8
10 398
Drive to Sagres, the beautiful coastal town where you will spend the first four nights. *(Staying at Memmo Baleeira)*
From picturesque Bordeira, a valley trail takes you through eucalyptus and giant reeds to the cliff tops above the vast expanse of Bordeira Beach with its impressive sand dunes. The views are breathtaking! Descend to the beach, where you'll walk along the crashing surf to explore the dunes and meandering river estuary. Your return is along a sandy trail through the scented pine forest of Bordalete and the floodplain of the Bordeira River where bell-toting cattle graze lazily. *(Staying at Memmo Baleeira)*
Distance in Km: 16
Distance in Miles: 10
Activity Hours: 5
A short but spectacular walk to two of the Algarve's most varied beaches and their unique rock formations sculpted by the Atlantic. Stroll through peaceful valleys and pine forest to reach the flower-strewn coast. Descend to Carruagem Beach with its swirling rock ridges and rock pools. Then take the sandy cliff trail to Amoreira Beach, one of the finest sweeps of shoreline in the region. After your walk, head to Aljezur to wander the cobbled streets and visit the ruins of the Moorish hilltop castle for superb views. *(Staying at Memmo Baleeira)*
Distance in Km: 7
Distance in Miles: 4
Activity Hours: 2
Just over the border in the Alentejo is the attractive village of Odeceixe. You set off on the Rota Vicentina Pilgrims' Trail alongside the irrigation canal. Reaching the Atlantic, head along the wild and rugged coastline on the stunning Fishermen's Trail to the beautiful beach of Odeceixe - one of the most photographed in Portugal. Head back to Odeceixe alongside the river and through meadows to explore its narrow cobbled streets and tempting cafes. *(Staying at Memmo Baleeira)*
Distance in Km: 13
Distance in Miles: 8
Activity Hours: 4
Today you make your way to Tavira, your base for the next three nights. Choose to do a walk en route or visit one of the interesting villages or towns. Monchique or Lagos are both worth a visit, the small village of Saint Luzia near Tavira is famous for octopus restaurants or head to Tavira for lunch and explore the town in the afternoon. *(Staying at Pousada de Tavira)*
You head east, maybe stopping at the town of Alcoutim with its 14th century castle and small international ferry! Then to Laranjeiras, where the walk begins along the banks of the Guadiana River, passing pretty white villages and almond and olive groves. You'll climb between holm oaks and stone pines to a wonderful picnic spot. It's then on through the Laranjeiras ravine full of tamarisks, lavender and carob trees, spotting golden orioles as we go. *(Staying at Pousada de Tavira)*
Distance in Km: 9
Distance in Miles: 6
Activity Hours: 3
A longer walk today, which is packed with interest and contrasting scenery and sights - first following the river through orchards and vineyards, then passing through cork oaks, cistus and pine plantations, to reach a wonderful view point over the Odeleite River. Heading down to the river there is a lovely picnic site to enjoy a break. Following on passing holm oaks and two windmills is evidence to the life in the area known as the Serra. *(Staying at Pousada de Tavira)*
Distance in Km: 17
Distance in Miles: 11
Activity Hours: 6
It is a 35-minute drive back to Faro airport. *Note: This is an idea of your itinerary; we have more walks for you to follow in our notes. Our Algarve representatives will explain everything at your welcome briefing. You can easily add extra nights in either hotel or shorten the holiday if you like.*
* 7 Nights, twin centre
* Route notes and maps provided
* A good chioice of walks on each day
* Car Hire essential
* Car hire included (when booking a flight inclusive package.)
All breakfasts and 1 evening meal.
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.
* 7 Nights, twin centre
* Route notes and maps provided
* A good chioice of walks on each day
* Car Hire essential
* Car hire included (when booking a flight inclusive package.)
Using the hire car provided for you to arrive at each day's different walks
you'll embark on a journey through the undiscovered parts of the region where
pretty whitewashed villages and lively towns intermingle with a mix of
stunning scenery.
You'll meander along diverse landscapes, from river paths and untouched
coastlines to the Monchique mountain range. Admire the colours and scents of
the Spanish and green lavender that grows in abundance, along with more than
25 types of orchids, mystic thyme and flowering yellow broom. Overhead you
can see Bonelli's eagles, sparrow hawks, black kites, azure magpies and
golden orioles whilst flamingos make their home in the salt marshes. As
autumn arrives, the Algarve is one of the best places in Europe to see the
annual migration, and with the region's autumn and winter being similar to
the UK's springtime, you can expect year-round warm temperatures.
Hotels
You'll stay in two hotels of contrasting styles: in Sagres, sitting on the
cliffs above the Atlantic Ocean, is the modern boutique 4-Star Memmo
Baleeria, and heading east in Tavira is the 4-Star Pousada de Tavira, a
former C16 convent, which has now been tastefully converted into a lovely
hotel.
As this is a self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader. A local
representative is on hand to assist you and will meet you at the beginning of
the week to go through the route notes and point out particular places of
interest.
All breakfasts and 1 evening meal.
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.
Air inclusive prices include our standard flights and car hire.
British Airways Gatwick to Faro 08:10/11:05 and car hire (Europcar Group B
air-conditioned hire car). Return: British Airways Faro to Gatwick
12:00/14:50.
Business/club/first class seats are available on request.
If you have booked a flight inclusive package or paid for the car hire
supplement then you will pick up your Group B air-conditioned hire car from
Faro airport.
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.
* Walking shoes
* Warm jacket or sweater in May and October
* Sunhat, suncream
* Daypack to carry your belongings on walks
* Waterproof jacket
* Waterbottle: while mineral water is available at the hotel and shops
* Umbrella
* Swimwear for pools
* Walking poles
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 is not included expect to spend €10-€15.
* Visas and vaccinations
* Travel insurance
* Single supplements
* Car hire (if booking a land only package, available for a supplement)
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.