One day in Alentejo by About Dreams

short trip

ONE DAY IN ALENTEJO

OPTION 1. TOUR ESPORﾃグ

HERDADE DO ESPORﾃグ

Situated in Reguengos de Monsaraz, Herdade do Esporão is a place that exudes history. Its roots date back to the pre-historic times of megalithic cultures and the Bronze Age. However, even during the Roman occupation, the wines of the Esporão settlement were exported throughout the Empire. At the heart of this estate, and in the scorching Alentejo heat, we find the Esporão Fortified Enclosure, which includes the Nossa Senhora dos Remédios Chapel and a curious fortified gate, with a winding staircase that leads up to the ramparts. Known for it’s extraordinary wines and olive oils, this is a visit that will show you a new world of flavors.

HERDADE DO ESPORÃO

TOUR ESPORÃO

TOUR ESPORﾃグ

MONSARAZ

This extremely beautiful mediaeval town has succeeded in preserving its own distinctive characteristics over the centuries. Walking through the streets of Monsaraz is like going back in time, for it is a truly unique place where one can find all the peace and tranquillity that have been forgotten by the modern era. The most immediate visual impression in the town is that of the whitewash and schist of its houses and buildings. Every year, throughout the month of July, Monsaraz becomes an open-air museum, affording visitors the opportunity to get to know more about the customs and habits used in the production of Alentejo handicraft, appreciate the delights of the regional cuisine and enjoy the various cultural events that are held there, including music, theatre, dance and art exhibitions. As far as the town's architectural heritage is concerned, the highlights are the mediaeval castle and keep, the former court building (built between the fourteenth and the sixteenth centuries) and the parish church of Nossa Senhora da Lagoa (dating from the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries).

SÃO PEDRO DO CORVAL S.Pedro do Corval, is widely known for its handmade pottery. With about 35 pottery factories São Pedro do Corval is known as the Capital of Pottery, and it’s the Portuguese largest pottery centre. This is a calm, pleasant village where you’ll have the opportunity to see and make pottery. After being molded, painted and glassed by the potter, clay pieces are fired two times at very high temperatures. Some of the most famous pots are actually taller than human beings. These pots dry in the sun. Plates are also well-known, depicting rural themes. One of the biggest pottery centres in the country is located in Corval, based upon a family-run economy.

TOUR ESPORÃO

Ă&#x2030;VORA Evora, 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. Inhabited since the Neolithic period, the archaeological landscape that surrounds the city presents important monuments, such as the Cromeleque dos Almendres (cromlech) and the Anta Grande do Zambujeiro (dolmen). Many were the ancient people that have been here, but the Romans were those who transformed Evora into an imperial town. They called it Ebora, named after Julio Cesar as Liberalitas Julia, and left several signs of their passage, from which the roman temple, known improperly as "Templo de Diana", stands out.

TOUR ESPORĂ&#x192;O

OPTION 1. TOUR ESPORÃO 9H30 - DEPARTURE TOWARDS REGUENGOS DE MONSARAZ 10H30 - ARRIVAL TO HERDADE DO ESPORÃO | GUIDED TOUR TO THE VINEYARDS AND WINERY AND WINE TASTING, INCLUDING FOUR WINES (ESPORÃO RESERVA RED AND WHITE AND PRIVATE SELECTION RED AND WHITE) | OLIVE OIL TASTING , INLCUDING FOUR TYPES OF OLIVE OIL (VIRGEM EXTRA DA HERDADE DO ESPORÃO) 13H00 – DEPARTURE TO A TYPICAL RESTAURANTE TO HAVE LUCH AND TASTE THE WONDERFUL ALENTEJO FLAVORS 15H00 – DEPARTURE TO MONSARAZ | VISIT TO SÃO PEDRO DO CORVAL POTTERY’S | GUIDED TOUR TO MONSARAZ VILLAGE 17H30 – DEPARTURE TO ÉVORA 18H30 -GUIDED TOUR TO THE HISTORICAL CITY CENTER, UNESCO’S WORLD HERITAGE | EVENING TIDBIT AT A TYPICAL BAR TO DRINK A GIN OR A WINEGLASS AND ENJOY THE ALENTEJO SUNSET

21H00 – RETURN

OPTION 2. TOUR RAVASQUEIRA

HERDADE DO ESPORﾃグ

MONTE DA RAVASQUEIRA

OPTION 2. TOUR RAVASQUEIRA

Monte da Ravasqueira has been linked to the José de Mello family for several generations. Located in the municipality of Arraiolos, the estate occupies a vast area of typical Alentejan landscape. It is managed and run by Sociedade Agrícola D. Diniz, SA. The excellent geological conditions and the climate are well suited to the production of some of the best wine that the Alentejo has to offer. A great deal has been invested in planting vines and also in modern winemaking equipment and in meteorological and plant-health facilities. Investment at Monte da Ravasqueira has also been directed at the infrastructures of an Enotourism project. Monte da Ravasqueira is committed to the production of distinctive quality wines, while it is also engaged in a number or other activities involving the production of cork, olive oil and honey, as well as rearing fine cattle and fattening of black pig from Alentejo. Vineyard Monte da Ravasqueira offers a wide variety of wines resulting from 29 plots of vines. Carriage Driving Museum As part of its oenotourism project, Monte da Ravasqueira has a large private collection of harnesses and carriages of various eras and styles. The Carriage Driving Museum is also a way of recalling the fact that the 1996 World Carriage Driving Championship was won by Félix Brasseur, with Falcão, Fogoso, Favorito and Fraque, Lusitanian thoroughbreds from the stud farm that existed for many years on Monte da Ravasqueira. Winery Inspired on California’s Napa Valley, Monte da Ravasqueira’s winery is provided with the latest technology. It is run entirely using software developed inhouse at Monte da Ravasqueira. There are also meeting rooms and wine-tasting facilities.

OPTION 2. TOUR RAVASQUEIRA

EVORA

Evora, 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. Inhabited since the Neolithic period, the archaeological landscape that surrounds the city presents important monuments, such as the Cromeleque dos Almendres (cromlech) and the Anta Grande do Zambujeiro (dolmen). Many were the ancient people that have been here, but the Romans were those who transformed Evora into an imperial town. They called it Ebora, named after Julio Cesar as Liberalitas Julia, and left several signs of their passage, from which the roman temple, known improperly as "Templo de Diana", stands out.

OPTION 2. TOUR RAVASQUEIRA 09H30- DEPARTURE TOWARDS ARRAIOLOS 10H00 – ARRIVAL TO MONTE DA RAVASQUEIRA IN ARRAIOLOS | GUIDED TOUR AND WINE, OLIVE OIL AND HONEY TASTING | VISIT TO THE LARGEST PRIVATE COLLECTION OF HARNESSES AND CARRIAGES OF VARIOUS ERAS AND STYLES. 12H30 - DEPARTURE TO ÉVORA 13H00 - LUNCH AT TYPICAL RESTAURANT ON THE TO TASTE THE EXTRAORDINARY ALENTEJO GASTRONOMY 15H30 - GUIDED TOUR TO THE HISTORICAL CITY CENTER, UNESCO’S WORLD HERITAGE 18H00 – RETURN

OPTION 3. TOUR CARTUXA

HERDADE DO ESPORﾃグ

CARTUXA WINERY Two kilometres from World Heritage denominated city of Evora, and 200 metres from the Cartuxa Monastery from which it takes its name, the Cartuxa Wine Tourism Centre is located at Quinta de Valbom, the former refectory of the retreat for the Jesuits who taught at the University of Evora in the 16th and 17th centuries. When the Jesuits were expelled in 1759 by the then Prime Minister, Marquês de Pombal, the property was taken over by the state. In 1776 it took on a new function as a significant wine cellar producing wines from the region’s grapes. Acquired in the 19th century by the family of Eugénio de Almeida, the Adega Cartuxa (Cartuxa Winery) has undergone various renovations and extensions over the years, but never at the cost of its rich history and architecture. Adega Cartuxa – Quinta de Valbom is now the cellar for aging wines produced by the Eugénio de Almeida Foundation. The success of this winegrowing venture generates the necessary funds to allow the Foundation to fulfill its mission of social, cultural and educational development in the region.

OPTION 3. TOUR CARTUXA

OPTION 3. TOUR CARTUXA Ă&#x2030;VORA Evora, 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. Inhabited since the Neolithic period, the archaeological landscape that surrounds the city presents important monuments, such as the Cromeleque dos Almendres (cromlech) and the Anta Grande do Zambujeiro (dolmen). Many were the ancient people that have been here, but the Romans were those who transformed Evora into an imperial town. They called it Ebora, named after Julio Cesar as Liberalitas Julia, and left several signs of their passage, from which the roman temple, known improperly as "Templo de Diana", stands out.

OPTION 3. TOUR CARTUXA

09H30- DEPARTURE TOWARDS ADEGA CARTUXA 10H00 – ARRIVAL TO QUINTA DE VALBOM (CARTUXA) | GUIDED TOUR AND WINE TASTING 12H00 - DEPARTURE TO ÉVORA 12H30 - LUNCH AT A VERY TYPICAL RESTAURANT TO TASTE THE ALENTEJO FLAVORS 15H00 - GUIDED TOUR TO THE HISTORICAL CITY CENTER, UNESCO’S WORLD HERITAGE 18H00 – RETURN

TIPS

INCLUDED ABOUT DREAMS EXCLUSIVE AND CUSTOMIZED ESCORT TRANSPORT DURING THE WHOLE TOUR FROM AND TO THE REQUESTED HOTEL ALL THE MEALS MENTIONED IN THE ITINERARY THE ACTIVITIES AND VISITS REPORTED IN THE ITINERARY PERSONAL ACCIDENT INSURANCE. THE CERTAINTY OF EXPERIENCES THAT WILL MAKE THIS AN UNIQUE DAY IN ALENTEJO

NOT INCLUDED PERSONAL EXPENSES.

Clothes according the time of year. Usually, in the summer the south of the country is very hot.: pretty fresh cloth in the Summer is our suggestion. This visits are rich in landscapes, culture, and history. It is one of the prettiest regions of Portugal that you will want to carry. Count on memory cards, because you will lots of pictures. Portugal is a friendly country, with nice and welcoming people. In the villages and small towns it is still usual to leave the doors and windows opened and in the big cities, with a cosmopolitan environment, we also feel very safe and the walks on the streets are very pleasant moments. Alentejo gastronomy is very rich. There are the refined and quality wines and the incomparable confectionary. You will have the opportunity to enjoy amazing flavors and fragrances. You must bring a refined taste! We are a region with many traditions, with a rich history of many centuries, unique and welcoming. Observe, feel, smell and taste, let yourself go through Alentejo. And then return soon!

PRICES ON REQUEST