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Algarve Coast Star

Tour: PAT5
Single Centre Cycling Holiday

Based in historic Tavira, this bright little Algarve single centre break points you in all the right cycling directions, but ultimately leaves the amount of rest up to you. Choose your own pace, taking up the option of circular cycle rides from your stylish, Arabian-inspired hotel and its pools. Combine time on some of the Algarve’s best beaches, in fishing villages or exploring Tavira's elegant mansion-lined streets with scenic Algarve coast and countryside cycling. Hug the Atlantic towards ancient Spanish borderlands, through maritime pine forests and the saltpans around Castro Marim and Vila Real de Santo António. Pedal inland along orchard-filled ‘rios’, towards the Algarve hills, through groves of oaks cultivated for their precious bark, to the ‘Cork Capital’ of historic São Brás de Alportel. With great natural parks including the Rio Formosa all around, this is a great break for birdwatchers, beach-lovers and those who might just fancy some scenic time out on two wheels. Read More

Destination

Europe, Portugal

Start Day

Any Day

Board Basis

Bed & Breakfast

Prices from

£478.00

Duration

5 Days, 4 Nights

Availability

Jan - Nov

Tour Grade

Grade 2 (Easy)

Read Overview
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Overview

Make the historic town of Tavira the centre of your Algarve universe for a few days and cycle out on circular day rides along the coast and inland. Explore outstanding scenery from the Rio Formosa Natural Park to the ancient salt pan country and natural park around Castro Marim and Vila Real de Santo António on the Spanish border. Head inland towards the Algarve hills, along beautiful fertile ‘rios’, through countryside known for its cork oaks or just take time out to put sand between your toes on the Algarve’s impressive array of beaches. This is a relaxing break full of variety, following scenic cycle routes on gravel tracks, some tarmacked paths and country roads including the famous ‘Ecovia do Litoral’.

Tour Code:
PAT5
Activity:
Cycling
Type:
Single Centre Cycling Holiday
Country:
Europe, Portugal
Area:
The Algarve
Duration:
5 Days, 4 Nights
Board Basis:
Bed & Breakfast
Availability:
Jan - Nov

Itinerary

Enjoy the beautiful Algarve in your own time, at your own pace with no pressure to pedal every day of your well-deserved break. Our selection of circular rides on this Algarve single centre stay based in historic Tavira lets you choose which direction your holiday takes you. Choose to pedal through the natural park towards the Spanish border to explore the time-honoured treasures of Castro Marim, or cycle inland to discover picturesque river valleys filled with orchards and traditional little villages. You can sample the beautiful Algarve hills too and discover the capital of cork and the work of many artisan craftsmen. But the beaches are undeniably tempting and a day with the soft sand between your toes might be just the ticket. Or should you just hop on a boat to Tavira Island / Rio Formosa and see the Algarve from a different angle? The joy of this gentle cycling adventure is that the choice is all yours

The Algarve Coast Star tour is a great introduction to the flora, fauna and landscapes of the south-eastern Algarve and to scenic Algarve coast and countryside cycling. All of the routes are flexible enough for you to enjoy places at leisure and include plenty of opportunities to stop off for refreshments.

 

Day 1 Arrive & explore

Arrive in Portugal. On this tour, transfers to /from Faro airport to your hotel in Tavira are included in the package price. Please see ‘detailed pricing / dates’ and ‘what’s included in the price’ for full details.

On arrival in Tavira, settle in and soak up the atmosphere of your modern, Arabian-inspired hotel by the pool perhaps, or head out to enjoy the atmosphere of this historic Algarve gem that’s just outside, on your hotel doorstep. Take a stroll along the Rio Gilão over Roman Bridge for a gentle introduction to this town full of churches, convents and Baroque buildings, colourful façades and castle walls.

Day 2 Choice of circular rides* see below

Miles 14-37 Kms 24-60

Day 3 Choice of circular rides* see below

Miles 14-37 Kms 24-60

Day 4 Choice of circular rides* see below

Miles 14-37 Kms 24-60

Day 5 Depart after breakfast

Depart after breakfast following your final night in Tavira. Transfer to Faro airport is included in the package price.

Extra nights can be booked in Tavira on a bed and breakfast basis to allow more time to enjoy the sunshine coast and its beautiful beaches.

*Circular rides

With our three circular cycle rides from your hotel in central Tavira, you can choose to be on two wheels during every full day of your stay, or combine cycle days with rest days or mini-excursions where you pedal down to enjoy a boat trip or even a river crossing to Spain perhaps. Each circular route covers distances between 14 and 37 miles ( 24 to 60 kms), following a carefully planned itinerary generally with short-cuts and options, so you can enjoy the best of the Algarve scenery, coast, countryside and attractions on offer at a pace which suits you.

Head east, towards the Spanish border to discover the castles, saltpans, windmills and flamingo-favoured wetlands around Castro Marim and Vila Real de Santo António. This part of the Atlantic coast and the area along the Rio Guardiana rank amongst the Algarve’s most ancient lands, a region marked by Phoenician, Roman, Greek and Carthaginian settlers. Stop off to enjoy the views at the little whitewashed town of Cacela Velha. Pedal along the dune coast to Manta Rota Beach or, around Monte Gordo, cycle through the Algarve’s largest maritime pine forest – the Mata Nacional da Dunas Litorais de Vila Real de Santo António – towards the border. Climb the castle at Castro Marim for impressive views across the saltpans all the way to the mighty Guardiana river bridge. There’s a ferry at Vila Real de Santo António for excursions into Spain, but then with good train connections to your base in Tavira, you may decide to save that for a different day.

Head out and about, around the Tavira hinterland to explore orchard-lined valleys with delightful streams and traditional Algarve villages. Discover the context of this historic town, once the Algarve’s main trading port, which is just a couple of miles from its island beaches and Rio Formosa Natural Park, yet so close to the Algarve hills. Enjoy a day touring in the saddle and culminating in views of Tavira and its location which will really be ones to remember. A valuable insight into an area marked by Arab rule and European ambition – maybe just the thing to set you up for a Turkish bath in the hotel’s health club on your return?

Head north, inland to explore the Algarve hills with their cork oaks and the ‘Capital of Cork’ itself – São Brás de Alportel.  Like much of southern Portugal, São Brás de Alportel found itself under Arab rule before the 13th century, but in the 1600s it became the summer residence of the Bishops of the Algarve who stayed until the establishment of the Republic in 1910. Visit the domed ‘episcopal fountain’ – the remains of the Bishop’s Palace – and the impressive three-naved main church (Ingreja Matriz de São Brás de Alportel); the Algarve rural life and costume museum in the 19th century mansion of a local industrialist who made a rich living out of cork, and the intriguing, cobbled ‘Calçadinha’, an outstandingly original stretch of Roman road.       

Dates & Prices

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For tour days/dates, seasons and all prices, please click on the PRICES button above

PRICE INCLUDES

Ensuite accommodation as described with buffet/continental breakfast (prices based on two adults sharing). If Half-board is booked, dinner each night (4 dinners). If upgraded room is booked, this will normally overlook the garden and pool area.

Taxi transfers from Faro airport or station & Tavira, and to Faro airport or station at holiday end

Hire of hybrid bicycle and ancillary equipment single pannier (pump, basic tools, spare inner tube & puncture repair equipment shared between 2) & water bottle

Local assistance on call (although puncture repair is excluded)

Information pack with detailed joining instructions and daily route overviews sent out approximately 2 weeks before departure so you can plan ahead and look forward to your cycling adventure

Detailed route notes and maps with marked routes provided on arrival, 1 per room.

GPS and odometer (1 per party – extra units can be hired at additional cost)

Please note that the price EXCLUDES

Costs of getting to and from Faro.

Accommodation Options

Selected 4 star hotel with pool and spa facilities in Tavira.

Facilities include outdoor pool and health club with indoor pool and Turkish bath .

We are pleased to discuss hotel details on request.

More Information

Useful websites, travel information and tips to help you plan your journey to and from the country and location of your holiday.

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