Bem vindo a Portugal!

You will be met in the arrivals area of Faro Airport, and taken by transfer (included) to Alte, in the heart of the Algarve, and the home of Paradise Cycling Tours.

Alte is one of the most traditional villages in the Algarve. It's whitewashed houses and cobbled streets are nestled in the hillside overlooking the sea in the distance. Alte has a strong artistic tradition, and sits upon a spring that feeds its river that flows through the village which turns into the stunning waterfall at the bottom of the town.

We are lucky enough to have the amazing Germano Bike Café in the heart of the village too - putting Alte on the map for all cyclists in the area.

Scroll through the images below for a good feel for what the village is like.....

This boutique guesthouse is stylish and luxuriously comfortable. It's within walking distance of everything the village has to offer, and has a small plunge pool and hot tub. An evening in the rooftop jacuzzi as the sun sets over the whitewashed walls of the village is one you will not forget!

O Folclore, Alte (5 min walk)

This is a great introductory ride in the nearby area - the rides easy to lengthen and shorten depending on the riders. Below we have the first option of 65km which is non-technical, and 2nd option of 76km for anyone who enjoys a little bit of single track! We will stop in Funchais and Paderne, local cafés for refuelling stops.

Duration

Choice of 65km or 76km

Funchais 29km

Paderne 52km

Quinta do Freixo, Benafim (5 min taxi, arranged by us)

This is one of our favourite rides - super fast, flowing gravel along the quiet backroads of central Algarve. Cork oak forests, eucalyptus trees and medronho plantations make up a lot of the very traditional Algarvian landscapes. We will stop in the tiny village of Aguas Frias for coffee, then Messines for lunch.

Duration

Choice of 65km or 78km

31/36km - Aguas Frias

52/60km -Messines

Terra D'Alte, Alte (5 min walk)

Today we ride to Silves, the ancient capital of the Algarve. We will arrive here though orange and avocado groves, and cycle up to the castle walls. It's a stunning ride, full of twisting trails and beautiful backroads - it's a very fun riding day!

Duration

72km

35km - Silves

56km -Messines

O Folclore, Alte (5 min walk)

Today it's time to explore a new area of the Algarve! We will leave Alte and ride east, finishing in the hills near Tavira.

There are two options available for today's ride to suit everyone, both taking in some of the best of Algarves interior gravel riding.

Duration

47km / 73km, 745 / 1850m+

Harder route - Cortelha

Easier route - Alportel

We choose to stay in this wonderful family-run rural hotel because it compliments what we are offer on this Authentic Algarve holiday perfectly. Nestled in the hills above Tavira, it offers far-reaching views of the ocean and a tranquil atmosphere, surrounded by green farmland. The onsite restaurant is fantastic, as well as the pool and small spa.

Hotel Restaurant, Quinta do Marco

Today we will head into the hills above Tavira. Again this really showcases what we would consider 'real' Portugal. You will be blown away by the small villages and rural lifestyle lived here by so many people.

Duration

65km, 1500m+ (with possibility of extension)

20km - Portela da Corcha

34km - Faz Fato

Hotel restaurant

This route will take us down to the coast over looking Spain for lunch! We will cycle past the salt pans near Castro Marim. If we are lucky will see some flamingos. It's a varied and fairly flat day - guaranteed to be a highlight!

We will ride back to Tavira and on to Quinta do Marco along the EuroVelo 1 coastal route - easy, flat gravel cycling to finish off your trip to Portugal.

Two route options are available for today.

Duration

82km or 92km, 700-912m+

20km +/- Van stop

44km - Vila Real Santo Antonio

70km - Cacela Velha

Ai Mae, Tavira (10 min taxi, organised by us)

We must be out of the hotel rooms by 11am. But you are welcome to stay at the hotel until your airport transfer should you wish to enjoy the facilities a little longer.

We will arrange for you to be taken to Faro airport in time for your flight.

The climate in the Algarve is ideal for cycling most of the year around. For gravel riding, we have chosen June as the ideal month to enjoy the best of the spring flowers and greenery, but without the rivers being too deep or paths too muddy to ride on. It should be almost guaranteed warm (of not, hot) weather too.

This trip is designed to be flexible according to your ability. Each day will consist of at least 50% gravel track sections (imagine a 4x4 track) and the rest small quiet tarmac roads.

There is some climbing (the Algarve is not flat!), however technically it is not difficult, as most tracks are suitable for vehicles as well.

We pride ourselves on being flexible and catering to everyones ability level. We will have a minimum of 2 guides on each ride so we can do a longer and shorter loop, and we can also lengthen all rides if there are people that are keep do do more mileadge.

For lunch and any snacks whilst out riding, this is included. Usually we will eat at cafés (sandwiches, toasties, cake etc) and then supplement this from the van with bananas, bars, coke, water, nuts and other snacks.

Not included - coffees bought at cafés.

We will book restaurants in advance and we will eat all together in the evening as one group. However please feel free to do your own thing if you'd lke to explore on your own or as a couple and have some peaceful time by yourselves.

Evening meals are arranged, but not included in the price of your tour.

We support small, local cafes and restaurants, eating where we can ‘how the locals do’. The food in interior Portugal is often more simple than on the Algarve coast, with menus regularly changing with the region and season.

All dietary requirements will be happily catered for – just let us know what you require, or what your likes or dislikes are and we will adapt our choices.

Dinners will typically cost between 20-30€ including 3 courses, wine and beer.

• Bike*

• Inner tube, hand pump, levers, multitool*

• Pedals

• Helmet

• Cycling shoes

• Powermeter/Di2/Sram batteries/Garmin chargers as appropriate*

• Sunglasses (including clear lenses if you have them)

• Cycling gloves (depending on season)

• Cycling rain jacket

• Saddle (All of our hire bikes are equipped with a saddle, of course. However, we recommend that you bring your own if it is comfortable for you rather than spending a week sitting on a saddle that may not be suitable for you.)

• Suitcase (see below)

• Bib shorts, jersey, gilet, socks- minimum 4 sets.

• Arm/leg warmers

• Rain/wind vest

• Base-layer (depending on season)

• Chamois Cream

• Rear bike light + chargers

• Water bottles x 2 (we have bottles available to purchase).

• Garmin/Wahoo and mount

• Energy bars/snacks that you particularly like!

• Regular clothes and light jacket or jumper for evening

• Swimsuit (many of the hotels have pools or spa)

• Evening shoes / sandals

• Passport (Check expiry date)

• Travel Insurance

• Sun protection

• USB charger

• First aid kit

• Toiletries

• Cellphone and charger

• Id or passport

• Credit/debit card

• Medications and prescriptions

• Power adapter

• Ear plugs / eye mask

• Powerbank

TWIN ROOM - €1600

SINGLE ROOM - €1950

• Airport transfers to and from Faro

• 4 nights in Alte Tradition Guesthouse and 3 nights in Quinta do Marco

• Buffet breakfast each day

• Minimum of 2 amazing english-speaking guides to pedal with each day

• Vehicle support to assist us with any mechanical issue and provide nutritional support en route.

• Light lunch and snacks from the van whilst out riding

• Restaurant reservations each evening

• Detailed route planning (suited to group), GPX files given in advance plus itinerary

• Luggage transfers

• Large luggage storage (bike boxes for example) throughout

• Civil Liability Insurance

• Telephone support whenever you should need it.

• 5 star Service – our promise

• Dinner

• Flights

• Transfers from airports other than Faro

• Other costs not listed above

• Aluminium Gravel Bike Hire (€35/day, €245 total) 

• Carbon Road Bike Hire, Disc Brakes, electronic shifting
  (Di2 or Sram AXS) (€55/day €385 total) 

• E-Gravel Bike Rental
  (€50/day €350 total) 

Paradise Cycling Tours Unipessoal LDA

Bairro da Boavista 6
8100-016 Alte
Portugal
NIPC 517913704

Contact:
Fiona Hunter Johnston
+351 931325694

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