Biking through Algarve

First off, this post is ABSOLUTELY dedicated to my dad. If I ever had the money to make this happen, I absolutely would do this with him!


I was reading up on Portugal on the Lonely Planet website and I came across an itinerary for a bike tour through Portugal's famed Algarve region. Located on the southwestern coast of Portugal, this area is a mecca for tourists, but much can be said for the quaint way of life continuing in some of the towns outside the tourist areas. I looked up some images to coincide with the bike tour itinerary. Read on and drool....

Day 1 - arrive in Algarve and transfer to the rustic town of Monchique, known for its historic buildings like the ruins of a 17th century monastery, Nossa Senhora do Desterro. The town is quaint, with narrow cobblestoned streets and shops selling ceramics and their famous local apertif "medronho".

Cafe scene in Monchique

The convent of Nossa Senhora do Desterro

A cocktail made with the famous "medronho"

Day 2 - Go on a ride through the foothills of Picota and Foia along with the old spa town of Caldas de Monchique. The waters of Caldas de Monchique have been lauded as having healing powers since antiquity, and the small town features some hotels and spas where you can have treatments that feature the town's claim to fame. Also, the town has a few restaurants that feature beautiful views of the surrounding hills.

La capilla de São José in Picota

Wow...what a view....

Some of the scenery in Caldas de Monchique

Day 3 - Cycle west to the small coastal town of Odeceixe, a sleepy little coastal town, nestled amongst hills (one of which topped with an iconic windmill), that is known for its laidback charm and popular surf breaks. here the itinerary provides two possible routes - cycling along the Riviera de Seixe valley, or across the serra to the Alentejo border.

 

 

Day 4 - choice of riding through the countryside to Rogil to visit the Esteveira nature preserve, or to ride to the beautiful beach village of Zambujeira and the cliffs of Cabo Sardo.....tough decision, but I think I'm leaning toward Zambujeira:)

Rogil

Esteveira

A church in Zambujeira

Zambujeira cafe

Zambujeira nature

Zambujeira beach

The cliffs of Cabo Sardo

 Day 5 - Transfer south, and cycle to Carrapateira, a small village popular with surfers, to make a circular tour of the Pontal headland. Continue along to Vila do Bispo, a small town with typical Algarvean houses clustered around a 16th century church and a reputation for great seafood restaurants.  Then the ride continues along the Sagres peninsula to Cape St. Vincent and the fishing port of Sagres, the most western point of Europe.

Carrapateira Beach - what a nice walkway!

Pontal headland

O Tiago restaurant in Vila do Bispo

Vila do Bispo

The interior of the church in Vila do Bispo

local seafood feast!

Sagres

Sagres

Lighthouse of St. Cape Vincent in Sagres

Day 6 - Head east from Sagres toward Montes des Amantes, which the itinerary states is famous for its "standing stones," but I could not find any pictures of them online! Then head on to the beaches of Ingrina and Zavial (where I would want to take a break to enjoy their snorkelling!)before passing through the quiet countryside to the fishing village of Salema. 

beach at Ingrina

Zavial

Salema

Salema

Oh man. I want to go on this trip!!!!!!!!!!!! I want to add in an extra day in each place to not be on my bike and instead walk around, eat and do some sunbathing!!! One day......

If you are interested in the Lonely Planet itinerary, check out http://www.lonelyplanet.com/portugal/tours/self-guided-cycle/algarve-cycle?lpaffil=fbta1#ixzz1nET6CqUu

Off to Portugal!

Well, my longtime readers may have noticed that my posts have been dwindling a bit. My new years resolution 2011 was to learn about cultures from around the world, and as such, I was really dedicated to the blog that year. I'm not willing to give up on my blog, but I do have a new set of goals for this year that are taking some of my attention. I do plan to keep up this blog, but won't be updating quite as much, and will probably spend longer than a month on each country so I have ample opportunity to learn about each region before moving on.

Speaking of moving on, time to pack up from Turkey, and head toward Portugal! Here's some pix to whet your appetite:

Port produced in the Douro Valley was once shipped downriver to the city of Porto in sailboats called barcos rabelos, anchored here along the Douro River.

The facades of buildings reveal Porto's faded grandeur. 

A night view of the city of Porto shows the Igreja dos Grilos, a church built in the 17th century. 

At the Barrigodos bakery in the village of Favaois, "huge bundles of pine needles are used as kindling," says writer Rachel Howard, "giving their bread a delicious smoky flavor."

Ponta de Piedade, located near Lagos, Algarve. It is a fantasy landscape of caves, grottoes and sea arches. The best way to appreciate the beauty of Ponta de Piedade is from the boat.

This is a view from one of the famous squares in the historic center of Guimarães , The S. Tiago Square

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The beach of Melides is situated in the municipality of Grândola, the District of Setúbal is a very extensive undulating sand beach, surrounded by dunes, pine forests and a pond.

A Portuguese fisherman.

Some street art by Vhils,  one of my favorite artists who happens to be from Portugal.