Pedaling the Blue Coast

September 27 - October 7, 2005

Along the Atlantic Coast from Lisbon to the Algarve

Coasting along quiet back roads from Lisbon to the brilliant beaches of the Algarve, we’ll experience a memorable montage of Portugal: magnificent coastal seascapes, pastoral farmlands, working windmills, tiny fishing villages and historical monuments such as Henry the Navigator’s Navigational School perched on a wild headland over the Algarve’s blue waters.

Lodgings include a 16th century manor house, a luxurious country farm and two nights

in our favorite castle overlooking a lovely estuary.

Pictures  |  Price   |   Flights  |   Daily Itinerary  |  Map  |  Reservations  |  Contact

TRIP PRICE

$2,395.00

Includes:

10 days/9 nights

All breakfasts

One lunch

6 dinners, including wine

Hybrid Bikes

All boating activities and land tours

Bilingual Tour Guides, Bike Mechanic & Sag Vehicle

Price is per person, double occupancy.

A $400 deposit is required to reserve your trip.

Your deposit is due by July 1st.

The balance will be due 30 days prior to the departure date.

FLIGHTS

We'll help you find best fare possible for this trip. Or, you can arrange your own flights.

 If you do this, you need to arrive in Lisbon sometime on Wednesday, September 28th.

 We depart for home from Faro on October 7th.

Please be sure to indicate on the reservation form if you want Golden Adventures to arrange your flight or if you will do it yourself. Or, just let us know you want to hear about the group airfare deal and we'll contact you shortly.

DAILY ITINERARY

Day 1 - Arrive in Lisbon

We'll arrange dinner for the group tonight. The cost is not included in your trip price.

Day 2 - Azeitão

Late morning transfer by private coach from Lisbon to our 16th century manor house in the little village of Azeitão. Lunchtime finds us feasting on the local catch of the day in Sesimbra, a nearby fishing village nestled under huge rocky cliffs overlooking the Atlantic. Later we'll visit a local castle, a hand-painted tile factory and still have time to fit our bikes. This evening we enjoy a festive champagne reception and welcome dinner.

Day 3 - Azeitão to Setúbal
A fantastic ride through the hills of the Arrabida Peninsula overlooking the sea, and then an optional lunch at a typical fishermen's shanty with a view of the shipyards in the ancient port city of Setúbal. After lunch, we take a boat trip to view the famous river dolphins of the Sado River ending up at a beach where everyone can take canoes on their own to explore the beautiful Sado Estuary Nature reserve.  Our comfortable night's accommodation is in the heart of the old quarter near the waterfront. 20 miles

Day 4 - Setúbal to Santiago de Cacem
Today we take a 15 minute ferry to the peninsula of Troia and its 19 miles of sandy beaches. This was the site of an ancient Roman settlement destroyed by a tidal wave in the 4th century. Mostly flat riding today, with plenty of time for a swim at one of the beautiful deserted beaches a kilometer or two off of the main road. Evening finds us settled in to our luxury farm, one of Portugal's lovely Pousadas, just below the town of Santiago de Cacem. Dinner at the Pousada. 40 miles

Day 5 - Santiago de Cacem to Vila Nova de Milfontes
After a tour of the haunting Roman ruins of Mirobriga with its famous baths, we head out for a pleasant ride along the Costa Azul to a delightful beach with its own little little fortress - Praia da Ilha. An ideal lunch stop at either the lone restaurant here with stunning sea views and fabulous seafood or your own picnic down on the beach and a chance to soak up some rays. After a climb around the fort it's on to Vila Nova de Milfontes, one of Portugal's loveliest seaside villages at the mouth of the Río Mira where Hannibal once took shelter with his ships. We stay 2 wonderful nights at an ancient little stone castle, replete with moat, perched over the estuary. Dinner at the castle. 41 miles

 Day 6 - Vila Nova de Milfontes
There's ample time today to roam the village, laze around the castle, walk the vast expanses of dunes, or to do a favorite loop ride through the countryside to a working windmill. In the evening another sumptuous dinner at the castle. 25 miles

Day 7 - Vila Nova de Milfontes to Aljezur
Today we continue south along the headland high above the blue Atlantic to the little village of Zambujeira do Mar nestled on a headland high above a dramatic beach. Good lunch stop here at one of the outdoor restaurants with views of the ocean before heading on to the old Moorish town of Aljezur along quiet roads. Evening finds us at the little hillside hotel outside of Aljezur in Vale da Telha.  45 miles

Day 8 - Aljezur to Lagos

On this day’s ride we continue along the Atlantic coastline to the southernmost point in Europe, Cabo de Sao Vincente, once called “o fim do mondo” (the end of the world) near the town of Sagres. Here Henry the Navigator established his famous navigational school, where Magellan, Diaz, Cabral, and Vasco da Gama apprenticed. Then its along the southern coast of the Algarve to ancient Lagos, a lively walled historical town where many of the Portuguese Discoverers actually left from. Lots of time in the p.m. to explore the pedestrianized old center and its many interesting sights such as the Church of Santo António with its incredible gold work and the remnants of the only slave market in Europe. This evening we'll whoop it up at one of Lagos' most entertaining restaurants.  54 miles

Day 9 - Lagos
Lagos is a gorgeous seaside town. This morning spend some time sleeping in, shopping or playing on the beach. After lunch, spend a lazy afternoon with us sailing along the Algarve's grotto-strewn coast on a magnificent 2-masted schooner. This evening we'll say farewell at one of Lagos's most entertaining restaurants.

Day 10
We'll offer an early morning shuttle to the airport in Faro for those of you catching early flights.

MAP