South Coast Walks & Historical Sites
Bring intriguing coastal trails and history alive in South Hampshire
The world's more beautiful on foot...
Call us on 01707 331133
Or, email us at info@ramblersholidays.co.uk
Call us on 01707 331133
Or, email us at info@ramblersholidays.co.uk
Explore the undiscovered trails of southwest Portugal’s Rota Vicentina
The Algarve
Mar
Apr
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
What does this mean?
Tour codes: 26130
Full and half day walks at a moderate pace over hilly terrain.
Most of these holidays have an element of sightseeing as well.
Half day walks will probably involve about 3 hours of walking, with full day walks having around 5 hours. Expect ascents and descents of up to 600m.
Overview
Offering 70 miles of wild Atlantic coastline and inland vistas of deep valleys, mountain ridges and forests of pine and oak, this undiscovered region is perfect for nature lovers. Southwest Portugal’s Rota Vicentina’s long distance coastal path starts in Santiago do Cacem and finishes at Cape of St. Vincent, once known as the edge of the world. The trails support diverse habitats, alive with endemic plant life and numerous animal and bird species. The Rota Vicentina is split into two routes, the Fisherman’s Trail and the Historical Way, and we’ll discover both!
We follow the highlights and carefully chosen sections of the path. The Historical Way is the longer of the two paths and takes us between villages, through Portugal’s agricultural heartland, past forests of cork and oak, through flower filled meadows and between green valleys. By comparison, the coastal Fisherman’s Trail, which forms most of the walking trails on our holiday, winds its way along the dramatic coastline, above the rolling Atlantic waves offering cooling breezes, superb seascape views and majestic cliffs.
The western coast of Portugal is wild, and the small villages are secluded, a stark contrast to the bustling Algarve. The small villages dotting the coastline are remote and accommodation can be challenging to find as options are small, sparse and simplistic, therefore we are extremely lucky to be able to walk this remote route of Portugal as a group. We stay in hotels located in two centres selected for their easy access to the Rota Vicentina and our walking routes. Our first centre is Porto Covo, a small fishing village, located along the Alentejo coast and the first stop for many hiking the Rota Vicentina. Our second centre is Sagres, a remote town located on the western tip of Algarve, surrounded by vast wilderness and extraordinary rugged scenery. Our week is spent in remote and unspoilt rugged scenery, and we’ll have time to explore Porto Covo and Sagres during the evenings.
Flower filled meadows, wild oregano and asparagus decorate the banks of crystal clear rivers meandering through the untouched scenery of western Portugal during spring. A sea of farmland with sweet potatoes, maize and tomatoes accompany us as we discover this little known region of Portugal. We’ll have time to explore villages and towns, stop at deserted beaches and marvel at the crashing Atlantic waves.
Spend a week exploring and discovering the unspoilt and wild southwest coast of Portugal.
Click the button below for a detailed Holiday Information Sheet containing all the particulars about this trip.
NOTE: Itineraries and Holiday Information Sheets can vary by a specific date chosen
Itinerary & Travel
Whilst every effort will be made to adhere to the outlined itinerary and advertised programme, local conditions can change due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. This may mean that routes and timings need to be amended or the order of days may change, sometimes at short notice.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we may unfortunately need to withdraw a tour that is currently confirmed to operate and we therefore reserve the right to cancel your booking. We would always do our utmost to give you plenty of notice should we have to do this. Selected elements of this tour, including local attractions and restaurants, may change at late notice. Please ensure you have valid insurance cover before you travel.
Accommodation
Below is the accommodation featured on this holiday across all departure dates. Please refer to the Itinerary for more detail about each night's accommodation for each departure date.
Porto Covo is a small fishing village, located along the Alentejo coast and is the first stop for many hiking the Rota Vicentina. This sheltered little village is surrounded by rocky cliffs, white sandy beaches and rolling dunes, providing shelter from the Atlantic waves and winds. The charming old centre is decorated with whitewashed houses, pastel coloured window and door borders, and cobbled narrow streets. Porto Covo has a relaxed atmosphere and is home to a selection of local restaurants, bars, cafes, shops and other services.
We stay in the Porto Covo Hotel located just a short walk from the main village and the beach. Our hotel is small and simplistic but is selected for its ideal location close to the Rota Vicentina and easy access of many wild coastal and inland hiking trails. There is a delightful outdoor pool, a small bar and a games room. The small breakfast room is quirky with an outdoor seating area during the warm summer months.
The Porto Covo Hotel offers a mix of rooms from studios, apartments and rooms, all very similar and the same standards so you will be allocated one of these. All rooms usually include double and twin beds, and single rooms are usually single bedded. Rooms are very simplistic with wood furnishings and terracotta coloured décor. Facilities include:
Sagres is a remote village located on the western tip of Algarve, surrounded by wilderness and extraordinary rugged scenery with sheer cliffs and Atlantic waves. Sagres has a relaxed atmosphere and which attracts those with a love of the outdoors or surfing. There are large beaches, all facing different directions, so the surfing opportunities are plentiful. The village is remote but is home to a small selection of local restaurants, bars, cafes, and shops. Due to its location, Sagres is well known for serving a variety of delicious fish, so be sure to try some seafood!
We stay in the traditional Pousada de Sagres Hotel, just a short five minute stroll from the beach. Its clifftop location provides incredible panoramic views across the Atlantic. Perhaps enjoy a game of tennis on the hotel’s courts (equipment can be rented at a charge), relax in the spa area or take a dip in the outdoor swimming pool. There is also a bar area, a variety of smaller rooms relaxing areas and a highly rated restaurant.
We stay in simplistic double and twin-bedded rooms. Single rooms are usually twin for sole use. Room facilities include:
Trip Information
This Grade 4 walking holiday follows the highlights of the long distance Rota Vicentina path that travels up Portugal's Atlantic coast. This holiday includes walks at a moderate pace over undulating terrain and may include an element of sightseeing as well. Walks are generally between 6 miles and 12 miles a day with ascents and descents between 200m and 300m. We follow inland tracks as well as coastal paths. Time will be spent on quiet beaches or villages exploring a quieter side to a well-known country. The maximum altitude reached on this holiday is under 500m.
This Grade 4 moderate holiday includes full and half day walks at a moderate pace over hilly terrain and is likely to include an element of sightseeing as well. Half day walking will probably include about 3 hours of walking, with full days having around 5 hours. Expect ascents and descents of up to about 600m. See the 'Proposed Itinerary' section for more information.
Local Transport Costs
All local transport costs in conjunction with the advertised activity programme are included in the holiday cost. There may be occasions where additional visits or excursions are added to enrich your experience, these will be paid for locally by you if you choose to participate. Local transport can be a mix of private hire coaches, taxis, local buses and ferries depending on the itinerary.
Optional Excursions
A range of local excursions and activities may be available to book at your destination through a local operator. We have no involvement in such activities or excursions which are not run, supervised or controlled in any way by us. Your contract will be with the local activity supplier and we accept no responsibility for their actions or omissions.
Holiday Budgeting
When budgeting for your holiday, you will need to consider drinks, any meals not included in the holiday price, non-included entrance fees, optional excursions you may choose to participate in locally and any souvenirs or additional services such as laundry. A general guideline for lunches and drinks is £10-£20 per person per day.
Currency in Portugal
The currency in Portugal is the euro. You may wish to take some euro cash with you until you reach an ATM. Credit cards may not be accepted in smaller towns and rural areas.
Tipping
Although entirely at your own discretion, tipping is an important aspect of tourism and hospitality life and expectations are fairly high. In order to simplify tipping, we strongly recommend that you allow your leader to take care of making sure tips are given to hotel and restaurant staff and to local guides and drivers. This will be done using some funds provided by us together with, if you wish, a contribution from you, which he/she will collect during the holiday.
Tour Leaders
Your tour leader makes the world of difference to your holiday and ours are as passionate about discovering the world on foot as you are. They're resourceful, organised and widely travelled. They will handle all the local administration and other needs that might arise to ensure that you don't have to worry about planning your days and you can enjoy your holiday. Although leading group holidays, they won't forget that every group is made up of individuals. Each tour leader has their own individual style, talents and professional backgrounds and all are trained, qualified, experienced and dedicated to making your holiday as enjoyable, interesting and inspiring as possible.
Leader's Evening Briefing
Each evening, your tour leader will discuss with you the programme for the following day. This will be your opportunity to discuss the details and ensure the planned activities suit your walking ability. If you have concerns on clothing or equipment, this can be discussed then also. If you do not wish to join the organised group programme, please let the leader know.
We fly from London to Faro Airport and return. On arrival into Faro, our coach transfer to the Porto Covo is approximately 2 hours. On departure, our return coach transfer from Sagres to Faro airport is approximately 1 hour 20 minutes.
Some holiday dates offer regional flight options on this holiday but due to the travelling time to our resort we will operate only one transfer vehicle. This may mean a wait at the destination airport in one or both directions.
We’ll travel by coach during the week and some walks will be directly from the hotel.
Booking Your Own Travel Arrangements?
If you wish to organise your own flights from a non-UK or provincial airport or travel by rail or car to your holiday destination, 'land only' reductions are often available. Please contact us for details.
Before finalising any independent travel arrangements, please check with us first - especially if doing so 12 weeks or more before your intended date of travel. If you do intend to join your holiday locally please do tell us at least 14 weeks in advance.
If you are joining and leaving your holiday overseas we assume, unless you advise us otherwise, that you will join and leave the holiday at your hotel.
Although airport transfers are not included for those making their own independent travel arrangements, if you wish to join the group at the overseas airport, depending on your flight arrival time, you may be able to be included on the group's transfer. Please contact us at least 5 weeks before departure for more details.
Please note that your flight must arrive within 30 minutes of the group flight to be able to join the group transfer. We also need your flight number, arrival time and departure point so that the group leader is able to meet up with you.
Luggage Allowance & Travel Documents
For all those booking a flight or rail inclusive holiday, details of your travel arrangements and baggage allowance will be confirmed in your travel documents, sent to you approximately 10 days prior to departure.
Personal Details Check
To ensure that we can accurately administer your holiday arrangements, please confirm that the personal details we hold for you are up to date and that you have provided the information we need to secure your holiday travel and accommodation arrangements. Please check your passport details, date of birth and any other important details necessary for us to properly manage your holiday booking. You can view and update information already provided, and add details not yet asked for, by using the Manage My Booking facility on our website www.ramblersholidays.co.uk, or by calling our Sales and Reservations team on +44 (0)1707 331133. When you receive your booking confirmation please check the details as soon as possible.
General Passport Advice
It is a good idea to carry photocopies of the personal details pages of your passport. Should you lose your passport, this may assist with the issue of replacement documents and your return to your home country.
Passport and visa requirements can change at any time. It is your own responsibility to ensure that you inform yourself from a professionally qualified source on, and comply with, such requirements.
General passport advice for UK nationals on the UK Government website.
You must ensure you check all entry requirements in good time by reviewing the official FCDO advice for your destination. Please take time to read and regularly check this website for changes to the entry requirements and any local restrictions.
You may be required to provide proof that you have been fully vaccinated when travelling or in your destination. Proof of vaccination can either be digital via the NHS app or a printed copy via NHS Hard Copy. We recommend allowing seven working days for your printed copy to arrive. Please note both the NHS app and printed copy are only valid for 30 days.
We anticipate that all travellers will need to be fully vaccinated including the booster jab and to carry proof of this with them at all times. Some indoor venues require, and may ask for proof of vaccination, as well as masks becoming mandatory for indoor public spaces, and we ask you to be prepared for this.
Some airlines or destinations are requiring the wearing of FFP2, FFP3, KN95 or N95 masks without a valve. You should check the FCDO advice for your destination and with your airline before you travel, although you may wish to have one of these masks on hand just in case.
Brexit Passport Advice
If you are planning to travel to an EU country (except Ireland), or Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino or Vatican City, you must meet the Schengen area rules.
Your passport must meet 2 requirements. It must be:
The guidance for Schengen border guards may not be updated until the spring of 2022. Until then, for some Schengen countries your passport may need to be less than 10 years old during your whole visit, and the 3 months at the end of your visit may need to be within 10 years of your passport’s issue date.
Check both the issue date and the expiry date in your passport. If you renewed your passport early, extra months may have been added to its expiry date. This could affect the requirement for your passport to be less than 10 years old.
Non British Passport holders should consult the host country’s embassy for applicable passport and visa entry requirements.
Breakfasts and dinners are included in the holiday price. We will enjoy a buffet breakfast at the hotel with a variety of cold and hot dishes to choose from.
We mostly dine in local restaurants in the evening, but sometimes we enjoy dinner in the hotel’s restaurant. Wine and soft drinks are included at all evening dinners. Eating in local restaurants allow us to enjoy an authentic experience and sometimes lively atmosphere in a traditional Portuguese restaurant along with local diners and the Portuguese hospitality. Portuguese dishes are usually created using locally sourced fresh ingredients, and usually consist of soup, meat or fish, vegetables and potatoes. Vegetarian options are available if we are advised in advance so please contact our Sales & Reservations department. Portugal is famous for its fresh fish and usually it is caught, cooked and eaten the same day! Our hotel is selected for its close location to the main town centre and local restaurants so on some evenings we will be able to walk to local restaurants, on others transport may be provided.
Lunches are not included and these can be taken as picnics or in a local cafe.
Footwear
Lightweight waterproof walking boots with a good moulded sole (such as Vibram or similar) and a deep tread and which provide ankle support are strongly recommended and may be essential for some walks.
General Kit List
Outdoor activities are always safer and more enjoyable if you are prepared.
If you have not travelled with us before the following list might be of use:
This list is not exhaustive and every walker is different and may have their own preference.
Travel Documents Checklist
Documents and Information to take with you:
Electricity in Portugal
Electricity is supplied at 220 Volts. If you wish to use electrical equipment you will need a European two pin adaptor with round pins. More information can be found at https://www.power-plugs-sockets.com/
Water To Go
An alternative to bottled water from single-use sealed water bottles is filtered water from a refillable bottle containing its own water filter such as a Water-to-go bottle available from www.watertogo.eu. Just fill up from any water source and save the environment from disposable plastic bottles.
We have negotiated an exclusive 15% discount with our partners Water-to-Go for you as a thank you for helping the environment. Please go to their website at www.watertogo.eu and enter the code RWH17 when ordering. In addition, Water-to-Go will match the discount with a donation to our charity, Heart & Sole, which will allow us to continue to make a difference in the countries you visit on our holidays.
Maps, Guidebooks & More
Many local libraries stock a selection of travel guides and books which may offer you more information. Apart from any books available in local libraries, the internet is now an excellent resource for information about holidays destinations. You may find the below websites, books and programmes useful.
Maps of the areas we visit (1:200 000 scale) are available locally and at specialist map shops in the UK.
Lonely Planet Portugal - by Lonely Planet
Bradt Travel Guide to Alentejo - by Alex Robinson
Portugal Official Tourism Website
The Map Shop
If you cannot find the maps or books locally we recommend:
The Map Shop
5 High Street
Upton upon Severn, Worcs
WR8 0HJ
England
Tel: 01684 593 146
Website: www.themapshop.co.uk
E-mail: themapshop@btinternet.com
If you key many of the local places mentioned in this holiday fact sheet into YouTube, you will find a vast array of spectacular footage of the area.
Weather
Visit the following websites for an idea of the climate in your destination:
Health requirements can change at any time. It is your own responsibility to ensure that you inform yourself from a professionally qualified source on, and comply with, such requirements at least 6 to 8 weeks before departure. Advice on vaccinations is available from your GP.
Health Advice for Portugal
No compulsory immunisations are required for visits to Portugal.
You should be up to date with the usual immunisations recommended in the UK.
You may wish to consider immunisations against Tetanus.
Dengue fever exists in Portugal; please take normal precautions against mosquito bites.
Further Travel Advice
For further advice please visit:
You might wish to take a small bottle of antibacterial hand gel with you for times when you're unable to wash your hands.
It is a condition of booking with Ramblers Walking Holidays that you have adequate valid travel insurance. It is your responsibility to arrange appropriate travel insurance and ensure you have read and understood the full terms and conditions of your travel insurance policy to ensure that you are covered for all activities you intend to undertake whilst on the trip, including all optional activities.
Your travel insurance policy must fully cover you for medical expenses and emergency repatriation. Please ensure your policy covers the entire duration of your holiday. If you are walking at altitude please ensure that there is no upper altitude limit which may limit or exclude cover for your trip. Medical and repatriation insurance cover are not mandatory for UK residents who are travelling on trips within the United Kingdom.
Whoever you insure with, please ensure that you take full details, and ideally the policy itself, with you on holiday and provide our tour leader with your insurer's name, the policy number and emergency assistance contact numbers.
Please note that it is very difficult to obtain travel insurance once your holiday arrangements have started.
Covid-19 Cover
If you should have symptoms and test positive for Covid-19 whilst abroad, you may need to stay where you are until you test negative and you may have to seek treatment. We strongly recommend that you take out an insurance policy that covers you for this eventuality.
Looking for travel insurance?
If you have not already arranged cover, please visit SunWorld who offer travel insurance.
SunWorld policies include cover for COVID-19, subject to applicable terms and conditions.
EHIC & GHIC Cards
From January 1st, 2021 UK travellers can continue to use their European Heath Insurance Card (EHIC) – which can last up to five years, until its expiry date, to gain access to medical assistance during your holiday. However, you will no longer be covered in Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland. Travellers without a valid EHIC can apply for a new UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), which will replaces the EHIC once it has been phased out. Please note however that the EHIC/GHIC should not be considered a substitute for medical or travel insurance.
For more information, please visit www.nhs.uk/ehic
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office provides up to date information on security and local laws for travellers, together with current passport and visa information, at www.gov.uk/travelaware. Please take a few minutes to look at the current advice on your planned destination.
Please be aware of what's going on around you, take sensible precautions with your credit cards and passport and avoid displays of wealth such as wearing expensive jewellery or watches. Do not carry more cash on you than you will need for each day, and we recommend that a money belt is used.
Responsible Travel
We're committed to ethical tourism in all our destinations. Our holidays are designed for you to discover the essence of the country you are visiting. Travelling in small groups not only gives you an up close and personal experience of your destination, but minimises your impact on the immediate environment. We feel that the most important starting point to protect the environment is to be out in it. For more details visit our website.
The Ramblers Holidays Charitable Trust
Unlike many tour operators we have our own trust through which RWH Travel’s profits are channelled back into a variety of outdoor, walking-related or environmental conservation projects in the UK. The focus of the Trust’s financial support is Britain’s leading walking charity, The Ramblers, and their role in promoting the benefits and importance of walking to the British public. In addition the Trust welcomes applications for small grants from local organisations in the UK who need support for walking-orientated activities. This includes the establishment of footpaths and bridleways, funding for rebuilding bridges and renovating huts, as well as bursary funding for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award for children who could not otherwise afford to do it. Please visit the ‘About Us’ section of our website and click on the Charitable Trust link for more details.
Heart and Sole
We appreciate that we are in a fortunate position to be able to use our profits to help make a difference to people's lives. Heart & Sole is a venture managed by our office staff, whose aim is to reach the heart of the communities in the countries we visit. Through Heart & Sole, we hope to make more of a long term, direct impact to these communities, particularly in less developed countries where even a small amount goes a long way. See our website for more information and details of some of the projects we support.
Mobile Phones
Please do provide us with a mobile phone contact number. We will only use this to contact you with important information relating to your holiday arrangements.
Do keep your mobile phones switched on and readily available when travelling to the airport or if delayed in transit so that we can contact you with any last minute information relating to your travel arrangements.
As a matter of courtesy, please switch off your mobile phone during walks, or endeavour to minimise its use. Please also try to minimise the use of mobile devices during group meals.
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Useful Information
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Currency
Language
Time Difference
Flight duration
Visas and Passports
January
Avg. Rain: 109mm
February
Avg. Rain: 93mm
March
Avg. Rain: 75mm
April
Avg. Rain: 66mm
May
Avg. Rain: 52mm
June
Avg. Rain: 26mm
July
Avg. Rain: 12mm
August
Avg. Rain: 16mm
September
Avg. Rain: 44mm
October
Avg. Rain: 91mm
November
Avg. Rain: 111mm
December
Avg. Rain: 120mm
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