we love small hotels, self-guided tour operators
Porto, Portugal

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. 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. 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.

The winding Douro River is the vein of life that pulses through the Douro Valley. Pinhão, our first stop, is one of the more popular towns along the river. Our accommodation at the aptly named Vintage House had views stretching for miles along the impressive watercourse. With river scenes and terraced vineyards filling every square inch, the Douro is one of the most picturesque wine regions you could visit.

Portugal, Portugal by bicycle, Europe, travel, holiday, Portugal bicycle tour, self-guided biking holiday, we love small hotels, self-guided tour operators
“Self-guided cycling holidays are having their moment in the sun”

Setting Off

Our first day was spent cycling high up into the hills around Pinhão, after which we returned to Vintage House. The scenery was breathtaking; and, while clear skies eluded us, we were happy to have the cloud cover keep the temperature down. Our hybrid bikes easily negotiated the steep stretches, patches of cobblestones and bitumen roads. Handily, they come equipped with small baskets or bags for you to pack all the little essentials in: phone, food, a cheeky bottle of wine and a jacket or poncho.

After packing our bags on Day Two, we stepped on the pedals to cover a distance of 37km to our next hotel. Conveniently, our luggage was moved for us, so the riding was free and easy. We lapped up every moment of the undulating hills, the coffee stops in little villages, eating a packed lunch at the edge of a vineyard, and the quiet, traffic-free roads we’d been guided through.

Food, wine and more

I’m a keen foodie, so one of my greatest holiday pleasures is to experience the eating and drinking culture of a country. Portugal is famous mostly for its port, but the Douro Valley also produces excellent wine. Part of the appeal of this holiday was the prospect of enjoying both food and wine at the end of a hard day’s cycling.

Each afternoon as we approached our destination, we’d imagine the culinary delights that were in store. And we were never disappointed. From the petiscos (Portuguese tapas) served with our evening drink to hearty stews and chocolatey desserts, we devoured everything. The good thing about cycling all day is that you can gorge at every mealtime, completely guilt-free.

Portugal, Portugal by bicycle, Europe, travel, holiday, Portugal bicycle tour, self-guided biking holiday, we love small hotels, self-guided tour operators, vineyards
Sit around and sample a few of those fine wines at a vineyard in Portugal

Self-guided tour operators

We chose tour operator We Love Small Hotels for our trip; it provides a range of self-guided tours – ours included door-to-door service, return transfers from the airport, bed and breakfast plus some lunches, luggage transfers each day, bikes, GPS units with detailed bike tracks, and friendly service. The company operates across all of Portugal – north and south, coastal and inland.

Mediterras also offers private biking tours that are strongly oriented to cultural and gastronomic experiences; every tour is customised according to your interests, so you get maximum enjoyment from it. On all these tours, guides will set up your bikes for you and take you through everything you need to know.

Another upside of working with a local tour operator is that it can build an itinerary for a group that has differing requirements. If your group includes a mix of cycling levels, let’s say, separate tracks can be created to suit each member of the group.

 

welovesmallhotels.com | info@welovesmallhotels.com
mediterras.com | info@mediterras.com

 

This is an article that first appeared in the May 2017 edition of Expat Living. Purchase a copy or subscribe now so you never miss an issue!

Check out more great destinations and travel tips.

Categories: Rest Of World Travel Tags: adventure travel Cycling Europe Holiday Destination Travel

Intern 3

You May Also Like

Gullfoss

The most Instagrammed waterfalls in the world!

Fun staycations for families and foodies

7 Instagrammable cafés in Sydney

Primary Sidebar

Expat Living Singapore 🇸🇬

expatlivingsg

Open
**Friday Giveaway** 
Create your own signature fragrance with Maison 21G! (@maison21g ) 

We're collaborating with the bespoke French haute perfumery to give away 10 bottles of Eau de parfum, customised to your own liking – you get to choose your ingredients from 35 different essences and create your own unique scent matching your personality and preferences. Packaged in an elegant transparent 30ml bottle, your bespoke perfume contains 21% natural concentrate. You can even customise the bottle with your own design or choose from a range of designs. It's made by you, for you! 🥰

Each of the 10 prizes consists of a promo code valued at $95, redeemable for one bottle of customised perfume at maison21g.com. 
☝️Codes are valid until 31 December 2021 (6pm), and can't be used for redeeming other products from the Maison 21G website. 

To be in with a chance to win this fab prize, all you need to do is: 
* Follow @maison21g 
* Follow @expatlivingsg (if you aren't already!)
* Tag two friends who love fragrances
* Register your name through the link on the story/competition highlight so we can contact you

Good Luck! 

#giveaway
 #giveawaysg 
#entertowin 
#winwinwin 
#sggiveaway 
#sggiveaways
 #expatlivingsg
 #fragranceforyoubyyou 
#maison21g
Open
Most of us know UFIT, a very popular fitness and wellness brand in Singapore with over 100 coaches and clinicians who have worked hard to keep us fit and healthy over the years. 

UFIT's journey started off in 2009 with a small group attending bootcamps, leading to them launching their flagship studio in 2011. Now they have another baby, as they recently opened a beautiful new studio centrally based at the Fairmont Hotel 
 
Check out their website via their Insta page (tagged here). 

There will be a 10% discount off Personal Training and Private Group Training for new clients at the Fairmont studio only. 
To redeem, simply register via their website under Fairmont Studio and mention ‘Expat Living’ in the submission form. 
Sign ups must be before 30th April and it’s applicable to the first package only 

T&Cs
Must purchase by 30th April
applicable to the first package only
Fairmont Studio only. 

#Expatlivingsg #UFITsg #livinginsingapore #health #fitness #wellness #grouptraining #personaltraining
Open
The hype around kombucha is fairly recent, but did you know that this fizzy, fermented tea-based drink has ancient origins? 

First brewed in northeast China over 2,000 years ago, kombucha is said to impart a range of health benefits, from strengthening immunity to improving gut health.

Sasha’s Farms is a non-profit social enterprise that supports and promotes small and independent businesses like Kore Culture Labs, a fermenting café in Bali producing healthy kombuchas and sodas. 

Head to our website where you can read about four reasons why you should give them a try

#expatlivingsg #sashasfinefoods #ethicallysourced #sustainableliving #ethicalgrocer #sustainablesg #healthyliving #superfoods #kombucha #kombuchasg #sff #sashasfinefoods
Open
As a new(ish) kid on the block, Razum International School offers something a little different as far as international primary schools in Singapore go. 

Two expat mums, Elena and Marina, joined forces to create a primary school experience that focuses on a shorter day, strong academic curriculum and more affordable school fees in Singapore.

The shorter learning hours – from 8.45am to 1pm – means your child can spend the afternoon doing extra-curricular activities (ECAs). Kids can opt for activities they enjoy provided by external providers, or use the time to focus on their competitive sports or music classes or simply spend quality time with the family.

Find out more about this and other interesting aspects of Razum by clicking on our website via the link in our bio. You can even book a school tour!

#expatlivingsg #livinginsingapore #internationalschoolsingapore #bestboutiqueschoolsingapore #monthlypayment #educationsg #primaryschool #siblingdiscount
Open
** GIVEAWAY ALERT**

This month, we’ve teamed up with @andazsingapore for a special giveaway! 
One winner will receive four vouchers for Alley on 25’s Lazy Breakfast, including free-flow alcohol🍷🍾🍸. Held on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from 12pm to 2.30pm, the brunch lets you choose a main from a selection of hearty dishes like avocado toast and a veggie friendly margherita panini. Also included are unlimited plates of cold seafood, cold cuts, cheeses, salads and cooked-to-order eggs, served straight to your table.

To win all you have to do is 

1️⃣ Follow @andazsingapore on Instagram

2️⃣ Tag 3 friends who you want to bring along 

3️⃣ Register your details on the link in our IG Stories/ Competition Highlight

Good Luck!! 

#giveaway #giveawaysg #entertowin #winwinwin #sggiveaway #sggiveaways #expatlivinggiveaway #b#bubblybrunch #freeflow #andazsingapore
Open
New to Expat Living? Sign up today for a free subscription to our monthly magazine! 💕 
Visit 👉 expatliving.sg/free/subs/ig/

*Applicable to first-time subscribers only

.
#expatlivingsg #expatliving #sgexpat #expatsg #igsg #sgdining #sghome #sgsales #sgfurniture #sgproperty #sghomedecor #expatlifesg #singaporehomes
Open
Wondering where to go for a drink this Friday night? 

From clever cocktail bars to fancy speakeasies in town, we have the hottest, newest or most notable watering holes to get your alcohol (and social) fix – whether you’re craving a martini, a gin and tonic, or just a glass of wine. 

Check out the link on our stories (it’s in our highlights tab and also on our website, and we’ll update this regularly, so remember to bookmark it! 🍹 🍸

#expatlivingsg #livinginsingapore #cocktails #cocktailssg #happyhoursg #cocktailsofinstagram #fridaydrinks
Open
** Friday Giveaway** 

We have 5x PHS HAIRSCIENCE Signature Daily Regime set to giveaway! 
Who wants in? 🙋‍♀️

Specially formulated to effectively treat scalp and hair concerns, PHS HAIRSCIENCE® Daily Regime combines scientifically proven methods, high concentrations of botanical essences and stem cell technology into a 3 step scalp and hair care routine. 
They do these 3 simple steps 

1. Double Cleanse, Moisturise and Treat every day for a healthy scalp and gorgeous tresses
2. Improves overall scalp health and strengthens hair roots
3. Repairs and nourishes scalp 

How to enter? 
1. Comment Me! and tag a friend 
2. Follow @phshairscience 
3. Register your details on the link- check out at our IG stories and Competition highlight. 

Good luck! 

#beautifulhair 
#fridaygiveaway 
#expatlivingsg
#PHS
Open
The range of outdoor furniture in Singapore is pretty amazing. 

Check out these good furniture stores via the link on the horn page of our website that carry practical, stylish pieces, including some of the best outdoor furniture brands. 

From sofas, chairs and tables to rugs, lanterns and even pizza ovens, you’ll be all set for living a great outdoor life in style and comfort. There are also gorgeous accessories if you just need to make your outdoor area look a bit more ‘pulled together’!

#expatlivingsg #livinginsingapore #outdoorfurniture #patiofurniture #interiordesigners
Open
**Win a Social Media Marketing Strategy** 

Calling all business owners! 

@theemms.sg is awarding one lucky entrepreneur or small business with a professional social media marketing strategy, worth $850. 

Designed to meet your specific goals and challenges, this the prize includes:

1️⃣A strategic review of your company’s Instagram or Facebook page
2️⃣A one-on-one session to learn how you can improve your platforms
3️⃣A detailed social media strategy to help you implement with style for 3 months.
Keen to win it? 🤔 
All you need to do is:
1. Comment Me! 🙋🏻‍♀️ or tag your friend who has a business. 
2. Follow @theemms.sg 
3. Register your name and email on the link in our story or see our story highlights for more! 
Good Luck! 

#expatlivinggiveaway 
#singapore 
#theemms
#marketing 
#socialmediastrategy 
#marielle
#intitowinit
Open
We love hearing where our readers live so each month we ask residents to talk about their homes and neighbourhoods to help others who are living in Singapore make a better decision. 

Moving is always pretty stressful, so it’s good to get some recommendations first. 

This month Marina Matthews talks about living at Laguna Park condo off Marine Parade on the East Coast.

Check out the full article with Marina’s recommendations on our website (link in bio) 

#Expatlivingsg #livinginsingapore #eastcoastsg #marineparadesg #lagunaparksg #singaporeneighbourhoods #singapore
Open
To tan or not to tan, that is the question! 

We all know that extended hours under the sun is no good for the skin, and there can be damage from both good old-fashioned sunbathing and indoor tanning. 

Check out our website where we look at why people want that bronzy glow plus the risks of tanning and how top aesthetic treatments from Amaris B Clinic can help rewind some of the damage like sun spots, hyperpigmentation, wrinkles and even cellulite

#Expatlivingsg #amarisbclinic #amarisb #livinginsingapore #tanning #sunbathing #aesthetictreatments #sunspots #hyperpigmentation
Open
Read our latest issue on any device for free! 👉 expatliving.sg/digital/ig

In this issue, step inside an interior designer’s home in Clementi, find out where our readers get their customised furniture and get great furnishing ideas for your bathroom and kitchen.

Plus, check out 3 popular bubbly brunches 🥂 and a newly revamped bar in town for you to try; there’s plenty more, too, including classic wrap dresses, activewear and our recommendations on comfy trainers!
Open
If you are craving some vitamin-sea, then set sail on Royal Carribean’s Quantum of the Seas, offering two, three, and four-night Ocean Getaways from Singapore until October 2021 all with 50% discount and free kids places. 

Every moment onboard this fabulous ship has sunshine, good times and wow-worthy experiences. 

Rest assured your well-being is their top priority and the staff do an amazing job of making your holiday safer, so you can focus on memory making.

We are on board now, do let us know if you have any questions to ask 🛳 

#expatlivingsg #livinginsingapore #royalcarribeansg #quantumoftheseas #cruisetonowhere #cruising2021 #seacations #instasg #cruisingsg
Open
** Giveaway**

@_aquariva_ is giving away one of their gorgeous dresses or jumpsuits to the value of $250.
Yeay!! 💃🏼

@_aquariva_ is known for its clean lines and soft curves, lavished with their favourite seasonal prints. Effortlessly charming, elegant and just the right relaxed proportions. Perfect for the woman on the go! 
They use traditional screen printing for all of their fabrics and dresses 👗are lovingly done by hand, even the drying method is done naturally by sunlight ☀️How cool and environmentally friendly 👌🏻✌🏻. A lot of love goes into the Aquariva piece that you wear!

How to win: 
1. Like this post 
2. Follow @_aquariva_ 
3. Comment what size you are and tag a friend 

It's that easy! 
Good luck! 

#beautifuldresses 
#singapore 
#tropical 
#dress 
#handmade
#screenprintingfabrics
#giveaway 
#expatlivingsg
#elegantdresses 
#tagafriend
Open
East Coast restaurants – specifically in Katong and Joo Chiat – have always been known for their good food. More recently though, the area has seen a rise in great cafes, specialty grocers, Italian cuisine and bakeries (with fresh sourdough!). 

From East Coast brunch cafes and alfresco restaurants, to bars and gourmet supermarkets, we have a list of the top East Coast food options to try on the home page of our website (link in bio). 

And if it’s not your neighbourhood, nothing is that far away in Singapore. You can walk along the coast or look at funky shophouses before or after and make it an outing!

#expatlivingsg #livinginsingapore #eastcoastsg #igfood #foodsg #instafood #joochiat #joochiatroad #tanjongkatong #siglap
Open
The school holidays are still in full swing so if you are looking to entertain kids or just looking to take a break over the long Easter weekend, have a look at the travel page on our website where you will find lots of info on various staycation packages around the island 🏝 

#expatlivingsg #livinginsingapore #staycations #staycationssg #ighotels #easterinsg #easter2021
Open
There are many maternity insurance plans on the market, but do you know what’s written in the fine print? 

If you’re thinking of getting pregnant with the help of fertility treatments, you’d want to know what’s included in your policy and if the procedures you need are covered. 

We have a great article on our website (link in bio) where the team at Expat Insurance brief us on what’s covered for fertility treatments

#expatlivingsg #livinginsingapore #expatinsurancesg #insuranceinsingapore #fertilitytreatmentsg #ivfsg
Open
The new addition to the 
W Atelier stable is the high-end Italian designer furniture brand Cassina. The Cassina Perspective is the name given to the space – and it’s a bit of a “wow”! In fact, the whole showroom at Henderson Road will likely wow you: three floors (300 square metres) of eye candy for home décor lovers and interior designers. It’s definitely worth a visit if you’re renovating or doing up your home, or you love furniture design and want an iconic statement piece. 

If you’re like us, you’ll be touching everything and trying out all the sofas and chairs! 

Check out our website for some more info on their stunning products (link in bio) 

#expatlivingsg #wateliersg #furnituresg #furnituredesignsg #interiordesignsg #homeaccessoriessg #livinginsingapore
Open
Want a free copy of our latest Home & Property Guide? Sign up to our newsletter by 31 March to get a copy delivered to you! 👉 expatliving.sg/hpg/ig

❣️ Over 100 pages of fabulous furnishing ideas, decoration and design tips from the experts, and a peek inside some of our readers’ stunning homes – from condo apartments to black-and-white bungalows.

You’re sure to find something to fall in love with from our catalogue of amazing products for every room of the house. There’s also advice on services, utilities, leasing and serviced apartment accommodation 🏠

.
#expatlivingsg #expatliving #sghomes #sgfurniture #sgproperty #sghomedecor 
#sgexpat #expatsg #expatlifesg #igsg #sghome #singaporehomes
  • Competitions
  • Noticeboard
  • Subscribe
  • About
  • advertise
  • Contact
  • Privacy

© 2021 Expat Living Singapore, All Rights Reserved.