Sample Itinerary - Design Your Own! Questions? Call 706-362-0565

The Algarve, alluring with spectacular sandy beaches, picturesque rocky caves, historic villages, cork tree and flower covered hillsides, and small fishing towns with their cobblestoned streets is one of Portugal’s most popular regions.   Inland you will find pretty castle towns and villages with whitewashed houses-some with Moorish influence, market towns, a few roman ruins and the Serra de Monchique-the highest mountain range in the south. The coastline varies ranging from sandy beaches and offshore islets east of Faro, to the bays, caves, rocky outcrops and nature parks to the west. This region with its mild temperatures and 300+ days of sunshine contains some of Portugal’s finest golf courses. Day 1 Your English speaking guide will meet you upon arrival at the Faro Airport and transport you to check into your sea view room at the 5* Hotel Ria Park in Vale do Garrao. You will have the balance of the day to unwind, enjoy this beautiful resort, and have dinner on your own. Day 2 (B) Today after breakfast the golfers will be taken to play 18 holes at the Quinta do Lago (south) golf course. This morning the non-golfers will enjoy a three hour sailboat cruise along the beautiful Algarve coast. After the cruise they will reconnect with the golfers to enjoy lunch (not included) at the restaurant Casa do Lago- known for its lakeside setting and views, serving some of the freshest seafood the region.Your group will then return to the hotel to relax and have dinner on your own. Day 3 (B) Today the golfers will play the unique Palmares Golf Club and the non-golfers will leave for a half day tour of Lagos and then on to Sagres. Lagos is one on the Algarve's most historic and attractive towns, its center enclosed by a 14th century wall. From this port town many of Portugal's explorers set off for the new world. In Lagos you will visit the port, the first slave market in Europe, Piazzas with famous statues and the Baroque masterpiece-the golden church of St. Anthony. Your group will then proceed to Sagres and its wild and windswept Cape St. Vincent, historically known in its time as the limit of the world. It was here on these headlands that Prince Henry the Navigator gathered together the greatest minds of the time and set up his school of navigation to solve the great navigational enigmas as each expedition sailed further away from mainland Europe. After this tour you will rejoin the golfers to enjoy lunch at the famous beach restaurant Rei das Praias (not included) and then return to the resort to relax and enjoy dinner on your own. Day 4 (B) Today your entire group is in for a treat. After breakfast you will all depart with your English speaking guide and driver for a full day tour of Seville Spain. This lively city, on the banks of the Guadalquivir River, combines the glories of Moorish and Christian Spain in its Cathedral and La Giralda the bell tower crowned with a bronze weathervane. This cathedral, the largest in Europe, dates to the early 15th century. You will visit the Plazza Espanaa majestic architectural complex , the 13th century golden tower-a watch tower, and later visit the Basilica de la Macarena a shrine to Seville's much venerated and one of the most valuable treasures-the Virgin del la Esperanza-the Macarena. Late in the afternoon you will be transported back to your hotel for dinner on your own. Day 5 (B, L) Today, after breakfast, your group will be taken on a unique adventure to Faro beach where you will board a restored old style fishing boat for a tour of Formosa Park Lagoon. During this cruise your captain and guide will show you how oysters are grown and harvested and subject to the tide you can use the local techniques to pick clams. You will visit the natural dunes and after the cruise enjoy an oyster tasting and lunch at a nearby restaurant. You will then return to the hotel and have the balance of the afternoon to enjoy the resort and have dinner on your own. Day 6 (B) Today the golfers will play Vale de Lobo (Royal) golf course and the activity for the non-golfers will be determined by the weather and the time of year. Some options include a local festival or outdoor market, a Natural Park, or an activity designed around Algarve’s traditional hand painted pottery. Your group will be united at Eduardo’s on Vale de Lobo beach (not included).   After lunch the group will return to the hotel and have dinner on your own. Day 7 (B) Today the golfers will be transported to play at Monte Rei considered the best golf course in the Algarve. The non-golfers will be taken on a half day sightseeing tour of Tavera, a charming old town one of the most beautiful in the Algarve. The river “Rio Gilao” surrounds this village and is straddled by low bridges, one a Roman bridge dating back to the 4th century. The village also features many old Gothic and Renaissance churches and the ruins of a hilltop castle. Then you will continue on for a panoramic view of Cacela Velha “perche a low cliff facing the estuary-a white washed village that is a reminder of how the Algarve must have looked half a century ago”. Your reunited group will enjoy lunch at Monte Rei (not included) before returning to the resort for your final afternoon and dinner on your own. Day 8 (B) After breakfast, check out, gather up your memories and you will be transported to the Faro airport to return home or continue on your journey.

• We can offer additional days in Lisbon or Porto-Duro valley or options to continue on into southern Spain
• The hotel Ria Park features several fine restaurants and there are also several other good restaurants within walking distance or the hotel will be glad to recommend other fine restaurants a short cab ride away
• This is a sample itinerary and it can be modified to include golf on days 4&5 at an additional fee or in any other way to meet your desires and budget