ALGARVE - EUROPE'S BEST GOLF DESTINATION 2014

The world-class holiday region of the Algarve has scooped the prestigious title of International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO) European Golf Destination of the Year 2014 - the pinnacle of golf tourism awards.

With a choice of 40 golf courses, the Algarve is the perfect place for players to indulge their passion. The annual golf holiday is the highlight of the golfing year for many of the world’s 55 million players, and the IAGTO Awards serve to reward a few exceptional contributions to this world of golf travel.

Portugal was also nominated in the category of Best European Golf Destination.

COMPORTA

An hour away from Lisbon, where the Tagus peninsula merges with the mainland, Sluice emerges as a unique paradise where the hotels blend with the natural surroundings, the food is natural and the beaches are deserted and wild. This is a luxury made ​​in Portugal.

One territory, known only by the most cool world travelers, that maintains its pristine beaches and where happiness is to let yourself surrender to nature in its purest state. Here the eco-chic spirit is more than an adjective is a vital activity.

SURF TRIP IN PORTUGAL

This TravelTailors program promotes a sport with strong international recognition in Portugal, benefiting from its privileged coast: surf. It promotes the practice of this sport, with initiation of perfecting classes (according to previous experience). It empathizes the quality accommodations and restaurants in the surrounding areas.

DAY 1: LISBON - AREIA BRANCA

Areia Branca

Arrival in Lisbon. 

Lisbon is one of the most fascinating cities in Europe! With blue skies almost all year round and a mild winter, Lisbon offers breathtaking panoramas of the city and the river, a picturesque setting where old trams take us from the narrow cobbled streets up to the excellent new hotels in broad boulevards, fabulous shopping opportunities of brand name and a fantastic nightlife. The old blends with the sophistication of the 21st century.

Alfama and the Castle give you a historic trip to the Arab and medieval times. In the areas of Chiado, Bairro Alto and Príncipe Real, you can find some of the trendiest restaurants and bars in Lisbon. During the day, the streets are filled with animated crowds strolling around the museums, the shops, the art galleries, the cafes or grocery stores that sell gourmet products. From the Baixa to the Marquês de Pombal Square, there are theaters, train stations, esplanades and alleys to take a walk in. In Belém, lies the majestic Jerónimos Monastery, the famous Tower of Belém, the Cultural Centre and the many museums and gardens that surround them. It is imperative to sample the delicious Pastéis de Belém!

Journey to Areia Branca. 

Around 20h30: Suggestion for dinner in Areia Branca. 
A magical place less than na hour from Lisbon: here you can fully breathe in nature. The pinetrees, dunes and the sea tell you their secrets. Feel the originality, the comfort and sophistication. Each one of the rooms confides in you a different story. In the restaurant, a trip filled with smells, flavors and colors awaits you, taking advantage of what the earth naturally gives us. 

Accommodation at hotel of the selected category.

DAY 2: AREIA BRANCA - PENICHE - ERICEIRA - GUINCHO

Peniche

Journey to Peniche. 
Before entering the town of Peniche, take a walk by the coast and let yourself be immersed in the wonderful spectacle of the sea. Coloring itself in tones of intense blue or deep green, either calm or with ferocious waves breaking in the rocks, this sea has molded sculptures in the rocks that have formed strange and dramatic forms, reminiscent of huge collapsed monuments. Take a walk in the Baleal beach, stretched out between two seas as if it were an island (and it has been one), highly sought after, along with the Consolação beach (south), for its excellent surf and bodyboard conditions. In Peniche, the fortress built by D. João IV in the 17th century formed, along with the Consolação and São João Baptista's beaches' forts, in Berlengas, an important military complex for protection again seaborne invasions.

Surf class in Peniche. 
Due to its geographic location, Peniche offers good waves all year round, being known worldwide as one of the best and most consistent spots for the practices of surf and bodyboard. There are several places with varied types of waves: from tubular waves, to ones less vertical and easier to surf, provided by the ideal sand bottoms for a safe initiation to these sports.

Journey to Ribeira d´Ilhas. 
This is a beautiful and cosy beach in Ericeira, in which the rock bottom (point-break) develops straight waves, either in the North part (that has the name Pontinha), or in the central part. It's a full beach: it's good for either an initiate or someone with much experience being also the chosen spot for carrying out one of the stages of the World Surf Championship.

Around 13h00: Suggestion for lunch in fresh fish restaurant, in Ericeira. 
Famous restaurant located next to the rocky cavities, it has a spectacular esplanade with a sea view, presenting a charcoal grilled fresh fish based menu. 

Journey to Guincho. 
In the Cascais área, the long sandy beach of Guincho is very sought after by everyone during Summer and all year round by surf and windsurf practitioners, sports for which this beach offers excellent conditions, with one of the World Surf Championship's stages being held here, in August.

Suggestion: bike ride in Guincho's bicycle path. 
By the sea, there is an 8km bicycle path, ideal to relax and enjoy the scenery. The bike rental is free. 

Around 20h30: suggestion for dinner in Guincho. 
Between the forest and Guincho's beach, we find a restaurante that shows a good mood and a lot of charm. A space with rustic and elegant décor, offering a pleasant sea view, its meny suggests fish dishes, such as the mixed sea grill or, if you prefer meat, a lamb chop with rosemary.

Accommodation at hotel of the selected category.

DAY 3: GUINCHO - SAGRES

Sagres

Journey to Milfontes. 

With a well preserved coast, the Alentejo littoral gathers busy beaches with wild ones, between River Sado's mouth and Algarve. If from Tróia to Sines you can enjoy a continuous stretch of sand, with such pleasant beaches such as Galé, Melides or Santo André, from the Sines' Port this natural paradise of sand and sea moves forward through Porto Covo, Milfontes, Almograve and Zambujeira do Mar, either in smoother openings or more rugged.

Around 12h30: suggestion for lunch in traditional portuguese cuisine restaurante, in Milfontes. 
Situated at the top of a cliff, this restaurant has a magnificent view to the ocean. The environment is very pleasant and relaxed, with tables and long wooden benches. It has a small esplanade, extremely inviting, for the warmer days. The cuisine offered is of great quality, with emphasis on the fish and seafood dishes. 

Journey to Sagres. 
With an origin previous to the roman conquest, it was in the 15th century that Sagres gained great importance. The frequent presence of the prince D. Henrique, during the beginning of the Atlantic navigation, associated forever this simple fishing port to the Portuguese Discoveries. Nearby, in the southeastern end of the European continent, lays the Cape of S. Vicente (Romans' Promotorium Sacrum), where a vast horizon of sea and sky opens itself before us.

Surf class in Sagres. 
According to your level of learning, we'll book a class in one of the most famous spots of the country. Sagres is an ideal place for surfing. The natural conditions of a great part of the atlantic beaches are excellent for the practice of this sport, with plenty of waves that gather the specific conditions for a lot of the lovers of this sport. In Martinhal, there's a school of this specialty.

Around 20h30: suggestion for dinner in restaurant, in Sagres. 
This restaurante opened its doors in 1995. Delight yourself with the Thermidor sauce scallops, pork medallions with mango sauce and end it with a cinnamon parfait with stewed apple; all of this accompanied by a good wine! 

Accommodation at hotel of the selected category.

DAY 4: SAGRES - CITY OF DESTINATION

Journey to city of destination.

NORTH OF LISBON - ÓBIDOS, ALCOBAÇA, NAZARÉ, FÁTIMA AND BATALHA

Make it a full day tour and discover the region north of Lisbon. The first stop is the medieval town of Óbidos. Then Alcobaça and its Dominican monastery. The next stop will be Nazaré, a traditional fishing village. Then we will visit Batalha, with its imposing Gothic church, before heading to Fatima, where the world famous Catholic shrine is located.

Find out more in our complete programs: North of Lisbon.

The route starts traversing a landscape dotted with windmills and orchards towards Óbidos, where we will have our first stop. You will be delighted with the harmonious architecture of this medieval city - just make sure you do not forget to try their delicious cherry brandy. After Óbidos, Alcobaça will be our next stop. The main attraction is the Dominican Monastery, where you can admire the elegant tombs of the Lusitanian version of Romeo and Juliet: Dom Pedro and Inês de Castro.

It’s time for a pause! There you can enjoy lunch in a typical Portuguese restaurant, and taste some of the delights of local cuisine. After that, our next stop will be Nazaré, a traditional fishing village know famous on account of the biggest wave for surfing, where you will have plenty of time to discover the legends and traditions of this jewel of the Atlantic coast of Portugal. Next stop will be in Batalha, where you will be dazzled by the grandeur and delicacy of its Gothic monastery, an architectural masterpiece of Gothic declared World Heritage by UNESCO.

To finish the tour, let's go to Fátima, where you can visit the world famous Catholic shrine and even attend a Christmas mass. This is a place considered sacred because it has been permanently associated with the Marian apparitions that occurred in Cova da Iria in 1917 and which were later recognized by the Catholic Church. The tour ends with a return to Lisbon.

ALENTEJO COAST AND HILLS OF ALGARVE

If you are looking for a challenging bike ride this is the right tour for you. You will cover more than 600 km in 7 rides. As you pedal along the magnificent Atlantic coast of Portugal, you will explore the wild beaches of Alentejo, and the unspoiled hilly region of the Algarve. You will visit all the charming little villages along the way.

Find out more in our complete program: Alentejo Coast and Hills of Algarve.

Sagres beach

The ride starts through cork and olive tree groves, on the way to Santiago do Cacém, where we will visit the Roman ruins of Miróbriga. The trail will take us to the Atlantic coast and through the charming village of Porto Covo, near to Cercal do Alentejo. These first days of riding will combine very different landscapes - the cliffs and the wild beaches. We will also have the opportunity to visit Sagres - the town where Prince Henry the Navigator prepared many of Portugal’s discovery journeys.

Serra de Monchique

The West to East crossing of the Algarve will take

us on a route through olive, orange, fig and almond groves. We will stay in Caldas de Monchique, a popular spa since the Roman times, and where you can save some time for a full body massage! From there we are going on a loop ride that will take us to the highest point in the Algarve, the Fóia peak (902 m/ 2960 ft). This is a very challenging ride but the panoramic views from the peak are fantastic!

Cacela Velha

The last days of the trip are reserved for discover the best of the inland Algarve. Charming villages and rolling hills make this a great day of riding. In Silves, the former Moorish capital of the Algarve, the 11th century castle is well worth a visit. The last track will take us all the way to Spain completing our West/East crossing of the Algarve. The coastal village of Cacela Velha, with its beautiful white sand beach, and the 13th century castle in Castro Marim, are among today’s highlights.Then we will cross the Guadiana River, by taking a ferry transfer from Vila Real de Santo António to Ayamonte (Spain).

The last day will be spent in Lisbon, where you will have the afternoon to explore the unique mix of old and

new neighborhoods within Portugal’s capital, as well as its many interesting monuments and museums.

Atlantic Coast, Porto to Lisbon

Cycle along the Atlantic coast, starting from Porto towards Lisbon! With routes by the ocean side you have the chance to enjoy the west coast sunny beaches, stopping in one beach bar terrace for a coffee or tasting a grilled fresh fish lunch. Cycle paths, nature conservation areas, the Leiria pine forest and the Alcobaça monastery are some of the trip. Enjoy!

More information here

Atlantic Coast - Porto to Lisbon

Cycle along the Atlantic coast, starting from Porto towards Lisbon! With routes by the ocean side you have the chance to enjoy the west coast sunny beaches, stopping in one beach bar terrace for a coffee or tasting a grilled fresh fish lunch. Cycle paths, nature conservation areas, the Leiria pine forest and the Alcobaça monastery are some of the trip. Enjoy!

More information here

Alentejo Coast and Hills of Algarve

If you are looking for a challenging bike ride this is the right tour for you. You will cover more than 600 km in 7 rides. As you pedal along the magnificent Atlantic coast of Portugal, you will explore the wild beaches of the Alentejo, and the unspoiled hilly region of the Algarve. You will visit all the charming little villages along the way. The last day will be spent in Lisboa.

More information here

Bike ride along the Atlantic Coast

Cycle along the Atlantic coast, starting from Porto towards Lisbon! With routes by the ocean side you have the chance to enjoy the west coast sunny beaches, stopping in one beach bar terrace for a coffee or tasting a grilled fresh fish lunch. Cycle paths, nature conservation areas, the Leiria pine forest and the Alcobaça monastery are some of the trip. Enjoy!

More information here

Alentejo Coast and Hills of Algarve 9 days

If you are looking for a challenging bike ride this is the right tour for you. You will cover more than 600 km in 7 rides. As you pedal along the magnificent Atlantic coast of Portugal, you will explore the wild beaches of the Alentejo, and the unspoiled hilly region of the Algarve. You will visit all the charming little villages along the way. The last day will be spent in Lisboa.

More information here