Portugal, Land of Contrasts

Day 1: Arrival in Lisbon
Day 2: Lisbon Interpretive tour and Cascais coastal town, 25 mi. (40 km)
Day 3: Cascais, Cabo da Roca and the Parque Natural of Sintra, 34 mi. (55 km)
Day 4: Enceira - Sintra, 27 mi. (45 km)
Day 5:  Rest day in Sintra
Day 6: Palmela, Parque Natural of Arrabida and the Vineyards of Setubal, 30 mi. (50 km)
Day 7: Troia Penninsula, the cork forests and Santiago do Cacem, 37 mi. (59 km)
Day 8: Santiago do Cacem - Lisbon

All distances are approximate. The itinerary may be subject to some changes before and/or during your holiday. For example, along the route, you may find temporary deviations/detours necessary due to roadwork or other unforeseen circumstances that will not be reflected on your maps or route descriptions or anticipated before.

Day 1: Arrival in Lisbon 
Upon your arrival in Lisbon, you will meet the group at 7 pm at the hotel in Lisbon's central quarter for orientation with the trip leader followed by dinner.  If you arrive in Lisbon earlier, you may wish to visit the Sao Jorge Castle, the Gulbenkian Museum, and wander the streets of the Bairro Alto where tiny bars spill onto the streets and sounds of Fado fill the air. The evening's accommodation is in a comfortable, tourist class hotel.  

Preferred accommodation: Hotel Clarion Suites 4 stars or similar

Day 2: Lisbon/Estoril/Cascais coastal town, 25 mi. (40 km) 
The day begins with a morning guided bicycle tour of Lisbon that includes cycling to Belem (where Vasgo de Gama set sail from), followed by a short van transfer (30 minutes) into Cascais – a beautiful coastal town west of Lisbon. This afternoon you can also stroll the seafront promenade with great pubs and shopping close to the hotel. (B)

Easy to moderate riding (mostly flat urban riding in Lisbon
Accommodation: Hotel Bahia Beachside 3 stars or similar

Day 3: Cascais, Cabo da Roca and the Parque Natural of Sintra, 34 mi. (55 km) 
Today you will bike Portugal along the stunning coastal route between Cascais and Enceira, taking in a number of sun-swept coastal villages, enjoying the vast flora and birdlife of this historic part of Estremadura. One of today's highlights is a visit to Cabo da Roca, continental Europe's most western point. (B)

Moderate to Intermediate levels of riding. Long ascent of coastal headland.
Preferred accommodation: Hotel Villa Gal Beachside 4 stars or similar

Day 4: Enceira - Sintra, 27 mi. (45 km)
From Enceira, you will cycle through Estremadura's rural settlements and beautiful coastline. You will also experience medieval townships and cycle through the region's pasturelands and agricultural landscapes before arriving in Sintra. Also along the way is a virtual fairytale kingdom and once home to generations of Portuguese Royalty seeking solitude in this verdant mountain hideaway. The Mafra National Palace is a worthy visit on today's ride. A two-night stay in Sintra offers plenty of time to explore the sights which include the Moorish fort, boutique shops, and the many cafes of this lovely area. (B,D)

Moderate at times, mostly rolling terrain with occasional longer climb.
Preferred accommodation: Hotel Sintra Jardin (Heritage class)

Day 5: Rest day in Sintra
Today you have the option of exploring Sintra's many wonders including the forested walking paths which lead to a Moorish Fortress and of course, La Pena Palace, which was the summer residence of the Royal Family of Portugal.  This fairytale village is adorned with medieval treasures, tidy boutique shops, and cozy eateries. You may also self explore on bike today as there are many riding options available such as the Montserrat Monastery or the stunning coastline itself. (B)

Rest day options: Self-guided in the Sintra Region

• Hiking through the Sintra National Forest (30 minutes to full-day)
• Visits to nearly a dozen palaces and mansions (quintas) of Sintra
• Hop on a train or bus to a nearby rural area or head up to Fatima
• Bird watching and nature spotting in the forest
• Cycle the Sintra Forest routes or ride down to the coast (approx. 25 km one way - your bike is available to you on rest day)
• Relax at the hotel utilizing the gardens and pool
• Have a lazy lunch in Sintra watching the world go by from one of the many medieval era taverns

Preferred accommodation: Hotel Sintra Jardin (Heritage class)

Day 6: Palmela, Parque Natural of Arrabida and the Vineyards of Setubal, 30 mi. (50 km)
Today you will transfer to the wonderful highlands of Arrabida Park and ride through the woodlands of Setubal. Along the way, you will pass traditional windmills and visit a wonderful, family-run vineyard for a taste of wine and homemade cheese before descending to the coastal road which leads to Setubal, a thriving city set on the Rio Sado. This is home to the country's most important wildlife sanctuary. (B,D)

Moderate to Intermediate cycling with one long ascent of coastal pass
Preferred accommodation: Hotel Solaris 3 stars

Day 7: Troia Penninsula, the cork forests and Santiago do Cacem, 37 mi. (59 km)
Starting with a short river crossing by ferry, today will take you on a wonderful ride over a forested peninsula that offers a view of some of Portugal's finest and most remote coastline. This is a great location for dolphin and whale watching! Continuing south, you will follow cork forests to the historic Moorish town of Santiago do Cacem, a colorful sleepy Alentejo village in woodlands where little has changed in centuries. (B)

Easy cycling on flat terrain along the coast and through forested stretches
Preferred accommodation: Hotel Dom Nuno 3 stars Santiago do Cacem

Day 8: Santiago do Cacem - Lisbon
Following breakfast, a transfer will bring you back to Lison airport or you can extend your stay in Portugal! (B)

On each day’s details, you will find the name of the preferred hotel list. You will be accommodated in 3 and 4-star hotels that are small and authentic to the region. All rooms are ensuite, some with pools and gardens, and nearly all are family-run establishments. For example, in Sintra you will stay in the Heritage Class Hotel, the Hotel Sintra Jardin. Sintra has only a few old manor house-style hotels with rambling gardens and pools. The Sintra Jardim is the top rural stay and it´s located in a botanical paradise only minutes walking from the town center. Here you enjoy the large, traditional ´Quinta´ design rooms or you can sit out in the shaded garden next to the pool, enjoying a glimpse into Sintra’s once elegant times. Please keep in mind that final hotel list is based on availability. If one or more of the preferred hotels are not available, you will be offered an establishment of equal standing.

Bicycles

Standard Bike

Silvertip Lite Spanish BH

The Silvertip Lite from Spanish brand BH Bikes is a versatile machine that is ready to take on road or dirt paths. The bike features a light, tough aluminum frame for smooth performance. The Suntour fork soaks up bumps and vibrations. Reliable Shimano components take care of shifting and braking, and parts from KMC, Emotion, and Rubena handle the rest.

• Lightweight aluminum frame in men and women's styles (unless specified all women will receive a drop crossbar/step-through bike frame)
• Shimano components
• Front and back disc brakes
• Emotion Cross saddle
• 28-inch wheels
• Rubena 700*40 tires
• Anti-slip platform pedals

Accessories

• Rear rack (no panniers)
• Front waterproof carry bag
• Mounted water bottle cage and water bottles
• Helmet, toe cips (strap and strapless), & gel seat pad are available free of charge with advanced reservation.

Electric Bike

E-Bikes are 24v and 36v battery bikes, standard style. The batteries are rated for 60 km / day on economic power use and our tours cannot guarantee a spare battery during the day.s riding for every person but we do our best to provide them.

Specs coming soon!