Bem vindo a Portugal!

We will meet you in the arrivals area at Faro airport. You will then be transferred, with your luggage, to Tavira, a 45 minute drive away. If you have ordered bike hire, we will ensure that these are set up and ready at the hotel.

Tavira is a charming fishing town with an authentic old centre which you must explore. In the afternoon you might have the time for an easy spin to check the bikes and discover the area.

You could also take a boat from the marina to Tavira Island, a paradise of sandy beaches and turquoise waters. You might even see a flamingo from the boat.

This fabulous hotel has a great rooftop bar, a delicious buffet and plenty of space to store bikes!

Restaurant in town

You will start your tour by pedalling steadily into the Serra do Caldeirão, west of Tavira. As you climb, light scrub and woodland give way to to dense forests of eucalyptus and cork oak. The air is cool and deliciously fresh.

You will be rewarded with a glorious descent to Loulé, a typical Algarve town with a great vibe, and a fab selection of bars and restaurants.

Duration

59km, 898m+

30km - Alportel

40km - Barranco do Vehlo

This beautiful hotel is perfectly situated on a quiet square in the centre of town. The interior is airy and green, and the rooftop pool is an added bonus.

Restaurant in town

Get ready for some divine sea views and a downhill ride to the coast! Later today you'll ride along the waterfront in Quarteira, a friendly seaside town with a bustling fishmarket. Its a real contrast with Vilamoura, just along the coast, where sleek pleasure-yachts fill the harbour.

You will finish at Qunita do Mel, a beautiful farm hotel. Nearby is Praia de Falesia, a stunning stretch of beach with red and gold cliffs. Take a walk here as the sun goes down.

Duration

62km, 581m+

46km - Quarteira

Hotel restaurant

Its time to head inland again. Small roads will take you into the hills, through whitewashed villages and and vineyards.

Silves, where you will spend the night, was the capital of the Algarve during the time of the Moors. Today, this peaceful town is dominated by its red sandstone castle - the finest example of Islamic architecture in the Algarve.

Duration

43km, 461m+

14km - Paderne

This stylish yet luxurious guesthouse offers superb comfort and attentive service. Relax on the terrace and in the pool after you ride and fuel up on a delicious continental breakfast in the morning.

Local restaurant

Today you really are in the heart of the Algarve. This ride takes in some of the best countryside in the region, on winding small backroads, through small villages with beautiful views.

You will finish the day in Alte, a traditional hillside village with sea views and tiny cobbled streets. You will love this village. Be sure to stop at Germano's bike cafe when you arrive for a coffee, cake or a beer!

Duration

59km, 800m+

23km - São Bartolomeu de Messines

This boutique guesthouse is stylish and luxuriously comfortable. An evening in the hot tub as the sun sets over the whitewashed walls of the village is one you will not forget!

Local restaurant

We will be sad to see you leave!

We will take you to Faro Airport in time for your flight.

Até a proxima...

The Algarve offers a wonderful climate for cycling most of the year around. Spring flowers in April, May and June are stunning, and September and October are also fantastic times to ride, with pleasant, settled conditions.

It is possible to get some rain in the early parts of the year (Feb-April) however this doesn’t usually last too long. Many people would find July and August rather hot to be cycling, unless you are already acclimatised.

With an average of 58km a day, this tour is suitable for all road cyclists, including those with less experience. Whilst the Algarve is not flat, but the roads are a joy to ride, and its absolutely worth it for the descents and the views.

You should still have time in the afternoons to recover and explore your surroundings.

We will recommend a restaurant each evening and cafes en route for you.

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 recommendations.

If you book a self-guided tour, we are always on the end of the phone. This means that if you need mechanical support, want to change a booking, or anything else which may crop up on the road, our friendly (bilingual!) team are here to help

Please note that due to availability, accommodation may vary from the hotels listed above.

Depending on your group size, we may be able to offer you a choice of hotels. Where possible we will do our best to accommodate you in small, traditional hotels and guesthouses where you will enjoy a truly unique experience each night.

• 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

• Airport transfers from Faro

• 5 nights bike friendly accommodation

• Buffet breakfast each day

• Restaurant reservations each evening

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

• Secure large luggage storage (bike boxes for example) throughout

• Civil Liability Insurance

• Telephone support whenever you should need it.

• 5 star Service – our promise

• Dinner, lunch and coffees bought at cafes en route

• Flights

• Transfers from airports other than Faro

• Other costs not listed above

• Luggage transfers + mechanical support vehicle (€300/group per riding day) = €1,200

• Luggage transfers (€110/group per riding day for groups up to 5) = €440

• Luggage transfers (€150/group per riding day for groups 6+) = €600

• Guide (€160 per guide per riding day) = €640

Paradise Cycling Tours Unipessoal LDA

Bairro da Boavista 6
8100-016 Alte
Portugal
NIPC 517913704
RNVAT 11760

Contact:
Fiona Hunter Johnston +351 931325694

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