ITINERARY: Arrival at Hotel in Ribeira Azenha

DAY 1

Briefing at the Hotel

Arrival and welcome briefing with notes and bike delivery.

Dinner will be provided at the hotel.

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Overnight: Ribeira da Azenha at Três Marias

Meals included: Dinner

STAGE -  Circular loop via Porto Côvo

Day 2

DISTANCE: 36Km/23Miles;

DURATION: 6h;

CLIMB 428 M;

DESCENT: 428 M;

Today´s route will be 75% cross country using dirt tracks, so be sure to use good cycling shorts and gloves.

This route will take you through the inland landscapes towards the fishing village of Porto Covo and the wonderful sea views of the Atlantic, having a bit more of it at the end of today’s tour with the stunning view to the island of “Pessegueiro”, a good place to make a stop and enjoy the sea smell having a coffee.

Overnight: in Ribeira da Azenha;

Meals included: Breakfast, picnic, and Dinner (drinks included).

STAGE -  Inland loop to Cercal & São Luis hills

Day 3

DISTANCE: 42Km/26,1miles;

DURATION: 5h;

CLIMB 627M;

DESCENT: 626M;

The itinerary follows inland to the hills o Cercal and São Luis Villages, providing time to explore the rural landscape, always with an eye on the Coast. Villages inland are not touristic and will allow you to explore and watch the daily routines of the residents.

The terrain will be mainly asphalt.

Overnight: in Ribeira da Azenha;

Meals included: Breakfast, picnic, and Dinner (drinks included).

STAGE -  Atlantic Coastal way

Day 4

DISTANCE: 51Km/31,7Miles;

DURATION: 5h;

CLIMB 520 M;

DESCENT: 529 M;

The route today will take you along the most beautiful coastal villages, like Vila Nova de Milfontes, Almograve, and Cavaleiro. Those small places get crowded during the summer season because of the nicest beaches in the country, inside the natural park of the SW and Vicentina Coast. The highlight of this tour is to cycle along a cliff area for around 7 km, just before reaching your accommodation.

Overnight: in Zambujeira (Herdade do Touril);

Meals included: Breakfast, picnic (from Três Marias), and Dinner (drinks not included).

STAGE - Circular loop to Odemira Countryside

DAY 5

DISTANCE: 41Km/25,5Miles;

DURATION: 6h;

CLIMB 563 M;

DESCENT: 564 M;

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Today the track will lead you inland to the main village of the region, the Village of Odemira, where the River Mira, that you saw before in Milfontes, also passes. A Village near the river margins banks. The tour will use mainly asphalt secondary roads used for agriculture accesses and will cross several farming areas, special the production of red fruits just before reaching the coast again to Zambujeira do Mar and it´s the magnificent beach and sea views.

Overnight: in Zambujeira (Herdade do Touril);

Meals included: Breakfast, picnic, and Dinner (drinks not included).

STAGE - Crossing regions to the Algarve

Day 6

DISTANCE: 35Km/28,5Miles;

DURATION: 5h;

CLIMB 506 M;

DESCENT: 501 M;

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Leaving the hotel behind and heading south you will cross Zambujeira do Mar Village, but before it, worth’s to stop and watch the fishermen’s small harbor.

The route follows South through Carvalhal Beach, Brejão Village, and another fishing harbor, popular because of the seaweed collection for medicines. Before it, also time to explore, maybe by foot the Amalia Rodrigues beach.

After Azenha do Mar you will officially cross the bridge over the River Ceixe and pedal into the Algarve region, exploring the Beach before reaching the hotel.

Overnight: in Odeceixe (Casas do Moinho);

Meals included: Breakfast, picnic in Herdade do Touril, and Dinner (drinks not included) at Casas do Moinho.

STAGE - Pedaling along Moorish lands

Day 7

DISTANCE: 40km/24,8Miles;

DURATION: 6h;

CLIMB 530 M;

DESCENT: 541 M

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The last day starts in Odeceixe and goes towards the South stopping in some of the nicest beaches of this part of the Algarve, like “Vale-homens”, “Amoreira” or “Arrifana”. On the way, a stop in Rogil village to try the sweet potato produced and collected just there, the best in the world they say.

Aljezur, the Moorish village also offers great views over the valley and fantastic views from the castle at the top.

Overnight: in Odeceixe (Casas do Moinho);

Meals included: Breakfast, picnic, and Dinner (drinks not included) at Casas do Moinho.

DEPARTURE 

Day 7

The best way to return to Lisbon is by BUS using the Rede Expressos BUS service in the morning. Also possible to return using the train, but the connection from the hotel to the train station in Funcheira takes 40 minutes and needs to be using a local taxi.

If using Faro Airport, Train is also an option.

The Bus Service also an alternative with a connection in Lagos to Faro. To reach Lagos needs to be using Bus or Táxi.

Both airports are reachable by private transfer - on request.

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.

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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 (Ribeira da Azenha)

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FROM ODECEIXE

ARRIVALS

Lisboa to Santiago do Cacém:

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

• BUS Service - Rede Expressos - http://www.rede-expressos.pt/ (it goes directly to Santiago do Cacém).

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

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DEPARTURES

Sagres to Lisboa:

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• 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);

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ARRIVALS/DEPARTURES TO/FROM FARO

TO VILA NOVA DE MILFONTES (Ribeira da Azenha)

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FROM ODECEIXE

ARRIVALS

Faro to Vila Nova de Milfontes:

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• 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 and http://www.rede-expressos.pt/.

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

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DEPARTURES

Sagres to Faro:

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• 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)