Portugal, Wines and Olive Oils by About Dreams

short trip

PORTUGAL, WINES AND OLIVE OILS

Portugal is a genuine country that reveals itself in unforgettable roads of flavors, colors and traditions, in fabulous and unique places, since scenic villages to cosmopolitan cities. Alentejo, a calm region which communicates a profound feeling of relaxation, result of the millennial endurance of men, which always worked on the land for their livelihood. The countryÂ´s best wines and olive oils are from Alentejo, which we will know on this travel, served at tables to accompany enogastronomic lunches, authentic flavor festivals. PORTUGAL

ITINERARY

Day 1 Arrival to Lisbon Lisbon Tour in Minibus (Belém and Parque das Nações) Transfer to Évora Évora City Tour Lunch at Restaurant “Jardim do Paço” in Évora Visit to “Adega da Cartuxa” Winery, to see the wine production process and to taste their fabulous wines Dinner and accommodation at the Hotel you have chosen

Day 2 Morning check out towards Ferreira do Alentejo to visit the biggest Portugal Oil Mill, “Herdade do Marmelo” Guided Tour into the Oil Mill, where you will have the possibility to know all the process of production of one of the best Portuguese Olive Oils, “Oliveira da Serra” Check out to “Herdade dos Grous”, in Albernoa Lunch at “Herdade dos Grous” with wine tasting during the meal After lunch , Tour over the “Herdade dos Grous”, to know all their productions – wines, cattle-raising and vegetables

PORTUGAL Visit to the winery to know the process of production and distribution of these wines Visit to their fantastic “Vila Vita” Hotel Transfer back to Évora Dinner and accommodation at the Hotel you have chosen

Day 3

Morning check out towards Reguengos de Monsaraz Visit to CARMIM, the biggest Alentejo Winery, with na extraordinary production to export to several countries all over the world, including China Lunch at “Restaurante Aloendro” in Reguengos de Monsaraz Transportation to “Herdade do Esporão”, to visit the wineyards and the winery , and to taste their internacionally known wines and olive oils Check out towards Lisbon End of About Dreams Services

LISBON

Portugal, Wine s and Olive Oils | Day 1

Portugal, Wines and Olive Oils | Day 1

Lisbon is an illuminated city. The almost constant presence of sunshine and the River Tagus transforms the Portuguese capital into a mirror of a thousand colors - highlighting the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unique architecture and beauty. Ancient but at the same time very cosmopolitan and modern, there are so many things to see and do in Lisbon that visitors have access to a wide array of different experiences. As we walk through Lisbon - whose history spans back thousands of years â&#x20AC;&#x201C; we find streets filled with heritage monuments, and characteristic neighborhoods where the city first developed and can still be experienced at its most genuine level.

Portugal, Wines and Olive Oils | Day 1

ÉVORA

Évora, capital of Alto Alentejo, city of an outstanding beauty, embraced by its fortress walls, filled with historic memories in each street, each home, each inhabitant…Its 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. Many were the ancient people that have been here, but the Romans were those who transformed Évora 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 stands out.

ADEGA DA CARTUXA | ÉVORA

Two kilometers from World Heritage denominated city of Évora, and 200 meters 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.

Portugal, Wines and Olive Oils | Day 1

ADEGA DA CARTUXA

Portugal, Wines and Olive Oils | Day 2

HERDADE DO MARMELO Ferreira do Alentejo has three hectares of olive groves. The objectives of this project, which go far beyond Ferreira do Alentejo, is to plant ten thousand hectares of olive groves, both nationally and in other countries where the conditions for such are good. Herdade do Marmelo can be called as the starting point, because that is where lies the extraction unit.

HERDADE DO MARMELO | FERREIRA DO ALENTEJO

Portugal, Wines and Olive Oils | Day 2

HERDADE DO MARMELO | FERREIRA DO ALENTEJO

HERDADE DOS GROUS | ALBERNOA

Portugal, Wines and Olive Oils | Day 2

HERDADE DOS GROUS Herdade dos Grous is lcoated in Albernoa, district of Beja and embraces the production of great wines as a mission. The company has a strong agricultural branch and developed a strong sense of responsibility regarding nature and environment. Herdade dos Grous vision is to suply high quality products, preserving the regional Alentejo characteristics. The company combines traditional methods with new technologies, maintaining an ethical and transparent management. The sublime landscape is covered with vibrant colours of green that turn into a luminous gold once the summer has arrived. Alentejo is home to old grape varieties such as ’Trincadeira’ or ’Arangonez’ that are producing extraordinary, full-bodied wines. Their earthy flavours and spicy fragrant accents come from a soil that is rich in magnesium and contains predominantly chalk, clay and sand. The culinary specialities, created at the vineyard and the resort, are produced from our local cattle and farmlands. With our own cultivation of organic farm goods, our patrons can savour a wide range of local delights including oranges, olives, meats, wines and much more. The work of oenologist Luis Duarte here in the vineyard is more than just a passion. The establishment of the estate and the cultivation of the vines (1987), as well as the design of a state-of-the-art wine cellar (built in 2005) are all based on the latest findings in high-end viticulture. Herdade dos Grous represents the current pioneering spirit of Portugal’s wine-growing business like no other estate.

Portugal, Wines and Olive Oils | Day 2

HERDADE DOS GROUS | ALBERNOA

CARMIM | REGUENGOS DE MONSARAZ CARMIM

Portugal, Wines and Olive Oils | Day 3

The sign of elegance and the ambitious commitment to quality that the company has established since its very inception have enabled CARMIM to maintain a leadership profile on the quality wines market.

CARMIM | REGUENGOS DE MONSARAZ

Portugal, Wines and Olive Oils | Day 3

CARMIM currently has around a thousand members and produces 24 wine references: from whites to reds, from the young wines to the reserves, not to forget the liquorous, rosĂŠs or sparkling wines. CARMIM also produces marc brandy and olive oils of recognised quality. The wines of CARMIM have already been distinguished by over two hundred and fifty prizes in various national and international tenders. Recently, the Monsaraz Sparkling Wine, one of the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s newest products, was awarded the National Prize for Beverages and Food Packaging 2007, attributed by the Alimentaria Lisboa 2007 for its inclusion of Braille on the label. The quality of the raw material, deriving from a Denomination of Origin region, is one of the benefits of this Cooperative; alongside the human capital and an 80,000m2 agro-industrial complex endowed with state-of-theart technology. There is a reception capacity for one million two hundred thousand kilos of grapes per day, bottling of fifteen thousand bottles per hour and storage of up to thirty two million litres, making CARMIM the largest winery in the Alentejo and also one of the biggest in the country!

Portugal, Wines and Olive Oils | Day 3

HERDADE DO ESPORÃO | REGUENGOS DE MONSARAZ HERDADE DO ESPORÃO Situated in Reguengos de Monsaraz, Herdade do Esporão is a place that exudes history. Its roots date back to the prehistoric 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.

Herdade do Esporﾃ｣o has a unique terroir, which derives from the combination of a very particular climate, which is regulated and attenuated by the large central lake, as well as different soil types, exposures and a long-standing winegrowing heritage of local grape varieties and others from other Portuguese and international winegrowing regions. The typically Mediterranean landscape consists of rolling plains that occupy a total area of over 1,500 hectares, 460 hectares of which are vineyards and around 80 hectares of olive groves. The wide range of temperatures at the Herdade do Esporﾃ｣o is characteristic of Continental-Mediterranean climates, here made less extreme by the effect of the large central lake. Benefiting from many hours of sun, the very poor soils are divided between schist-clay (fine grey-red) and granodiorite (granite) derived from eruptive rock, housing 194 planted grape varieties, 37 of which are in full production. It is this unique combination, along with the age of some of our oldest vines, which are over 40 years old, that make the wines of Herdade do Esporﾃ｣o special and unique.

Portugal, Wines and Olive Oils | Day 3

HERDADE DO ESPORﾃグ | REGUENGOS DE MONSARAZ

Choose your accommodationâ&#x20AC;Ś

ÉVORA

MAR D’AR AQUEDUTO HOTEL***** Housed in a 16th-century palace, this 5-star boutique hotel features a beautiful chapel and dome ceilings. Overlooking the aqueducts of Évora, it has an extensive spa with an outdoor pool. A creative blend of Alentejo and Mediterranean flavours is served at Restaurant Degust’ AR, which is open for lunch and dinner. M'AR De AR Aqueduto hotel also offers a bar with a wine cellar. The elegantly designed rooms include a work desk and a comfortable seating area. All bathrooms enjoy natural light and are separated from the sleeping area by a big glass window. Hotel Aqueduto’s spa offers a broad range of treatments and massages including aromatherapy and mud treatment. Guests can also unwind in the steam bath or sauna. M'AR De AR Aqueduto is located 600 metres from the Temple of Diana, Cathedral of Evora Se and Praca do Giraldo. The Chapel of Bones Capela dos Ossos is 800 metres away. Hotel Rooms: 64

ÉVORA

MAR D’AR MURALHAS**** The 4-star hotel in Évora’s historic centre is just a 5-minute walk from Giraldo Square. It offers a spacious outdoor terrace with sun loungers and a pool in the garden. Rooms at M’AR De AR Muralhas are bright and elegant and include a spacious seating area with an LCD TV. Each room also has a CD player, DVD player and free bathroom amenities. Some rooms have a balcony. Guests can enjoy a refreshing drink on the terrace, which overlooks the exotic garden. For colder days, there is also a cozy lounge with a fireplace where guests enjoy music while having a warm drink. Restaurant Cerca Nova serves traditional Portuguese cuisine as well as international meals. Room service provides in-room breakfast upon request. This hotel is located between the Alconchel and Raimundo city gates. Hotel Rooms: 170

ÉVORA

ÉVORA HOTEL**** Located in the World Heritage city of Évora and about 1 hour away from Lisbon, the Évora Hotel is the perfect choice for anyone wanting a break and to enjoy one of the richest regions in Portugal in terms of history, cuisine and scenery: the Alentejo. In a comfortable and friendly environment, marked by the authenticity and simplicity of the Alentejo, you will find a surprising variety of things to do, ranging from the 2 hectares of freedom provided by the grounds, to the recently redecorated rooms, from the large outdoor swimming pools to the Kids Club where children will feel at home, from the health & fitness club with the latest equipment to the traditional Sol Poente restaurant, where knowledge and flavours are just waiting to tempt your taste buds, from happy times in the heated indoor swimming pool to the unforgettable activities that a whole region has to offer you. Come, and discover why the Évora Hotel is the hotel of the Alentejo. Hotel Rooms: 91

INCLUDED ABOUT DREAMS EXCLUSIVE AND CUSTOMIZED ESCORT HIGH QUALITY ROAD TRANSPORT DURING THE WHOLE TOUR ACCOMMODATIONS IN DOUBLE ROOMS ALL THE MEALS MENTIONED IN THE ITINERARY ALL THE ACTIVITIES AND VISITS REPORTED IN THE ITINERARY. PERSONAL ACCIDENT INSURANCE.

NOT INCLUDED INTERNACIONAL FLIGHTS PERSONAL EXPENSES

PRICE ON REQUEST