Silves, The Algarve
Justly famous for its glorious coastline, a deeper exploration of the Algarve reveals a land rich in history and scenic contrasts. Explore Portugal's glorious Algarve coast and beautiful inland scenery on a Classic Walking holiday to Silves.
Our guided walks will take you along the magnificent coastal path and through scenery of cork clad hills and citrus groves. Year round sunshine makes the Algarve ideal for a spring or autumn holiday.
The impressive walls and towers of Silves, the ancient capital of the Moors, hint at the region's importance to Portuguese heritage and traditions. Today it is a popular local town, full of charm and character.
- Great walks along the Algarve coast
- Unspoilt scenery of citrus groves and sleepy villages
- Year-round sunshine; ideal for a spring or autumn break
Detailed information
| Classic Walking programme |
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On these holidays there is a choice of two guided walks for varying abilities each day. For maximum choice we offer two weekly itineraries - ideal if you wish to book a 14-night holiday or return to the area for a second week.
ITINERARY ONE
Weeks of
13 October 2007; 9, 23 February; 8, 22 March; 5 April; 6, 20 September; 4, 18 October 2008
Day 1: arrival day |
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Day 2: explore Silves' Moorish fortress before walking
through the almond groves north of the town.
Day 3: enjoy the Algarve's red cliffs and golden sands
on walks from Carvoeiro.
Day 4: follow trails through peaceful limestone
scenery from the village of Alte.
Day 5: free day - perhaps take an excursion to Cape
St Vincent and the historic port of Lagos.
Day 6: soak up the extensive views from the summit
of Foia before walking through olive and lemon
groves to Caldas de Monchique.
Day 7: admire the profusion of wild hyacinths on
coastal walks to the fishing village of Luz.
Day 8: departure day
ITINERARY TWO
Weeks of 6, 20 October 2007; 16 February; 1, 15, 29 March; 12 April; 13, 27 September; 11 October 2008
Day 1: arrival day
Day 2: circular walks from Silves follow the wildlife rich
valley of the River Arade.
Day 3: follow the ochre and cream cliffs past rock
arches and sea stacks to Senhora da Rocha.
Day 4: walk along the meandering valley of the River
Quarteira to Paderne Castle.
Day 5: free day - perhaps travel to Faro or just relax
on one of the Algarve’s superb beaches.
Day 6: sample traditional Portuguese life on walks to
the timeless village of Santa Margarida.
Day 7: admire the secluded bays and panoramic
views on walks to the lighthouse at Ponta da Piadade.
Day 8: departure day |
Please Note: The above programme should give you a good feel for the walks at this resort but is subject to change. Each year we listen carefully to the views of our guests and make improvements to our walking programmes. Further information will be sent to you prior to your holiday; however the final selection of walks will be made by your walking leaders.
Local transport to and from walks:
Local transport is not included in the cost of your holiday.
Please allow €70 (approx £49) per week for
local transport (payable locally in Euros), excluding your free day.
Maps
Your leaders will carry a number of maps and guides for this
holiday. If you would like to obtain one for your own enjoyment
it is normally only possible to purchase large scale tourist
maps in the UK. Maps can be obtained by mail order from The
Map Shop, Tel: +44(0) 1684 593146.
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| Footpath information |
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Easier Walks: 4 to 7 miles with 200ft to 700ft of ascent in a day. |
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Harder Walks: 6 to 9½ miles with 200ft to 1,000ft of ascent in a day. |
Both walks cross gently undulating landscapes with occasional short but steep ascents on the coastal paths.
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| Dates and prices |
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| Sat 23 Feb 2008 |
£625 |
£399 |
£879 |
£659 |
| Sat 1, 8, 15 March 2008 |
£625 |
£399 |
£879 |
£659 |
| Sat 22, 29 March; 5 April 2008 |
£639 |
£415 |
£899 |
£679 |
| Sat 12 April 2008 |
£639 |
£415 |
- |
- |
| Sat 6, 13, 20, 27 Sept; 4, 11 Oct 2008 |
£599 |
£415 |
£879 |
£659 |
| Sat 18 Oct 2008 |
£599 |
£415 |
- |
- |
Single room supplement: £8.50 per night
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| Average temperatures |
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| February |
16°C |
9°C |
6 |
71mm |
| March |
18°C |
10°C |
7 |
54mm |
| April |
19°C |
11 °C |
8 |
42mm |
| September |
26°C |
17°C |
9 |
15mm |
| October |
22°C |
15°C |
7 |
54mm |
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| Travel to resort |
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Transfer from airport - If you book this holiday to
Silves 'with flight' you will fly into Faro airport. The onward
journey by coach to the hotel takes around 1 hour.
Latest HF Holidays Flight Information - updated 31/05/2007 (provisional)
Departure 29 March
London Gatwick - Faro
Out 07:15 - 10:00 GB Airways
Return 12:15 - 15:00 easyJet
All other departures
easyJet
London Gatwick - Faro
Out 08:15 - 11:20
Return 12:15 - 15:00
Monarch Airways (via Heathrow)
Manchester - Faro
Out 07:30 - 10:40
Return 11:40 - 14:30
Manchester Flight Supplement: £75
Airport Parking: To book secure airport parking throughout the UK visit Purple Parking or Holiday Extras to book on-line.
Airport Hotels: To book airport hotels throughout the UK visit Holiday Extras to book on-line.
Airport Lounges: To book airport lounges visit Holiday Extras to book on-line.
Making your own travel arrangements
By Air: The nearest airport is at Faro, around 50km to the east of Silves, which is served by a number of direct scheduled and charter flights from the UK. If you are booking your own flights you may wish to consider one of the following options:
www.easyjet.com flights from Belfast, Bristol, East Midlands, Newcastle, Gatwick, Luton, Liverpool & Stansted.
www.bmibaby.com flights from Birmingham, Cardiff & East Midlands.
www.jet2.com flights from Leeds/Bradford, Blackpool & Manchester.
www.flymonarch.com flights from Birmingham, Gatwick, Luton & Manchester.
www.thomsonfly.com flights from Belfast, Birmingham, Bournemouth, Bristol, Coventry, Cardiff, Durham Tees Valley, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Gatwick, Glasgow, Humberside, Leeds, Liverpool, Luton, Manchester, Newcastle & Southampton.
www.flybe.com flights from Exeter & Southampton.
To reach the hotel:
 Our Airport Hoppa service operates at this resort, offering quick and easy transfers for guests booking their own flights. All prices are per person for single journeys, allowing you to mix and match different transfer options. Transfers must be pre-booked no later than 5 weeks before departure - we will then confirm all the details approximately 3 weeks before your holiday.
From Faro Airport
- by hoppa transfer £15 single
- by transfer coach* £15 single
*The HF Holidays' coach is timed to connect with the flights time above.
Hoppa transfers - can be booked to meet any flight and offer a direct transfer to your hotel. [Back to the top]
| What the holiday includes |
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- Return economy class air travel - 'with flight' option.
- Airport transfers - 'with flight' option.
- 7 or 14 nights' accommodation in en-suite rooms.
- Half Board - breakfast & evening meals.
- Services of 2 HF Holidays' leaders.
- 5 or 10 guided walks.
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| Other walking holiday ideas |
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Single guests are assured a warm welcome and friendly company on our Classic Walking for Solos holidays, and there's NO extra charge for single rooms.
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| Where you'll stay |
HOTEL COLINA DOS MOUROS
A modern three-star hotel situated just a few minutes' walk from the town centre, overlooking the castle and cathedral.
There are 57 en-suite bedrooms. Facilities include a lounge, restaurant and bar, plus gardens, sun terraces and an outdoor swimming pool. Dinners will be taken in the hotel and in local restaurants allowing you to soak up the special ambience of the town by night. |
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