Portugal Bike - Along the Silver Coast

Obidos, Portugal Bike Tours

	Guided	Unguide	Notes
May, June	1,680 Euro	1,320 Euro	Per person/week
July	1,790 Euro	1,440 Euro	Per person/week

*Please contact advertiser for rates & availability for your travel dates.

Obidos, Portugal Bike Tours

Active Adventure

Tour Highlights

1. Multi-coloured fields with various crops
2. Peniche and Baleal Peninsulas
3. Amazing rocks cut by the sea and the wind
4. The Islet of Berlenga - Natural Reserve
5. Fatima - the sacred place and the pilgrims
6. Obidos castle and its high medieval walls
7. Nazaré - the most typical beach in Portugal
8. The tasty fresh fish of the Silver Coast
9. �"bidos �" the most preserved medieval town in Portugal
10. Narrow streets and charming houses decorated with flowers


Summary

This Portugalbike tour begins in Fátima, a Catholic sanctuary located not far from Lisbon and which was several times visited by Pope John Paul II. Then you will ride towards the coast to Nazaré, the most typical beach in Portugal. This is a place full of old traditions and today we can still see fishermen drying fish under the sun as they did in the past. This is also a wonderful place to refresh ourselves in the blue waters or take a walk along the golden sand. You will ride along the sea admiring the beautiful view and you will ride along agrarian fields with different crops and different colours. One of the highlights of this tour is the Medieval Town of �"bidos. Originally a Roman village, it was taken from the Moors in 1148. Its castle is classified as a national monument and it is a perfect example of a medieval fortress. This is a “village-museum”, perfectly preserved and walled by its high walls which perpetuate its medieval character. Another interesting point of this tour is the Peniche Peninsula, a place of fishing traditions and from where you can admire one of the largest fishing and diving sanctuaries �" the Wild Islet of Berlenga, also known as Berlenga Natural Reserve. This is a wonderful place where you will go by boat, leaving your bicycles on the other side, and take a swim in the clear waters on the coast of this islet, near S. João Batista fortress. This very ancient and small fortress defended our coast from the pirate’s attacks that came from the sea, between the 16th century and the 19th century.

Typical Day

Programme

Day 1: Arrival - Welcome at Lisbon airport. 1H30 drive to Fátima, briefing about the tour followed by dinner. Lodging in 4* hotel very near to the Sanctuary in Fatima town.

Day 2: Towards the ocean. Visit to the caves - 55km (34mi), level 4 (+Beach). After breakfast we start our day with a visit to the limestone caves. We visit Porto de Mos with its enchanted castle and the day ends in Nazare, the most typical beach in Portugal. Picnic on the way. Dinner with the group. Lodging in a 4* hotel decorated with maritime elements and it is characterized by a fresh and relaxing design.

Day 3: The Silver Coast - 43km (27mi), level 3 (+ Beach). After breakfast we ride to S. Martinho do Porto, we ride round Obidos Lagoon in a paradisiacal environment. Picnic on the way. Lodging in a charming 4* hotel whose building is dated from the 14th century.

Day 4: FREE day. After breakfast visit to the medieval town of Obidos. This is the most well preserved medieval village in Portugal. …It’s a charm! Lodging in a charming 4* hotel whose building is dated from the 14th century.

Day 5: Peniche Peninsula - 53km (33mi), level 2 (+ Beach). After breakfast we can admire the touristic region of Serra d’El Rei, the beautiful two-sided beach in Baleal (north side and south side) and the fishing peninsula of Peniche, where the wind and the sea have shaped the rocks along the centuries: this is unique in Portugal. Picnic near the cliffs. Dinner with the group. Lodging in a 4* Hotel located in a ravishing green exterior space overlooking the beautiful blue Atlantic Ocean.

Day 6: The Wild Islet of Berlenga - Walking tour. Visit to the caves ( Beach).
After breakfast we take a small boat to Berlenga Islet, this is a seagull paradise classified as Natural Reserve and with a Fortress in the Atlantic Ocean to protect the continent from the pirates. Lodging in a 4* Hotel located in a ravishing green exterior space overlooking the beautiful blue Atlantic Ocean.

Day 7: Departure - After breakfast transfer to Lisbon airport. 1H00 drive to airport.

Age range, type of group

Technical Data

Type: Hybrid Bike Tour
Class: LANDSCAPE TOUR
Version: Guided or Self-Guided
Region of Portugal: North of Lisbon (coast)
Duration: 7 days / 6 nights / 3 days cycling /
1 day walking / 1 day rest
Begin: Fatima - a religious place
End: Peniche - a small fishing town
Difficulty level (1-5): 1 2 3 4 5
= Intermediate. You must be in good shape
Distance: 151km (94mi)
Average: 50km/day (31mi/day)
Trails: 82% asphalt - 18% dirt roads

Sleeping and meals

The price includes:

- 7-day Hybrid Bike Tour with a Guide (*)
- Transfers from and to Lisbon Airport
- Accommodations (6 nights): 6 four* Hotels (one Hotel in a sacred place, three Hotels near the beach and two charming medieval Hotels). Double bedroom occupancy.
- 6 Breakfasts
- 3 nourishing and energetic picnics (*)
- 1 Lunch (*)
- 4 Dinners (including our famous wines, our amazing cheeses and lovely desserts) (*)
- Daily energy-bars and water (*)
- Luggage transport from Hotel to Hotel
- Documentation about PortugalBike Tour
- Liability Insurance
- Personal Accident Insurance
- Techno-Mechanical Assistance
- First-Aid assistance on location
- Permanent Backup Vehicle (*)
- Boat Tour to Berlenga Islet
- Visit to the caves
�" Fátima and Berlenga (*)
- Walking Tour on Berlenga Islet (*)
(*) Not included in Self-Guided Tours

Rates

Dates and Prices for 2012:

May 27 -02 June:
Guided: Euro 1680 (Single Suppl. + € 180)
Self-Guided: Euro 1320 (Single Suppl. + € 180)

June 17 - 23:
Guided: Euro 1680 (Single Suppl. + € 180)
Self-Guided: Euro 1320 (Single Suppl. + € 180)

July 01 - 07:
Guided: Euro 1790 (Single Suppl. + € 220)
Self-Guided: Euro 1440 (Single Suppl. + € 220)


=> Prices per person, double bedroom occupancy, 4* quality Hotel.
=> If you want a different date, ask us about prices and availability.

Other Information

On this tour you will ride with this bicycle:

HYBRID BIKE: BH K30k Silvertip
DETAILS:
Frame: Alluminium
Fork: Front fork suspension with lock
Brakes: Hydraulic disc brakes
Gears: Shimano XT/LX, 27 speeds
Pedals: Normal (with cages or not) or Shimano SPD
Tires: Hybrid tires 700x40 (28"x1.6)
Weight: 13,5kg
Other: Seat post with small suspension, man or woman seat, front bag on the handlebar.
(see the picture #26)




Testimonials

»»»» Portugal Bike's hybrid tour of the "Silver Coast" exceeded all of my expectations. I was impressed by the knowledge of our guides, the excellent & new equipment (bike, helmet, trip odometers, packs, water bottles, transport van) and also the condition and location of all hotels and restaurants - always well situated with the best views and food. Cristina and Jose recommended excellent regional choices for wine and for dinner - which we loved, (however, we were also able to choose for ourselves, a luxury many tours do not afford you). Having met some cyclists enroute who had planned their own trip, we're convinced that PB is the way to go: best routes/little traffic, varied pathways, healthy & plentiful picnics, and no worries...about anything!! I know I would love to try a different tour next time, and possibly tack on a 2nd week while I'm at it! I cannot compliment Jose &Cristina enough - a very classy duo!
= Joanne Nolte, Age: 49 (London, ON �" Canada), 2010 =

»»»» The tour “Along the Silver Coast” lived up to its name as we rode along beautiful scenic stretches of ocean (from a height of course). The quaint villages and fields of flowers and crops were additional views of Portugal that I was so glad to be seeing close up by bike. I kept running out of batteries due to the number of photos that just had to be taken in �"bidos and Isle of Berlenga. We felt spoiled by Jose & Christina who took care of all our needs from picnics and snacks to great dinners and wonderful accommodation. They were knowledgeable and personable and have set the bar high for biking holidays. Even before the tour was over we were discussing the details of our next trip with Portugal Bike! Thanks for the wonderful holiday in Portugal.
= Kimberly Matthisen, Age: 49 (London, ON - Canada), 2010 =

»»»» Thank you for the best vacation ever. (...) I am so impressed with your company and I am telling everyone; you were tour guides, personal trainers, translators, concierge, taxi, caterers, historians, friends and professional business operators. PortugalBike takes care of everything, all you need to do is ride and enjoy!! Great home made lunches, excellent local restaurants, transportation and translation services you will be thrilled with your vacation. The time I spent off the bicycle was as interesting and diverse as during the ride. PortugalBike is priceless and you (Jose and Cristina) are a pleasure. Spending a week with 2 total strangers and trusting their judgement was a concern of mine before selecting my trip. I recommend you both on your character and integrity; you are both excellent people (personally and as business owners). I HIGHLY recommend this trip to everyone and anyone who has a pulse and a desire to see a beautiful country. By bike, boat, foot, land, sea and van, ocean coast, cliffs, beach, caves 45m under, castles, farms, countryside villages, vacation hot spots, nature preserves and island, fancy hotels, sheep herds and my favourite - Obidos, the city inside the castle walls, it's amazing. Thank you again for everything!!!!
= Kristine Lederman (Florida - U.S.A.), 2006 =

Obidos, Portugal Bike Tours

Obidos, Portugal Bike Tours

Cristina Henriques (View My Profile)
Being a Portuguese-owned Company, we know our country better than anybody else and we want to expose people to places and curiosities about Portugal that only a Portuguese knows! Our goal is that you visit Portugal …riding a bicycle!

On PortugalBike Tours you have the opportunity to visit our historical, cultural and landscape heritage in our National Parks, enjoy the sun and the beaches, and at the end of the day you can recover your strength with an exquisite dinner. You can taste our famous wines, amazing cheeses and lovely desserts, and sample typical dishes of each region of Portugal.

Travelling with PortugalBike will connect you deeply with the country, becoming part of its everyday life, observing details that typical tourists miss and enjoying spontaneous encounters along the way. You will rest in cosy and charming accommodations. We always choose 4-star quality hotels whenever possible in each region or Bed & Breakfast units. Our accommodations are always the best offer of each region.

PortugalBike Tours are designed so that we begin at a certain point and we end elsewhere. You do not start and end at the same place. We think that is the best way to discover Portugal ...riding a bicycle! Read the specific information about each ride to learn more details.

PortugalBike Tours have a maximum of 16 participants, and a minimum of two. Larger groups are also possible upon request and according to our availability. Our Bike Tours are prepared for one week (7 days / Sunday to Saturday).

The dates of PortugalBike Tours are according to our calendar, or on request, according to our availability. The prices below are for the scheduled PortugalBike Tours. If you wish a different date, ask us for prices and availability.

WE ARE PROUD TO OFFER YOU A GOOD PRODUCT AND A QUALITY SERVICE