Cycling in Portugal - Castles and Wines by About Dreams

ALENTEJO CASTLES AND WINES CYCLING IN PORTUGAL GUIDED OR SELF-GUIDED BIKE TOURS

HIGHLIGHTS Sleep in castles, palaces and farmhouses

Beautiful landscape with vineyards, olive groves, cork oaks Wine tasting and very good Alentejo wine Cycling through impressive heritage Ă&#x2030;vora historical centre, classified by UNESCO as World Heritage Site

Fantastic gastronomy of Portugal and Alentejo Medieval villages

This is a tour where there is a true combination of cycling and discovery, and you can be sure to leave Portugal with a much richer knowledge of our region! Along your cycling days you will visit castles, churches, artisans, wine producers and typical family owned cafés. The landscape changes from olive groves to vineyards and cork oaks, from granite to schist and to marble. The accommodation suggested is mostly in palaces, convents, castles or lovely farms. You'll feel you're sleeping like queens and kings! You start in the small village of Alvito, very famous for its manueline architecture, and from there cycle to Évora, impressive city classified by UNESCO as World Heritage Site. In Évora you’ll explore the megalithic monuments. Continue to Monsaraz, the lovely white castled village with a panoramic view over the biggest artificial lake of Europe, and cycle through Terena and its impressive sanctuary. The tour then goes to Vila Viçosa, where you can visit the famous Ducal Palace, and finishes in Estremoz, the city of the «white gold» (marble). The days are relaxing and easy. You’ll do between 35 and 50km. Roads are mostly undulating. This means that you rarely have big climbs, but go slightly up and down several times. We mix some dirt roads with asphalt, but most of the tour is on asphalt. The dirt road conations give the tour a special link to nature.

ITINERARY

ITINERARY 1ST DAY | ARRIVAL Arrival to airport Transfer to Alvito 6 p.m | Welcome drink and first briefing

Dinner at local restaurant or at the Pousada do Alvito (included)

ACCOMMODATION: Residencial Varanda (standard) or Pousada do Castelo de Alvito, built in a castle (charm)

ALVITO

ALVITO The Alvito village shows the wealth of the past, revealed by the beauty of its monuments and the greatness of its history, with such buildings as the Mother Church, the chapel of São Sebastião, the marvellous Solar de Água de Peixe, which were decorated to the tastes of the Manueline style. The Alvito castle is a building of an architectural mixture between military and mansion, where you can find Islamic, gothic and Manueline influences.

ALVITO

ITINERARY 2ND DAY | HAMLET’S ROUTE CYCLING FROM ALVITO TO ÉVORA We start by riding through Alvito, famous for its several buildings with manueline architecture. We pass through several tiny lovely hamlets, where life goes by at the slow Alentejo pace, and then ride to the village of Viana do Alentejo. We take a transfer to Évora to have some time to visit this beautiful city, classified by UNESCO as World Heritage Site. Tranfer from the sanctuary of Viana do Alentejo to Évora.

BASE KMS: 35 TOTAL ASCENT: 400 MTS LEVEL: EASY TERRAIN: UNDULATING ROADS. SOME DIRT ROADS Dinner at local restaurant (included) ACCOMMODATION: Best western Santa Clara***(standard) OR Monte do Serrado de Baixo, lovely guesthouse, with swimming pool (charm) *Optional extra kms to ride until Évora: 25 kms **Optional extra ascent: 240 mts

Ă&#x2030;VORA Capital of Alto Alentejo, city of an outstanding beauty, embraced by its fortress walls, filled with historic memories in each street, each home, each inhabitantâ&#x20AC;ŚIts squares and monuments tell us national history, religion and culture episodes and its townsfolk are proud of both past and present times. The natural beauty of this region combines with the monumental richness of this town-museum that nowadays is also a modern and touristy city, classified by UNESCO, since 1986, World Heritage.

ÉVORA

VIANA DO ALENTEJO ALJEZUR BEACH

ITINERARY 3RD DAY | MEGALITHIC ROUTE CYCLING AROUND ÉVORA Today we visit some of the most important megalithic monuments of the region. The landscape is lovely, with a lot of holm oak and cork trees. We will visit the Dolmen of Zambugeiro – biggest in Europe, the Cromlech of Almendres, and the roman ruins of Tourega. In the afternoon we cycle in the city of Évora and discover the amazing history of this beautiful city.

BASE KMS: 45 KMS, IF YOU SLEEP IN ÉVORA. ALSO 45 KMS, IF YOU SLEPT AT THE GUESTHOUSE, WITH A TRANSFER IN THE BEGINNING OF DAY TOTAL ASCENT: 500 MTS LEVEL: EASY+ TERRAIN: FLAT TERRAIN, SOME DIRT ROADS

Dinner not included Accommodation in same hotel in Évora

CROMELEQUE DOS ALMENDRES

ITINERARY 4TH DAY | THE VALLEY OF THE DEGEBE RIVER CYCLING FROM ÉVORA TO REGUENGOS DE MONSARAZ

You ride between olive groves to reach the small and traditional village of Nossa Srª de Machede. Here you should stop for a drink, visit the leather factory and an olive mill (when in season). Then you´ll pass the Castle of Valongo and visit a cheese factory in Reguengos de Monsaraz. Arriving to Reguengos de Monsaraz you can do some wine tasting in a winery. BASE KMS: 50 (IF YOU SLEPT IN ÉVORA) 57 KMS (IF YOU SLEPT AT QUINTA DO SERRADO GUESTHOUSE) TOTAL ASCENT: 500 MTS LEVEL: EASY+ TERRAIN: UNDULATING ROADS ACOMMODATION: Solar de Alqueva, a nice manor house

In district of Evora, the city of Reguengos de Monsaraz is located next to Lake Alqueva and is an ideal meeting point for all those who love the Alentejo nature and peace. In addition to the existing heritage, the region offers magnificent scenery. In your script make sure to include the medieval Village of Monsaraz and the village of S達o Pedro do Corval, with their crafts and pottery. Free of crime and with a good ambient, the location stands out for its wide range leisure activities and nightlife, where the wines and good loca gastronomy are clearly present.

REGUENGOS DE MONSARAZ

VALONGO CASTLE

ITINERARY 5TH DAY | CONQUEST OF THE CASTLE OF MONSARAZ CYCLING FROM REGUENGOS TO MONSARAZ We will visit the famous pottery village of S. Pedro do Corval, where you can see the men working the clay, transforming it into beautiful pots and plates, and the ladies painting them with flowers. Then, we conquer the gorgeous village of Monsaraz, built in a castle on top of a hill. From Monsaraz youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll take in the beautiful view over the lake of the Alqueva dam, the biggest artificial lake of Europe. We have lunch by the lake (included in guided tours only), and then cycle to our lovely hotel on time to enjoy the pool.

BASE KMS: 35 KMS TOTAL ASCENT: 380 MTS LEVEL: EASY EXCEPT THE CLIMB TO MONSARAZ TERRAIN: FLAT ROADS, WITH ONE ASCENT TO THE CASTLE

Dinner at local restaurant (included) ACCOMMODATION: Hotel Rural Horta da Moura****, a charming hotel

MONSARAZ Monsaraz is a tiny fairytale walled village that maintains a delightful medieval atmosphere. It was originally fortified by the Knights Templar, and today its 150 or so permanent residents live in ancient white houses with outdoor staircases and wrought-iron balconie.

MONSARAZ

ITINERARY 6TH DAY | THE SANCTUARY ROUTE CYCLING FROM MONSARAZ TO VILA VIÇOSA

We leave the schist land and discover the marble kingdom. We start by visiting the impressive sanctuary of Nossa Srª da Boa Nova and the flowery village of Terena. After, we pass by the moon like landscape of the marble quarries of Bencatel area, from where the «white gold» was extracted to build gorgeous cities such as Estremoz and Borba. We arrive at Vila Viçosa, a favourite resting place for many kings who were followed by many noble people who built beautiful manor houses in the area. BASE KMS: 50 KMS TOTAL ASCENT: 680 MTS LEVEL: MEDIUM TERRAIN: UNDULATING, WITH SOME CLIMBING Dinner at local restaurant (included) ACCOMMODATION: Solar dos Mascarenhas*** manor house in Vila Viçosa, with swimming pool (standard) OR Pousada D. João IV, built in a palace, with swimming pool (charm)

VILA VIÇOSA

Vila Viçosa has always been rightly considered a jewel in the treasure chest of Alentejo, so it is hardly surprising to find that it has often been included in royal dowries and endowments. Dona Brites, the wife of King Afonso IV, was the first to receive it as a wedding present, followed by Leonor Teles, King Fernando's lover who was hated by the people of Lisbon, and was later presented to Nuno Álvares Pereira. There is much natural and man made beauty in town, which covers an area of less than 200 square km. It is easy to reach the conclusion that the natural beauty inspired men to continue to be creative, as the town's rich cultural heritage would not have been enlarged and improved as it has been over the centuries.

VILA NOVA DE MILFONTES FISHING HARBOR

VILA VIÇOSA

PAÇO DUCAL DE VILA VIÇOSA VILA NOVA DE MILFONTES FISHING HARBOR

ITINERARY 7TH DAY | THE MARBLE ROUTE CYCLING FROM VILA VIÇOSA TO ESTREMOZ We start by visiting the fabulous Ducal Palace of Vila Viçosa and the marble museum (tickets included on guided tours only). In Borba, we will visit one of those typical local cafés where the wine served is produced at the clay pots that decorate the space. It’s the local «hand made wine». Then in Glória we visit the Church of Nossa Srª dos Martires, a marble gothic church. Arriving to Estremoz you’ll be impressed by the beautiful architecture and the imposing tower of the castle where you will sleep! BASE KMS: 35 KMS TOTAL ASCENT: 680 MTS - POSSIBLE TO CUT OUT SOME OF THESE CLIMBS EVEN ON A GROUP TOUR LEVEL: MEDIUM TERRAIN: UNDULATING, WITH SOME CLIMBING Dinner at local restaurant (included) ACCOMMODATION

Hostal D. Dinis, in the historical center (standard) Pousada Rainha Stª Isabel, built in a palace, with swimming pool (charm)

ESTREMOZ

During the ownership of Queen Santa Isabel, who died here in 1336, Estremoz became one of the main political centres of that reign, offering advice to important figures and being the private stage for royal politics during the end of the first dynasty. At the beginning of the twentieth century the grouping of the castle, the village walls, the so called Torre das Couraรงas (Towers of Armour) and the Queen Santa Chapel were classified as a National Monument since 1910.

ESTREMOZ MARBLE

ITINERARY 8TH DAY | DEPARTURE TRANSFER TO LISBON AIRPORT

NOTES On Guided Tours you will always have one of our experiment guides with you, and you don't need to worry about anything, just enjoy and appreciate the landscape.. On Self Guided Cycling Tours we expect you to be an independent rider. You will receive from us the necessary tools to change a flat tire and all the route instructions you need to follow the itinerary by your self. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll receive history notes and recommendations of good places to eat. With our expert recommendations youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be able to have a rewarding and unforgettable holiday. And, of course, we will always be available through our cell phones, to help you with anything.

THE BIKES Our bikes are specialized cross trail bikes. You are very welcome to bring your own bike. Please consult us to see if your bike is good for the terrain of the tour you chose. We use mix tires. They are good for asphalt but also for dirt roads in good condition. Our bikes were chosen because they are the best for the type of cycling tours we do. You will love cycling in Portugal riding them.

Specialized Body Geometry XC saddle with front and rear bumpers for off-road durability A1 Premium Aluminum frame with ORE down tube and low standover for lightweight confidence on both dirt and pavement. Front and rear V-brakes provide easily ajustable, uncomplicated stopping power 75mm-travel coil-sprung fork with alloy lowers allows this hybrid to go off-road with ease High-volume Specialized Borough XC Sport 700c tires roll fast, yet have enough bite for the trail. (ask us for more details)

PRICES INCLUDED IN THE TOUR PRICE Guides all over the journey (in guided tour option) Transfers in/out Accommodation with breakfast Luggage transfers Emergency contacts 24h/day (in self-guided tour option) Maps, route descriptions and history notes Souvenir Personal accident and third party insurance VAT tax

NOT INCLUDED Bicycle for 6 days with tool kit, front bag and back rack Entrance fee at Bones Chapel, in Évora Entrance fee at Cathedral, in Évora Entrance fee at Ducal Palace, in Vila Viçosa