Peso da Régua can be called the capital of Douro Valley. This iconic city is crossed by the Douro River and surrounded by mountains covered with the unique local vineyards.
Among the many points of interest in this city, the Douro Museum stands out. It’s an amazing space where is possible to know all the history and to feel all the magic of the Douro Valley. Here you can see and live the experiences of the oldest demarcated and regulated wine region in the world (declared in 1756), and recognized as World Heritage by UNESCO in 2001.
The history of this small village seems to go back to the time before the Romans. However, it was this culture that marked the first historical records of this territory, taking us to the 2nd century BC.
The Medieval Castle is just one of the most evident signs of the antiquity of this village, which owes its notoriety to its thermal baths.
It is precisely at the hotel that serves this thermal spa that the entire RAP caravan will rest and recover for the next stage.
One of our wishes is that all Ride Across Portugal participants live a very special cycling experience, and we want they can feel it right from the start.
So, nothing like to start the Ride Across Portugal crossing the most beautiful road in the world. The athletes wiil ride the first 18 km of the stage 1 on the N222 road, which connects Peso da Régua to Pinhão. An amazing road, along the left bank of the Douro River, surrounded by some of the most iconic wine estates of Douro Valley. This road was elected as the Best and Most Beautiful Road in the World, in an international contest promoted by the prestigious AVIS rent a car international group.
These first 18 km are a special aperitif for this 1st stage where the participants will cross a magical journey through the Douro Valley and the typical mountain landscapes of northern Portugal.
Green is the main color of the valleys and the slopes crossed in this stage, always with the Douro River as the star of the day.
Participants will pass through some of the towns and villages of the Douro region, connected by hillsides decorated by the famous vineyards of the oldest demarcated wine region in the world.
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The Régua Douro Hotel is one of the city's brands. It’s located in the city center, on the bank of the Douro River, with a fantastic view over the river, the mountains and the vineyards.
Wake up in the morning and going to the balcony to enjoy this scenery will certainly be an experience to remember.
The Longroiva Hotel & Termal Spa is a charming accommodation unit where rurality, innovation and good taste are together in a perfect symbiosis.
This thermal hotel, located in a small and calm historic village, is the ideal place to relax at the end of the 1st stage and recover for the next day.