Portugal Bike - Road Bike Vacations in Portugal

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Description   Portugal Bike - Road Bike Vacations in Portugal

Description of Active Adventure

AFFILIATIONS:

- Licensed by D.G.T. (Portuguese Tourism Board). License no. 12/2003.
- APECATE Member Associated (Portuguese Association of Professional Organisers of Congresses, Tourism Animation and Events).
- PACTA Member Associated (Portuguese Association of Cultural Animation and Nature and Adventure Tourism Companies).
- ARPTA Member Associated (Regional Association for the Promotion of Tourism in Alentejo).
- CITUR According to Portuguese law, we established a partnership with CITUR, a Travel Agency with Licence number 468/1985, to sell the accommodations for PortugalBike Tours.




ABOUT PORTUGALBIKE:


Since 1995 we have been organizing Guided Bicycle Tours in Portugal under the name of BTTour. We have already organized more than 200 Bicycle Tours and more than 8000 people have ridden with us.
In 2003 we decided to offer something else – to show our beautiful country to those who live beyond our borders. We created PortugalBike to share with people all over the world some of the most unique biking experiences.
In 2006 we were Finalists in the PUBLITURIS Travel Trade & Hotel Guide 2005 Awards for the «Best Company of Active and Animation Tourism in Portugal» .

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 target 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 Natural 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.

You will rest in cozy and charming accommodations. We always choose 4-star quality hotels whenever possible in each region or Tourism in the Country. Our accommodations are always the best offer of each region.




WHAT CAN WE EXPECT ON A PORTUGALBIKE TOUR?


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 can be Guided (with a Guide) or Self-Guided (with a GPS device with all tracks recorded). The big difference between the prices for Guided and Self-Guided Tours is that the Self-Guided Tours do not include dinners, picnics, energy bars and water during the day. There is always a backup car to provide any assistance you may need. If you want to take a Self-Guided Tour with dinners included, this can be arranged.

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 / Saturday to Friday).

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




WHAT KIND OF TOURS DO WE OFFER?


There are three types of PortugalBike Tours:

1) Road Bike Tours are on asphalt roads (100%). We always try to avoid roads with a lot of traffic, preferring secondary roads. On these tours, you ride more km/day than on a Trekking Bike Tour. These tours can be Guided or Self-Guided (with a GPS device on the handlebar), so that you are completely free to ride at your own pace, but there is always a backup car to give you any assistance you may need. You use a Road Bike (700x23 wheels with carbon frame). Participants are usually 25-65 years old.

2) Hybrid Bike Tours are mainly on asphalt/tarmac (more than 50%) with some off-road rolling trails. Usually the tours are a little bit longer than the Mountain Bike version tours. It is the best and most relaxing way to know a country by bicycle while also having fun. These tours can be Guided or Self-Guided. You use a Hybrid Bike (700x38 wheels with a little front suspension). Participants are usually 45-65 years old.

3) Mountain Bike Tours are mainly on off-road rough trails (more than 50%), sometimes technical, with very little asphalt/tarmac. You need some biking skills and you need to be in good shape. Usually, these tours are a little bit shorter than the Hybrid Bike tours. It is the best way to know a country and feel the challenge of nature. These tours are always Guided (ask us for self-guided); you will only have to follow your guide through wonderful single-tracks in nature. You use a Mountain Bike (26x2.1 wheels with front suspension and hydraulic disc brakes). Participants are usually 25-45 years old.

Our goal is that people visit Portugal …riding a Bicycle!




DIFFICULTY LEVELS:


Each PortugalBike Tour is classified according to its difficulty level, from 1 to 5. Level 1 is the easiest and level 5 is the most difficult.

- Levels 1 and 2 are for Beginners (You are not in good shape)
- Level 3 is for Intermediate Bikers (You must be in good shape)
- Level 4 is for Advanced Bikers (You are fit and in good shape)
- Level 5 is for Expert Bikers (You are in very good shape! You are a winner!)

Besides the classification for overall difficulty level of each PortugalBike Tour, each day is also classified from 1 to 5. When the trails are difficult, we ride less km/day and when the trails are easy, we ride more km/day. Please note that the purpose of PortugalBike Tours is not to train, but only to enjoy your bicycle, nature and environment.





PORTUGALBIKE ROAD BIKE TOURS (#2):
(Guided or Self-Guided Tours)


1. THE ANCIENT MEDIEVAL VILLAGES
(Guided or Self-Guided Tour)

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
1. The medieval town of Castelo de Vide
2. Narrow roads rounded with old stones
3. The Natural Park landscape of S. Mamede Hills
4. Majestic Marvao Castle from the top
5. The ancient and medieval small town of Elvas
6. Vast vineyards fields
7. The medieval white village of Monsaraz at the top
8. The amazing landscape in Alentejo and the charming villages
9. Fields of Cork and Olive trees
10. Evora city - classified as World Heritage by UNESCO

SUMMARY
You’ll start your tour in Marvao, a small medieval town on the top of the hill, surrounded by walls and with a majestic castle that defended this small town from the Spanish people many times. There you can admire a spectacular view and then ride down along a medieval narrow road with ancient stone walls. You will climb to Senhora da Penha, a little chapel on the top of a hill where there is an amazing view over Castelo de Vide, another medieval town, and its rows of whitewashed houses. You will ride along narrow roads, either sided by cork trees or stone walls and now you will get to Castelo de Vide, a beautiful town in Alentejo located in the cool mountains of the Natural Park of Sao Mamede, among dense olive groves and chestnut trees. The town is full of monuments, fountains and ancient houses. You will see medieval monuments, dozens of churches, enchanting alleys and some of the best Gothic porticos in Portugal. Then you will go to Elvas, a typical border town with its castle, again surrounded by walls. Elvas also has a star-shaped fort, several churches, the monumental Amoreira Aqueduct, a unique pillory dating back to the 16th century and many interesting details. Continuing the ride to Vila Vicosa, you will pass by many marble quarries and finally climb to Monsaraz, which is a little medieval village at the top of a hill with a castle and whitewashed houses along narrow cobblestone roads. This is one of Portugal’s traditional wine regions. You can visit a vineyard and taste the world famous Alentejo wine. This PortugalBike Tour ends in Evora, a wonderful walled town with many Roman vestiges, medieval churches and buildings, fountains, the aqueduct, charming streets, etc. Evora is a city classified as World Heritage by UNESCO.

TECHNICAL DATA
Region of Portugal: Alentejo (inland)
Duration: 7 days / 6 nights / 5 days cycling
Begin: Marvao (Alentejo)
End: Evora (Alentejo)
Overall difficulty level: 1 2 3 4 5
Skill Level: Intermediate. You must be in good shape.
Distance: 395km (245mi)
Average: 79km/day (49mi/day)

PROGRAMME
Day 1: Arrival – Welcome at Lisbon airport. 3H00 drive to Marvao followed by dinner. Lodging in a cosy 4* Albergaria in Marvao, the highest medieval village of Portugal.
Day 2: The beautiful village of Marvao and its castle – 71km (44mi), level 4. Lodging in a classic Manor House (Rural Tourism) that was built in the 17th century.
Day 3: The medieval village of Castelo de Vide and the narrow roads – 76km (47mi), level 3. Lodging in a 4* Hotel that was built conserving the old architectonic structures of the convent and the military hospital.
Day 4: The medieval village of Monsaraz and its castle – 79km (49mi), level 4. Lodging in a historic building (4* Estalagem) that benefits from a privileged view over the plains.
Day 5: Cork trees, Olive trees and Vineyards – 96km (60mi), level 3. Lodging in a 15th century castle converted into a Pousada. What used to be the agricultural land of a medieval castle, is now a superb garden.
Day 6: Towards Evora – classified as World Heritage by UNESCO – 80km (50mi), level 2. Lodging in a 4* Hotel located in the middle of the historical centre of Evora, next to the 14th century city wall.
Day 7: Departure – Farewell at Lisbon airport - 2H00 drive

DATES AND PRICES FOR 2009
07 ~13 March:
PortugalBike Guided Tour: Euro 1700 (Single Suppl. + € 220)
PortugalBike Self-Guided Tour: Euro 1140 (Single Suppl. + € 220)
04 ~ 10 April:
PortugalBike Guided Tour: Euro 1750 (Single Suppl. + € 260)
PortugalBike Self-Guided Tour: Euro 1190 (Single Suppl. + € 260)
06 ~12 June:
PortugalBike Guided Tour: Euro 1750 (Single Suppl. + € 260)
PortugalBike Self-Guided Tour: Euro 1190 (Single Suppl. + € 260)
08 ~ 14 August:
PortugalBike Guided Tour: Euro 1770 (Single Suppl. + € 280)
PortugalBike Self-Guided Tour: Euro 1210 (Single Suppl. + € 280)
10 ~16 October::
PortugalBike Guided Tour: Euro 1750 (Single Suppl. + € 260)
PortugalBike Self-Guided Tour: Euro 1190 (Single Suppl. + € 260)

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


What does the price of this PortugalBike Tour include?
- 7 days with PortugalBike
- Road Bike Tour with a Guide (*)
- Road Bike rental (BH L41 Carbon Spirit Ultegra) with helmet
- Transfers from and to Lisbon Airport
- Accommodations (usually a 4 star-quality hotel, double bedroom occupancy)
- 6 Breakfasts
- 5 nourishing and energetic picnics (*)
- 6 Dinners (including our famous wines, our amazing cheeses and lovely desserts) (*)
- Daily energy-bars and water (*)
- Luggage transport from Inn to Inn
- Car connections at some stages (when necessary)
- Documentation about PortugalBike Tour
- Liability Insurance
- Personal Accident Insurance
- Techno-Mechanical Assistance
- First-Aid assistance on location
- Permanent Backup Vehicle (*)

(*) Not included in Self-Guided Tours

TESTIMONIALS
»»»» I wish to thank you all for the excellent tour. You are professionals and we appreciate it. This was one of the most beautiful and most difficult Tours our group has ever made. We liked Portugal. All is simple in delight. Many of us already plan to return. Once again, I thank you for professionalism and excellent work. Greetings to your entire group
= Tsybunov Konstantin (Russia) 2007 =

---

2. TOWARDS ALGARVE
(Self-Guided Tour)

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
1. The amazing blue coast of Natural Park of Arrabida
2. Crossing the river Tagus and the river Sado
3. The Natural Park of SW Alentejo and Vicentine Coast
4. Stunning landscapes of Alentejo’s beaches
5. Tasty fresh fish of the Atlantic Coast
6. The beautiful cliffs of the Vicentine Coast
7. Cape S. Vicente - the birds and the sunset over the Atlantic Ocean
8. Sagres - the southwestern-most point of Continental Europe
9. Paradise-like beaches and the beautiful coast of Algarve
10. Lagos - the cosmopolitan and oldest town in the Algarve

SUMMARY
Starting from Lisbon, you will cross the Tagus river by boat heading south and enter one of the most lush areas south of Lisbon – the Natural Park of Arrabida Hills. On one side of the park, you’ll admire beautiful Mediterranean landscapes and at the other side, the gorgeous coast with accessible beaches where the fine sand and clear sea waters provide a strong contrast of unusual colours. You will ride along the coast to Setubal and after crossing the Sado river, you’ll reach Troia and then Sines where the Natural Park of SW Alentejo and Vicentine Coast begins. It extends itself along the Portuguese coast and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean. This SW landscape is 300 million years old and it is one of the most preserved landscapes all over Europe; human intervention is less visible throughout the area’s long history. Once submerged (about 2 million years ago), this is a vast area with many different coastal habitats and countless beaches and cliffs. Daily tours include going to the wonderful beaches of this Natural Park and taking a swim in the limpid and clear sea. Numerous cliffs and isolated islets complete this beautiful and unique scenery. This area boasts a diversity of rare botanical species, with very interesting flora and a variety of maritime birds that nest here. S. Vicente Cape is a passing area for thousands of birds of prey. This tour also goes to Sagres, which is the southwestern-most point in continental Europe, the place from where our brave forefathers sailed on their caravels seeking new peoples and continents. Finally, you have the opportunity to visit some of the beaches of our famous Algarve and the cosmopolitan city of Lagos. This is one of the oldest towns in the Algarve. You can still see evidence of the wall surrounding the town for protection. Lagos also has an old fort and its former Slave Market is now an art gallery.

TECHNICAL DATA
Region of Portugal: Lisbon Region (south), Alentejo (coast) and Algarve (coast)
Duration: 7 days / 6 nights / 5 days cycling
Begin: Lisbon (Lisbon and Tagus Valley)
End: Lagos (Algarve)
Overall difficulty level: 1 2 3 4 5
Skill Level: Intermediate. You must be in good shape.
Distance: 395km (245mi)
Average: 79km/day (49mi/day)

PROGRAMME
Day 1: Arrival – Welcome at Lisbon airport followed by dinner. Lodging in a modern 4* hotel where you can feel music in the air.
Day 2: Crossing the river Tagus and riding along the wonderful coast of Arrabida Natural Park - 92km (57mi), level 3 (+ Beach). Lodging in a 5* Estalagem with a romantic environment and an amazing view over Setubal.
Day 3: Crossing the river Sado to Troia – 80km (50mi), level 2 (+ Beach). Lodging in a 4* charming Albergaria where you can find numerous references to Portugal’s greatest navigator “Vasco da Gama”.
Day 4: The beautiful beaches of the Natural Park – 102km (63mi), level 3 (+ Beach). Lodging in a typical Alentejo country house (Rural Tourism) where a refreshing swimming-pool is waiting for you.
Day 5: Riding towards South to Sagres – 70km (43mi), level 2 (+ Beach). Lodging in a 4* new hotel surrounded by stunning deserted beaches and the wild nature of an unforgettable beauty.
Day 6: The coast of Algarve – 51km (32mi), level 4 (+ Beach). Lodging in a 4* hotel that epitomises the Algarve culture, with blue and white corridors which link the rooms, patios, restaurants and bar
Day 7: Departure – Farewell at Lisbon airport. 3H00 drive to airport.

DATES AND PRICES FOR 2009
14 ~20 February:
PortugalBike Guided Tour: Euro 1680 (Single Suppl. + € 200)
PortugalBike Self-Guided Tour: Euro 1090 (Single Suppl. + € 200)
28 Feb. ~ 06 March:
PortugalBike Guided Tour: Euro 1680 (Single Suppl. + € 200)
PortugalBike Self-Guided Tour: Euro 1090 (Single Suppl. + € 200)
30 May ~ 05 June:
PortugalBike Guided Tour: Euro 1740 (Single Suppl. + € 250)
PortugalBike Self-Guided Tour: Euro 1150 (Single Suppl. + € 250)
17 ~ 23 October:
PortugalBike Guided Tour: Euro 1710 (Single Suppl. + € 230)
PortugalBike Self-Guided Tour: Euro 1120 (Single Suppl. + € 230)
07 ~ 13 November::
PortugalBike Guided Tour: Euro 1680 (Single Suppl. + € 200)
PortugalBike Self-Guided Tour: Euro 1090 (Single Suppl. + € 200)

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


What does the price of this PortugalBike Tour include?
- 7 days with PortugalBike
- Road Bike Tour with a Guide (*)
- Road Bike rental (BH L41 Carbon Spirit Ultegra) with helmet
- Transfers from and to Lisbon Airport
- Accommodations (usually a 4/5 star-quality hotel, double bedroom occupancy)
- 6 Breakfasts
- 5 nourishing and energetic picnics (*)
- 6 Dinners (including our famous wines, our amazing cheeses and lovely desserts) (*)
- Daily energy-bars and water (*)
- Luggage transport from Inn to Inn
- Car connections at some stages (when necessary)
- Documentation about PortugalBike Tour
- Liability Insurance
- Personal Accident Insurance
- Techno-Mechanical Assistance
- First-Aid assistance on location
- Permanent Backup Vehicle (*)

(*) Not included in Self-Guided Tours

Typical Day

PortugalBike will show you the social and cultural aspects of the remotest areas. You will be able to contact with the most remarkable aspects of an ancient country and get to know a vast architectonical and historical heritage, as well as a magnificent landscape. Admire the most beautiful beaches and mountains where nature is still intact and wild.

PortugalBike guarantees you the best holidays you can get in the Bicycle world; you will have entertainment, joy, comfort and safety together with lots of adrenaline and wonderful landscapes; at the end of the day you can relax in the swimming-pool, recover your strength with an exquisite dinner which always includes our famous wines, our amazing cheeses and lovely desserts, and finally you can always count on cosy and charming accommodations to rest and get prepared for the fantastic and unforgettable day to come.

Age range, type of group

PortugalBike Road Bike Tours are designed for couples and singles. Participants are usually 25-65 years old.

The spirit of our tours is not competition and this is not training. The purpose of PortugalBike Tours is to have fun and enjoy Nature and the wild and still intact environment, to get to know different people and to spend unforgettable holidays in a sunny, warm and welcoming country without stress!

Usually, in a PortugalBike activity when you have many kilometres to ride, their difficulty is low; when the terrain is difficult, you ride less kilometres each day. Moreover, tours are designed so that a very difficult day is not followed by another very difficult day. In the middle of the week there is usually a day when you do not ride; this is good so that your body may rest without the bicycle and you can enjoy other activities (shopping, sightseeing, going to the beach, etc.).
We always have a long sunny day to ride our bicycles without stress and at our own pace; we are not competing or training. Our purpose is to make you enjoy our country while riding a bicycle.

Sleeping and meals

PortugalBike groups stay at 4 star Hotels, and at Rural Tourism (or Tourism in the Country) accommodations; these are cosy and charming cottages or Manor Houses converted into small hotels. The quality of many of these places is similar to 4-star hotels. Accommodations are always the best offer of the Region. We always look for beautiful and comfortable places, showing some of our traditional architecture and heritage where you can rest and enjoy the landscape. Many of these places have a swimming pool, where you can relax at the end of the day. Breakfast is included in the rate.

Rates

See our prices for Guided and Self-Guided Tour, and for each season. The big difference between the prices for Guided and Self-Guided Tours is that the Self-Guided Tours do not include dinners, picnics, energy bars and water during the day. There is always a backup car to provide any assistance you may need.

Other Information

Bookings
Make your reservation as soon as possible to ensure that you have a place on the ride you wish to take. Bookings shall only be effective after your deposit is received.

Deposit
Book your Tour. After you receive confirmation from BTTour/PortugalBike that your booking is possible, you have to pay a deposit in the amount of Euro 300/person by Bank Transfer to our bank account or via PayPal within five business days.

Final Payment
The final payment for your PortugalBike Tour is due until 45 days before the Tour begins.
According to Portuguese Law our company had to establish a partnership with a Travel Agency to deal with the Accommodations for our Tours. Therefore, Final Payment is divided into the amount referring to the Tour and the amount referring to Accommodations. You will receive 2 PayPal Invoices with the respective amounts. The Invoice referring to the Tour will be sent by BTTour-PortugalBike and the Invoice referring to Accommodations will be sent by CITUR (the Travel Agency that works with us).
If we do not receive a Final Payment until the above deadline, we will assume it is a cancellation, and your paid deposit shall not be refunded.

Cancellation/Annulment
As we are a company that develops outdoor activities, BTTour/PortugalBike is subject to weather conditions at the time of the activity. Therefore, BTTour/PortugalBike reserves the right to change itineraries or tour arrangements in the event that weather conditions may endanger the SAFETY of our Customers. The following are examples of weather/environmental conditions that impact itinerary plans: landslide, trees blown off/fallen, cyclonic wind, earthquakes, rushing streams of water, fire or risk of fire.
For those who have made a reservation and paid for a Tour and then change their mind later, a refund will be provided only under the following conditions:
»»» The total amount (minus a Cancellation Fee of Euro 100) provided that the cancellation is conveyed in writing to BTTour/PortugalBike 45 days in advance;
»»» 50% of the amount provided that the cancellation is conveyed in writing to BTTour 25 days in advance.
NOTE: Cancellations received by BTTour/PortugalBike with less than 25 days notice do not qualify for a refund.

Refund
BTTour/PortugalBike is not responsible for refunding paid services that are not used by the Customer.

Insurance
BTTour/PortugalBike is fully insured according to the Portuguese law in force for its activity. All participants on our tours will be insured for Personal Accidents in the amount of € 3500 for medical expenses and € 20000 in case of death or permanent disability. We also have a limited liability insurance of € 50000.

Responsibility/Liability
Riding a bicycle is an adventure and it involves some risks. Participating in a PortugalBike Tour implies the awareness and acceptance of this increased risk on behalf of the participant. When you submit the Registration Form you agree to accept all the conditions included in the Registration Form and its Terms and Conditions. When we accept your reservation, we agree to carry out our obligations to you as defined in this document and other information provided to you.

Photographs
BTTour/PortugalBike is entitled to use the photographs taken during PortugalBike activities for bona fide promoting and marketing purposes for our rides only. No images shall be used when the image of a person is equal to or larger than 25% of the photograph size.

Accommodations
The price of a PortugalBike Tour is always the same throughout the year, but the price for Accommodations depends on the time of the year. When you fill in your Booking Form you can see the exact amount for Accommodations on that particular Tour you chose. You will benefit from the best prices for accommodations negotiated by PortugalBike-CITUR. Usually we arrange for double-bedroom occupancy, but in some locations, we may have to book larger rooms/suites/apartments for more than two people, depending on the season of the year. Participants signing up individually will be assigned roommates of the same sex, or pay a single supplement. On some tours, the number of available single-occupancy rooms is limited.

Taxes
Prices include all the legal taxes in force.

Discounts Offered

«« HAVE UP TO 80% DISCOUNT!!! »»
+ Bring 6 friends with you, and have 40% DISCOUNT!
++ Bring 11 friends with you, and have 60% DISCOUNT!!
+++ Bring 15 friends with you, and have 80% DISCOUNT!!!
»» The total amount of payment must be paid by just one person.
»» Prices of accommodations are excluded.
»» Any special discounts or promotions may be applied only to trips booked directly with PortugalBike.

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Listing Address

Listing Name & Address
Portugal Bike - Road Bike Vacations in Portugal
BTTour Lda.
Praceta das Naus, Lote 6, Loja B
Lisbon, Portugal 1675-326
Portugal

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