Portugal: Bike Alentejo and Algarve
Seven days. Cycling on hilly coastal roads, with luxurious nights in renowned Pousada castle and palace lodging.
The Alentejo and Algarve are hilly coastal regions of rich fertile valleys and picturesque Iberian coasts with limestone caves and grottoes. Perfectly suited to autumn, winter, and spring riding, the quiet roads of the unspoiled southwestern coastline of Portugal takes you to sheltered bays hidden by high cliffs and along quiet shorelines with beautiful sandy beaches. This region is sparsely populated and far less developed than other coasts. You can expect to ride parallel with long stretches of fabulous beaches, broken up by some demanding climbs and descents along rugged cliffs and above fantastic caverns, all while enjoying the bright colours, heady scents, and perhaps even the blossoms of fig trees, orange groves and almond trees.
This area was taken from the Moors by the Portuguese King Dom Afonso III, in 1292. It was also the first part of Portugal to liberate itself from Spanish occupation, in the rebellion of Olhao in 1808. Traces of Moorish influence are still seen in the unique terraces, chimneys, whitewashed houses and other architectural features. You will visit Sagres and Lagos, whence Portuguese navigators set sail on voyages of exploration and discovery over 500 years ago. You will enjoy the local delicacies of freshly prepared vegetables, seafood, lamb and pork in one of the region's special tascas, with a local wine or cold beer. Mixed with the warm Mediterranean climate, the culture, landscapes, and seascapes, this unique itinerary will reward you with cherished memories and, probably, a keen desire to return.
The Plan:
Day 1: Meet in Lisbon at your hotel, the airport or train station at approximately 15:00 and transfer to the medieval Castle of Sesimbra and your historic lodging for the night. This magnificent hotel has been converted from a fortress built by King Philip II of Spain in the 17th century. Bicycle preparation and route overview before dinner. D (Meal inclusions provided for guided trips. Self-guided trips include breakfast only).
Pousada de São Filipe, Setúbal; or
Pousada Castelo de Palmela, Palmela, www.pousadasportugal.com
Day 2: ~100 km. Start today’s ride with a warm-up in the hilly Arrábida Nature Reserve, with a ride along the ocean’s edge and a breathtaking ridge ride providing amazing views over Tróia. After lunch, take the ferry from Setúbal to the peninsula of Tróia. On the other side, enjoy a relatively flat ride and a transfer if you need it, to a charming Pousada for the night. BLD
Pousada Alcacer do Sal, www.pousadasportugal.com
Day 3: 70.5 km. The morning will start with a transfer to the sea, to ride south past vineyards and beautiful lagoons. Follow quiet paved roads popular only among fishermen; then continue along the blue Atlantic from S. Torpes to the beaches at Porto Covo and Zambujeira possibly the most beautiful beaches in Portugal. Tonight you will rest in a 400 year old Castle situated right on the coast with views over the ocean and Rio Mira. BLD
Castelo de Milfontes, Vila Nova de Milfontes, www.castelodemilfontes.com
Day 4: 113.5 km. Leaving Alentejo, you will enter the Algarve region by crossing the bridge over the River Seixe. The pleasant scent of rosemary often accompanies your entry to Carrapateira, a town whose castle was the last conquered by the Portuguese to the Moorish, and now a favorite destination for surfers. Beautiful ochre cliffs separate two attractive sand beaches, perfect places for reviving swims. Continue riding towards the ocean with views from high atop cliffs as you approach another beautiful Pousada with ocean views from every room. On the extreme southwestern tip of the European continent, Cape São Vicente (Romans' Promontorium Sacrum), enjoys a vast horizon of sea and sky. Five centuries ago, Prince Henry set up a school of navigation in Sagres, playing a crucial role in the Portuguese Discoveries. BLD
Pousada de Sagres Infante, Sagres, www.pousadasportugal.com
Day 5: ~85 km. This is the essential corner of Portugal’s Southwest coast. The beautiful ride from Sagres to Lagos is comparable to California’s Big Sur coast. As the coast becomes more populated and chaotic, we retreat to the quiet roads of the interior, cycling through groves of fig, olive and almond trees. A beautiful country manor awaits in Silves. BL
Hotel Capela das Artes, Silves, www.portugalvirtual.pt/capela.das.artes
Day 6: 75 km. Continue riding into the timeless Algarve hills to the first Pousada to be built in the Algarve region. This is the perfect place to savor the peace and quiet of the Algarve countryside before returning to the commotion of normal life. The final dinner is the perfect venue for reflecting on your week of Portuguese cycling. BLD
São Bras Pousada, São Bras de Alportel, www.pousadasportugal.com
Day 7: Transfer to Faro International Airport after a relaxed breakfast, by approximately 10:00. B www.internationalairportguide.com/faro_fao.html
The Details:
| Start: | Lisbon, Portugal 15:00, day one. |
| Finish: | Faro, Portugal 10:00, day seven. |
| Guided Cost: | C$3495 US$3355 (per person, includes 7 days, 6 nights, 6 breakfasts, 5 light picnic lunches, 5 dinners, ferry, guide and van support, maps and route notes, luggage handling, taxes) |
| Self-Guided Cost: | C$2995 US$2875 (per person, includes 7 days, 6 nights, 6 breakfasts, luggage transfers, maps and route notes) |
| Single Occupancy: | C$795 US$765 |
| Bicycle Rental: | Hybrid: $195 |
| 2010 Guided Dates: | Oct 10-16; Nov 7-13. Call 800-672-0775 for guaranteed departures, updates or to add a new date. |
| 2011 Guided Dates: | Feb 20-26; Mar 13-19; Apr 3-9; Oct 9-15; Nov 6-12. Call 800-672-0775 for guaranteed departures, updates or to add a new date. |
| Self Guided Dates: | You choose! Best months are September to May |
All details and pricing are subject to change without notice.
