Portugal road cycling tour

Planet

Travel on this trip is as low carbon as possible. While cycling on this trip, our travel is zero emmissions. We use ferry transfers rather than drive all the way to Portugal with support Van, in order to use less fuel and generates more employability.

On cycling we follow the principles of ‘No Trace Travel’ by doing the following:
We do not use pitching during the lunches but a quick stop in designated parking space or closer to cycling path or just back of the Van if weather isn't permitting.
No burning stoves or cooking during the lunches, all the food used is sourced locally, fresh
All rubbish carried out and taken to recycling.

We buy local goods from local people as much as possible and maintain close relationships with a number of service providers in Portugal like local transport, local advice, and invaluable support.

We encourage group members to take an interest in the flora and fauna. Where possible, we choose food with minimal packaging to reduce plastic waste and our guests are advised as to how to dispose of waste responsibly. As there is no suitable recycling available for batteries, we encourage group members to dispose of used batteries safely in their home country

We set an example in our own office - we recycle paper and ink cartridges and minimise the amount of printing we do etc.

We are aware that a trip to Portugal involves air travel. We encourage each traveller to consider how to redress this by reducing their carbon footprint at home. Friends of the Earth offer guidelines: http://www.foe.co.uk/carbon_calculator/elements/pdf/total_tips.pdf

People

We support the local economy by buying local goods from local people and employing the services of local Portugal based transport operator. Our go to grocery and food supplies are always local bakeries. This is a relatively new trip which was conceptualised in 2019 and 2020 would have seen our first departure but due to pandemic things changed completely but we have kept in touch with all local service providers be it family run local hotels or some of the local guides that we use on certain departures. Portugal is very popular among the sun seekers and holiday makers but our itinerary ensures we just don't stick to the bucket list cities, so the tour takes us to less visited heart of Portugal and the crowns and cities that are not part of " The Touristy Maps'. This ensures guests get to see more of the country and the money spend travels a bit further into other areas of the community and not just the touristy bits.

And not to mention by doing so we are generating tourism where it is needed and not overcrowding the bigger cities.