cttc bike tours europe 2012

Imagine the memories you’ll bring home!

2012

CTTC Bike Tours

Biking at i ts best... Portugal, Spain, France and more...

Our Story...CTTC began as a

far-fetched suggestion

in 1986 when few

companies were in the

field of cycle touring.

Founder Maggie

Deffense, took that

suggestion and ran with it,

creating Cycling Through

The Centuries, a unique

and specialized company

offering in-depth cycling

trips off-the-beaten

tourist paths throughout

the Iberian Peninsula

and France.

Why ride with CTTC Bike Tours?

The RoutesSavvy travelers tell us that our routes are the very best in each

of the regions that we cycle. They are constantly upgraded to

take advantage of improved roads or to avoid roads that have

become too busy. At Cycling through the Centuries we

know that really enjoyable cycling is a combination of great

scenery, good roads and interesting sights.

AccommodationThe “Three C’s” - Charm, Comfort and Convenience – our

accommodations range from small family-run country inns

to monasteries, manor houses, castles and luxury hotels. We

always aim to offer the best in the area and we look for that

extra quality above the competition as well as convenient

location to sights and events.

CuisineGood food – so important to the cyclist! Our restaurants are

chosen for their ambiance and superb regional dishes. Tasty

tapas in Andalucia, mouthwatering fish dishes in Portugal and

the finest Spanish & French cuisine in Catalunya. Mediterra-

nean feasts - washed down with the best local wines – which

are always included with the meals in generous amounts. This

is a vacation, remember!

US Telephone: 1-866-819-4122 | EU Tel & Fax: (+351) 21 242 4604 | [email protected]

GuidesOur guides are top-notch - excellent mechanics and bi or tri

lingual with English being a pre-requisite. Most of them are

natives of Portugal, Spain or France. They’re dedicated to

ensuring not only the welfare of each of our participants but

also their enjoyment on tour – i.e. being informative, keeping

the fun level high and the cycling safe!

We pride ourselves on lots of personal touches. Your comfort

and enjoyment are of paramount importance to us and we

will do all we can to ensure it at no extra cost - from booking

pre and post tour accommodations to arranging train tickets

or car rentals, or to helping you plan an itinerary to follow

before or after your cycling tour.

We’re more than happy to assist you with absolutely anything

we can do to make your vacation the best ever. Over the past

18 years, we have worked hard to generate hundreds of

satisfied customers.

Why ride with CTTC Bike Tours?

See what just some of them have to say. Give us a call at (+351) 212 424 604 or email [email protected] and we would be glad to put you in touch with a happy customer in your area whom you could talk to or email.

What bikes does CTTC offer on its tours?

Premium bikesAs part and parcel of our exceptional bike tours, CTTC offers

you the very best bikes for your cycle tour. We have teamed up

with BH bikes, the legendary Basque label with over 100 years of

bicycle making heritage.

At no additional cost, our strong and lightweight hybrid touring

bikes give you the comfort and gear range you need to comfort-

ably ride all day if you want. For the sportier cyclists, CTTC offers

at no extra cost, our fast shifting and light Carbon / Aluminium

race bikes. For the no compromise road cyclist, we offer for a

small extra, ultra-light, full carbon racing bikes that will simply

tear up the tarmac - the ideal choice for our Race Series bike tours.

When bicycle touring is your idea of the best way to travel, but

pedal pushing is not your thing, our E Bikes are your ticket to ride.


Hybrid touring bikes

Road bike E bike

“Will and I did the Portugal - Lisbon to Algarve - ride ... and it was a delight. Yes, we’d be glad to talk to anyone who wanted more info and I’ll answer any question or just heartily recommend the trip! Will is an avid bicyclist and I am a more casual biker and this trip was great for us both.

Of course, the castle was a definite hi-light but we brought home many wonderful

stories to tell Loved it.”

LindA & WiLL dEBoEr, Mn, USA

Portugal

...Some of the Trip Highlights● Cycle the headlands of the wild Atlantic shores.

● Explore the footsteps of the world’s most famous explorers, such as Vasco da Gama and Magellan.

● Travel through the charming, sleepy villages of Portugal’s Costa Azul, still largely undiscovered as if time had stood still.

● Feast on the freshest catch of the day grilled to perfection and washed down with one of Portugal’s incomparable wines.

Trip DetailsDates: 5-5-2012 to 12-5-20129-6-2012 to 16-6-201215-9-2012 to 22-9-2012Price: €2690 Single Supplement: €500 Duration: 8 nights/9 daysIncluded: (Accommodation & meal bookings handled by our agents for this tour) all breakfasts, one seaside lunch & 6 dinners w/ wine + moreAccommodation: Restored mannor houses, Small Hotels, a stunning 16th Century fort Daily Mileage: 46 km / 28 miles daily averageActivity Level: Easy to ModerateTour Interests: Grilled Fish!, Wines, European discoveries

Portugal’s Blue CoastCoasting along quiet back roads from Lisbon to the brilliant beaches of the

Algarve, we’ll experience a memorable montage of Portugal: magnificent

coastal seascapes, pastoral farmlands, working windmills, tiny fishing

villages and historical monuments such as Henry the Navigator’s

Navigational School perched on a wild headland over the Algarve’s

blue waters. Lodgings include a 16th century

manor house, a luxurious country farm and

two nights in our favorite little castle

overlooking a lovely estuary.


Lagos

Milfontes

Setubal

Lisbon

Portugal

“We had a wonderful experience in Portugal. Each place we stayed was unique and charming, the food and

wine outstanding and the sights and experiences memorable. This confirms, once again, the value of the services like

yours. We would never have found many of these places on our own. We hope to return someday and explore places in a little more detail. Thank you very much for setting up a great trip. I could highly

recommend it to anyone.”

MAry, dAvid & ZACH rEArdon, FL, USA

...Some of the Trip Highlights● Ride across the rolling Alentejo plains studded with centenial olive trees and ancient cork forests.

● Stay in whitewashed medieval walled vil-lages and spend a night in a marbled convent.

● Explore the village of Castelo da Vide with its heart-breaking remnant of its pre-Inquisition Jewish quarter.

● Sample the mouthwatering food of the Alentejo, it’s unique fusion gastronomy blends arab, jewish and roman traits.

Castles & Cork TreesCycling through rolling fields of wildflowers and olive trees, we’ll celebrate

an area of Portugal that many consider to be the last vestige of old iberia.

Medieval walled villages, white-washed and trimmed in blue, dot the hill-

tops while plains of wheat and oats spread out below, freckled with small

flocks of sheep and goats. you’ll be left with unforgettable memories of

this lovely region - its serenity and heart-stopping

beauty and, of course, days of idyllic cycling. Our

last night finds us in old Lisbon where we’ll

celebrate with a farewell, Fado dinner.

Trip DetailsDates: 14-4-2012 to 21-4-201222-9-2012 to 29-9-2012Price: €2690 Single Supplement: €500 Duration: 7 nights/8 daysIncluded: (Accommodation & meal bookings handled by our agents for this tour) all breakfasts, 5 dinners w/ wine + moreAccommodation: Luxury B&B, restored Convent & CastleDaily Mileage: 50 km / 31 miles averageActivity Level: Easy to ModerateTour Interests: Gourmet Foods, Wines, Photography, Architecture


To Lisbon

Estremoz

Évora

Monsaraz

Castelo deVide

Portugal

Thank you so much for making my first cycling trip such an enjoyable one. Your impeccable organization with the hotels and restaurants ensured that everything went smoothly. I felt totally spoilt... The

food was always irresistible and the scen-ery spectacular. Martin is a superb guide. He was always patient,encouraging and flexible, making sure that I was safe... He varied the ride so that it was interesting and challenging for me - particularly the last day. I look forward to many future trips with you and I hope Catherine can

join us next time.

ELAINE LI, VA, CANAdA

...Some of the Trip Highlights

● Sample some of the rarest & most sought after wines in the world.

● Explore a spectacular UNESCO world heritage site.

● Experience a leisurely river cruise along the beautiful douro river.

● See the birthplace of the famous navigator Magellan.

● visit a remarkable array of outdoor Palaeo-lithic rock art.

NEW 2012! Dipping in the Douro

Trip DetailsDates: 20-5-2012 to 26-5-201230-6-2012 to 6-7-20126-10-2012 to 12-10-2012Price: €2590 Single Supplement: €500 Duration: 6 nights / 7 daysIncluded: (Accommodation & meal bookings handled by our agents for this tour) all breakfasts, picnics, 4 dinners w/ wine + moreAccommodation: Luxury B&B, Mannor House, Port lodgesDaily Mileage: 65 km / 40 miles daily averageActivity Level: Moderate +Tour Interests: Wines, Gourmet Cuisine, History

Enjoy six delectable nights in the valley of the douro,

sampling vintage Ports, fine wines, peppery olive oils and

spectacular scenery so spectacular that the whole valley was

declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. Our tour will take

us through the most stunning landscapes with breathtaking

views of this unique valley. We will have the opportunity to

visit the most acclaimed wineries and to meet the oenologists,

tour the largest array of outdoor Palaeolithic rock art, visit a

traditional olive oil cooperative and soak in the river views

from our leisurely river boat cruise.


Douro River

PortoPinhão

São João da Pesqueira

Vila Nova de Foz Côa

Portugal

Aside from the spectacular riding, the highlight of the trip was riding along the

dirt road on the coast and that last GREAT meal in Lagos! After such a great trip, I

didn't want to go home. It was a blast and I hope to see each of you in the future!

JoHn P. BrookS, dALLAS, TX

...Some of the Trip Highlights● Explore the unknown interior of the ancient Al-gharb, stronghold of the Lusitanian moors.

● Take a scenic coastal train over the gleam-ing salt pans and marshes of the Portuguese south.

● Travel along tiny country lanes to old whitewashed villages, along orchards of fragrant orange trees.

● Top the trip off with an al-fresco, seaside barbeque with our incomparable chef, Paulo Corte-Real.

Sweet Oranges

Trip DetailsDates: 24-3-2012 to 30-3-20123-11-2012 to 9-11-2012Price: €2690 Single Supplement: €500 Duration: 6 nights / 7 daysIncluded: all breakfasts, picnic, 4 dinners w/ wine + moreAccommodation: restored monastery & palace, boutique hotelsDaily Mileage: 50 km / 31 miles daily averageActivity Level: Easy to moderateTour Interests: Moorish culture, photography, birding, gastronomy

The Algarvian interior has beautiful weather all year round

and the cycling is through country lanes dotted with olive, fig,

almond and orange groves rooted in stunning red earth. In

many ways the landscape and the people feel much closer to

North Africa than Europe. This warm, sunny trip offers on top

of great rides the unbeatable Portuguese hospitality, superb

food (particularly fresh grilled fish!) beautiful beaches and

unique accommodation.

MAKING-CORRECT

MAP


Cachoupo

Alcoutim

Tavira

Faro

Portugal

In 1998 my wife and I joined a bicycle tour led by Maggie Deffense. She did both

essential jobs extremely well. However, we expect that of any competent tour

outfit. But we got more: Maggie's friendly, out-going personality, which made us feel

like we really "belonged", that we were part of her gang of adventurers. We felt

her warmth at the dinner table or "on the road", a quality that made our tour all the more memorable and leaving us with the

desire for more?

TEd HAMAAn, CAMBridGE, MA

...Some of the Trip Highlights● Explore the remarkable UNESCO heritage site of Sintra and stay in a 17th century Palace.

● Hike the westernmost trail in Europe, with breathtaking views over the crashing waves below.

● Spend the night in a restored Monastery, nestled in a valley above the wide Atlanic ocean.

● Enjoy the freshest catch, right over the sea in the charming coastal town of Cascais.

Castles and Coastline

Trip Details3 Day Mini BreakDates: Available on request Price: €980 Single Supplement: €500 Duration: 3 nights / 4 daysIncluded: all transfers, breakfasts, picnic & 3 dinners & w/ wine + moreAccommodation: restored monastery & palace, boutique hotelDaily Mileage: 30 km / 18 miles daily averageActivity Level: Moderate to ChallengingTour Interests: History, Food, Wine, Hiking, Seaside, Coastline

Experience the mystical beauty of Sintra and it’s majestic

Palaces and ancient Moorish Castle; the sparkling coastline

of Cascais and the singular charm of old Lisbon. Along the

way, you’ll sample some of the culinary treats that are making

headlines around the world, while enjoying first class accomo-

dation to the the very most of your bite sized break.

MAKING-CORRECT

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Sintra

Lisbon

Cascais

Cabo da Roca

Portugal& Spain

Barb and I very much enjoyed making a connection with you and Martin. It pro-vided a welcome glimpse inside Portugal that we would not otherwise have had...

SPEnCEr & BArBArA knAPP, vEMonT, USA


● Cycle through the ancient villages of Celtic Portugal unique in their granite architecture.

● Sample the light, fresh Minho valley green wine - only produced in Portugal - served chilled with fresh grilled fish on a warm sum-mer evening. Spectacular!

● Wind down the gentle Lima River valley with it’s crystal clear waters inviting you in for a cooling swim

● Stroll through colourful folk festivals and maybe pick up something useful like a wool spindle or a butter churn.

Valleys & VineyardsExplore the verdant countryside of northern Portugal’s Minho

wine-country and the spectacular coast of Galician Spain. Beautiful

landscapes - hillsides terraced with vineyards and valleys laced with lazy

rivers await us at every bend. Truly grand hotels, paradors and gracious

manor houses highlight the tour and make it one of our most popular.

Trip DetailsDates: 23-8-2012 to 2-9-2012Price: €2780 Single Supplement: €500 Duration: 10 nights/11 daysIncluded: (Accommodation & meal bookings handled by our agents for this tour) all breakfasts, 8 dinners w/ wine + moreAccommodation: Luxury B&B, Boutique Hotels, restored MonasteryDaily Mileage: 50 km / 31 milesActivity Level: East to ModerateTour Interests: river swimming, Folklore, Picnics, Celtic & iberian History


Porto

Braga

Caminha

MonçãoBaiona

Spain & France

I can't say enough about how good a trip we had and it gave us great inspiration

to make the DVD. I wanted to send one to Gordon and Maggie to show them what an excellent job you did. We can't stop talking about the trip you took us on, it left us with great memories that we hope to re-create

at some point.

ToM & roSEMAry BLAinEy, ToronTo, CANAdA

...Some of the Trip Highlights● Enjoy spectacular rides fueled by unforget-table meals from 2 culinary giants – Spain & France!

● Ride Spain’s stunning trails-for-rails through the lush volcanic Garrotxa region.

● Sample the rich art of Catalonia’s favorite son when we visit Salvador dali’s museum and, later, his whimsical home in a tiny cove.

● Spend a day in the seaside town that was home to Matisse, derain and Picasso. Follow the path that shows where they painted many of their views of the town.

Catalan Adventure

Trip DetailsDates: 30-5-2012 to 9-6-20125-9-2012 to 15-9-2012Price: €3290 Single Supplement: €500 Duration: 10 nights/ 11 daysIncluded: all breakfasts, 8 dinners w/ wine + moreAccommodation: Converted palaces, Luxury B&B, Small country HotelsDaily Mileage: 57 km / 35 miles daily averageActivity Level: Moderate to ChallengingTour Interests: Gourmet Foods, Wines, Art

From the stunning pine clad cliffs of the Costa Brava to enchanting

seaside villages, artist Mecca’s, eye-popping austere castles of the

doomed Cathars and riding through the largest wine producing

area of France, while in the evenings sampling some of their produce

accompanied by the incomparable Catalan cuisine before finally arriving

at the greatest Cathar fortification of all – fairytale-ish Carcassonne with

its perfectly preserved walls - this trip truly has it all!

MAKING-CORRECT

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Carcassonne

Lagrasse

Cadaqués

Olot

Girona

Sant Feliude Guixols

Barcelona

Spain

I went on the Andalusia and the Coasting to the Algarve trips. The Andalusia was

one of the best trips of my life. I was happy the whole time. The cities, the country and

the towns each held something special. Maggie was very attentive and generous

to everyone, and provided sites and restaurants well beyond what the trip

description called for. She never stopped working for us! Biking to the Algarve

was fun. The country and the towns are beautiful, the grilled fish is wonderful,

and Maggie arranged hotels and meals so wonderful that only her personal

friendship with the providers could have accomplished it.

BoB HAUSMAn, WASHinGTon dC, USA

Andaluciam Affair

Trip DetailsDates: 1-4-2012 to 8-4-201212-5-2012 to 19-5-20121-9-2012 to 8-9-2012Price: €2990 Single Supplement: €500 Duration: 8 nights/ 9 daysIncluded: all breakfasts, a tapa Feast & 6 dinners & w/ wine + moreAccommodation: restored monastery & palaces, whitewashed village, boutique hotelsDaily Mileage: 50 km / 31 miles daily averageActivity Level: Easy to ModerateTour Interests: Tapas culture, Flamenco, olive oil, Moorish history

Spend nine nights under the spell of the ancient Moors in this

timeless countryside of wildflowers, olive trees and ancient

whitewashed villages. Seductive Flamenco, flowered patios,

twisting ‘old town’ alleyways and magnificent cathedrals

and palaces highlight our stays along the way. We’ll visit the

timeless monuments to the Moors magnificent culture includ-

ing the breathtaking medieval mosque in Córdoba and the

ethereal Alhambra Palace in Granada.

...Some of the Trip Highlights● Ride Washington Irving’s trail through the old Moorish towns of Al-Andalus.

● Taste the scrumptious tapas that have made the nation famous.

● Wander the medieval streets of Cordoba and stroll through its ancient Mosque with its endless maze of marble and jasper pillars.

● Visit the breathtakingly exquisite Alhambra palace - home of Spain’s last Moorish caliphate.


Palma del Rio

CarmonaSevilla

Córdoba

Baena

Granada

Spain

“Of all my experiences I cannot remember enjoying myself as well as the last week

with you three. A true highlight of my life of which I will not forget.”

CEvin WyATT, dALLAS, TX

Camino Santiago – 14 Days

Trip DetailsDates: 16-6-2012 to 30-6-20121-9-2012 to 1-9-2012Price: €3790 Single Supplement: €500 Duration: 14 nights/15 days (Pick up in Pamplona)Included: all breakfasts, 8 dinners w/ wine + moreAccommodation: Mountain lodge, Luxury B&B, Paradors, Small HotelsDaily Mileage: 70 km / 42 miles daily averageActivity Level: ModerateTour Interests: St James, Pilgrimage, romanesque architecture, Wine

‘...a pilgrimage across northern Spain to the sanctuary at San-

tiago de Compostela, is the finest journey in Spain and one of

the two or three best in the world.’ So wrote James Michner

in his monumental book on Spain, iberia. For a thousand

years since the bones of St. James were reputedly discovered

in Santiago, common people, bishops, priests, kings, popes

and saints have made this famous pilgrimage. Our tour will

echo their footsteps following the first guide book ever written

by a monk in the 12th century - the Codex Calixtinus....Some of the Trip Highlights

● Join pilgrims from all over the world to ride one of the oldest pilgrimage paths in history.

● Visit the remarkable cathedral of Leon with its astounding stained glass windows.

● Take part in a “queimada” in the misty heights of the Camino in the ancient village of O Cebreiro.

● Reward your challenge with a triumphal arrival at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.


LeónAstorga

Burgos

Roncesvalles

Laguardia

O Cebreiro

Santiago

Spain

We have just experienced the trip of a lifetime – what a fantastic way to explore

a country and to appreciate its beauty, people, food and wine. We were made to

feel very welcome, stayed in amazing accommodation, had the best wines and a lot of laughs. Catherine and Ben went out of their way to make us feel special

and nothing was ever too much trouble. This was a trip to remember and one to

tell everyone about. We now have wonderful memories to share with

our family and friends.

GREG ANd SHIRLEY ROBERTSON, MELBoUrnE AUSTrALiA

Camino Santiago – 8 Days

Trip DetailsDates: 23-6-2012 to 30-6-20128-9-2012 to 15-9-2012Price: €2890 Single Supplement: €500 Duration: 7 nights/8 days (Pick up in Léon)Included: all breakfasts, 5 dinners w/ wine + moreAccommodation: Mountain lodge, Luxury B&B, rural HotelsDaily Mileage: 60 km / 37 miles daily averageActivity Level: ModerateTour Interests: St James, Pilgrimage, romanesque architecture, Wine

‘...a pilgrimage across northern Spain to the sanctuary at San-

tiago de Compostela, is the finest journey in Spain and one of

the two or three best in the world.’ So wrote James Michner

in his monumental book on Spain, iberia. For a thousand

years since the bones of St. James were reputedly discovered

in Santiago, common people, bishops, priests, kings, popes

and saints have made this famous pilgrimage. Our tour will

echo their footsteps following the first guide book ever written

by a monk in the 12th century - the Codex Calixtinus.


● Join pilgrims from all over the world to ride one of the oldest pilgrimage paths in history.

● Visit the remarkable cathedral of Leon with its astounding stained glass windows.

● Visit countless ancient monuments that date back to the beginning of Christian times.

● Stay in luxurious monasteries & village inns.


Santiago

O Cebreiro

AstorgaLeón

Spain

Many thanks to you and Martin for organising a great holiday for us. ...the bikes were great and the route was very well researched. ...So many of the towns

had processions, so we were kept busy fol-lowing them around. All quite spectacular!

...you certainly know how to look after cyclists. If we ever get over that way

again, we will do another tour with you.

WEndy & nEiL AUSTEn, nSW, AUSTrALiA

Verde España

Trip DetailsDates: 6-7-2012 to 14-7-2012Price: €2750 Single Supplement: €500 Duration: 9 nights/ 10 daysIncluded: all breakfasts, 7 dinners w/ wine + moreAccommodation: Luxury B&B, Boutique HotelsDaily Mileage: 51 km / 32 miles daily averageActivity Level: EasyTour Interests: Hiking, kayaking, outdoors, Bilbao

This ‘hideaways’ tour takes us on a remarkable journey

through remote, timeless and virtually unknown north-

ern Spain. never conquered by the Moors and seemingly

untouched since the Middle Ages the Picos de Europa moun-

tains lie only 15 kilometers from the sparkling beaches of the

Bay of Biscay. This is cycling paradise: lofty snow-capped

mountains and magnificent stretches of beach all wrapped up

in one unforgettable tour.


● Loop through Europe’s smallest, and considered by many, most beautiful mountain range

● visit the stunning Guggenheim Museum of Bilbao – Frank Gerhy’s architectural master-piece on the banks of the Nervion River.

● kayak the Picos de Europa’s pristine, crystal-clear rivers.

● Walk one of the top ten most beautiful walks in the world, the Cares Gorge.


Bilbao

Comillas

Potes

Cangas de Onis Santillana

Imagine the memories you’ll bring home!

www.Cycling-Centuries.com

Contact usQuinta de São José,Rua Alto da BonitaChão de Meninos, Sintra2710 - 185 Portugal

US Telephone: 1-866-819-4122EU Tel & Fax: (+351) 21 242 4604Cell Phone 2: (+351) 918 [email protected]: cyclingcenturies


Official CTTC Riding GearCTTC Tour Jerseys and racing Gear are 100% Made

in Portugal from lightweight closed or open mesh fabric.

They are highly breathable and have an excellent touch.

They come in 5 sizes and feature a half-length zipper

with tapered collar for superior fit; Soft-tension elastic

hem at the waist and three rear pockets to keep your stuff

handy - but best of all, we think they look really great!

With an amazing record of 19 class victories, CTTC

Racing is becoming a serious contender on the national

racing scene. We have been happy to pedal in the CTTC

tour jerseys, but the time has come to suit up for the race.

Our new jerseys feature an all Cosmo material build

- 135 gram Micro-Polyester designed to wick away

sweat and dry fast and is effective in a wide range of

temperatures and works well as either your first or

second layer.