Terracotta Journeys offers cycling tours and hiking tours off the beaten track in Spain, Portugal and France for the active traveler seeking delicious food and wines, impressive scenery and historic accommodation. Our goal is to show active tourists the best of European back roads and scenery as well as offer them an authentic cultural experience.In order to create the best possible trips we’ve done our utmost to select the calmest trails and bicycling routes with attractive views, charming historic hotels and restaurants, and most importantly, highly-motivated and enthusiastic trip leaders. Find out why choosing Terracotta Journeys is the best choice for your active vacation by reading some of our clients’ testimonials in the column to the right.
We chose an olive branch as the Terracotta Journeys symbol because we aim to enthusiastically promote understanding between peoples as well as encourage environmentally friendly (and healthy) ways to travel. By introducing you to other cultures, foods and lifestyles while on our bike tours and walking trips, we’ll give you with an unforgettable experience and the thrill of discovering new destinations.Come and join us on a tour and partake in one of the most pleasurable and satisfying ways of seeing Europe.
How are we different? First of all, we focus on offering tours in the corner of Europe we know best, to give you an insider’s view of both Spain and Portugal – two countries each with their own unique culture varying greatly from region to region.
Secondly, we place special importance on Southwestern European cuisine and wine, from fresh seafood on the coast, to organic acorn-fed pig delicacies inland to wines produced in family-owned wineries. So, not only will you immerse yourself in the local everyday life as you bike or walk through medieval hilltop villages and more, but you’ll have the chance to savor the culture in every delicious regional meal. Learn more about us.
We know you’ll love our tours but don’t take our word for it! See what our clients say about their bike tours or walking tours in Europe with Terracotta Journeys. Also, take a look at a video of some of our recent bike tours:
Red, red wine!
According to recent studies, “red wine may be much more potent than was thought in extending human life span”. At Terracotta Journeys, we guessed as much awhile ago and have been working hard to ensure all of our guests lead healthy long lives. During our “treatments” we provide sporty fun activities during the day and very good foods with special life-span prolonging medicine at dinnertime. This is one more reason we say “saúde” (health) when we toast!
Europe is probably one of the most ideal places for taking a cycling tour. With a wide variety of terrains and landscapes, as well as cultures, languages and lifestyles, the European continent has all of the ingredients necessary for making an unforgettable cycling vacation. The continent’s rich history is evident in many impressive and beautiful monuments found everywhere from in the cosmopolitan cities to the sleepy villages. With a well-developed road and rail network it’s easy to get around yet there are still many quiet country roads with little traffic, perfect for cycling. Each region retains strong culinary and wine making traditions meaning cyclists have a medley of new foods to try and wines to taste at every stop.
After travelling around Europe by bike for many years we decided to focus our tours on two hidden cycling gems: Spain and Portugal, many times forgotten in lieu of France and Italy and other more well-known destinations.
By focusing our cycling tours on Spain and Portugal – two countries that we know like the palm of our hand — you know you’ll be well taken care of. We are experts on the best roads to take, the best things to do or to see and perhaps most importantly, the most delicious restaurants to try that may not appear in your guide book.
As a boutique cycling tour operator specializing in just Spain and Portugal, we have an intimate knowledge of the area and know what makes for an exceptional bike tour here, unlike large companies that often operate many tours around the world. When we founded our company we promised never to become a mega operator since we want your cycling trip to be a very personal inspiring experience.
Set on the west coast of the Iberian Peninsula, next to Spain, Portugal is one of the hidden gems of European cycling. In addition to offering a mild climate virtually year round, this enchanting country boasts an amazing variety of landscapes ranging from never-ending sandy beaches along the wild Atlantic coast, to the terraced vineyards of the Douro River, the golden plains of the Alentejo dotted with olive and cork trees orchards and finally the calm southern region of the Algarve with its orange groves, almond trees and transparent azure waters.
Portugal’s many back roads makes cyling and hiking a dream for Terracotta Journeys’ guests allowing them to quietly peruse the picturesque countryside, explore tranquil medieval villages filled with white washed houses and chat with the friendly locals at corner café’s. Founded in 1147, Portugal’s extensive history means that after stretching the legs, interested cyclists or hikers can stretch their minds by visiting local castles, museums and other cultural attractions while learning more about the country’s past. Terracotta Journeys prides itself in always making sure to top off every day with a satisfying meal of regional cuisine, with fresh fish, local meats and produce paired with wonderful local wines providing the perfectly finish to an exhilarating day of cycling or walking.
Picnic time! A break from fabulous cycling.
And to rest the body and mind after an active day of cycling or hiking, travelers will, more often than not, find much deserved rest in centuries-old convents or palaces artfully restored into modern lodgings. These hotels, with hand-painted tiles paneling and period furniture offer all of the modern amenities coupled with a taste of Portugal’s rich heritage, another souvenir for the cyclist or hiker’s book of memories.
Visit Portugal on one of this Terracotta Journeys tours:
Lisboa, our hometown and where many of our tours begin, just won the World Travel Award for Europe’s Leading Destination. In addition to this very prestigious prize, Lisbon also won the Europe’s Leading City Break Destination award and the Europe’s Leading Cruise Destination award.
Visiting Europe? We offer day trips to Portuguese tourist attractions. Check out details here!
One of the world’s top 3 wines comes from the wine country we visit on our Douro River and Port Wine Journey Tour. Additionally, six wines from the same region appear on Wine Spectator Magazine’s Top 100 list. Come for a bike tour and savor the regional wines at their source. For a full itinerary visit: Spain & Portugal – The Douro River and the Port Wine Journey.
Red polka-dotted flamenco dresses and charging bulls are only a couple of the images that may come to mind when the cyclist or hiker thinks of Spain. Set on the Iberian Peninsula with borders adjoining France and Portugal as well as the Atlantic to the north and the Mediterranean to the south and east, Spain offers the active traveller a spectacular array of landscapes and regions to explore.
Terracotta Journeys tours introduce cyclists and hikers to both the iconic attractions of Spain such as the ancient mosque of Cordoba, or the Roman ruins of Mérida as well as the ephemeral attractions such as the scent of the almond trees in Andalusia, the taste of a juicy ripe tomato with olive oil, or the wonderful tradition of families gathering in the town square on balmy Spanish evening. Terracotta Journeys leads cyclists and hikers along routes carefully selected for their breath-taking scenery as well as historical significance. Cyclists and hikers may ride or walk over the same rolling hills of olive orchards as Don Quixote, the verdant local mountain ranges of southern Spain with views of the snow-topped peaks behind Granada or explore the lush green valleys and dales that pilgrims enjoy ever year on their mystical route to the spiritual site of Santiago de Compostela.
Cyclists in Andalusia, Spain
On every cycling or hiking tour, Terracotta Journeys leads cyclists and hikers on a culinary voyage as well: the chance to savor local culinary delights ranging from the local cheeses and handmade desserts to tapas and regional cooking, since we feel this is a fundamental part of the traveler’s experience in Spain. After every day of cycling or hiking crafted to perfectly balance nature and culture, the active traveler will sleep soundly in historical hotels, feeling truly satisfied knowing that they have seen and tasted the best Spain has to offer.
"Best bike tour I have ever taken!!
Eva and Pedro are wonderful hosts / guides and have set up a truly remarkable adventure.
I am going to have to come back to the Andalusia bike trip in Spain.Thanks for a wonderful time and great hospitality! It was a great way to celebrate my upcoming 60th birthday with my daughter." :)
David B.- Oconomowoc, WI; Mar.2012. More testimonials here.
