A walk along Rota Vicentina or The Way of St. Vincent in Southwestern Portugal.
Highlights of the tour:
♦ Zambujeira do Mar – a small cozy village with the historical mountains Amores and Santa Catarina
♦ Almograve – a popular spot for surfing enthusiasts from around the world
♦ Odeceixe – another cozy village by the opening of the Ribera de Seixe at the border between Algrave and Alentejo
Itinerary:
Day 1: São Luís
Arrival at Lisbon airport or Faro airport in the Algarve. Overnighting near the Alentejo village of São Luís at a rural guest house with use of swimming pool (in season), where you can relax on the terrace and take in the wonderful views of the “Alentejo Montado”.
Day 2: São Luís - Cercal do Alentejo
Your first walk is along a stage of the Historical Way through the hills between São Luís and Cercal. Your accommodation for the night is an Art Nouveau-style inn featuring traditional Alentejo-style décor near the centre of the town.
Walking distance: 21 km; walking time: 6-7 hrs
Day 3: Cercal do Alentejo - Porto Covo das Bandeiras
Today's walk is along a stage connecting the Historical Way to the Fishermen's Trail. The night will be spent at a small inn in the main street off the village square.
Walking distance: 18 km; walking time: 4,5-5 hrs
Day 4: Porto Covo das Bandeiras - Vila Nova de Milfontes
You are going on a hike starting from the northernmost point of the Fishermen's Trail. You will spend the night at a small hotel close to the castle with views over the river estuary.
Walking distance: 20 km; walking time: 6-7 hrs
Day 5: Vila Nova de Milfontes - Almograve
A day with an easy walk continuing on the Fishermen's Trail along the coast. You will spend the night at a delightful guest house situated just behind the sand dunes.
Walking distance: 15 km; walking time: 4,5-5 hrs
Day 6: Almograve - Zambujeira do Mar
And today you walk south from Almograve. You will spend the night at a small guest house close to the village centre.
Walking distance: 21 km; walking time: 6-7 hrs
Day 7: Zambujeira do Mar - Odeceixe
On the last walking day you follow a coastal path to the Algarve village of Odeceixe. You will spend the night at a small guest house close to the village centre.
Walking distance: 18 km; walking time: 5,5-6 hrs
Day 8: Departure
Departure on your own from Odeceixe to Lisbon or Faro airport (or you can order a private transfer).
NB! The higher price band applies to stays during 23 March – 2 April, 27 April – 1 May and 4
- 6 October due to Easter and other public holidays
The price includes: ►7 overnights at family owned gueshouses with breakfast in a double room with ensuite facilities ►luggage transfer ► walk information pack in English ►24-hour telephone service ►6 packed lunches + 1,5 l water ►personal accident insurance (please, send your birth date for that when booking the tour)
The price does not include: ►flight tickets ►personal insurance►transfer from/to airport ►drinks ►meals, not mentioned in the program ► personal expenses, entrance fees
Price of extra services: ►single room supplement: 190 EUR (February-May+October-November) and 220 EUR (Easter, June+September) ► extra night in Odeceixe: 40 EUR per person (February-May+October-November)/night in a double room/// 45 EUR per person (Easter, June + September) ►extra night in S. Luis: 45 EUR (February-May+October-November) and 50 EUR (Easter, June + September) per person in a double room/per night ► private transfer from Lisbon airport to S. Luis or private transfer Odeceixe - airport is possible. Please contact us for quote ► if you are travelling alone (1 person), you have to pay solo departure fee on top of the basic price: 115 EUR
Practical information: ►You can fly to Lisbon Airport. There is a direct bus from Lisbon to S. Luis and from Odeceixe to Lisbon ►The tour is not available in July and August as it is hot, nor in the Christmas/New Year's period.
How to get there:
By bus:
Rede Expressos coaches from Lisbon (Sete Rios) transit station depart daily to São Luis and other towns closeby. Single fare is between €16.00 and €16.90.
To São Luis. Departs 17.30. Arrives 20.10.
To Cercal do Alentejo. Departs 07.30. Arrives 10.35; Departs 15.00. Arrives 18.15.
To Odemira. Departs 07.30. Arrives 11.10; Departs 15.00. Arrives 19.15.
To Vila Nova de Milfontes. Departs 07.30. Arrives 10.50; Departs 10.30. Arrives 14.00. *; Departs 15.00. Arrives 18.30.
* Only on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from September to June.
Tickets can be purchased from the transit station or on-line on the English language pages of the coach company's website http://www.rede-expressos.pt/default.aspx no more than 14 days before travel date. Tickets cannot be bought on the coach.
There are no direct express coaches from Faro to the region.
There is an option to travel from Faro via Portimao to Odemira.
EVA Transrapido http://www.eva-bus.com , single fare is €5.50, pay driver on bus.
Departs Faro: 12.30 Arrives Portimão: 14.15
Rede Expressos, single fare is €12.50, purchase as detailed above.
Departs Portimão: 15.00 Arrive Odemira: 16.45
You will then have to take a local taxi from the coach stop to the guest house.
(São Luis – 2km, Cercal – 12 km, Vila Nova de Milfontes – 17 km, Odemira – 19km.)
By train:
Trains depart from Lisbon Oriente or Entrecampos stations and Faro station to Funcheira (Garvão) station, the nearest one to São Luis.
From Lisbon Oriente or Entrecampos: 10.20 10.29 14.20 14.29 17.20 17.29
Arrives to Funcheira: 12.08 16.10 16.10
Single fare €15.70.
From Faro: 07.00 09.46 13.41 17.35
To Funcheira: 08.23 11.27 15.12 19.23
Tickets can be bought in advance from ticket office at the station or on-line on the English language pages of the railway company's website http://www.cp.pt no more than 28 days before travel date. Tickets cannot be bought on the train. TAP airline passengers are entitled to 20% discount for intercity or Alfa-Pendular services.
You will then have to take a taxi, 36 km from the station to the guest house.
Recommended travel period of the year: April - June, September - October
Necessary equipment: sturdy walking boots and walking socks, a small rucksack, sunglasses, sunhat, sun cream, rainwear and insect repellent.
