2007 ALGARVE

Snow white villages, dreamlike beaches, wild surf…

The route is partly flat, partly hilly. It is no problem to make the tour with normal condition. We cycle on little side ways, secured agricultural ways and partly on streets with little traffic. Only few parts of the route have to be cycled on busy streets.

Programma

Distance: approx. 252 km

Day 1: Faro
Individual arrive to Faro.

Day 2: Faro – Vila Real (approx. 27 km)
At the beginning of our tour we go by bus/train alongshore to Vila Real, the next destination, as this route is not fit for cycling. In the afternoon there is enough time to cycle our first kilometers.

Day 3: Vila Real – Tavira (approx. 45 km)
First we ride via Castro Marim to the fortress Cacella-Velha, from where we can enjoy the marvellous view over the impressive lagoon landscape. Afterwards we cycle to Tavira, a small attractive fishing village.

Day 4: Tavira – Sao Bras (approx. 40 km)
Today we ride from the coast to the hinterland of the Algarve. Smelling roses and numerous orange and lemon groves seam our way. We can visit a confectionery before we arrive in Sao Bras.

Day 5: Sao Bras – Silves (approx. 50 km)
We start with a bustransfer to Barranco do Velho, where we begin our cycling tour towards Alte, the geographic epicenter of the Algarve, where we visit the Fontana Grande (the big spring) and the church. Passing the Arade-reservoir we cycle through fertile orchards to the former capital of the Algarve, to Silves. The cathedral and the fortress are witnesses of Portuguese architecture.

Day 6: Silves – Sagres (approx. 55 km)
Today we start with a transfer into the Serra de Monchique to Marmelete. Following we can enjoy a wonderful downhill to the dunes landscape around Carrapateira. The highlight of our journey is Cabo de Sao Vicente, the most southwestern point of Europe, where we admire the significant bizarre coast of the Algarve.

Day 7: Sagres – Lagos – Faro (approx. 35 km)
On our last cycling day the route leads via Salema and Luz to Lagos. There the “Ponte da Piedade” is a further highlight of our tour and at the same time the finish of our bike tour. After a stroll we go by bus or train back into our hotel in Faro.

Day 8: Faro
Individual departure.