* Available Dates: 13th to 19th July and 20th to 26th July
In addition to learning about Portugal's fascinating history from Moorish invasions to campaigns to discover new lands, we'll soak up the sun on the endless empty beaches, enjoy superb seafood and bathe in soothing mountain spa waters before descending to the sheer cliffs of the most southwesterly point in Europe.
Highlights:
* Serra da Arrabida: natural park with spectacular sea views and convent.
* Azeitao cheese and wine-making; hand-painted tile-making workshop.
* Vila Nova de Milfontes: a lovely whitewashed seaside village.
* Alcacer do Sal: medieval castle converted into lodging.
* Monchique: the original mountain spa village surrounded by orange groves.
* Sagres: stunning cliffs marking the most southwesterly point in Europe.
* Algarve region: beaches, fig and almond trees, pottery.
* Great seafood from start to finish: grilled fish, shellfish served with chilled white wine.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Palmela.
We transfer from Lisbon to Cabo Espichel (15 miles/30 km), where we'll take a warm-up ride to Cabo Espichel, a windswept cape with an ancient pilgrimage shrine, followed by a picnic lunch near Palmela's castle. Palmela is a castle town with fabulous panoramic views of Lisbon and the dramatic Arrabida Natural Park. Then, we will be dropping off our gear and sizing our bicycles at our hotel, the Pousada Castelo de Palmela - a converted monastery. Tonight we'll get acquainted with our new companions over our first Portuguese dinner accompanied by local wines, including the delicate Moscatel de Setubal, produced with grapes from neighboring vineyards.
Day 2: Alcácer.
We pedal through Palmela's vineyards and enjoy the views from the forested cliffs of Arrabida Natural Park on our way down to the tiny bay of Portinho de Arrabida. Afterwards we attend a traditional tile-painting workshop and/or visit a local winery estate. The van now takes us on a short ride to Alcácer do Sal, an imponent walled castle town got its name for its history of exporting salt (sal). In the evening, we'll have a chance to amble through the town and admire the vestiges left behind by previous visitors: the Romans, Phoenician and Moors. Tonight we'll all sleep like kings in the historic Pousada D. Afonso II, the converted five hundred year old castle. (Trivia: Did you know that the Portuguese are the biggest consumers and producers of rice in Europe. This is probably due to their historical connection to the Eastern world and their discovery of new lands). Distance: 33 miles / 53 km
Day 3: Vila Nova de Milfontes.
After a short transfer to Santiago de Cacém, with an impressive set of Roman ruins, we'll ride through countryside along roads lined with fields of flowers and typical whitewashed cottages bordered in blue. Our destination is Vila Nova de Milfontes, a quaint seaside village with a spectacular seaside setting. After a satisfying day of cycling we will sleep in luxury at the unique historical inn, the Castelo de Milfontes, once a 17th-century fort which protected the village against North African pirates. Distance: 30 m / 49 km.
Day 4: Vila Nova de Milfontes.
Today is a free day. Choose either to take a loop ride to Zambujeira do Mar, a neighboring coastal village to the south, or perhaps suntan on the beach and a ramble through the cobbled streets of this whitewashed village. At sunset, we highly recommend a stroll to the beach to sink your toes into the lukewarm sand, before enjoying an aperitif in one of many typical cafés and wine bars. The locals will be happy to practice a little Portuguese with you over a dish of "petiscos" (pa-teesh-koosh - savory snacks) and wine. Option to surf, depending on weather conditions. Distance: 22 m / 35 km with optional extra loop ride.
Day 5: Caldas de Monchique.
We'll pedal along serpentine roads past genuine cork oaks painted with their harvest year and sweet-smelling orange groves to Caldas de Monchique, a tiny spa village nestled in the mountains above the Algarve, whose waters have been enjoyed since Roman times. Our lodgings, the quaint Estalagem D. Lourenço, are a stylish renovation of the original spa inn. Here, we'll soak up the lush scenery and bathe in the smoothest mineral water straight from the source. Come evening we'll dine on the best of Algarve regional cooking and sample medronho the local firewater made from the fruit of the strawberry tree. Distance: 25 m or 64 m / 40 m or 70 km.
Day 6: Lagos.
We begin the day with an exhilarating ride down the forested mountain range of Monchique to the golden fields of the Algarve below. Traditional stone farm buildings and orchards of almond and fig trees border our path to the village of Sagres, the most southwesterly tip of the European continent. Set on impressive sheer cliffs with the Atlantic waves thundering below it is easy to imagine how the first voyagers thought they were at the edge of the world.
A short transfer along the coast will bring us to Lagos, the 16th century castle town which served as the original headquarters for the discoveries voyages. If you like, take a boat tour of the nearby natural sea grottos, or wander the pedestrian downtown and explore the Mercado da Avenida (marketplace) and the many local shops. Come evening, Lagos is a great place to do some people watching in one of the many open air cafes and bars. But it can be chilly, so bring your jacket! Tonight we stay at the Hotel Tivoli Lagos. (Trivia: Did you know that the Algarve was once a kingdom separate from the rest of Portugal and its name derives from the Arabic, al-gharb, or 'western land'). Distance: 32 m / 51 km.
Day 7: Lagos.
Its time to for us to exchange e-mail addresses and say farewell! For those who are flying out we will transfer you to Faro or Lisboa airports. For those who are staying on, we recommend prolonging your stay in Lagos and exploring the surrounding region.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
* Premium accommodation: Luxurious and charming historical hotels.
* All breakfasts, 5 gourmet dinners with wine, 2 picnic lunches.
* Full use of high-quality, new Trek 7.3 FX hybrid bicycles.
* Guilt-free mini-van support and highly experienced and enthusiastic multilingual guides / mechanics.
* Entries for specific monuments, events or points of interest.
* Baggage transfers and handling.
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Portugal
Bicycle Touring
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