Sweet Oranges

Bicycle Tour Itinerary

 

Day 1
Transfer from Faro airport to Tavira.

Afternoon touring of Tavira, and bike fitting. Accommodation: Pousada Convento da Graça

 

Day 2
Tavira Loop ride of 72km/44.7m

Today we cross the Guadiana for a taste of Spain. Here, where the river separates Spain and Portugal, smugglers once operated and pirates hid out in the pueblo blanco of Ayamonte. Returning from Spain we’ll stop at Castro Marims fort where ruins date to the Neolithic period, 5000BC. We’ll ride past the Salt Marsh Natural Reserve where salt still is collected by hand and where rare species thrive. Accommodation: Pousada Convento da Graça

 

Day 3
Tavira to Montecarapacho ride of 65km/ 40.3miles

Enjoy the Algarve countryside as you cycle past fig, almond and orange groves en route to the dramatic Roman ruins of Milreu with beautiful mosaics from the 1st – 3rd C BC. Accommodation: Vila Monte.

 

Day 4
Montecarapacho loop ride of 56km/34.7miles

Today we head up into what’s known as the Barrocal, no man’s land between the coast and the hills of the interior. We’ll pass São Bras de Alportel, in the 17th C a summer residence for the bishops of Algarve. Today São Bras is a thriving community with links to its past; here you can see an old mill still in operation and find traditional craft products for sale. Accommodation: Vila Monte.

 

 

Day 5
Montecarapacho to Portimão ride of 65km/40.6miles

Riding out this morning, we’ll continue west and skirt around the regional capital at Faro to follow country roads through a sea of oranges. You’ll be tempted to stop by the side of road to savour this sweetest of fruits—the Algarve orange! Accommodation: Casa Trés Palmeiras

 

Day 6
Portimão to Lagos ride of 68km/ 42.2miles

Today’s ride will stop in the town of Alcantrilha with a curious chapel decorated with bones from previous inhabitants. After lunch on the beach, continue to Silves. Here was one of the Algarve’s most significant towns until the 15th C when the river Arada silted up cutting off access to the sea. On a walking tour of Silves you’ll see traces of its past—including a Moorish castle and remarkable underground reservoir, the so-called “Cistern of the enchanted Moorish girl”. Accommodation: Tivoli Lagos.

 

Day 7
Lagos

In the morning we’ll shuttle to Sagres to visit the Fort where Henry the Navigator is said to have directed a School of Navigation. Looking out from the Fort, you can imagine the caravels setting sail for Africa. Visit Our Lady of Guadalupe, considered one of Portugal’s oldest churches; here sailors offered their final prayers before departure. Back in Faro, enjoy an afternoon at sea—set sail for coastal waters with a stop to visit the famous grottoes. Swimmers, enjoy a dip in the Atlantic before our farewell dinner—classic Algarvian cuisine in one of our favourite tascas. Accommodation: Tivoli Lagos.

 

Day 8

Airport shuttle

 

PRICE:

• Call for Quote

 

INCLUDED

Bed & Breakfast, 5 dinners & 1 picnic, support vehicle, bi-lingual driver/guide/mechanic, chalking, bikes, water bottles, equipment, detailed route maps, detailed complete itineraries, all transfers, all entrances to sites and a coastal sail. .

 

DATES FOR 2010

• April 11-16
• May 20 to June 4
• September 5-10
• October 3-8

 

 

groups of 4 or more.

Contact us for a price quote for your group.

 

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