By Maggie Deffense & Enrique Díaz As a consequence of the rich cultural heritage of Portugal, there are plenty of public events in the country, where its main focus can be gastronomy, a rural tradition, religion, or just a fun event to celebrate life. Visiting Portugal during one of the best Portuguese summer festivals is an excellent way to experience Portugal’s rich culture. Let's explore some of the most remarkable: Festa de Santo Antonio (Feast Day of Saint Anthony, Lisbon)Lisbon celebrates its patron saint with newly-wed couples giving thanks and singles praying for a match made in heaven - usually around June 12. This is one of the primo festas in Portugal. Lisbon decorates its streets with Japanese lanterns, while local residents of the oldest parts of the city, the Alfama and Bairro Alto, put long trestle tables in the streets and serve grilled sardines and wine. So many sardines are consumed that the whole city smells like a fishing village. Sweethearts give little pots of marjoram to each other as valentines! Everywhere there’s music and merrymaking! Festa das Cruzes, BarcelosThe lively Festa das Cruzes is held during the 1st week in Barcelos, Northern Portugal with a procession and stupendous handicraft fair. It’s one of the prettiest towns in Portugal - which definitely has more than its fair share of gorgeous towns and villages. May 3rd is the holy day commemorating a miracle when a poor cobbler saw a miraculous image of the cross engraved on the floor of a chapel 500 years ago. The octagonal-shaped church of Senhor da Cruz was built over this older chapel and is the focus of the festival. Today, Barcelos is best known for its pottery, especially its brightly-painted clay cock, whose crowing saved a man from the gallows, according to the local legend. It also sports one of the biggest and best weekly markets in Portugal at the enormous Campo da República square. Each Thursday, visitors can browse amongst the market's vast range of handmade Portuguese pottery as well as, fruits, vegetables, cheeses, breads, you name it! Festa de São João, PortoPhoto by Stefano Aguiar The Festa de Sao Joao (John the Baptist) is big in Porto and on June 23-24. There are large street parties with people being hit on the head with harmless plastic hammers, leeks or dried artichokes - go figure! After an evening feasting and drinking outside in little bars and restaurants overlooking the beautiful Douro River you’re treated to one of the most stupendous displays of fireworks I’ve ever seen high high up off of the Dom Luis I bridge and into the Douro River below! Absolutely breathtaking! Festas d'Agonia, Viana do CasteloThis festival is held in Viana do Castelo at the mouth of the Lima River in the Minho Province at the top of Portugal. The Minho is one of Portugal’s most beautiful provinces if not THE MOST beautiful! Green and lush with hydrangeas and wild roses growing everywhere over the low granite walls that surround the little fields of corn and green wine vines. The Festa includes an impressive parade of floats, displays of local crafts, carnival giants (gigantones), local music, nightly fireworks and lots of drinking. Many people dress in their colorful national dress - women wearing the traditional red embroidered skirts or black wedding dresses and displaying the family’s wealth in gold earrings and heavy gold chains and medallions around their necks! The agricultural fair which runs all week sells everything from tractors to spindles for spinning flax! Arraial Pride, LisboaThe Arraial Pride is Portugal’s main gay pride event, free and open to everybody and has been held since 1996, getting more and more popular every year. You can expect the usual fun and frivolity of music, food, drink, and a marketplace late into the night. Although it is usually held at the end of June, the exact date and location of the LGBT event change every year. At least in prepandemic times, this event was the bigger single event in Portugal. Unfortunately it was cancel in 2021, but it's again scheduled for 2022.
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By Maggie Deffense & Enrique DíazIn a previous post, we talked about some of the most bizarre festivals in Spain, all of them with some grade of insanity. In this post we will talk about the most inspiring, beautiful and pleasing festivals you can enjoy in Spain. Let's go! Fiesta de los Patios, CórdobaResidents in the old section of the city of Cordoba open their famous interior courtyards to visitors, showing off their beautiful patio displays, brimming with spring flowers. The owners compete for the awards, while the visitors can enjoy the magic atmosphere of those patios, decorated with plenty of colorful flowers and listening the running water of a lovely fountain. In some patios the schedule includes live music and other performances. Absolutely delightful. Feast of Santiago de CompostelaA public holiday in Galicia, this event commemorates the life and work of Saint James, Spain’s patron saint. He is reputed to be buried in Santiago de Compostela’s impressive cathedral which was deliberately built to hold his bones. As only Spain can do it, eating, drinking and merry-making are all mixed in with spiritual fervor. Street shows, concerts and dance events are held during the Fiesta de Santiago Apóstol. The years that this feast day falls on a Sunday are especially brilliant. 2021 was one of this year and the special acts will continue also in 2022, because past year was quite strange because the pandemic. Pilgrims walking or biking the 'Camino de Santiago' often try to time their pilgrimage to end at this event., a proper fairy tale end! Feria de Abril, SevilleWhat originally started out as a cattle fair in the 19th century has morphed into the social event of the year in Sevilla. It looks just like everyone’s idea of quintessential Spain. Beautiful ladies in colorful flamenco dresses with flowers in their hair, doing sevillanas (a form of flamenco), or riding behind handsome men on horseback. Plenty of parties and festive atmosphere in public and private stalls, and also a bid show off for locals. La Noche de San Juan - The Night of Saint JohnIf you're into an all-night beach party and fun then the annual San Juan festival is for you. Held the 23rd of June each year, this ancient pagan festival is now legendary for bonfires that are lit for people to jump over. According to tradition, to be cleansed and purified you must jump over a fire three times. As this Feast closely coincides with the June solstice (21st June), it's is considered the unofficial beginning of the summer. This tradition is especially strong in coastal areas of Spain, like in Galicia, where San Xoán festivals take place all over the region; La Merce Festival BarcelonaLa Mercè festival is the biggest in Barcelona which includes numerous live concerts, parades, fireworks and the famous human towers. It's a very eclectic festival held at the end of September, mixing contemporary arts with the Catalonian and includes music, arts, acrobatic shows, and street processions with giants among hundreds of activities. One of the most striking event of the festival is the correfoc, where group of individuals will dress as devils and light up fireworks – fixed on devil's pitchforks or strung above the route. Dancing to the sound of drums, they set off their fireworks among crowds of spectators. The spectators that participate dress to protect themselves against small burns and attempt to get as close as possible to the devils, running with the fire. The Fallas of ValenciaAround the middle of March, an explosive party takes place in Valencia. This fascinating event is called Las Fallas (The Falles), which has been declared an event of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. For an entire week, gigantic, colorful statues and figures fill the city's squares and streets. They are often satirical and reference political or pop-culture events that happened throughout the year. On the final night of Falles, around midnight on 19 March, these falles are burnt as huge bonfires. This is known as La Cremà (the Burning), the climax of the whole event, and the reason why the constructions are called falles ("torches"). Away from the falles, people frolic in the streets, the whole city resembling an open-air dance party, except that instead of music there is the incessant (and occasionally deafening) sound of people throwing fireworks around randomly. There are many stalls selling trinkets and snacks such as the typical fried porres, churros and bunyols, as well as roasted chestnuts.
By Maggie Deffense & Enrique DíazIs Spain a country with a weird cultural tradition? Well, as a Spaniard I would say that the answer should be 'not really'. As a visitor you would probably agree with that answer, except if you happen to land into one of the following weird Festivals! El Colacho (Baby Jumping by the Devil)There is nothing in life that you adore more than you kids, your little babies. Now take your babies, lay down them on the ground and allow the devil to jump over them. This is the argument of El Colacho. This uniquely Spanish festival sees men dressed up as the devil (colacho) in red and yellow costumes, form a queue to leap over a mattress laden with babies born during the previous 12 months. The ceremony is said to rid the babies of original sin and guard them against illness. This is one of the many Corpus Christi festivals held all over Spain on the first Sunday after Corpus Christi. Festival of the Nearly DeadPhoto by Jose Maria Moreno Garcia Those who have had a brush with death in the past year are carried through the streets in coffins to thank Saint Marta de Ribarteme, the 'patron saint of death'. Those that don’t have friends or family to carry them have to carry their own coffins. Rather sad. However, in true Spanish fashion everyone rejoices with music, food and drink and the telling and re-telling of their near-death experiences! Human Tower Building CompetitionPhoto by Michał Parzuchowski on Unsplash The city of Tarragona in Catalonia celebrates the world's biggest human tower building competition, every other year. The tradition of building these astonishing 10 meter-high human towers has a long history in this region, dating back to the 18th century. As you can see, towers are made of people standing over other's shoulders and finally a small child climbs to the tip of the trembling tower (you can see one this kid climbing half way the tower in the photo above). Human towers have a remarkable aesthetic and they are a sample of human achievement over the physical laws. In fact, human towers have been declared an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO. At the same time, we can stop thinking about the amount of weight the guys at the bottom are supporting, and how someone can feel when climbing over three or more floors of a not stable stair of humans. Absolutely insane! Tamborrada, Drum FestivalTamborrada of Donostia is a celebratory drum festival held every year on January 20 in the city of San Sebastián, Spain. At midnight, at the Konstituzio Plaza in the Old Town, the mayor raises the flag of the city. The festival lasts for 24 hours. Participants, dressed as cooks and soldiers, march in companies across the city. The origins of the celebration are not clear. According to the most popular version, the tradition was started at the beginning of the 19th century, when Napoleon's troops invaded San Sebastian and the local women would mock the French soldiers who marched around the city streets by banging buckets. Maybe you think that a drum festival is not so weird. Go there and experience that loud drum sound continuously non stop for 24 hours and send us your feedback. Running the Bulls or Running WhateverSure you've heard about running the bulls, during the San Fermin Festival, where people run in front of big bulls through the old town of Pamplona. This event, where runners risk their life, is weird enough to put in this list, but keep reading because it will get even more surreal. Perhaps because using bulls as entertainment (that later in the afternoon will end sacrificed in the bull ring) is harming the sensitivity of more and more citizens, a trend of Running Whatever is becoming the new thing. A couple of examples: Running the BusIn Torralba de Ribota (Aragón), at the end of the local festivity, people run in front of the public bus that leaves at 8:00AM. I know you don't believe us, but have a look at this video: Running the Ball (Boloencierro)In this case, locals from Mataelpino, not very far from the capital Madrid, decided to run in front of a heavy giant ball. Supposedly, the replacement of the bulls is because the ball was cheaper than the bulls (at the end, they are not stupid). Also in the first editions they used a heavy ball of about 200kg but after several people got seriously injured they replaced the ball with something lighter, just 30kg rolling towards you. Still, in 2019 the major of the town broke his collar bone trying to avoid the ball. More weirdnessDo you know of any other weird and wonderful festivals in Spain? Let us know in the comments below, or share your story right here!
By Scott SparrowMy son graduated from high school in 2021 and before he started his fist year of college at Brigham Young University (BYU), we set out on an epic adventure. While no great adventure is without challenges, ours almost never got off the ground. We bought plane tickets for the day after he graduated, June 1st, and showed up at the airport in Texas, packs on our backs, bound for Spain. Only to find Spain closed to visitors from the United States due to COVID 19 concerns. So, we climbed back in the car, heads down, dejected. My first call was not to my wife or to my employer, but to Cycling Rentals. “Please tell me you haven’t shipped the bikes yet,” I pleaded.” My fear was confirmed. “We shipped them this morning. Is there a problem?” I explained that our trip would be postponed because of the pandemic. Over the next month we rearranged work schedules, albergue reservations, train tickets, and cycling rentals. Then finally, one month to the day after our first attempt, my son flew from Utah and I from Texas. We met in the airport, this time actually making our first connection in route to Spain. Planes, trains, and cars later, we arrived in Saint Jean, France, where our bikes awaited us. We road for the next 7 days, covering close to 500 kilometers along the famed Camino de Santiago. We then dropped off the bikes and hiked the remaining distance into Santiago.
In total, we trekked 779 km over 14 days. It was exhilarating, it was gorgeous, it was exhausting, It was the adventure of a life time!
If you're looking for an unforgettable experience, self guided bike tours are just the thing. Self-guided bike tours are a great way to explore the world around you because you have greater opportunity to interact with your environment.
You can also take your time to stop and explore an area that otherwise might not have captured your attention, all while rolling at a pace faster than walking, but slower than driving: the perfect balance in my opinion! It might sound intimidating, but don't worry! This beginner’s guide will give you all the information you need to go on a self-guided bike tour. From what route is best for beginners, to what you need to pack and also safety considerations. The basics of self-guided bike tours
Self-guided bike tours are a great way to explore the world around you because you have greater opportunity to interact with your environment. You can also take time to stop and explore an area that otherwise might not have captured your attention.
You need a good level of fitness, but you don't need a lot of experience to embark on a self-guided bike tour! In fact, if you're new to biking, this is a great way to start out. The first thing you'll want to do is make sure you know how to use your bike properly and perform some basic maintenance. It's important that you know how it feels to ride a bicycle with some luggage on varied terrain. There's a difference between the feel of a road or mountain bike, so make sure you understand which type of bike will suit your route, well before departure. Once you have an understanding of the appropriate bicycle for your type of bike tour, find the perfect route for beginners. What Bike Touring Route is Best for Beginners?
When you're preparing for a self-guided bike tour, one of the most important decisions you'll have to make is what route to take. A good beginner's self guided bike tour could have you cycling between three to five hours hours a day, with a straightforward route and with easy navigation and limited hill climbing.
There are many factors that will go into this decision including how much time you have, your fitness level, and your preference, but you can start off with making 1 of 2 choices: Loop or Point-to-Point.
Aim to avoid busy roads and industrial - or excessivly hilly areas unless you're riding an ebike! Each option has its unique advantages and considerations, making them suitable for different types of cyclists and tour goals. Point-to-Point RoutesAdvantages:
Considerations:
Loop Ride RoutesAdvantages:
Considerations:
Choosing between a point-to-point and a loop ride route depends on your personal preferences, logistical capabilities, and the type of adventure you're seeking. But here's my tie-breaker: Loop ride tours are great for beginners because they simplify arrival and departure logistics considerably and therefore may not require as much planning. Also if you need to stop riding halfway through because it's too difficult or you tire out before reaching the end it's easier to return to the start point.
Point-to-Point routes are often better for more seasoned riders who are accustomed to covering greater distances, who want to explore larger areas and are happy managing begining and end of tour logistics like trains or transfers.
What to Wear on a Bike Tour?Choosing the right clothing for a bike tour is crucial for comfort, performance, and protection. Start with moisture-wicking base layers to keep sweat away from your skin and prevent chafing. On very hot days however, I prefer cotton or another slower wicking fabric to enhance cooling! Padded cycling shorts can be essential for long rides, providing cushioning and reducing saddle discomfort. I personally prefer slick lycra boxer type shorts under light, washable baggy shorts and a touch of skin balm rather than padding! Opt for a breathable, lightweight jersey with pockets for easy access to snacks and small essentials. Layering is key, so bring a lightweight, packable rain jacket for unpredictable weather and a windbreaker for cooler conditions. Don't forget a good pair of cycling gloves to protect your hands from sun and road rash, and enhance grip, and a helmet for essential safety. Sunglasses will shield your eyes from the sun, wind, and debris, while a buff or bandana can protect your neck and face from the elements. Lastly, wear comfortable, moisture-wicking socks and sturdy cycling shoes suitable for your pedal type to ensure maximum efficiency and comfort on the road. These days I opt for comfortable hiking sneakers with a firm sole so I can easily hop off my bike and explore towns. It may sound obvious, but do pack cycling clothes that are appropriate for biking, but also pack after riding clothes that can get dirty or that are easy to wash and dry. What to Pack for a Bike Tour?
Before you start your tour, make sure you've got the right gear:
If you are "credit card touring" and staying in hotels, often a single set of cycling clothes will last you several days or weeks with nightly washing and overnight drying. Consider that your after ride clothes are worn on a clean body for a few hours each day only. Just make sure you have a spare jersey and shorts in wet weather when you may need to change into dry gear half way through the day. Rest stop on a bike tour in the Algarve in southern Portugal When you're planning what to pack, think about what items might be essential based on where you're going. For example, extreme cold or heat, long hot climbs, long cold descents or longer distances between rest stops. These things must be considered when you pack your gear.For example, if you'll be in a hot climate, sunscreen is an absolute must! If you're going somewhere with a chance of rain, bring appropriate clothing and a rapid change of wet gear. You can find a detailed bike tour packing list here.
Pro Tip: Pack your panniers or bags in chronological layers. For example, I always pack my after ride sandals and wash kit near or at the top of my panniers, and always have a light rain jacket in my bar bag for instant access.
Hydration and Nutrition for BeginnersEmbarking on a bike tour is an exciting adventure, but maintaining proper hydration and nutrition is crucial for an enjoyable and successful journey. Start your ride well-hydrated by drinking plenty of water the day before and the morning of your tour. Aim to drink small amounts of water regularly during your ride, about one bottle per hour, and consider adding electrolyte tablets to your water to replenish lost salts and minerals, especially in hot weather. Fuel your body with balanced meals and light snacks. Begin with a carbohydrate-rich meal a few hours before your ride, and during the ride, opt for easily digestible snacks like energy bars, bananas, fruits and nuts every 45 minutes to an hour. After your ride, focus on recovery by consuming a snack with a rougly 3:1 carbohydrate to protein ratio, followed by a balanced evening meal. I particularly love a lighter combination Portuguese soups and petiscos or a variety of tasty tapas at the end of the day, rather than a heavy meal. Embrace the local cuisine along your route for a more immersive experience, but be cautious with raw or very rich foods to avoid stomach issues. Planning ahead for water refill points and carrying lightweight, non-perishable snacks will help keep you energized and hydrated throughout your adventure. By prioritizing these essentials, you'll ensure a smooth and enjoyable bike tour. Safety on a Bike Tour
Safety should always be your number one priority and nothing should ever deter you from taking the necessary precautions. It's important to wear a helmet, follow traffic laws, and make sure you can be seen on or off the bike. I recommend wearing a bright colored jersey, wind breaker or helmet in any weather.
Beyond road safety, some destinations are clearly safer for beginer bike tourers than others. We are experts in bicycle travel in Spain and Portugal and over they years we have observed that male and female cyclists alike have excellent experiences in both countries.
Look for destinations with friendly and welcoming cultures and good infrustrutures for visitors for the best experience as a newbee bike traveler!
If you follow the rules of the road and use some common sense, bike tours are very safe if you just take these few small precautions. Beginner Bike Touring FAQsQ: What should I pack for our trip? A: Pack essential items like plenty of water, electrolyte tablets or sports drinks, and a variety of your favourite snacks like energy bars, bananas, nuts, and dried fruits. Additionally, bring a small first aid kit, sunscreen, a multi-tool for bike repairs, spare tubes + patch kit, a lightweight rain jacket, comfortable clothing, and a map or GPS navigation device. Pro Tip: If you're using a cell phone or GPS device for navigation, be sure to bring spare batteries or a power bank! Q: What's the typical amount of snacks and water that most people need to bring? A: Most cyclists aim to drink about one bottle of water (500-750 ml) per hour of riding. For snacks, plan for a small, easily digestible item every 45 minutes to an hour. This might include 2-3 energy bars, a few pieces of fruit, and a handful of nuts or trail mix for a half-day ride. Adjust based on your personal needs and the duration of your tour. Pro Tip: If you are cycling in a fairly populated area, you can and should buy fresh snacks like fruit and sandwiches daily or even hourly! Q: Is there anything that people seem to forget to pack that I should make sure we have? A: People often forget electrolyte tablets, which are crucial for maintaining fluid balance and preventing cramps in hot weather seasons. Also, ensure you have a small first aid kit, sunscreen, lip balm, a basic repair kit with tire levers and a pump, and an extra layer of clothing for changing weather conditions. Pro Tip: Bring a couple of plastic bags for wet or very dirty clothes so you don't mess up the rest of your gear! Q: Do most travelers carry a backpack with them for their rides? A: While some cyclists prefer a hydration pack or small backpack, most seasoned riders use bike-mounted storage options like saddlebags, handlebar bags, or frame bags to keep their bodies lighter, cooler and more comfortable. Let your bike carry the load! Pro Tip: You will almost invariably overpack so create a checklist and remove unnecessary items. Quick Tips for Bike Touring Routes
Self-guided bike tours are a great way to explore the world's most beautiful destinations. Here are 3 broad and simple tips for beginner cyclists to make their first self-guided bike tour a success:
1) Start with an easy and travel friendly destination, where you won't find yourself hopelessly out of your depth if things go wrong. Namely healthcare, basic sanitation and alternative transport options in case of breakdowns - mechanical or personal! You can find some of our favourite beginner friendly and recommended bicycle tour routes in Spain and Portugal here.
2) Look for routes that avoid major roads and highways, to avoid traffic hazards, but that lead you to interesting destinations so you never feel too far from civilization - or that all you do is pedal without engaging with locals! 3) Consider Logistics, Points of Interest, Distance and Elevation gain. When will you go? Where will you stay? Where will you be able to buy provisions? What is there to see? How far do you want to cycle each day? How much do you want to climb each day? Also think about terrain (paved or unpaved), time available for your bike touring adventure, and seasonal weather conditions. You need to be sure you are fit enough to cycle the full distance of the tour, while taking into account that the challenge level is not just the distance cycled, but also the elevation gain for the days ride. I also recommend allowing sufficient time to actually enjoy the rides and also your overnight destinations - and points of interest along the way! Many inexpereinced bicycle travelers overlook this and end up going home tired and underwhelmed simply from riding too late into each day.
Although most people prefer spring and summer for the better weather conditions, we have many experienced cyclists who prefer cycling in autumn and winter, and risking a little rain so they can avoid crowds.
Cycling Rentals has been designing and operating bike tours for nearly 20 years, and we can help you choose or plan your perfect self guided bike tour - get in touch. In the mean time, click below for some inspiration! |