Cycling Northern Portugal to Santiago de Compostela

May 22-30, 2026 (9 days)

Capacity: 16

The Trip

Join Carleton Professor Neil Lutsky and a small group of fellow cycling enthusiasts in May for an unforgettable week of cycling through the breathtaking and historically rich landscapes of coastal Portugal and Spain. This thoughtfully crafted program offers an ideal blend of physical activity, cultural exploration, and intellectual engagement.
Highlights include:

• Cycling along the sea and amidst lush green hills and vineyards
• Walks through well-preserved medieval towns with numerous squares, noble houses, and religious monuments
• Traveling with a small group of no more than 16 participants
• Professor Lutsky and his wife, Irene, who are both experienced cyclists and familiar with the region
• Accommodations in historic hotels with traditional charm and modern comforts
• Delicious cuisine, including local delicacies such as Padrón peppers and fine local wines such as Port and Albariño
• All logistics are handled throughout by expert, full-time, English-speaking cyclist guides/tour managers
• Appropriate bicycles are included, with water bottle and rear pack (e-bike option – limited availability)
• A support van with snacks and water is available to transport repair equipment/parts, bikes, and/or participants as needed
• Daily printed route maps and informational sheets are provided via the free smartphone app Ride with GPS

This tour has been carefully designed for cyclists with good physical fitness and prior experience with road cycling, ensuring an enriching and enjoyable experience for all participants. The tour is limited to just 16 participants, so I urge you to contact Alumni Adventures today at (800) 811-7244 or to email carleton@studytours.org.

Faculty Leader

Professor Neil Lutsky (pictured with his wife, Irene Montenegro) initially planned to become a lawyer, earning a B.S. in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania. He later shifted his focus to teaching, becoming a Woodrow Wilson Fellow and completing a Ph.D. in Psychology at Harvard University. A faculty member at Carleton College since 1974, Neil currently holds the position of William R. Kenan Jr. Professor of Psychology and has chaired the Department of Psychology. He has held visiting academic appointments at Stanford University, Ashoka University in India, and DIS in Copenhagen. Neil is the recipient of the American Psychological Foundation’s Charles Brewer Distinguished Teaching of Psychology Award. He has also received the Society for Personality and Social Psychology’s Undergraduate Teaching and Mentoring Prize. He and his wife, Irene, are avid cyclists and have travelled extensively throughout Portugal (and Irene has traveled a great deal through Spain as well) over many years. Neil looks forward to sharing insights and observations through lectures and informal discussions.

Tour Prices (7 nights)

Per person, double occupancy
15-16 participants $6,545
12-14 participants $6,995
Single Supplement $845
Single room supplement will be charged when requested or required (limited availability).
With fewer than 12 participants, a small group surcharge may be applied.

Itinerary

Friday, May 22, 2026: Depart home
Saturday, May 23: Arrive Porto, PORTUGAL | Transfer to hotel, bicycle fitting & test ride | Welcome dinner
Sunday, May 24: Cycle from Porto to Barcelos, Portugal’s wine country
Monday, May 25: Cycle from Barcelos to Ponte de Lima
Tuesday, May 26: Cycle from Ponte de Lima to Baiona, SPAIN
Wednesday, May 27: Cycle the Galician Coast | Ría de Vigo ferry crossing to Moaña | Cycle to Pontevedra
Thursday, May 28: Cycle from Pontevedra to Padrón
Friday, May 29: Cycle from Padrón to Santiago de Compostela | Farewell dinner
Saturday, May 30: Fly home

Download the brochure for the complete detailed itinerary.

Additional Information

For more information or to reserve your space, please call 800-811-7244 or email Carleton College Alumni Adventures. To make a reservation online click here.

CYCLING
Cycling experience and a moderate level of fitness is required for this program, which combines local sightseeing with cycling that ranges from leisurely and gentle, to challenging ascents and descents. Five of our touring days involve cycling with an average daily cycling distance of about 37 miles. While no advanced technical cycling skills are required, at times there will be some climbs and descents during rides that are long and winding; daily distances and elevation gains are estimated in the enclosed itinerary. The majority of the road surfaces will be tarmac with vehicle traffic, while some surfaces may be wet or rough, and a portion of the ride will be on cobblestones which can present challenges, especially after rain. Although there is no substitute for cycling experience and/or physical fitness, electric bicycles are available at an additional cost and will assist riders on hills and enable guests to cycle together more easily. We highly recommend practicing on an e-bike prior to the tour, if you have not previously used an e-bike, to ensure you are comfortable with its features. If you have any question regarding your fitness level, we encourage you to choose an electric bike (limited availability on a first come, first served basis). Each day, participants will be given a printed route map as well as information via the app Ride with GPS to allow for an independent cycling pace. There will be a support van available for a limited number of participants who may need to skip a cycling leg in order to reach the next planned destination, and to allow flexibility for unplanned events, however participants are expected to cycle the majority of this itinerary. Participants are responsible for bringing an appropriate bike helmet and will be required to wear it at all times while cycling. Durable, comfortable clothing, including proper cycling attire, is essential on this program. Participants may bring their own pedals and saddle if they prefer. Most included lunches will be served picnic-style or at a local café.

For more information on what to expect and the bike options, please download the brochure.