What to expect
Cycling with a view
Five days of fully guided cycling along picturesque paths
Portugal & Spain
Explore these two fascinating countries on two wheels
Prime Location
Stay near the beautiful Monte Gordo beach
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About this trip...
What's included?
Airport transfers
Room for sole use
Half Board – breakfast & dinner daily in hotel
Drinks included with evening meals-
Welcome drink & information meeting
5 fully guided cycling days-
Supercross bike Model Astro Fancy or Coluer Ascent wheel 26 size M /L brakes V-brake 21 speeds, Shimano, flat pedal & helmet
Accompanying Solos Tour Leader
What's extra:
- International flights are not included
- Travel insurance
- Tips & drinks
- Meals not included in the itinerary
- Activities not included in the itinerary
- E-Bikes available to prebook in advance - approximately £120 per week.
Itinerary
- Arrive Faro
- Algarve: Santa Rita
- Spain: Ayamonte And Isla Cristina
- Algarve: Tavira Ecovia
- Day At Leisure
- Spain: Ayamonte & Isla Canela
- Algarve: Castro Marim Nature Reserve
- Depart Faro
What you’ll be doing
Day One: Arrive Portugal
Day Two: Algarve: Santa Rita
Day Three: Spain: Ayamonte & Isla Cristina
After breakfast, we leave our hotel and cycle on a designated cycleway to Vila Real S. Antonio, where the river Guadiana meets the sea. We’ll take our bikes across on the ferry to the Spanish town of Ayamonte. Next, we cycle east through the historic salt pans of Ayamonte. For centuries, these salt pans have produced salt and shellfish. Today, they also serve as a sanctuary for a diverse array of birdlife. We tour the bustling small town of Isla Cristina before returning to Ayamonte to catch the ferry back to Portugal. During the day, there will be stops for refreshments and lunch (at own cost) Distance: 41km Ascent/descent: minimal
Day Four: Algarve: Tavira Ecovia
Today we take a charming route, running along the coast and the Ria Formosa on the coastal ecovia. En route we visit the quintessential coastal village of Cacela Velha with its Moorish influenced architecture. We pass through Cabanas where cafés line the attractive waterfront. We finish again in Tavira, one of the most unspoilt towns in the Algarve. There will be time to stroll around & enjoy this lovely town. Our route takes us to the train station where we can take the train back to Monte Gordo with our bicycles. During the day, there will be stops for refreshments and lunch (at own cost). Distance: 26km; Ascent/descent: minimal
Day Five: Day at Leisure
Today can be enjoyed at our leisure, perhaps spent enjoying the hotel's facilities or enjoying the seaside resort of Monte Gordo.
Day Six: Spain: Ayamonte & Isla Canela
Our route today takes us through pine woodland on quiet, well-surfaced tracks to Vila Real S. António. We’ll take our bikes across on the ferry to the Spanish town of Ayamonte. We then cycle south to the resort area of Isla Canela and the Isla Del Moral, a more local fishing village. We return to Ayamonte and board the ferry back to Portugal. During the day, there will be stops for refreshments and lunch (at own cost). Distance: 37km Ascent/descent: minimal
Day Seven: Algarve: Castro Marim Nature Reserve
Our day of cycling is based around a local circuit centred on the local Nature Reserve. Along the way we visit the reserve's headquarters where we are given information on the banks of the river Guadiana and the salt works of Castro Marim around where an abundance of birds have made their home. We also visit the attractive and historic small town of Castro Marim, dominated by its ancient castle and more recent fortifications guarding the river, and giving great views over the surrounding countryside. During the day, there will be stops for refreshments and lunch (at own cost). Distance: 27km Ascent/descent: minimal
Day Eight: Depart Faro
After breakfast, we enjoy some free time to do any last minute local shopping and sightseeing before heading to the airport for our flight home.
Accommodation
Hotel Baia de Monte Gordo Three-star
Facilities include
Room includes
Dates & Prices
Essential Information
- ALGARVE: SANTA RITA Distance: 29km Ascent/descent: 100m
- SPAIN: AYAMONTE AND ISLA CRISTINA Distance: 41km Ascent/descent: minimal
- ALGARVE: TAVIRA ECOVIA Distance: 26km Ascent/descent: minimal
- SPAIN: AYAMONTE & ISLA CANELA Distance: 37km Ascent/descent: minimal
- ALGARVE: CASTRO MARIM NATURE RESERVE Distance: 27km Ascent/descent: minimal
- Cycling shorts/trousers with padded seat – to wear under your cycling clothes – definitely worth investing in a pair or two if you haven’t any already.
- Shorts to go on top of cycling shorts. For cooler climates or early/late in the season, you may want to consider packing three-quarter length shorts or tights/leggings.
- Waterproofs – light-weight fold-able jacket and trousers to fit in your small rucksack
- Comfortable trainers/footwear for cycling
- Cycling jersey or similar (insulated for warmth for cooler climates or early/late in the season)
- Base layer/breathable tops
- Mid layer (Fleece)
- Helmet - essential (we recommend to take your own for comfort and safety)
- Gloves (short or long finger)
- Lightweight drinking bottle
- Sunglasses – bright sunlight can impair your vision when riding, we recommend to bring a pair that fit comfortable and not fall off as you ride.
- Basic first-aid kit - It’s useful to have a basic first-aid kit in your small rucksack as you cycle. Cuts or scrapes can occasionally happen so make sure it includes a set of plasters, together with painkillers, bandages and any essential medication you may need.
- Sunscreen and lip-balm
- Casual clothes and comfortable shoes for when not cycling
