Individual on-road: the N2, Route 66 of Portugal

Written by

The longest road in Europe

There are many roads and lanes going through Portugal that stun you with their beautiful views, showing the diversity that Portugal has to offer. However, there’s one that stands out: the N2. With its length of 739,26 kms it is the longest single road in Europe and the third longest in the world.

The N2 runs north-south like a spine through the middle of the country. It starts in the north in Chaves, a town going back to Roman times, and ends in Faro on the Mediterranean.

The road officially got its N2 number on May 11, 1945 and at the time consisted of a series of connected smaller and larger roads. Some of these dated back to the Middle Ages and even to the days of the Roman Empire. Long stretches were unpaved or consisted of macadam, a technique developed by Scottish engineer John Loudon McAdam in which two layers of gravel were rolled on a basis of rock to create a relatively smooth surface. The English word tarmac derives from this: instead of gravel you use tar.

Obviously the current road differs here and there from the original of 1945, but not much has changed. It still goes through many of the same districts, counties, towns and villages as it did back then. The pace of life is slow here and so is the speed at which you drive. In this way you can fully enjoy the culture and nature that Portuigal has got to offer. Be surprised.

Culture and nature

Right at the start you find a cultural highlight: Chaves, an old town where it is a joy to stay. Take a stroll, have a look at the Roman bridge and visit the castle.

In the northern part you drive along a mountain range through a barren landscape, empty and with endless views.

The river Douro dominates the middle part. The valley that the river has created, is one of the oldest wine regions of Europe. Its terraces on which the vines grow are typical for the area. It is beautiful and fully justifies its designation as UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The road leads past villages beautifully set in the mountains, where the houses have been constructed of granite walls and slate roofs. Some of them are 900 years old. Rarely do you get such a strong feeling that time has stopped.

South of the River Tagus we arrive in a totally different setting. Rolling hills filled with olive and cork groves characterise the Alentejo. Finally we get to the Ãlgarve, looking completely different from what you know from the brochures of travel agents. Here you find mountains, nature, solitude. At the end of the journey we reach the Mediterranean. More touristy, of course, but still, look around carefully, walk to the harbour and observe the fishermen. You will find that here, too, you can taste life in Portugal.

Drive the N2

To enjoy the scenery, the road, the towns and villages to the full, we tsake fove days to go from the northern tip of the N2 to its finish in the South. Furthermore, this gives us time to meet the local people, enjoy the cuisine and excellent wines.

We start with a day in Chaves so that you have a relaxed start of the journey on the day after. Once in Faro we spend a day on the coast to rest, reflect on the journey behind us and let it all sink in.

Individual trip

José Almeida is a well-know expert on Portugal and specialist writer for Overland Journal. Together with him we have created a trip with an e-roadbook in which we have bundled all his knowledge and passion for the country. It contains the route with point-to-point directions, all hotels, restaurants, excursions and so on. Everything you need for a successful journey. We book everything for you; the vouchers will be in your roadbook.

Programme

You drive between 100 and 180 kilometers per day. You have plenty of time to absorb everything the area you’re travelling through has to offer. We offer several excursions, a boat-ride, visits to quintas, where you taste wine, port and other local products. You stay in excellent hotels, all with a certain wow-factor.

Day 1: arrival in Chaves
Relax after your journey to the start. Have a stroll in Chaves.

Day 2: Chaves – Lamego
Distance: 98 km

Day 3: Lamego – Lousã
Distance: 157 km

Day 4: Lousã – Montargil
Distance: 177 km

Day 5: Montargil – Aljustrel
Distance: 161 km

Day 6: Aljustrel – Faro
Distance: 118 km

Day 7: relax in Faro
Have a quiet day on the Med.

Practical information

We offer this individual journey for €1600 per person, based on two people sharing a room. You can go whenever you like and there is no limit to the size of your party.

Best time to go

You can do this trip the entire year through. The best time of year is spring, from April until the end of June and autumn, from September until the end of October.

Included

Included in the price are:

  • Seven overnight stays in excellent hotels
  • All meals
  • All excursions
  • All tastings: wine, port, local products
  • Boat-trip on the River Douro
  • Extensive information before you leave
  • E-roadbook in English to guide you on your journey

Not included

Not included in the price are:

  • Expenses to travel to Chaves and return home from Faro
  • Rental car if applicable
  • Fuel
  • Travel insurance
  • Personal expenses

Extensions and adaptations

You can extend what’s included with a rental car. And you can personalise the trip according to your own wishes. All changes are made in dialogue with us and will influence the final fee you pay.

Booking

To book, please contact us by sending an email to info@4x4discoverytravel.com or by filling in the contact form. Because of all the different options, you cannot book using the booking form.

This offer is guaranteed by STO Garant. You can find the terms and conditions of this guarantee schem on the website of STO Garant (www.sto-garant.nl/en/downloads).

On-road trip: Lisbon, Alentejo and Algarve

Written by

Relax in South Portugal

A lot of people have already enjoyed our off-road trips. Now we offer something new for all people that like to travel stress-free and comfortably, a trip suitable for anyone interested in a holiday that brings you in touch with the country you’re visiting.

We have developed a trip with our Portuguese partner Dream Overland that is safe, fabulous and low-threshold, doable for everyone with a driving licence. It is an individual journey in a rental car from Lisbon through the Alentejo and Algarve with a virtual guide in the shape of an e-roadbook.

José Almeida, our Dream Overland partner in Portugal, is passionate about his country, its traditions and culture. He has contributed all his expertise, knowledge and love of Portugal to create this e-roadbook. We show you hidden villages, excellent restaurants, great hotels, gorgeous towns, scenery you would not want to miss.

Highlights

  • Individual journey starting in Lisbon, then going through Alentejo and Algarve to give you a wonderful taste of Southern Portugal.
  • Ten days to cover everything we have described.
  • All accommodations included.
  • Rental car included for six days.
  • E-roadbook acting as a virtual tour guide.
  • Lots of points of interest and restaurants.
  • Clean & Safe certified accommodations.

Lisbon

Your holiday starts in Lisbon, one of the few European capitals with both a river and a coastline. The sea and climate that give Lisbon its peculiar energy. It is a lively city boasting many important Manueline monuments from the 16th century such as the Torre de Belém and the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos. In contrast to this it has the picturesque mediaeval quarters of Alfama and Mouraria, above which stands the castle of St. George. This castle, matched by Bairro Alto on the other hill, leads down to the downtown city centre known as the “Baixa pombalina”.

Your roadbook contains a map with all the highlights, a selection of excellent restaurants and a suggested walk to lap it all up. You stay in a comfortable hotel in the city centre for three nights.

In the morning of your fourth day, you pick up your car at the airport and drive into the Alentejo.

Exploring the Alentejo

South of the River Tagus is the Alentejo, Portugal’s largest region, known for its endless plains peppered by cork and olive trees. The landscapes of the Alentejo are something to die for, together with the little villages and towns with their Moorish and medieval castles.

Small villages and historic towns show the big influence the Arabs had in the whole south of the country during their occupation for nearly five centuries until the late 1400s. This is the region where you’ll feel closest to northern Africa, just by looking at the landscape, the architecture, tasting the food or even getting to know some of the traditions or listening to the traditional music.

There’s also a huge number of walking routes if you want to go for a hike, and enjoy the wonderful landscapes, either inland or along the coast. If you like to taste a good wine, the Alentejo is home to some of the best wines in Portugal.

We have created an interesting route from Lisbon to the Alentejo and two beautiful round trip in the Evora area. Both take you to the most interesting places through fascinating scenery and a selection of great places to eat. You stay in an agriturismo or comfortable bed & breakfast for three nights.

Exploring the Algarve

The Algarve region is famous for its fantastic coastline, beaches, golden cliffs, virtually deserted islands and small coves sheltered by the rocks. The ocean, in every shade of blue and mostly calm and warm, invites you for swims and water sports.

Perhaps lesser known is that in the 15th century the Portuguese set off on journeys that led them to discover other peoples and cultures. Cities such as Silves preserve traces of its Arab past and Lagos from the time of the Discoveries. Portimão and Albufeira are bustling towns by night and day. Tavira is a showcase for traditional architecture and Faro, the gateway to the region, deserves a long stop to discover its beautiful historic centre.

And there are the mountains, where people live in harmony with nature and maintain traditions that they love to share.

We have developed a lovely itinerary from Alentejo to Algarve and two round trips in the Algarve, giving you much more than the traditional pictures of sun and sea. You stay in an attractive hotel either in or near Faro or Albufeira for two nights.

Everything organised

We take care of the organisation and bookings. The only thing we cannot do is book your flights. Our service includes:

  • Ten-day trip, three days each in Lisbon, Alentejo and Algarve.
  • Nine overnight stays in good hotels, agriturismo and B&Bs, including breakfast.
  • Rental car for six days, comprehensive insurance.
  • E-roadbook containing everything you need for doing the trip.
  • 24/7 support in case you need assistance.
  • Certified Clean & Safe accommodations.

Other meals and flights not included.

Starting price for this trip is from €1150 per person based on two persons.  Upgrades to even better accommodations and/or a bigger car are possible, as well as an extension of your stay. Please contact us with your wishes so that we can tailor the trip to meet your needs.

Overview of the itinerary

Click on the image to enlarge:

Clean and safe

We do our utmost to ensure that our guests are safe by adhering fully to the rules issued by the Portuguese health authorities. We ourselves and all local partners we work with, have  been certified to comply with the standards set in those rules.

More information and booking

You can book this trip now. Given the uncertainty about when it’s possible again to fly to Portugal, we don’t ask for a deposit at this moment.

If you like to have more information please write an email to info@4x4discoverytravel.com or use the contact form. Make sure you specify that you make inquiries about the on-road South Portugal trip.

If you want to book straightaway, we need to be in touch first to discuss your wishes. Please contact us as above.

This offer is covered by the STO Garant guarantee. You can find the conditions for this guarantee scheme on STO Garant’s website (www.sto-garant.nl/en/downloads).

Just the roadbook

As an alternative to this fully organised trip, you can simply order the e-roadbook and take care of everything else yourself. The e-roadbook is a thoroughly researched virtual guide that you download onto your smartphone or tablet (GPS receiver required – you know you have one if you can insert a SIM-card; the SIM-card itself is not necessary). It contains a vast amount of information for a perfect journey in the area:

  • Nine-day trip, assuming three days each in Lisbon, Alentejo and Algarve.
  • The itinerary with point-to-point directions.
  • A detailed map.
  • Lots of points of interest with information about what makes them interesting.
  • Information about hotels and restaurants.
  • The roadbook gives you directions to all points of interest, hotels and restaurants, even if these are not directly on the itinerary.

You book your flights, accommodations and so on yourself, giving you all the flexibility and independence you wish.

The roadbook costs €275.

Click here to view it.

On-road trip: Lisbon, Alentejo and Algarve

Written by

Relax in South Portugal

A lot of people have already enjoyed our off-road trips. Now we offer something new for all people that like to travel stress-free and comfortably, a trip suitable for anyone interested in a holiday that brings you in touch with the country you’re visiting.

We have developed a trip with our Portuguese partner Dream Overland that is safe, fabulous and low-threshold, doable for everyone with a driving licence. It is an individual journey in a rental car from Lisbon through the Alentejo and Algarve with a virtual guide in the shape of an e-roadbook.

José Almeida, our Dream Overland partner in Portugal, is passionate about his country, its traditions and culture. He has contributed all his expertise, knowledge and love of Portugal to create this e-roadbook. We show you hidden villages, excellent restaurants, great hotels, gorgeous towns, scenery you would not want to miss.

Highlights

  • Individual journey starting in Lisbon, then going through Alentejo and Algarve to give you a wonderful taste of Southern Portugal.
  • Ten days to cover everything we have described.
  • All accommodations included.
  • Rental car included for six days.
  • E-roadbook acting as a virtual tour guide.
  • Lots of points of interest and restaurants.
  • Clean & Safe certified accommodations.

Lisbon

Your holiday starts in Lisbon, one of the few European capitals with both a river and a coastline. The sea and climate that give Lisbon its peculiar energy. It is a lively city boasting many important Manueline monuments from the 16th century such as the Torre de Belém and the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos. In contrast to this it has the picturesque mediaeval quarters of Alfama and Mouraria, above which stands the castle of St. George. This castle, matched by Bairro Alto on the other hill, leads down to the downtown city centre known as the “Baixa pombalina”.

Your roadbook contains a map with all the highlights, a selection of excellent restaurants and a suggested walk to lap it all up. You stay in a comfortable hotel in the city centre for three nights.

In the morning of your fourth day, you pick up your car at the airport and drive into the Alentejo.

Exploring the Alentejo

South of the River Tagus is the Alentejo, Portugal’s largest region, known for its endless plains peppered by cork and olive trees. The landscapes of the Alentejo are something to die for, together with the little villages and towns with their Moorish and medieval castles.

Small villages and historic towns show the big influence the Arabs had in the whole south of the country during their occupation for nearly five centuries until the late 1400s. This is the region where you’ll feel closest to northern Africa, just by looking at the landscape, the architecture, tasting the food or even getting to know some of the traditions or listening to the traditional music.

There’s also a huge number of walking routes if you want to go for a hike, and enjoy the wonderful landscapes, either inland or along the coast. If you like to taste a good wine, the Alentejo is home to some of the best wines in Portugal.

We have created an interesting route from Lisbon to the Alentejo and two beautiful round trip in the Evora area. Both take you to the most interesting places through fascinating scenery and a selection of great places to eat. You stay in an agriturismo or comfortable bed & breakfast for three nights.

Exploring the Algarve

The Algarve region is famous for its fantastic coastline, beaches, golden cliffs, virtually deserted islands and small coves sheltered by the rocks. The ocean, in every shade of blue and mostly calm and warm, invites you for swims and water sports.

Perhaps lesser known is that in the 15th century the Portuguese set off on journeys that led them to discover other peoples and cultures. Cities such as Silves preserve traces of its Arab past and Lagos from the time of the Discoveries. Portimão and Albufeira are bustling towns by night and day. Tavira is a showcase for traditional architecture and Faro, the gateway to the region, deserves a long stop to discover its beautiful historic centre.

And there are the mountains, where people live in harmony with nature and maintain traditions that they love to share.

We have developed a lovely itinerary from Alentejo to Algarve and two round trips in the Algarve, giving you much more than the traditional pictures of sun and sea. You stay in an attractive hotel either in or near Faro or Albufeira for two nights.

Everything organised

We take care of the organisation and bookings. The only thing we cannot do is book your flights. Our service includes:

  • Ten-day trip, three days each in Lisbon, Alentejo and Algarve.
  • Nine overnight stays in good hotels, agriturismo and B&Bs, including breakfast.
  • Rental car for six days, comprehensive insurance.
  • E-roadbook containing everything you need for doing the trip.
  • 24/7 support in case you need assistance.
  • Certified Clean & Safe accommodations.

Other meals and flights not included.

Starting price for this trip is from €1150 per person based on two persons.  Upgrades to even better accommodations and/or a bigger car are possible, as well as an extension of your stay. Please contact us with your wishes so that we can tailor the trip to meet your needs.

Overview of the itinerary

Click on the image to enlarge:

Clean and safe

We do our utmost to ensure that our guests are safe by adhering fully to the rules issued by the Portuguese health authorities. We ourselves and all local partners we work with, have  been certified to comply with the standards set in those rules.

More information and booking

You can book this trip now. Given the uncertainty about when it’s possible again to fly to Portugal, we don’t ask for a deposit at this moment.

If you like to have more information please write an email to info@4x4discoverytravel.com or use the contact form. Make sure you specify that you make inquiries about the on-road South Portugal trip.

If you want to book straightaway, we need to be in touch first to discuss your wishes. Please contact us as above.

This offer is covered by the STO Garant guarantee. You can find the conditions for this guarantee scheme on STO Garant’s website (www.sto-garant.nl/en/downloads).

Just the roadbook

As an alternative to this fully organised trip, you can simply order the e-roadbook and take care of everything else yourself. The e-roadbook is a thoroughly researched virtual guide that you download onto your smartphone or tablet (GPS receiver required – you know you have one if you can insert a SIM-card; the SIM-card itself is not necessary). It contains a vast amount of information for a perfect journey in the area:

  • Nine-day trip, assuming three days each in Lisbon, Alentejo and Algarve.
  • The itinerary with point-to-point directions.
  • A detailed map.
  • Lots of points of interest with information about what makes them interesting.
  • Information about hotels and restaurants.
  • The roadbook gives you directions to all points of interest, hotels and restaurants, even if these are not directly on the itinerary.

You book your flights, accommodations and so on yourself, giving you all the flexibility and independence you wish.

The roadbook costs €275.

Click here to view it.

Individual trip Andorra to Bossost

Written by

Discover the Spanish Pyrenees by yourself

Specially for individual travellers we have developed this version of our trip through the Pyrenees. It is longer than the group tour, you get our e-roadbook as your virtual tour guide and we book the hotels for you. The only thing you have to do is download the e-roadbook and go.

Mountain tracks are the norm for this tour. The route takes you to places you’d normally never get to; places you didn’t realise even existed in Europe. The variation in the landscapes you travel through is striking. No day is the same. You drive high up a mountain until over 2400 meters where it is crisply cold, barren and rocky. Depending on the time of year, you may negotiate some snow and then descend into a lush green valley, with meadows, cows, sheep and have lunch in the shade because in the sun it is too warm.

Beautiful scenery

Your tour starts in Andorra. You drive up the Cabus Pass on tarmac and down the famous Smuggler’s Route into Spain on a mud track. The transition of one surface to the other symbolises the transition from rich Andorra to a remote part of Spain. The mountains are breathtaking, the views stunning and different every day.

If you go in September or early October, autumn begins to fall with its beautiful colours or, in case there is some snowfall, you will be confronted with a landscape in almost black and white.

Remote Spain

Few people live here. In the village of Tirvia there is one bar, often closed.  You pass by the Chapel of Sta. Magdalena, a perfect spot for lunch. You drive on over rocky mountain tracks traversing areas where little grows. Then, suddenly, you arrive in green, cultivated valleys with meadows, cows and sheep. Several time you pass the 2,400 meter mark. Whatever the time of year, you enjoy the fresh mountain are and the silence of nature.

We have included a few extras in the roadbook for this individual trip, such as a detour past the chapel of Montgarri. An easy drive along a stream taking you to the magnificently situated chapel.

Practical information

The trip has been designed so that you can do it in seven days at a relaxed pace, assuming you drive every day. The first leg is from Andorra to Alins. The second takes you to Rialp, from where we have two round trips. From Rialp you go to Espot, then to Vielha and on the seventh day to Bossost.

No special preparation of you vehicle is necessary. Just make sure it’s in good overall condition and that you have all-terrain tyres with plenty of tread left.

The journey is approximately 500 km long, of which about 75% is on tracks. These are not difficult or technically challenging, though they are interesting enough as a driving experience. A 4×4 with good ground clearance makes life easier, as does a low range gear box. These are not strictly necessary: we have had clients in a Jeep Renegade Trailhawk and a Landrover Freelander 2 who completed the tour with careful driving without problems. Great fun guaranteed.

Here is an overview of the route:

When to go

You can do this trip at any time between late May/early July and early October. At the end of May there will still be snow in the mountains which, if winter has been severe, could block your path. In October the first snow may fall, which makes for beautiful scenery.

Included

The price for this offer is from €1050 for two people, which includes:

  • Eight overnight stays for two people in comfortable hotels, including breakfast
  • E-roadbook containing a complete seven-day tour description and point-to-point navigation
  • Points of interest with pictures
  • Detailed map in your roadbook
  • Restaurants and hotels on the map
  • Detours and alternative routes
  • Suggestions for experiments: the roadbook invites you to try something out.

Not included

  • Any other meals
  • Fuel
  • Insurance

More information or booking

If you want to know more about this journey, you can always contact us. You can start booking this journey by sending an email to info@4x4discoverytravel.com with your wishes and your telephone number. We will then contact you to make sure everyting will be okay so that we can finish your booking.

The hotel bookings of this offer are covered by the STO Garant guarantee. You can find the conditions for this guarantee scheme on STO Garant’s website (www.sto-garant.nl/en/downloads). We will invoice the roadbook separately.