Frequently Asked Questions 

General

Will I be comfortable visiting the guest house by myself?

Yes, you will be totally comfortable from the moment you arrive. Because we are a small guest house there is a home-from-home atmosphere which makes it very easy to mix and share experiences with ourselves and other guests.

How fit do I have to be?

No one should feel they need to do more than they want, all activities are tailored to suit individual needs.

Do you provide maps for guests to use?

Yes. Although we offer free guided rides we can also provide detailed route maps for your use and discuss the routes in full and answer any questions before you embark on your training session.

What happens if I get lost, have a mechanical problem or injury whilst out. Can you collect me?

Yes. We provide all guests with our contact details on a card which they can carry whilst out training. If they encounter any technical problems or injuries then they can telephone us and, where necessary, we will pick them up. This may incur a small contribution towards fuel.

Can my non-riding spouse/companion come and stay at Delucci Retreat?

Absolutely. There are several off-road trails and quiet roads directly outside the retreat which are ideal for walkers.  There is also a freshwater mountain swimming pool nearby with picnic area and restaurant which is an ideal place to relax in the hot summer months. There are many other activities and places of interest within diving distance. Please see our Relaxation & Leisure page for further information.

We would highly recommend hiring a car to get the most out of your visit, but transport can be arranged on request to nearby locations.

How do I get medical cover for travelling abroad from the NHS?

UK residents should ensure that they apply for a European Health Insurance Card (this has replaced Form E111). You can apply on line for the free card from the NHS website. The application takes just 5 minutes and you will be sent your card in 7 days.


Do you accommodate children?

Children over the age of 11 are welcome. We do not have the facilities to cater for young children and babies.


Are people allowed to smoke in the house?

For the enjoyment and health of all guests, we have a completely non-smoking policy.

Do you allow pets?

For the comfort of our guests, we do not accept pets.


Do I need to bring indoor shoes?

You may wish to bring a pair of slippers or flipflops for your own comfort as we have tiled floors throughout.

Is there a good selection of restaurants locally?

Yes, there are several good restaurants in Miranda do Corvo, all of which are very reasonably priced.


Is it easy to take my bike on an aeroplane?

Yes. Your bike will need to be protected in either: a bike bag / box which can be bought or hired from your local bike shop; or cardboard bike boxes (that new bikes are supplied in from manufacture) which can be obtained from your local bike shop for free if you ask nicely. To pack the bike, you will need to take the wheels and pedals off and turn the handlebars 90 degrees. Pack clothes around the bike to protect it or go to B&Q and buy some pipe lagging for a couple of pounds to protect the tubes.
You will need to check with the airline to determine the weight allowance. For some airlines, such as Easyjet and RyanAir you will be required to pay an additional amount of money per flight to cover sports goods. If you need help to assemble the bike on arrival, we will be happy to help.
Back to the top


________________________________________

Training


Do you have bikes I can hire?

Yes, we offer bike hire and have a good selection of Specialised road bikes for hire during your stay. 
NB: Please bring with you your helmet, shoes and pedals. 
Unfortunately we do not offer mountain bike hire but there are extensive off-road trails if you wish to bring your own mountain bike. 


Do you have a bike workshop?

Yes, we have a bike workshop with all the most common tools needed for building your bike on arrival plus tools needed for maintenance and basic repairs.


Do you stock bike spares?

We stock common spares such as inner tubes, chains, cables and brake blocks for road bikes and mountain bikes. Gary would be more than happy to help you with replacing any of these items if you have any unexpected bike problems. We also stock energy drinks, gels and water bottles.


What types of cycling are available in the area?

We have everything directly on the doorstep. Climbs up to 4000ft or flat roads towards the Atlantic coast. See our Training tab for more information.  Mountain biking is also excellent with miles of forest trails to explore.


What clothing should I bring?

Standard summer cycling clothing plus arm and leg warmers and a light gilet should be more than adequate.


What type of running kit will I need?

Standard summer running kit plus a pair of road shoes and trail shoes.


Do you have wetsuits I can hire?

Yes. We have a selection of Speedo wetsuits available for hire during your stay.


What can I do when I'm not training?

In addition to relaxing in the sheltered courtyard at the retreat, there are many other options for you to choose from on your rest days.  There are several off-road trails and quiet mountain roads to explore directly from the retreat and there is also a freshwater mountain swimming pool nearby with picnic area and restaurant which is an ideal place to relax in the hot summer months. There are many other activities and places of interest within diving distance. Please see our Relaxation & Leisure page for further information.

We would highly recommend hiring a car to get the most out of your visit, but transport can be arranged on request to nearby locations.

________________________________________


Booking & Payment


How do I book?

See our Prices and Booking page or send an email enquiry to flash@delucci.co.uk.

What if I cancel after paying my deposit?

You should notify us by email that you wish to cancel your holiday. In the event of you cancelling the deposit is non-refundable. We will return any other balance you may have paid. We recommend that you take out relevant travel insurance to cover such events.


How and when do I pay the balance?

Payment of the balance is due before your departure. We accept either: Sterling cheque, Sterling internet bank transfer, Euro cheque drawn on a Portuguese bank or Euro cash. Unfortunately, we do not have facilities to accept credit or debit cards.

Payment for any transport costs during your stay is payable in cash euros and can be paid on the final day of your stay.

________________________________________


Accommodation


Are linen and towels provided?

Yes, we change linen weekly and towels twice weekly.  However, you should bring your own towel for use outside the guest house, i.e. around lakes, beaches and swimming pools.


Are there clothes washing facilities?

No, but we hope to have facilities in the near future. For any hand-washed items we can provide a drying rack on request.


For any meals - what if I have special dietary requirements?

Please let us know if you have any special dietary requirements so that we can cater for you. If you do not tell us until you arrive, then we may not be able to accommodate your dietary needs.