Self Guided Road Tour - Algarve
In the Tracks of the Moors Intermediate level, minimum 2 people
This 7 night holiday begins by the sea in Lagos once the home of Henry the Navigator and close to the Alvor estuary. You have chance to explore the unspoilt countryside around Lagos before leaving to travel eastwards, passing though a landscape that owes a great deal to the inventiveness of the Moors during their occupation. Your next stop is the town of Silves, the old Moorish capital of Portugal where their magnificent red sandstone castle has been restored and recent excavations have exposed other evidence of their advance society such as the steam rooms and baths. From here you travel north east to the village of Alte (considered by many guide books to be the prettiest in the Algarve) and then south to the town of Loule which was occupied by the Romans and Moors before your journey ends at the charming village of Estoi just north of Faro. Here there is so much to see and you will captivated by the cobbled streets, small squares, interesting houses, an Italinate Palace and Roman ruins.
The route uses quiet country roads and good tracks, we only use main roads when there is no other option and for only short distances, there are only a few short climbs.
Included in this Holiday
• 7 nights in small 3 - 4 stars hotel (or equivalent) in a twin / double room with breakfast
• transfers to and from Faro airport or arrival point in the Algarve
• luggage transfers
• bike rental, a Trek 7.3 FX hybrid or equivalent
• back up support vehicle
• 3 dinners
All accommodation is booked in a twin / double room with en-suite facilities and breakfast
Not Included
•
Flights
• Holiday insurance
• 6 Lunches
• 4 Dinners
Cost Per Person
Cost per person:
October – March £435.00, $870.00 or 580€ April – June & September £485.00, $970.00 or 650€
Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival in the Algarve and transfer to Lagos
Day 2 – A circular ride through old villages and beautiful unspoilt countryside to the west of Lagos. This ride gives you the opportunity to experience ‘traditional’ Algarve at its very best, 46km. Overnight Lagos. (All on quiet surfaced roads with some climbs)
Day 3 – Today you begin your journey eastwards to the town of Silves passing on your way the Alvor estuary where at low tide locals collect clams and then through the beautiful Odelouca river valley, 42km. Overnight Silves. (All on surfaced roads with a few gentle climbs).
Day 4 – A ride through the heart of the Algarve passing orange groves, almond and fig orchards and then onto the Arade Barragem a spectacular dam with a wonderful lake. From here you continue eastwards to the beautiful village of Alte, 47km. Overnight Alte (mainly surfaced roads and a few very good tracks with only one real climb)
Day 5 – Today you pass around the impressive Rocha da Pena escarpment before travelling south to visit the Fonte de Benemola (both a ‘classified’ sites and offer great scenery). From here you journey onto the town of Loule, 38km. Overnight Loule (mainly surfaced roads with some good tracks and one good climb)
Day 6 – From Loule you head northwards to the Algibre river valley which you cycle along before turning south passing through the old town of Sao Bras before dropping down to the town of Estoi, 47km. Overnight Estoi (mixture of surfaced roads and good tracks, only one short climb)
Day 7 – The choice is yours today: either an easy circular ride on surfaced roads, 22km, to the sleepy village/town of Moncarapacho where you can visit the excellent pottery or just take time out to explore Estoi with its Roman ruins and its fanciful Italianate Palacio and if you are here on a Sunday there is the famous horse market. Overnight Estoi
Day 8 – Sadly it is time to leave us and we transfer you back to your departure point
This holiday can start on any day of the week to suit your personal travel arrangements
