The city gate in Faro town, Portugal
Caption: The city gate in Faro town, Portugal
Caption: Enjoying Portuguese red wine
Caption: The famous Algarve coastline
Caption: The flower market of the port of Olhão with a sailboat, Algarve
Caption: Faro Marina, Portugal
Caption: The lighthouse at Cabo São Vicente, the most south-westerly point of mainland Europe
Caption: The Algarve coast
Caption: Belmarco Palace in the centre of Faro
Caption: Fisherman boats in Ria Formosa Natural Park near Olhão, on the Algarve, Portugal
Caption: The Algarve is famous for its golf courses - there are many opportunities locally
Vilar do Golf

from £1335pp plus:
5,000 points 1BR/ 6,000 points 2BR6nights/7days
Terms Apply


 
Prices are per person based on 2 people sharing a cabin/room. Single room supplement £0.00.

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Book online or call Call us on:+44(0) 844 3350 197 Monday - Thursday 9:00am - 8:00pm, Friday 9:00am - 5:30pm (London time)

Book your journey

Choose from the list below to book your journey

Available journeys:

  • 09 - 15 Nov, 2024. Experience Portugal: Member Event @Vilar do Golf by Diamond Resorts, Portugal. TWO BED APARTMENT 6000 POINTS 09 Nov - 15 Nov 2024 from £1,135 Book Now
  • 09 - 15 Nov, 2024. Experience Portugal: Member Event @Vilar do Golf by Diamond Resorts, Portugal. ONE BED APARTMENT 5000 POINTS 09 Nov - 15 Nov 2024 from £1,135 Sold out
Book online or call +44(0) 844 3350 197

Journey Snapshot

Activity level: Level 2 Requires moderate physical activity. You need to be able to participate in physical activities such as longer walking tours, walking over uneven terrain, climbing steps and be comfortable with some periods of standing. Not suitable if you have limited mobility or require a wheelchair/mobility scooter.
Destination: Experience Portugal
Member Event
Duration: 7 days, 6 nights
Flight information: Please arrange your flights to arrive into Faro Airport [FAO] Portugal on Day 1 and depart Faro Airport [FAO] Portugal on Day 7
Pickup location: Faro Airport [FAO] Portugal

Overview

Nov 09 - 15, 2024

Enjoy more than just the impressive beaches of Portugal's Algarve region - we have a week of fun and entertainment planned for you!

First established as a country in the 12th century, Portugal is the oldest nation in Europe. This Member Event is about slowing down and experiencing the culture and the pace of the rural Algarve region for yourself. Long, luxurious and excellent meals which have been home-cooked using fresh, local produce and following traditional recipes are the centrepiece to every day. From the quiet serenity of the coastal views and winery gardens to the hubbub of the region's capital city Faro with its cathedrals and architecture dating back to the 13th and 14th centuries, Portugal has something to offer all visitors.

What's more, why not extend your stay in Portugal and the Iberian Peninsula with our fantastic tour extensions to Lisbon and through Andalucia. These extensions provide transport to resort and let you delve deeper into the country, its traditons, history, food and culutre. More details can be found on the links below.

Itinerary

Itinerary summary: DAY 1 - Welcome to Portugal
DAY 2 - Welcome Breakfast and Traditions of the Barrocal Region
DAY 3 - Olhão & Ria Formosa Natural Park
DAY 4 - Journey into Portugal's Past
DAY 5 - Loulé and Local Wine Tasting
DAY 6 - Faro City Tour and Farewell Dinner
DAY 7 - Farewell to Portugal
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Full Itinerary

DAY 1 - Welcome to Portugal

On arrival at Faro Airport there are three complimentary scheduled transfers to the resort. 

The rest of the day at the resort will be at leisure but make sure you pick up details for tomorrow morning's welcome breakfast to meet your Big journey Company Tour Director and hear more about the plans for the rest of the week. 

Accommodation: Vilar Do Golf, Almancil, Portugal 

DAY 2 - Welcome Breakfast and Traditions of the Barrocal Region

This morning we are up and about early for a Welcome Breakfast together to meet your Big Journey Company Tour Director and fellow members, to discuss the plans for the coming days. 

We spend the day today inland, exploring the traditional, rural town of São Brás de Alportel and the Barrocal region. Portugal is the world's largest cork producer and it is grown extensively here. Throughout your stay on the Algarve, there will be many opportunities to see where the cork trees grow and how their bark is harvested. We make a tour of a factory today, to see how this natural resource is prepared, graded and made readu for manufacture. 

We enjoy a long and leisurely lunch together today, before learning more about another of the region's main agricultural traditions - olive oil. Discover olive trees ancient and modern, learn about the oil extraction process and sample this local produce for ourselves before heading back to the resort for the evening.

Included meals: Breakfast and Lunch 
Accommodation: Vilar Do Golf, Almancil, Portugal 

DAY 3 - Olhão & Ria Formosa Natural Park

Portugal has roughly 830km of coastline. With its many coves and inlets, today, we explore the beauty of the coastline in the Ria Formosa National Park. Our first stop is Olhão, a traditional Portuguese fishing village renowned for cube-shaped, white-washed houses of the old fishing quarter and two market halls built by the same architect as the Eiffel Tower in Paris. You will have the opportunity to explore the fish famous market with it's and huge selection of produce or take a scenic stroll along the Olhão harbour.

The Ria Formosa Natural Park is one of the most impressive in Europe, boasting rich and varied flora and fauna. Next stop of the day we visit Cacela Velha, a charming hamlet perched on a cliff overlooking the sea, to enjoy the sea views. This village remains untouched by mass tourism and retains a peaceful atmosphere with charming blue and white fishermen’s houses. This is the spot where the Ria Formosa begins, stretching all the way to Faro.

Final stop of the day is in Tavira, to visit a historical restoration of and museum in what was once fishermens' houses. This place was originally a tuna fishing camp called Arraial Ferreira Neto, where the “people of the sea” lived from March to September each year. Here you will learn about the traditional, regional fishing technique called “Almadrava” - using a frame to capture tuna. Tuna fishing is no longr commercially viable in this area, but it is fascinating to see how the traditional way of life must have once been. Afterwards, we head back to resort in the late afternoon.

Included meals: Lunch 
Accommodation: Vilar Do Golf, Almancil, Portugal 

DAY 4 - Journey into Portugal's Past

Portuguese navigators changed the world during the Renaissance era. Today, we travel in the footsteps of some those of most famous explorers, heading out and along the coast to Sagres. At Cabo de São Vicente, the most south-western point of continental Europe, we begin our day at 'The End of the World'. Before the Portuguese developed sailing vessels such as the caravel, it was commonly thought that this must be where the world ended. 

We also visit the historical port town of Lagos. Here stories from the time of the Portuguese explorations continue. From 1415, Henry the Navigator used Lagos as his maritime base. From here, he sponsored many voyages of exploration aiming to spread Portuguese influence around the New World. The town remembers him today with an impressive statue in the town square overlooking the old port gate.

We will enjoy an excellent lunch together in Lagos before you enjoy some free time to explore this picturesque town at your own pace. We return to the resort late afteroon for an evening at leisure.

Included meals: Lunch 
Accommodation: Vilar Do Golf, Almancil, Portugal 

DAY 5 - Loulé and Local Wine Tasting

Today we visit Loulé, an attractive market town and thriving craft centre with its busy pink-domed market displaying many handicraft workers carving wood, weaving hats, making lace etc. and many local agricultural producers from the region. Then, we go uphill to Our Lady Church, where the spot affords 360º spectacular panoramic views.

Home to some of the oldest vineyards in the world, Portugal is famous for its fantastic, full-bodied wines. Today we have a guided tour of a winery and learn how wine is produced in this region. We sample some of these delicious wines whilst benefitting tfrom the grower' expert knowledge. For the wine connoisseurs, there will be a variety of wines available for purchase after the tour.

After lunch, we continue through the Algarve countryside towards a typical estate to taste the local products like honey, jams etc. from this region and also “medronho”, a very potent brandy before returning to the resort in the afternoon.

Included meals: Lunch 
Accommodation: Vilar Do Golf, Almancil, Portugal 

DAY 6 - Faro City Tour and Farewell Dinner

Join us this morning on an optional visit to the nearby town of Faro, capital of the Algarve. Faro is a treasure trove of history, with cathedrals and architecture dating back to the 13th and 14th centuries. Our local guide will lead us on a short walking orientation tour of the city before some free time to explore further or do some last minute souvenir shopping. We will return to the resort in the afternoon.

Alternatively, you may wish to relax and enjoy the facilities of the resort or explore the many golf possibilities in the area.

This evening, we will gather at the resort restaurant for our final evening together, sharing a Farewell Dinner together before enjoying some traditional Portuguese dancing!

Included meals: Dinner 
Accommodation: Vilar Do Golf, Almancil, Portugal 

DAY 7 - Farewell to Portugal

Sadly, it's the end of our Portuguese adventure. There will be three scheduled departures from the resort to Faro Airport.

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More information

What's includedWhat's not includedImportant information

What's included

  • Scheduled airport transfers to the resort from Faro Airport [FAO] on Day 1 and returning on Day 7
    • There will be three scheduled transfers from Faro Airport to the Vilar do Golf Resort on Day 1, departing the airport at 11am, 2pm and 6pm.
    • There will be three scheduled transfers from the Vilar do Golf Resort to Faro Airport on Day 7, departing the resort at 8am, 1pm and 4pm. 
  • Self-catering accommodation as detailed in the itinerary.
  • Transportation to and from all the events and activities as detailed in the itinerary
  • All activities, visits, guides and excursions as detailed in the itinerary
  • Meals as detailed in the itinerary.
  • Services of a Big Journey Company Tour Director

What's not included

  • International return flights into Faro Airport [FAO]
  • Airport transfers outside the tour dates, or to/from stations
  • Visas, travel or medical insurance
  • Any COVID tests or related entry & exit requirements
  • Any personal items and anything not mentioned under included in price above
  • Any food and beverage not detailed in the itinerary
  • Entrance fees to non-stipulated attractions
  • Any optional activities offered
  • Gratuities

Important information

  • Diamond Resorts Terms Apply
  • There will be three scheduled transfers from Faro Airport to the Vilar do Golf Resort on Day 1, departing the airport at 11am, 2pm and 6pm. There will be three scheduled transfers from the Vilar do Golf Resort to Faro Airport on Day 7, departing the resort at 8am, 1pm and 4pm. Transfers outside of these dates, times or locations must be arranged privately.
  • Please let The Big Journey Company know prior to travelling if you have any medical needs or take any medication that we need to be made aware of to ensure that you have a safe and pleasant tour.
  • Check in is after 2-3pm and check out is before 10am unless otherwise specified in the itinerary.
Once in a lifetime

Book your journey

Choose from the list below to book your journey.

Available journeys:

  • 09 - 15 Nov, 2024. Experience Portugal: Member Event @Vilar do Golf by Diamond Resorts, Portugal. TWO BED APARTMENT 6000 POINTS 09 Nov - 15 Nov 2024 from £1,135 Book Now
  • 09 - 15 Nov, 2024. Experience Portugal: Member Event @Vilar do Golf by Diamond Resorts, Portugal. ONE BED APARTMENT 5000 POINTS 09 Nov - 15 Nov 2024 from £1,135 Sold out
Book online or call +44(0) 844 3350 197

The big journey promise

The big journey company was set up with one goal in mind, to share our passion for inspirational cultures, destinations and experiences. Over the last 10 years we have had the privilege to escort thousands of travellers on awe inspiring and sometimes life changing journeys. Our promise to every guest who joins us is that we will do everything possible to make sure your journey not only exceeds expectations but delivers at least one moment of true amazement.

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Holiday tours are operated by The Big Journey Company Limited. Registered in England. Registered office: Marron Bank, Branthwaite, Cumbria, CA14 4SZ. Registered number: 6532140. The Big Journey Company Limited is a member of The Travel Trust Association member number U5675 and holds an Air Travel Organiser’s License number T7282.

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