Splendours of the Algarve

13 days from £1029pp.

Carvoeiro

Visit: Carvoeiro, Portugal

Salamanca

Visit: Salamanca, Spain

Lagos

Visit: Lagos, Portugal

Sagres

Visit: Sagres, Portugal

Silves

Visit: Silves, Portugal

Praia da Rocha

Visit: Praia da Rocha, Portugal

About the Tour

From our base in the picturesque resort of Carvoeiro, discover the charms of the Algarve with its spectacular coastlines, pretty little fishing villages such as Alvor and picturesque resorts like Praia da Rocha. Combine all this with its year round Mediterranean climate and it can’t get much better! This holiday is part of our GRAND EXPLORER range.

Tour Includes

  • 11 or 16 nights hotel with continental breakfast
  • 9 or 14 evening meals
  • Overnight ferry crossing from Portsmouth to Santander with Brittany Ferries in a two-berth en suite inside cabin (meals at extra cost)
  • Convenient regional joining points
  • Travel by Silver Service or Luxuria coach
Book Now

Once you have booked your tour either online, or by telephone ( 01709 787 463 ), you have the flexibility of how you pay off the remainder of your balance. You can:

  • Use our balance payment facility online to make and track your card payments. You can pay as much as you want up until your final due date or pay it all, the choice is yours.
  • Send payments via online banking.
  • Send payments via cheque.
  • Call us and make a card payment, either a small amount or as lump sum until your final due date.

Our contact and online banking payment details will be on your confirmation invoice to remind you of your choices.

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Your Itinerary

Regional departure by coach or Door-to-Door service, then to Portsmouth for the overnight crossing to Santander. Accommodation is in two-berth, inside cabins with en suite facilities. The crossing takes 24 hours during which you can enjoy the facilities on board.

Evening arrival in Santander, then to our overnight hotel in northern Spain.

  • Included meals: Dinner
Salamanca

Salamanca

We depart our hotel this morning and head to Salamanca arriving early afternoon. There will be free time for you to explore this beautiful city at your leisure. Salamanca is considered to be one of the most beautiful cities in Spain and has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. In 2002 it was chosen as the European City of Culture. After free time we continue our journey to our hotel in the Salamanca area for an overnight stay.

  • Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Today we commence our journey south, crossing the border into Portugal. We continue to Carvoeiro in the Algarve for a six-night stay.

  • Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

A day at leisure to explore your surroundings or why not join our optional coastal boat cruise taking in the spectacular cliffs, rock formations and caves. We travel by coach to Vilamoura where we join our boat and enjoy a relaxing cruise along the coastline. During the cruise we explore some of the fascinating caves with dark and colourful shimmering Cathedral-like vaults.

  • Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Silves

Silves

Today our included excursion takes us into the volcanic mountain range of Serra de Monchique. We visit the town of Silves, once an important Moorish city in the Algarve, a powerful trade centre, and important cultural centre. Today Silves is a quiet market town, where you can see the remains of the Moorish castle, and the ‘Ponte Romana’ which was rebuilt in the 15th century. From Silves we continue to the village of Monchique pausing en route at Foia, the highest point in the Algarve. There will be free time in Monchique for you to explore at your leisure. The centre is characterised by lots of narrow cobbled streets criss-crossing up the hillside with a spattering of cafes and restaurants. The central square boasts an attractive paved area with benches, trees and a lovely water feature, including an example of a Moorish water wheel. Monchique is a very quiet and relaxed place, which is ideal for pottering around and appreciating the fantastic views.

  • Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Lagos

Lagos

Our included excursion takes us to the western Algarve, seeing Sagres, a picturesque fishing village, and to admire the views at Cape St Vincent, where Europe’s mainland ends. We also visit the small resort of Luz, with its stunning beach set against spectacular cliffs before continuing to Lagos, a fantastic town full of historical interest. Lagos has always had a seafaring connection, originally visited by Phoenicians and Carthaginians and then, during the 15th century, was the base for the ‘Voyages of Discoveries’ instigated by Henry the Navigator when trade between Africa and Portugal brought a great deal of wealth into the town.

  • Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Ferragudo

Ferragudo

Our included coastal excursion begins in Ferragudo, with its traditional fisherman’s homes. Ferragudo town is embraced by palm-fringed gardens, which run alongside a narrow riverlet up to the main cobbled square, Praça Rainha Dona Leonor. This is a lovely square home to lots of cafés, where you can sit with a delicious pastry and a coffee and watch the world go by. We continue to Praia da Rocha, a bustling holiday resort and tourist centre. The avenue, Tomás Cabreira, which runs along the top of the beach, is full of restaurants, cafes, and shops. At the end of the avenue is the Fortress of Santa Catarina de Ribamar, which was part of Portimão's defences against corsairs and pirates. It was built in the 17th and 18th centuries and gives a wonderful view of the beach and the cliffs on one side and the marina on the other. After free time we continue to the fishing village of Alvor, situated on the estuary of the Rio Alvor. It is well known in Algarve history as the place where King João II died in 1495. Although an earthquake destroyed much of the traditional Moorish village in 1755, you can still see remains of Alvor’s history in places such as the 16th century Igreja Martiz (church of the Divino Salvador de Alvor) with its Manueline arches and pillars.

  • Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Carvoeiro

Carvoeiro

Today is at leisure for you to relax and explore your surroundings.

  • Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Toledo

Toledo

We leave our hotel early this morning and travel north to the magnificent historic town of Toledo, south of Madrid for an overnight stay. Toledo is considered by many to be a ‘Second Rome’. Behind its walls, it preserves its artistic and cultural legacy in the form of churches, palaces, fortresses, mosques and synagogues. The city was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986 and is unique in its details, history, culture and charm.

  • Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

We travel north into France to Ciboure, on the French Basque coast for an overnight stay. Please note on some dates we may stay in the Biarritz area.

  • Included meals: Breakfast

Continue to the Paris area for an overnight stay.

  • Included meals: Breakfast

Return home.

  • Included meals: Breakfast

Your Excursions

Included Excursions & Visits

  • Salamanca - Splendid Renaissance architecture
  • Luz, Lagos & Sagres - Picturesque resorts and historic town
  • Silves & Monchique - Medieval city and hill spa town
  • Ferragudo, Alvor & Prai de Rocha - Pretty fishing villages and coastal resort
  • Toledo - City of three cultures
  • Seville (18-day tour only)
  • Cordoba (18-day tour only)
  • San Sebastian (18-day tour only)

Optional Excursions & Visits

  • Coastal boat cruise – Spectacular scenery

Notes

Extras: Upgrade to sea view rooms in Portugal £50pp.

Single Room Supplement from £299.00 (13 days), £379.00 (18 days).

Regional departure by coach or Door-to-Door service, then to Portsmouth for the overnight crossing to Santander. Accommodation is in two-berth, inside cabins with en suite facilities. The crossing takes 24 hours during which you can enjoy the facilities on board.

Evening arrival in Santander, then onwards to our overnight hotel in northern Spain.

  • Included meals: Dinner

We head to Salamanca for the afternoon, with its splendid Renaissance architecture. Stay overnight in this beautiful city

  • Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

We head south into Portugal to Carvoeiro in the Algarve for nine nights.

  • Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Carvoeiro is a delightful resort, nestling around a picturesque cove with a beautiful beach framed by sandstone cliffs. The pretty main square with a selection of restaurants, cafés and bars is a great place to spend some time admiring the views and soaking up the atmosphere. During your stay we have arranged a programme of included and optional excursions to help you see the best of the Algarve.

  • Included meals: 8 x Breakfast, 8 x Dinner

This full-day, included excursion explores the west of the Algarve. First we head to Lagos, associated with the Portuguese explorers, then the small resort of Luz with its stunning beach set against the spectacular cliffs. Enjoy a walk along the coastal promenade. We continue west to the fishing village of Sagres, then Cabo San Vicente, the most south-westerly point in Europe.

Join our optional boat excursion along the beautiful Algarve coast to admire the spectacular cliffs, rock formations and caves.

Join our included excursion to the ancient city of Silves, with its Moorish Castle and 13th century cathedral. Continue to Foia, which boasts magnificent views from the highest point of the Algarve, then Monchique, a typical village in the hills.

Join our included excursion to explore some of the resorts and coastal villages close to Carvoeiro – a day of low mileage but high interest. We begin in the small village of Ferragudo, with its old-world feel, and small square in the centre where the locals sit for a morning coffee. Next, we continue to Praia de Rocha with its impressive beach, cliffs and stylish marina. Finally, we visit Alvor, set at the head of a lagoon with views out towards the west. Take a seat in one of the many seafood restaurants and maybe enjoy a light fish meal cooked on the outside grill whilst taking in the splendid views.

We leave our hotel and head into Spain to Seville, where we stay overnight. We arrive around lunchtime and this afternoon we offer an optional city tour. See the third largest cathedral in the world and the equally imposing 12th century Alcazar Royal Palace.

  • Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

We head to Cordoba, where we make a brief stop. Wander around the celebrated courtyards and patios, the Jewish and Christian Quarters. We continue to the magnificent historic town of Toledo, south of Madrid for a two-night stay.

  • Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Spend the day in Toledo, regarded as the Spanish city with the greatest wealth of monuments. Behind its walls, Toledo preserves its artistic and cultural legacy in the form of churches, palaces, fortresses, mosques and synagogues – testimony to the three cultures, Arabs, Christians and Jews, who lived there for centuries.

  • Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

We travel north to San Sebastian, beautifully situated on a shell-shaped bay and with a delightful Old Town. We continue into France to Ciboure, on the French Basque coast for an overnight stay. On some dates we may stay in the Biarritz area.

  • Included meals: Breakfast

Continue to the Paris area for an overnight stay.

  • Included meals: Breakfast

Return home.

  • Included meals: Breakfast

Your Excursions

Included Excursions & Visits

  • Salamanca - Splendid Renaissance architecture
  • Luz, Lagos & Sagres - Picturesque resorts and historic town
  • Silves & Monchique - Medieval city and hill spa town
  • Ferragudo, Alvor & Prai de Rocha - Pretty fishing villages and coastal resort
  • Toledo - City of three cultures
  • Seville (18-day tour only)
  • Cordoba (18-day tour only)
  • San Sebastian (18-day tour only)

Optional Excursions & Visits

  • Coastal boat cruise – Spectacular scenery

Notes

Extras: Upgrade to sea view rooms in Portugal £50pp.

Single Room Supplement from £299.00 (13 days), £379.00 (18 days).

Frequently asked questions about our tours

Certain excursions are included in the price of your holiday. If you choose not to go on an included excursion, for whatever reason, no refunds will be made.
Yes, you will receive one with your Travel Documents, which are sent 7-10 days before departure.
We believe that our holidays may not be suitable for children under 8 years old (except for Disneyland Paris bookings) however, we will consider individual requests on application. Customers aged 18 and under at the time of travel must be accompanied by an adult, parent or guardian aged over 18 years old.
You can check weather averages at here.

Accommodation

You will stay for six or nine nights at the 4-star Baia Cristal Hotel in Carvoeiro. The hotel boasts a spectacular setting on the cliffs overlooking the sea. Relax by the outdoor swimming pool, or enjoy the indoor pool and spa area (at additional cost). The restaurant offers views across the sea and features a mix of Portuguese and International cuisine. The bar provides the perfect setting to sit and relax with a cocktail, after a day of sightseeing. 

Overnight stays in Spain and France will be in city-style hotels.

On the overnight ferry sailing, accommodation will be in two-berth en suite inside cabins (meals at extra cost).

Portugal

Pool

Baia Cristal Beach & Spa Resort

Find out more

Baia Cristal Beach & Spa Resort

The 4-star Baia Cristal Hotel in Carvoeiro enjoys a spectacular setting on the cliffs overlooking the sea and within walking distance of Vale de Centenaes Beach. Relax by the outdoor swimming pool, or enjoy the indoor pool and spa area (at additional cost). The Restaurant Gaviota offers views across the sea and features a mix of Portuguese and International cuisine. The Albatroz Bar provides the perfect setting to sit and relax with a cocktail after a day of sightseeing. All bedrooms are comfortably furnished with satellite T.V., telephone, hairdryer, balcony and air-conditioning. Upgrades to sea-view rooms are available.

  • Swimming Pool
  • English Speaking Staff
  • Guest Lounge
  • Bar
  • Restaurant
  • Lift
  • TV
  • Hairdryer
  • Bath and/or Shower
  • Telephone

Frequently asked questions about accommodation

If you prefer, then you can join the tour at the hotel. To do this, we will require a copy of your passport for identification purposes and you must advise us at the time of booking.

No reduction will be given if you should choose to do this.

All hotel rooms benefit from private bathroom facilities.
Some hotels have tea and coffee making facilities. Please check the tour pages for more information or call our Customer Service Department on 01709 830333.
Most hotels have a lift, please call our Customer Service Department on 01709 830333 for more information.
Some hotels have ground floor rooms. Please email for information on individual hotels or call our Customer Service Department on 01709 830333.
Your hotels will supply towels in your room.

We are unable to guarantee that the hotel will be able to meet your dietary requirements. We find that the majority of European countries do not generally cater for vegetarians and that the meal supplied may well be what everyone else is having minus the meat.

We will of course endeavour to arrange for a vegetarian meal at the hotel. We do however suggest that you advise us of your dietary requests at the time of booking and recommend that you speak to the receptionist on arrival with regard to your request.

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Travel Information

Frequently asked questions about travel options

Departure times given for each region are approximate. Please check your travel documents to confirm the actual timings.

Front row seats can be reserved for £14pp (up to 6 days duration), £22pp (7 & 8 days duration) and £25pp (9 days duration and over) on all European tours. In addition to this seats on the second row can be reserved for £7pp (up to 6 days duration), £14pp (7 & 8 days duration) and £15pp (9 days duration and over). This offer is only available for bookings of two or four persons on the front row and is subject to availability. Guaranteed front/second row seats cannot be reserved on feeder journeys to/from the U.K. port. Children under 15 years cannot occupy a front row seat due to French Law.

Please note: On some coaches the legroom on front seats may be slightly less than that available on other seats due to the presence of a modesty board in front.

If your tour is cancelled for any reason and front/second row seats are not available on your new tour you will be refunded the supplement. No other compensation will be payable.

Alternatively, we can take seating requests on your booking. However, requests are not guaranteed. All seat numbers are confirmed on travel documents approximately 7-10 days prior to departure.

We guarantee that all passengers on the same booking will be seated together on the main tour coach. Seats on the transfer coaches to and from the U.K. port are not allocated.
Hot and cold drinks are served on the main tour coaches. Prices are approximately £1 or 1.25 Euro per drink. Prices will be confirmed by the driver. Drinks may also be served on the transfer coaches but this is not guaranteed.

Transfer coaches are routed approximately 2-3 weeks before departure and will depend on where passengers are booked to travel from on any particular date as to which route is taken. If you require further detailed information regarding the route to the port you can contact our Customer Service Department on 01709 830333 two weeks before you are due to travel.

With regard to the route taken by the main tour coach, this is determined by the driver.

All main tour coaches have on-board toilets. Transfer coaches to and from the U.K. port may not have on-board toilets. When non-British coaches are used on transfers and tours (air or TGV holidays only) an on-board toilet may not be available. However, comfort stops will be made during long journeys.
All coaches feature air-conditioning. Should the air-conditioning system break down for a period exceeding 12 hours, compensation will be awarded up to a maximum of £10 per fare-paying passenger per tour.
We operate a passenger interchange at the Channel port. Transfer coaches, including taxis, minibuses, Megabus and National Express operate to and from the U.K. port. You will join your main tour coach at the port.
One medium sized suitcase per person, which should weigh no more than 20kg when full. We may refuse to carry larger or heavier cases. Hand luggage can be stored in the overhead racks aboard the coach.
It could be either - This will be confirmed in your travel documents.

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Call our reservations team on:
01709 787 463

To book this tour, just give our friendly team a call on 01709 787 463 or book online at www.leger.co.uk