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Explore the unspoilt wild coastline, pretty white villages and deserted cycling routes of the Algarve
Arrive at the wonderful coastal town of Sagres in time for dinner at the hotel. (Staying at Hotel Memmo Baleeira, Half Board)
From Sagres head inland, mostly following the Ecovia, a national cycle trail. Pass shepherds tending their flocks before meeting the coast again in time for lunch. The villages of Salema, Burgau and Luz have great sandy beaches and offer rustic restaurants with al fresco dining; grilled fresh fish with zesty lemon is a favourite dish. You end the day at Lagos and your wonderfully atmospheric 4-star hotel. (Staying at Costa d'Oiro, Half Board)
Distance in Km: 38
Distance in Miles: 24
Lagos is encircled by C14 walls - the stone work and architecture you'll find hidden within these is a delight. Ornate churches date from the C13, and tangled cobbled lanes lead to new discoveries around every corner. Visit the new marina and the lively fish market (held daily), and join the locals for coffee in one of the many bars. Popular coastal walks lead to Ponte da Piedade lighthouse and from Porto de Mos to Luz, both offering outstanding sea views. (Staying at Costa d'Oiro, Half Board)
You have a choice of routes today, with both taking you along the promenade at Lagos, before heading inland to Odiaxere where you can choose a shorter option that has fewer climbs and takes you through lovely villages on winding roads, giving you a real insight into local life. The longer route takes you past the beautiful Bravura reservoir and pretty alpine-like hamlets and meadows, meeting the coast in picturesque Carrapateira. Then it's on to Pedralva, a village where each house has been restored to create individual hotel rooms. (Staying at Aldeia da Pedralva, Half Board)
Distance in Km: 52
Distance in Miles: 33
Aldeia da Pedralva is a wonderful rural retreat and you could easily spend the day relaxing in the village. If you fancy doing more you can follow one of our routes taking you out along the cliff tops with great views of the coast, or return to Carrapateira to visit the Land and Sea Museum and have a leisurely lunch. (Staying at Aldeia da Pedralva, Half Board)
There's two options today but both routes are fairly short allowing you time to visit the lighthouse at Cabo de Sao Vicente and Sagres Fortress, built by Henry the Navigator. The longer route is on off-road tracks passing holm oak forests. Both routes give great views of the Serra de Monchique passing through Vila do Bispo, a nice lunch stop with its beautiful 17th century church. From Vila do Bispo head out across the Vicente peninsula to Cabo de Sao Vicente and the southwestern tip of Europe before following the coast road back to Sagres. (Staying at Hotel Memmo Baleeira, Breakfast Only)
Distance in Km: 30
Distance in Miles: 19
6 nights hotel-to-hotel accommodation3 Days cyclingAll continental breakfasts
and 5 evening mealsGPS route directions and maps RideWithGPS navigation
appHigh quality hybrid bikes Luggage transfers between hotels
All continental breakfasts and 5 evening meals.The local speciality from the
sea is the Barnacle Perceve, this is not taken from the bottom of boats but
the bottom of submerged local cliffs, it is harvested by hand using a
dangerous and traditional method, which involves one of the two collectors
dangling by a rope from the top of the cliffs! They are a bit of a delicacy
not too dissimilar to mussels. Away from the sea the dried hams, salamis and
chouriço are as good as anything that Spain or Italy can produce. The
strange sounding bread sausage Alheira is very good, invented by the
Portuguese Jews during the Inquisition to avoid persecution, bread and
non-pork products are used. Good quality meat is also on the menu, beef and
pork are of a high quality and lamb in season is superb. Vegetables are
plentiful and with big harvests of almonds and oranges, fruits are in good
supply alongside another local vegetable, the sweet potato.The Algarve’s
other surprise is the quality of cheese; from mild to strong using cow, goat
or sheep milk there is a great range of cheeses for all tastes, Queijo de
Cabra do Algarve, is a particular favourite.
6 nights hotel-to-hotel accommodation3 Days cyclingAll continental breakfasts
and 5 evening mealsGPS route directions and maps RideWithGPS navigation
appHigh quality hybrid bikes Luggage transfers between hotels
EXCELLENT CHOICE FORFood lovers, wine lovers, flora & fauna, bird spotting
opportunities, art & history, swimming opportunities, couples, coastal
routesClassification: Self-GuidedAverage daily distance on move on days: 40km
(25miles). No. of days Cycling: 3Terrain: Mostly gently undulating with a
couple of short but steepish descents/climbs. Routes mainly follow a mix of
coastal paths, tracks,woodland trails and country roads. Vehicle Support:
This is a self-guided trip for those who prefer to cycle independently, but
with our assistance to take out the stress of the logistics and planning. We
arrange your accommodations, provide you with a map and route notes so that
you can cycle at your own pace.It is important that you are happy reading
maps and following route notes, we make these as accurate as possible and
they are regularly checked. As this is a self-guided holiday there is no
group and no leader. There may be others on the same departure date as you,
but you will not be organised together. The route notes contain a 24-hour
emergency assistance telephone number should you need it and in emergencies.
HotelsWe have hand-picked three wonderful hotels all with their own charm. These
include a modern 4 star design hotel perched on a cliff in Sagres, a 4 star
hotel in Lagos full of Portuguese colonial charm and a hotel in Pedralva,
where the village houses have been rustically renovated to create individual
rooms. All hotels have pools with Sagres and Lagos boasting covered ones.
As this is a self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader. Your
luggage is transferred and route notes and maps are provided. The route notes
contain a 24-hour emergency assistance telephone number. In an emergency, the
local representative is normally able to dispatch a taxi or pick you up
themselves. They may wish to charge for this service.
All continental breakfasts and 5 evening meals.The local speciality from the
sea is the Barnacle Perceve, this is not taken from the bottom of boats but
the bottom of submerged local cliffs, it is harvested by hand using a
dangerous and traditional method, which involves one of the two collectors
dangling by a rope from the top of the cliffs! They are a bit of a delicacy
not too dissimilar to mussels. Away from the sea the dried hams, salamis and
chouriço are as good as anything that Spain or Italy can produce. The
strange sounding bread sausage Alheira is very good, invented by the
Portuguese Jews during the Inquisition to avoid persecution, bread and
non-pork products are used. Good quality meat is also on the menu, beef and
pork are of a high quality and lamb in season is superb. Vegetables are
plentiful and with big harvests of almonds and oranges, fruits are in good
supply alongside another local vegetable, the sweet potato.The Algarve’s
other surprise is the quality of cheese; from mild to strong using cow, goat
or sheep milk there is a great range of cheeses for all tastes, Queijo de
Cabra do Algarve, is a particular favourite.
Standard transfersFor flight inclusive bookings transfers are included from
Faro airport at 11:50 Oct & Apr-May, 16:05 Nov-Mar, and back to Faro airport
at 09:30 Oct & Apr-May, 13:30 Nov-Mar. Transfers are available at a
supplement for land only bookings.Alternative transfersIf you require
alternative transfers (because you will be arriving at a different time to
our standard flights), then we can usually arrange these for you (there may
be an additional charge).
Coastal areas of Portugal can be known to be quite windy.However, the climate
here is long, warm summers and mild winters, with most rain falling in the
winter months, but possible in all other months. Seasons are marked, with
pleasant temperatures in the spring, in the summer and in the autumn. Heat
waves can push up temperatures between mid June and September.
Warm top and leggings for the early spring and autumn departuresSwimming
costumeWindproof and waterproof layerComfortable shoes and clothes for the
days off the bike if you want to explore the townsSelf-Guided Hire BikesWe
use custom made Headwater hybrid bikes. All bikes are supplied with:1
handlebar map holder2 rear panniers1 bike lock per 2 people1 puncture repair
kit per 2 people, which includes a pumpIf you are booked as a group, but
intend to cycle seperately please let us know in advance if you wish to have
additional map holders or repair kits.Seat and handlebar heights will have
been set up in advance from the heights you have given us on booking.
However, when you receive your bike there will be the opportunity to test and
adjust. Our representative will be on hand to assist you and can fit pedals
and your saddle if you wish to bring these with you.Please note helmets are
not provided, please take your own on this trip.Bike RepairsAs you are
riding unaccompanied, it is wise to know at least how to repair an inner tube
before setting off on your bike! The bikes are serviced before being rented
out so there should be no problems but there are emergency numbers provided
in the Route Notes for more complex problems.
You will need spending money for meals not included in the itinerary and all
drinks. We suggest €25 per day to cover a few drinks if not then €10 per
day. On the days where lunch or dinner is not included expect to spend
€10-€15 for lunch and €15-€35 for dinner.
Travel insuranceSingle supplements (available on request - compulsory
supplement)Solo traveller supplement (where only one person is travelling on
a departure date)Visas and vaccinations
Ved skriftlig aksept av vårt tilbud bekrefter du/dere at våre betingelser er både lest og forstått og at evt kansellerings gebyrer kan tilkomme ved en evt. avbestilling av reisen.