Itinerary Expand all Vila Nova de Milfontes to Sagres Fly to Faro and transfer to the charming seaside town of Vila Nova de Milfontes, located in the heart of the beautiful Alentejo coastline. Those of us on the group flight touch down in Faro airport and will be driven approx. 2 hrs the charming seaside town of Vila Nova de Milfontes, located in the heart of the beautiful Alentejo coastline. Still largely undiscovered by foreign visitors, the town is delightfully Portuguese, filled with cobbled streets, whitewashed houses and scenic views across the Mira River. It is also the start point of incredible coastal trails leading to vast stretches of wild and deserted beaches. Despite its remote location, it has an extensive selection of restaurants, and a lively nightlife making it a perfect base for the first three days of the tour. Day 1 Start in the charming seaside town of Vila Nova de Milfontes This trip starts in the seaside town of Vila Nova de Milfontes, located in the heart of the beautiful Alentejo coastline approx 2 hrs from Faro and 2.5 hrs from Lisbon. Still largely undiscovered by foreign visitors, the town is delightfully Portuguese, filled with cobbled streets, whitewashed houses and scenic views across the Mira River. It is also the start point of incredible coastal trails leading to vast stretches of wild and deserted beaches. Despite its remote location, it has an extensive selection of restaurants, and a lively nightlife making it a perfect base for the first three days of the tour. Day 2 Rewarding coastal walk to Almograve; transfer back to Vila Nova de Milfontes. We start the week with a relatively short coastal hike offering superb views throughout. Leaving from the hotel, we cross by boat and admire the views of the River Mira meeting the ocean, with the small white-washed town and lush hillsides in the background. There are stretches along today's trail where native vegetation displays all its diversity and other areas where it has been wiped out by a most aggressive exotic plant – the Acacia. At times farmland stretches right down to the ocean, at others the imprint of human habitation is local, non-commercial fishing or small stone age quarries hidden amongst the dunes. Between March and October you’ll be able to spot the many types of swift - Alpine, Pallid and Common - that all nest along this coast. Interestingly, swifts spend over 90% of their life in the air as they feed, mate and sleep in flight - they are so well adapted to flying that landing on the ground may be fatal. The walk ends in the peaceful small village of Almograve, perfect for an unhurried afternoon stroll or peaceful pause before we return by private transfer to Vila Nova de Milfontes. Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Day 3 Walk from Cabo Sardão to Zambujeira do Mar along dramatic high cliffs, nesting spot of more than twenty species of birds. Small fishing harbours, sand dunes, the scent of pine tree forests and the sight, seen nowhere else in the world, of storks nesting on the cliffs make this today's walk truly special. We start with a short transfer (approx. 20mins) to Cabo Sardão lighthouse which was peculiarly built the wrong way round. The entry door is facing the ocean and the lighthouse is facing inland! This is the start of today's trail which follows the high cliffs exposed to the constant salty ocean waves and winds, and favourite nesting spot for over twenty species of bird. These include the Jackdaw, Shag, Common Kestrel, White Stork, and the Peregrine Falcon, the fastest recorded animal in the world, reaching speeds of up to 300 km/h when diving. We will have time to stop and watch these birds, especially during spring, when it is possible to quietly observe their mating rituals and the careful building of their nests. We pass Lapa das Pombas, a tiny non-commercial fishing harbour, before concluding the walk in the sleepy seaside village of Zambujeira do Mar and its wonderful beach. In the afternoon we return to Vila Nova de Milfontes by transfer (approx. 30mins). Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Day 4 Coastal walk to Odeceixe; admire fascinating rock and cliff formations and some of Portugal’s best beaches; transfer to Vale da Telha. This morning we transfer (approx. 40 mins) to Carvalhal beach, the start of today's walk. The cliff face on this stretch of the walk is of particular interest. It is composed of schist and greywacke which results from the consolidation of sand, clay and volcanic ashes accumulated on the bottom of an ancient ocean over 300 million years ago This whole coastal region is believed by many to have a particular energy, and it was here that the Fado diva Amália Rodrigues sought refuge and inspiration for her songs. Along the walk we may also spot traces of nocturnal mammals including the Egyptian Mongoose (locally known as “Escalabardo”), weasel, Beech Marten (also known as “Papalvo”), badger, genet and rabbits. Before reaching Odeceixe, we take a break on Ponta em Branco (white summit) so named for the colour of the sediments that form its summit, marking the border between the Alentejo and the Algarve regions. This is considered one of the most scenic points in the entire region with views over Odeceixe beach, with the mountain top of Fóia and Monchique as a backdrop. We transfer to the cosy hotel near Arrifana beach and enjoy a refreshing dip in the swimming pool, or a drink on the sunny terrace before dinner. Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Day 5 Free day; enjoy an optional circular walk to Arrifana beach or other activities such as surfing and horse riding. Today is a free day to choose from the many optional activities available in the area. You may decide to go on a self-guided circular walk passing the beaches of Monte Clérigo, Pontal da Atalaia, as well as the famous surfing beach of Arrifana. Alternatively you may book a surfing class or a horse riding excursion along the spectacular coastline. Whilst your tour leader will not acompany you on your free day, they will be able to help you book the optional activities. We also suggest a visit to the small market town of Aljezur, famous for its whitewashed houses and cobbled streets and dominated by the ruins of a tenth century Moorish castle. Meals included: Breakfast Day 6 Circular walk around Carrapateira; enjoy stunning ocean views and the sandy beaches of Bordeira and Amado; transfer to Sagres. Today we travel further south and transfer (approx. 30 mins) to the village of Carrapateira, the start of today's short circular walk. Along the circuit, we come across various viewpoints with superb views of the sandy beaches of Bordeira and Amado as well as the ruins of an ancient Islamic fishermen’s settlement. On the first part of the trail, we walk through undulating dunes carpeted by lush vegetation and aromatic wild plants including thyme, yellow amaranths, rosemary, lavender, crowberries, blue pimpernel and sea lavender. We then walk along the limestone cliffs for most of the trail and may get the opportunity to spot cormorants, a wintering bird and expert angler, consuming almost 1 kg of fish per day. In the afternoon we transfer (approx. 20 mins) to the village of Sagres, at the extreme western tip of the Algarve. Although primarily known as a surfing destination (and surprisingly not the Portuguese beer of the same name), Sagres has a lot more to offer. You may decide to spend the rest of the day in one of the sheltered pristine beaches. Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Day 7 Final cliff walk to Cape St. Vincent, the south-westernmost point in continental Europe; afternoon optional visit to Sagres fort. Surrounded by foaming Atlantic breakers, Cabo de Sao Vicente marks the most south-westerly point of Europe. The final walk from Sagres out to the edge of the continent should prove to be one of the highlights of the week. Surrounded by coastal scenery, we follow a wild trail along sandy paths and gorse-strewn meadows to the very edge of the Iberian Peninsula. Setting off from our hotel, we make our way to the start point of our walk, near Beliche Beach. We set out across towering cliffs and ravines covered with native vegetation. We pass by the golden beach of Beliche, and, then after a short section inland, Telheiro beach, a place of extraordinary geological interest thanks to the rock composition of the cliffs. The last section of the path continues along the cliff top before a memorable arrival at Cape St. Vincent where we find a lighthouse, museum and small bar offering wonderful photo opportunities. It's only a short transfer (5 mins) back to Sagres where we can choose to visit the imposing sea fortress at sunset or relax with a cold drink on the waterfront, watching fishermen mending their nets. You may decide to book an optional dolphin-watching excursion along the coast (weather and season dependent). Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Day 8 End Sagres This trip ends in Sagres in the morning of Day 8. Meals included: Breakfast Transfer to Faro; fly to London. Those on the group flight travel to Faro airport by private minibus in the morning (approx. 1hr 30 mins) for the inbound flight to London. Alternatively, you may decide to extend your trip by a few days and relax on some the most beautiful beaches in the Algarve. Please contact our Customer Operations or Sales team for quote on post-tour accommodation. Meals included: Breakfast
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Portugal No visa required for British passport holders. For further Brexit travel advice please visit https://www.abta.com/tips-and-advice/brexit-advice-for-travellers
Comfortable hotels On this trip we will use three different hotels. All rooms are en suite and all hotels have a swimming pool. Hotels normally used: Vila Nova de Milfontes (3 nights): Hotel HS Milfontes Beach ***Located on the main beach avenue in Vila Nova de Milfontes, it enjoys the most amazing views of the Mira river bay. It also offers an outdoor pool and gym. Vale da Telha (Aljezur) (2 nights): Hotel Vale Da Telha **Simple but very cosy hotel, offering a very relaxed and peaceful atmosphere, modern rooms, as well as an outdoor pool with a spacious sun deck. Sagres (2 nights): Memmo Baleeira Hotel Sagres****Offering an outdoor pool with magnificent Atlantic Ocean views. It also has a spa and a heated indoor pool, Turkish bath and sauna.
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Reviewed July 2019 Niamh K Trip: Walking Portugal's Coast and Beaches Great week - stunning scenery! Another great Exodus trip. Breathtaking scenery, pleasant walks & good company made it a very enjoyable week. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? The rugged coastline with fantastic beaches - I particularly liked Sagres. What did you think of your group leader? Luis & Sofia were great - attentive, well organised, knowledgeable & catered for all needs of the group. They did a fantastic job in showcasing their beautiful country & went out of their way to ensure we all had a good holiday. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Highly recommend this trip - book it!
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