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 STEPS OF SAINT VINCENT´S BY TOURING BIKE

SELF-GUIDED TOURS by BICYCLE

The Holiday allows the cyclist to pedal along the coastal area of Alentejo and Algarve regions, using essentially on-traffic roads and dirt tracks to reach Saint Vincent’s cape.

Discovering a world of beaches with small villages and towns with tiny fishing harbors with a lot a choice for a good Mediterranean diet based on fresh fish and seafood.

Wines are also a must-have during the experience once many are produced locally or in the same region.

 

The insight will be full of natural fragrances, feelings, and new friendships, creating recollections about a part of Portugal that is adored by all but that seems overlooked all year.

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TOUR SUMMARY

DURATION: 5 nights, and 4 stages

LEVEL: easy-to-moderate

MIN. GROUP SIZE: 1

TOTAL DISTANCE: 176Km /109,3Miles

TOTAL CLIMB: 4420m

TOTAL DESCENT: 4425m

Price per person: 730€ (based on 2 people sharing a room)

Single Supplement: 160€

Solo Travellers supplement: 250€

E-bike supplement: 75€

 

Includes:

  • bike delivery and pickup.

  • 5 nights B&B;

  • GPS device pre-loaded with tracks in English.

  • Touring bike hire with panniers, lock, pump, and tools included

  • One Map 1: 55 000 and one pack of notes in English per room.

  • Luggage transfer between hotels. ​

 

Price excludes

  • Travel to the start and from the finish of your walk;

  • Transfers not mentioned on the voucher;

  • Travel insurance;

  • Meals other than breakfast;

 

Observations:

Possible to add extra nights or to develop a tailor-made proposal.

Possible to hire electric bikes for this program.

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ARRIVAL to Vila Nova de Milfontes

Day 1

After the Check-in a Vicentina Travel member will provide the briefing to clarify everything related to the tour, and deliver the bikes and GPS tuition.

The best way to reach the starting point is to travel by BUS using Rede Expressos BUS Service, however, we also have private transfers available on request.

Overnight: Vila Nova de Milfontes

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STAGE - Vila Nova de Milfonte to Zambujeira 

DAY 2

DISTANCE: 36Km/22,4Miles;

DURATION: 5h;

CLIMB 433 M;

DESCENT: 415 M;

 

The route today will take you along the most beautiful coastal villages, but before we recommend a short warm-up heading north to Milfontes fishing harbor, and after you can start the tour towards Zambujeira, crossing the bridge over the River Mira and passing the villages of Longueira and Almograve on the way, using dirt tracks through the cork oaks and vineyards.

The detour to Almograve beach worth’s the effort and after reaching the village of Cavaleiro you will reach the most famous lighthouse in this Region, the Cabo Sardão, where the most beautiful track along the cliffs allows enjoying the maritime wind and views, just before reaching Zambujeira do Mar and it´s beautiful beach reachable by foot.

Don´t forget to enjoy the local seafood in this small village

 

Overnight: Zambujeira do Mar

Meals included: Breakfast

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STAGE - Zambujeira to Aljezur

DAY 3

DISTANCE: 48Km/29,8Miles;

DURATION: 6h;

CLIMB 666 M;

DESCENT: 692 M;

Today the track will follow towards the Moorish village of Alzejur, passing in some beautiful villages and beaches of Alentejo and Algarve regions.

Passing through Carvalhal beach and allowing a short detour for a walk to Amália beach (Fado´s Portuguese Diva).

After you will have some time to make another detour to Azenha do Mar fishing harbor were a seafood restaurant with ocean views, a good place to stop for a full meal or just a coffee.

Crossing the bridge before Odeceixe village you are officially leaving the Alentejo region and getting into the most famous region of Portugal, the Algarve.

Odeceixe beach will offer ocean views of one of the most beautiful beaches in Portugal and the village will offer you a great perspective over the Ceixe Valley near the windmill before leaving for Rogil.

Rogil is the sweet potato Area, so a stop is recommended to try the sweets, the soup, or the meal of it.

 

Aljezur Village on the horizon will show at the top the Moorish castle, one of the ones represented on the Portuguese flag.

Time to rest.

 

Overnight: Aljezur

Meals included: Breakfast

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STAGE - Aljezur to Carrapateira

Day 4

DISTANCE: 51Km/31.7Miles;

DURATION: 5h;

CLIMB 784 M;

DESCENT: 776 M;

Leaving the hotel in Aljezur, heading up to the Moorish Castle to enjoy the stunning views of Amoreira Valley and pedaling towards the coast.

Today you will pedal along 2 beaches that locals use to develop their surf skills.

Great views from Amoreira Beach and Monte Clérigo, passing on an old ruin of a “Ribat”, is evidence of Moorish presence and spiritual significance of this place in the past.

Arrifana and a tiny fishing harbor with a great restaurant with an ocean view and the most popular beach at the bottom of a coastline with a dramatic landscape made of rock cliffs.

Because the region is not only Ocean and sea, but the tour will also lead you inland to explore the countryside of these lands, until the Village of Carrapateira, where a final loop near the Ocean will clean your breeding system just before reaching the hotel.

 

Overnight: Carrapateira

Meals included: Breakfast

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STAGE - Carrapateira to Sagres

Day 5

DISTANCE: 40km/24,8Miles;

DURATION: 6h;

CLIMB 530 M;

DESCENT: 541 M

The last day starts in Carrapateira and heads towards the South stopping in one of the highlights of this trip, Saint Vincent’s Cape.

The Southern corner of Europe and the last place before America.

 

Cycling there creates a mystical feeling inside us, that is not possible to explain by words.

The significance of the Portuguese gold Era of discoveries found the inspiration at this place.

This is the place to end your crossing by bike in the SW area of Portugal.

 

Overnight in Sagres

Meals included: Breakfast

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DEPARTURE or Extra Stage to Lagos

Day 6

The best way to return to Lisbon or Faro is by BUS using the Rede Expressos BUS or train service, both from Lagos city.

The first and last hotel and both airports are reachable by private transfer.

BUT, we also have the opportunity to make an extra ay cycling from Sagres to Lagos ending the tour there. The decision is on you. This last stage is on request.

DISTANCE: 42km/26,1Miles;

DURATION: 6h;

CLIMB 776 M;

DESCENT: 798 M

The last day starts in and follows towards the city of Lagos, covering one of the most desirable areas for holidays, crossing several beaches and small villages on the way, until the legendary city of Lagos.

The place where Infante Dom Henrique has planned the discovery journey.

 This place is a perfect place to finish your active challenge and maybe to add some extra nights to explore the surroundings or just to go to the beach where the water is warmer.

 

Overnight in Lagos

Meals included: Breakfast

KROSS TRANS ARTIC

FRAME MATERIAL   Aluminium Performance

WEIGHT  17,3 kg

FORK       SR Suntour NEX HLO (travel 63mm, lockout)

FRONT HUB             Shimano DH-3D37 (hub dynamo)

REAR HUB                Shimano Deore FD-M615

TIRES       Schwalbe Silento Puncture Protection 28"x1,6"

RIMS        Kross (alloy, double wall)

FRONT DERAILLEUR Shimano Altus FD-M310

REAR DERAILLEUR   Shimano Deore RD-M591

FRONT BRAKE          Shimano BR-M365 (disc, hydraulic, rotor 160mm)

REAR BRAKE            Shimano BR-M365 (disc, hydraulic, rotor 160mm)

BRAKE LEVERS         Shimano BL-M365

SHIFTERS Shimano Altus SL-M310 3x8

CRANKSET               Shimano Acera FC-M311 48/38/28T

BOTTOM BRACKET  SR Suntour

CHAIN      KMC HV700

CASSETTE / FREEWHEEL           Shimano Altus CS-HG31-8 11-32T

HANDLEBAR            Kross Universal Components (steel, 610mm, 25.4mm)

STEM       Kross Universal Components (alloy, adjustable, 350mm, 25.4mm)

SEATPOST                Kross Universal Components (alloy, suspension 27.2mm)

HEADSET Neco H128

SADDLE    Selle Royal Lookin Classic Moderate Royalgel

GRIPS       Herrmans Primergo

PEDALS    Alloy w/anti slip

HOW TO BOOK WITH US?

STEP BY STEP

BOOKING PROCEEDINGS:

  1. We need to receive an email from you using our online form or through our email info@vicentinatravel.com. PLEASE: let us know, which program are you seeking and your room preference (single/twin/matrimonial);

  2. After your request we need a couple of days to confirm all accommodations availability - pre-reservation;

  3. You will receive an email from us with the final hotel list and booking/payment conditions (booking ref., deposit, balance, etc) and also the e-voucher. This email is a pre-reservation that will become valid after a 30% deposit;

  4. After deposit confirmation, you will receive our final confirmation and your trip code will become valid. At this point, we will ask you to provide us your arrival time to prepare all our logistics accordingly.

General Information

Hotels: The hotels described are our standard choice of accommodation, however, if these are not available then alternatives will be used using the same standard.

All rooms have a private bathroom.

Baths/Showers: Many rooms with ensuite/private facilities have a shower rather than a bath, usually because of limited space.

Breakfast: In countries such as Portugal is usually coffee and toast/bread/croissant, in some places it has more diversity available.

Special Dietary Requirements: It is important for you to tell us if you have any dietary requirements when you book your holiday so that we can inform everyone that you are staying with.

Single Supplements: are payable in every tour.

The single supplement guarantees the privacy of your own room, however, rooms can at times be small and in some places may not enjoy the same facilities as double/twin

rooms.

Language: When traveling in less frequented areas you will not necessarily come across people speaking English.

Remember you are experiencing a different culture, buy a phrasebook and try to learn a little of the local language!

Luggage: When staying in hotels, sometimes your luggage will have been taken to your room awaiting your arrival.

However, don’t be surprised if your luggage is waiting for you to take it up to your room. Please politely ask someone if you need assistance.

Guidebook/Map: Please note that one set of route notes per room booked is included in the cost of the holiday. If you require more sets of guidebooks and maps then there is a charge of 25€ per set ordered.

Insurance: All clients must have appropriate cover for the activities included for the duration of our trip.

Accommodation & Meals

Accommodation is mainly on a bed and breakfast basis using local and small hotels. The places we use for this tour are all owned locally and have plenty of Portuguese character.

A recommended list of local restaurants (based on our personal experience) will be supplied on arrival.

ARRIVALS/DEPARTURES TO/ FROM LISBON

TO VILA NOVA DE MILFONTES

FROM SAGRES

ARRIVALS

Lisboa to Vila Nova de Milfontes:

 

  • International Lisbon Airport link: http://www.lisbon-airport.com/

  • TRAIN/Comboio - you can get the train from Oriente Train Station to Funcheira train station, you will need a private transfer from there to the beginning (50km distance around 60€ extra cost). More information at http://www.cp.pt.

  • BUS Service - Rede Expressos - http://www.rede-expressos.pt/ (it goes directly to Vila Nova de Milfontes).

  • PRIVATE TRANSFER from Lisboa to Vila Nova de Milfontes (on request);

DEPARTURES

Sagres to Lisboa:

  • Sagres to Lisboa via LAGOS:

  • Needed: 45 minutes connection using EVA BUS from Sagres to Lagos

  • In Lagos, you will have BUS AND TRAIN SERVICE available

  • PRIVATE TRANSFER from Sagres to Lisboa (on request);

ARRIVALS/DEPARTURES TO/FROM FARO

TO VILA NOVA DE MILFONTES

FROM SAGRES

ARRIVALS

Faro to Vila Nova de Milfontes:

  • International Faro Airport link: http://www.faro-airport.org/

  • TRAIN/Comboio - you can get the train from Faro Station to Funcheira train station, you will need a private transfer from there to the beginning (50km distance around 60€ extra cost).

  • More information at http://www.cp.pt

  • BUS Service - EVABUS and REDE EXPRESSOS - You will have to take the bus to Lagos and then from there to Vila Nova de Milfontes. More info at http://www.eva-bus.com/ and http://www.rede-expressos.pt/.

  • PRIVATE TRANSFER from Faro to Vila Nova de Milfontes (on request);

DEPARTURES

Sagres to Faro:

  • Need a 45 minutes connection using EVA BUS SERVICE from Sagres to Lagos

  • In Lagos, you will have BUS AND TRAIN SERVICE available

  • PRIVATE TRANSFER from Sagres to Faro (on request)

SELF-GUIDED HOLIDAYS

ROTA VICENTINA

 WHEN TO GO/BOOK?

OPEN SEASONS FOR 2024

The client is free to choose a starting date

1.º SEASON - From 01 February to 23 June

  • FEBRUARY -  AVAILABLE

  • MARCH -  AVAILABLE

  • APRIL -  AVAILABLE

  • MAY -  AVAILABLE

  • JUNE -  AVAILABLE

 - Other dates on request;

2.º SEASON - from 16 SEPT. to 30 NOVEMBER

 

  • SEPTEMBER - AVAILABLE

  • OCTOBER - AVAILABLE

  • NOVEMBER - AVAILABLE

 - Other dates on request;

 

ATTENTION:

  • JULY - NOT FOR SALE

  • AUGUST - NOT FOL SALE

- just too hot to cycle and hike in this area.

.

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