The Alentejo
Heritage and Wine Route
This
trip is designed with the more adventurous cyclist in mind.
It covers some of the most beautiful and unspoilt landscape
the Alentejo has to offer. In spring the plains come to
life in a colorful mosaic of wildflowers; by harvest time
in autumn, the air is heady with the mingled perfumes of
grapes and wine.
The Alentejo
is a remarkably well-preserved region
not only in terms of its landscape,
heritage and architecture, but also
for its culture and tradition - and
we'll make sure you experience these
at their best. The entire region is
dotted with charming rural hotels and
guesthouses, while the traditional
cuisine — which mixes meat and
shellfish — is best enjoyed in
one of the region's countless tascas,
and the local wine and atmosphere make
all the difference.
Our tours allow
the visitor to decide what to do and
try each day, whether it's a spot of
wine tasting at a local winery, or
a trip to a craft workshop, where you
may want to try your hand at red-clay
molding and painting! We can also organize
guided outings to internationally-renowned
castles, monuments, and palaces. Or,
you might prefer one of our other options,
like a day's foot hiking or a jeep
safari!
Price includes: 8 days, 7
nights accommodation with breakfast, 5 dinners w/ wine or
beer, 6 picnics, guide, daily itinerary details, back-up
vehicle w/ luggage shuttling and transfer from/to Lisboa.
Day-by-day details
Day 1
Early afternoon:
Transfer from Lisboa to Évora.
Afternoon: Bikes and equipment assigned to participants,
followed by walk to this UNESCO - World Heritage town.
Evening: Welcome Dinner.
(D)
Day 2
Morning:
Departure, you will start this tour
by visiting megalithic monuments and
Roman ruins sites en route to Arraiolos,
which is renown for its tapestries.
(25 k/16 m, 45k/28 m or 80 k/50 m)
(B) (L) (D)
Day 3
Leaving Arraiolos and riding on a fertile flat valley
you will see beautiful cork trees.
In Redondo, you might visit a red clay pottery workshop. Dinner in a traditional
tasca!
(60 k/37 m)
(B) (L) (D)
Day 4
Approaching Vila Viçosa, you
will come to understand why marble is called "white
gold". Then visit the Ducal Palace, the former residence
of the Dynasty of Bragança.
(25 k/16 m)
(B) (L)
Day 5
You will ride
past amazing olive groves and incredible
megalithic monuments before entering
the whitewashed hilltop village of
Monsaraz, a medieval fortified village
with its charming cobblestoned streets,
all leading to great vistas!
(50 k/31 m or 75 k/47 m)
(B) (L) (D)
Day 6
You will ride scenic roads to Évora
through vineyards, olive and cork groves. The pottery town
may be an option for some useful souvenir shopping. Nice
whitewashed villages are hidden in rolling hills some covered
with beautiful sunflowers.
Suddenly you will see Évora from afar!
(60 k/37 m)
(B) (L)
Day 7
Free day for relaxing by the pool,
shopping and sightseeing in Évora.
In the evenning Farewell Dinner.
Option: Ride in the
area of Évora.
(50 k/31 m)
(B) (L) (D)
Day 8
Morning transfer from Évora
to Lisboa
(B)
Next
ride
