The Beautiful Alentejo Beaches

Spend a fantastic holiday cycling within 4 days from Sines to Lagos! Admire the vast landscapes and the paradisiacal beaches | Landscape tour | Hybrid Bike tour | Guided or Self-Guided.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
1. The Natural Park of SW Alentejo and Vicentine Coast
2. The most preserved coast all over Europe
3. Tasty fresh fish of the Atlantic Coast
4. Vast fields of vegetable crops
5. The beautiful cliffs of Vicentine Coast
6. The limpid and clear water of the sea
7. Cape S. Vicente - the birds and the sunset into the Atlantic Ocean
8. Sagres - the south-westernmost point of Continental Europe
9. The gorgeous beaches and beautiful coast of the Algarve region
10. Lagos - the cosmopolitan and the oldest town in the Algarve


TECHNICAL DATA
Type: Hybrid Bike Tour
Class: LANDSCAPE TOUR
Version: Guided or Self-Guided
Region of Portugal: Alentejo and Algarve (coast)
Duration: 7 days / 6 nights / 4 days cycling / 1 day rest
Begin: Sines (Alentejo)
End: Lagos (Algarve)
Difficulty level (1-5): 3 Intermediate. You must be in good shape
Distance: 226km (141mi)
Average: 57km/day (35mi/day)
Trails: 75% asphalt – 25% dirt-roads


SUMMARY
SW Alentejo and Vicentine Coast Natural Park extends itself along the Portuguese coast and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean. This SW landscape is 300 million years old and it is one of the most preserved landscapes all over Europe; human intervention has been less visible throughout its history. Once submerged (about 2 million years ago), this is a vast area with many different coastal habitats and countless beaches and cliffs. Our daily tours include going to the wonderful beaches of this Natural Park and taking a swim in the clear, blue sea. Cliffs are steep, almost 100m high and right above the ocean. Countless rocks and isolated islets complete this beautiful and unique scenery. This area boasts a diversity of rare botanical species, with very interesting flora and a variety of maritime birds that nest here. Riding along the trails of these cliffs that belong to this Natural Park, admiring the unique views of the blue ocean and feel the fresh wind in your face is one of the most fantastic feelings that any person can have. In the extreme south point of this tour you will find Cape S. Vicente. This is the south-westernmost point in continental Europe and a passing area for thousands of birds of prey. The tour also goes to Sagres, which is the place from where our brave forefathers sailed on their caravels seeking new peoples and continents. Finally, you will visit some of the beaches of our famous Algarve including the cosmopolitan city of Lagos. This is one of the oldest towns in Algarve. We can still see evidence of the wall surrounding the town for protection. Lagos also has an old fort and its former Slave Market is now an art gallery.

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Itinerary / Highlights

Day 1:
Arrival – Welcome at Lisbon airport. 2H00 drive to Sines, briefing about the tour followed by dinner. Lodging in a 4* charming Hotel where you can find numerous references to Portugal’s greatest navigator “Vasco da Gama”.

Day 2:
The typical houses in Alentejo Coast – 40km (25mi), level 2 (+ Beach).
After breakfast we ride into the SW Alentejo Natural Park, one of the most well preserved coasts in Europe. We visit the fishing village of Porto Covo and we can admire the wonderful beaches until we get to Vila Nova Milfontes. Picnic on the way. Dinner with the group. Lodging in a small town classified as a Touristic Paradise, near the beach.

Day 3:
The vast fields of vegetable crops – 59km (37mi), level 3 (+ Beach).
After breakfast we ride towards Cape Sardão, a paradisiacal spot perfect for meditation. We visit Zambujeira do Mar and we end in Odeceixe, another village near the sea. Picnic on the way. Dinner with the group. Lodging in a Bed & Breakfast unit with a refreshing swimming-pool.

Day 4:
The beautiful beaches at Vicentine Coast – 67km (42mi), level 4 (+ Beach).
After breakfast we ride towards Aljezur with its castle on the top dated from the 10th century. We continue riding southwards, we cross the woods, hills and valleys until we get to Carrapateira, always full of surfers, and we end in Sagres, the south-westernmost town in Europe. Picnic on the way. Lodging in a 4* new hotel with swimming-pool, surrounded by stunning deserted beaches and the wild nature of an unforgettable beauty.

Day 5:
Cape S. Vincent and the coast of Algarve; 60km (37mi), level 3 (+ Beach).
After breakfast we ride to Cape S. Vicente, the south-westernmost point in Europe. We ride along the south coast of the Algarve and we can see the difference when the Natural Park ends and the touristic Algarve starts. Before getting to Lagos we visit Ponta da Piedade where the sea and the wind have shaped beautiful rocks creating an amazing view. Picnic on the way. Dinner with the group. Lodging in a 4* hotel with swimming-pool, that epitomises the Algarve culture, with blue and white corridors which link the rooms, patios, restaurants and bar.

Day 6:
FREE day
After breakfast you can visit the cosmopolitan city of Lagos or go to the beach. Lodging in a 4* hotel with swimming-pool, that epitomises the Algarve culture, with blue and white corridors which link the rooms, patios, restaurants and bar.

Day 7:
Departure – After breakfast transfer to Lisbon airport. 3H00 drive to airport.

Other Details

Accommodation Details

Accommodations (6 nights): 4 four* Hotels (one charming Hotel, one Design Hotel front to the beach, two cosy Hotels), 2 B&B/Rural Tourism. Double bedroom occupancy.

Departure Dates, Options & Prices

DATES AND PRICES FOR 2012:
May 06 - 12:
Guided: Euro 1820 (Single Suppl. + € 200)
Self-Guided: Euro 1470 (Single Suppl. + € 200)

July 08 - 14:
Guided: Euro 1890 (Single Suppl. + € 210)
Self-Guided: Euro 1530 (Single Suppl. + € 210)

October 07 - 13:
Guided: Euro 1810 (Single Suppl. + € 190)
Self-Guided: Euro 1450 (Single Suppl. + € 190)

November 04 - 10:
Guided: Euro 1710 (Single Suppl. + € 160)
Self-Guided: Euro 1350 (Single Suppl. + € 160)

=> Prices per person, double bedroom occupancy, 4* quality Hotel.
=> If you want a different date, ask us about prices and availability.

(+351) 214783153