Blue Coast Bikes

BlueCoastBikes®

Officially Licensed Bicycle Tour Operator

of Portugal's Costa Azul

2008 Press Release

Ready for immediate release:

Contact Information

USA
BlueCoastBikes
P.O. Box 837
Twin Lakes, Wisconsin
53181-0837

Portugal
BlueCoastBikes
Rua das Fontainhas
nº82 – Piso 1º
2910-082
Setúbal

info@bluecoastbikes.com
www.bluecoastbikes.com

Public Relations and Media
Aaron C. Gafner - English
acgafner@bluecoastbikes.com
00351 96 272 8469 (Portugal)

João Lacerda - Português
joao.lacerda@bluecoastbikes.com
00351 96 533 9103 (Portugal)

About Us

Blue Coast Bikes is the dream of four friends who enjoyed sharing the magnificient grandeur of Portugal's natural beauty and cultural traditions with other friends visiting the country. We simply broadened the spectrum of guests by starting BlueCoastBikes. We offer you the chance to fully submerge yourself into the culture of Portugal, whether it be relaxing on the beaches after an energetic spin along the coast of the Atlantic, or browsing the intricate cobblestone streets, in a small white-washed village in the fabled Alentejo. Each guest an individual, each guest leaves with the warm sense of having gained a 'home away from home'.

American/Portuguese

Internationally Known. Our company is comprised of the talents and professional experience from a diverse team with origins on both sides of the Atlantic. We are American and Portuguese owned and operated, and we know what it takes to deliver the type of quality our guests are depending on. The core of Team BlueCoastBikes grew up on the very shores on which we host our tours, and have spent the better part of the last 20 years riding the same routes. Our expertise lies beyond the tours we host, for our group of talented individuals consists of professional architects, engineers, writers, graphic designers, photographers, wine experts and more. You see, we want your experience to be as safe, satisfying, and as in-depth as possible, and we work with people who make this goal their number one priority. With such collective know-how, a BlueCoastBikes tour is sure to be the most well-informed cultural adventure around Portugal.

Blue Coast Bikes Announces New Tours For 2008

Alentejo Sun Coast

For a stroll down the lighter side of the coast, we've come up with our newest route along the Costa Azul and Costa Vicentina. This ride is for those of you with pure leisure and relaxation in mind. This casual ride down the coast offers the perfect combination of sun and surf, as you glide through cool shady pine groves, and casual pathways along the Atlantic ocean. You'll still get the same great views and use the same excellent accommodations as on our signature route, but we've taken a bit of the challenge out of this one, to serve up this delightful cruise down the coast. Our easiest-rated ride to date still offers some exciting little challenges for the beginner or novices, but we've shortened some of the distances between destination towns, and flattened some of the hills, allowing you more time to stroll along at an ever-so-leisurely pace... yours. Want to take a dolphin cruise or get in a round of golf along the way? Ask us how! This spring or summer, take a tour down the sunny coast of Alentejo, pass the cows grazing with the ocean's blue behind them, and toast yourself each evening for a good day's ride.

Tour Dates 2008 – June 30- July 6 /Sept 29 - Oct 5/Offered year round as Self-Guided
Average distance daily: 15-35 miles /25-60 Km; Some days with longer options.
Tour Length: 7-days/6-nights
Price: 1750€ Self-Guided / 2500€ Guided
Single Supplement: 540€
Rooms: Self-Guided and Guided tour prices based on double occupancy rooms
Includes: Bicycle & equipment rental, panniers, accommodations, all breakfasts, all dinners and picnic lunch (guided), insurance, route maps and daily cue cards, communication device and road service, BlueCoastBikes T-shirt
Accommodations: castles & historic manor homes, Portuguese countryside villas

www.bluecoastbikes.com
tours@bluecoastbikes.com

Cape To Cape Epic Ride

Portuguese in thirteen days. This route could be referred to as a 'sampler' as it combines the best of both our Essence of The Coast and Castles & Vines tours, if only for the fact that our Cape to Cape Epic Ride is more like the entire buffet for the senses. Set sail along the coast of Sesimbra, a colorful fishing village nestled within the Parque Natural Arrábida and pedal along, high above the azure waters of the Baia de Setúbal, encountering an ancient Roman town market, and dine on the freshest seafood dishes in Europe, before turning inward, retreating to the folkloric tranquility of the Alentejan plains. Each hill brings a new castle surrounded by a cluster of the traditional archetypical white villages. The older generations watch you leave town a few days later, from their place on an antique wooden bench, balancing carefully against a stucco wall on the shady side of the narrow street. The smell of wildflowers and fresh baking pão com chouriço linger in your mind as you make your turn back toward the coast, and down toward the Algarve and a waiting community of charming fishing villages. Small colored birds sing from cages above the doors of locals, providing backing vocals to the oceans rhythmic tides. Your epic journey comes to a rest at the end of continental Europe, in the Vila de Sagres, the legendary launch point and sailing school for the Infante Henriques and the Portuguese explorers. The ride is truly of epic proportion, but the scale is private and familiar. We're confident you'll make a few friends along the way.

Tour Dates 2008 – offered year round as self-guided.
Average distance daily: 15-35 miles /25-60 Km
Tour Length: 13-days/12-nights
Price: 3480€ Self-Guided
Single Supplement: 1080€
Rooms: Self-Guided and Guided tour prices based on double occupancy rooms
Includes: Bicycle & equipment rental, accommodations, route maps and daily cue cards, communication device, road service, all breakfasts, luggage storage, insurance, BlueCoastBikes T-shirt
Accommodations: castles & historic manor homes, Portugese countryside villas

www.bluecoastbikes.com
tours@bluecoastbikes.com

3-Day Coastal Express

Our three-day tours feature many of the great highlights found on our coastal route, but are designed so you may enjoy a cycling adventure and feel the Atlantic winds at your back within a shorter time frame. We've mapped out a route within the heart of Costa Azul, the Arrabida coastal park region, which takes you through vineyards and castle courtyards, and along some of the great country pathways past the carefree flocks of sheep, quietly chewing away on fields of fresh green grass. On day two, coast along the mixture of cobalt and turquoise waters that make up the breathtaking Baia Setúbal. You'll stay in the same first-rate accommodations as our larger signature tours, which will include at least one historic castle from Pousadas of Portugal, and a selection from the array of traditionally exquisite manor homes and countryside villas. Taste some of the wines from the region's best producers, and spend some time in the shady olive groves on a 3-day Blue Coast Bikes Express tour.

Tour Dates 2008 – offered year round as self-guided or guided
Average distance daily: 15-35 miles /25-60 Km; Some days with longer options.
Tour Length: 3-days/2-nights
Price: 485€ Self-Guided / 635€ Guided
Single Supplement: 180€
Rooms: Self-Guided and Guided tour prices based on double occupancy rooms
Includes: Bicycle & equipment rental, accommodations, route maps and daily cue cards, communication device, road service, all breakfasts, luggage storage, insurance, BlueCoastBikes T-shirt
Accommodations: castles & historic manor homes, Portugese countryside villas
Minimum Participants Self-Guided/Guided: 1/2
Maximum Participants: 16 people

www.bluecoastbikes.com
tours@bluecoastbikes.com

For other tours please see their respective sections in the menu of this website

Blue Coast Bikes Promotions For 2008

Gift Certificates

For birthdays or holidays, or just because, give the gift of fresh air, sunshine and great memories by offering those close to you a gift certificate toward any Blue Coast Bikes week-long or 3-day Express tour. Simply email us at info@bluecoastbikes.com and let us know how much to make out the certificate for, we'll send you a secure link for payment through PayPal, followed by this we'll send out your gift certificate in the desired amount.*

*Certificates may be purchased in increments of 100€

Travel Industry Specials

We also offer special Travel Professional Preview Discounts for those in the industry of travel, whether its publishing and journalism, or travel agencies or other related promotional venues.

If you are interested in promoting our tours through your agency, and want to know more about what we can offer you, please contact Aaron for marketing and public relations acgafner@bluecoastbikes.com

Family & Corporate Specials

Ask us about how you can bring a group on a Blue Coast Bikes Portugal tour and save with big discounts. Discount rates start at groups of five or more people, up to our maximum of 16. The more you bring, the more you save! Contact us at tours@bluecoastbikes.com

Blue Coast Bikes 2008 Tour Schedule

Essence Of The Coast - Costa Azul
November 3-9
7 days/6 nights with first rate accommodations and meals, bike rental & guides

Alentejo Sun Coast - Costa Azul / Costa Vicentina
September 29-October 5
7 days/6 nights with first rate accommodations and meals, bike rental & guides

Castles & Vines - Alentejo
September 15-21
7 days/6 nights with first rate accommodations and meals, bike rental & guides

The above tours are also available throughout the year as Self-Guided tours.

Cape to Cape Epic Tour
13 days/12 nights
Available year round as a self-guided tour

For more information please visit the individual tour sections of this website, and the Blue Coast Bikes Experience, Testimonials, and Destination Portugal sections from the menu to the left.

Travel agents and members of the press may contact Aaron at acgafner@bluecoastbikes.com to find out more about discounts, agent commissions and special preview packages available.

Thank you for your interest.