««TOUR HIGHLIGHTS»»
1. Cork trees and Olive trees
2. Dolmens and Menhirs more than 10.000 years old
3. Vineyards - guided visit and wine tasting
4. Almendres Cromlech and Xurez Cromlech
5. The white Medieval Village of Monsaraz on the top
6. The typical and unique S. Gregorio village
7. Evora - a World Heritage town classified by UNESCO
8. Vast fields with wild flowers and herds
9. Beautiful, white marble quarries
10. The Highest Anta in the Iberian Peninsula (pre-historic monument)
««SUMMARY»»
Alentejo is a scarcely populated region with open horizons, where the rhythm of life follows the idle sound of regional songs. It is perfect for riding a bicycle and experiencing an unforgettable adventure. This is a land of unimaginable heritage. The tour will take you along the remarkable traces of ancient cultures: dolmens and cromlechs, Roman and Arab vestiges mingling with the most recent signs of Christianity of which the numerous medieval castles are but one example. You will ride alongside vast wheat-fields and vineyards where intense green and golden colours are the main characteristic of the plains in Alentejo. One of the most typical sights in this region is a vast field with some cork trees here and there and the herds (sometimes sheep, sometimes pigs or cows) usually enjoying the shade of the trees. The villages with their whitewashed one-floor houses are a picturesque landscape in Alentejo. You will have the opportunity to visit Evora, which is classified as World Heritage by UNESCO, and some other beautiful villages, such as Estremoz, Vila Vicosa and Monsaraz. The people here are very proud of their heritage and they preserve the ancient buildings and also the ancient practices. This is a region that has a very rich handicraft tradition – pottery, embroideries, hand-painted furniture, wrought-iron works, etc. The local gastronomy is varied and quite tasty and perfectly matches the famous local wines. This is a tour where the quietness and silence of the endless landscapes invite us to share nature in a rural environment and socialize with the people that live and work there. This is a spectacular tour characterized by moderate physical and technical difficulty and it takes us to the most ancient vestiges of our history and heritage.
««TECHNICAL DATA»»
Region of Portugal: Alentejo (inland)
Duration: 7 days / 6 nights / 4 days cycling / 1 day rest
Begin: Santiago do Escoural (Alentejo)
End: Monsaraz (Alentejo)
Overall difficulty level: 3 (1-5)
Skill Level: Intermediate. You must be in good shape.
Distance: 249km (155mi)
Average: 62km/day (39mi/day)
Trails: 70% asphalt – 30% off-road
««PROGRAMME»»
» Day 1: Arrival – Welcome at Lisbon airport. 1H30 drive to S. Escoural followed by dinner.
Lodging in a typical farmhouse in Alentejo (Rural Tourism) that includes all the modern facilities and gives you all the comfort and cosiness.
» Day 2: On the trails of the Dolmens and the Cromlech – 57km (35mi), level 3.
Lodging in a 4* Hotel located in the middle of the historical centre of Evora, next to the 14th century city wall.
» Day 3: FREE. Visit to Evora, Classified as World Heritage by UNESCO.
Lodging in a 4* Hotel located in the middle of the historical centre of Evora, next to the 14th century city wall.
» Day 4: Alentejo Fortresses and the quarries – 46km (29mi), level 3.
Lodging in a 15th century village whose small houses were converted into lodgings after being deserted (Village Tourism) maintaining its original architecture and layout.
» Day 5: The pure and beautiful marble of Alentejo – 72km (45mi), level 3.
Lodging in a restored 18th century building in the historic centre of Terena, 50 meters from the castle (Rural Tourism).
» Day 6: Monsaraz, the white sentinel – 74km (46mi), level 3. Lodging in a historic building (4* Estalagem) that benefits from a privileged view over the plains.
» Day 7: Departure – Farewell at Lisbon airport. 2H30 drive to airport.
««DATES AND PRICES FOR 2009»»
28 March ~ 03 April:
PortugalBike Guided Tour: Euro 1680 (Single Suppl. + € 210)
18 ~ 24 April:
PortugalBike Guided Tour: Euro 1710 (Single Suppl. + € 220)
09 ~ 15 May:
PortugalBike Guided Tour: Euro 1710 (Single Suppl. + € 220)
29 August ~ 04 September:
PortugalBike Guided Tour: Euro 1720 (Single Suppl. + € 240)
12 ~ 18 September:
PortugalBike Guided Tour: Euro 1710 (Single Suppl. + € 220)
=> Prices per person, double bedroom occupancy, 4* quality Hotel.
=> If you want a different date, ask us about prices and availability.
««What does the price of this PortugalBike Tour include?»»
- 7 days with PortugalBike
- Hybrid Bike Tour with a Guide
- Hybrid Bike (BH Trekking Sport K30K Silvertip) with helmet
- Transfers from and to Lisbon Airport
- Accommodations (usually a 3/4 star-quality hotel, double bedroom occupancy)
- 6 Breakfasts
- 4 nourishing and energetic picnics
- 4 Dinners (including our famous wines, our amazing cheeses and lovely desserts)
- Daily energy-bars and water
- The vineyards – guided visit and wine tasting
- Luggage transport from Inn to Inn
- Car connections at some stages (when necessary)
- Documentation about PortugalBike Tour
- Liability Insurance
- Personal Accident Insurance
- Techno-Mechanical Assistance
- First-Aid assistance on location
- Permanent Backup Vehicle
««TESTIMONIALS»»
»»»» The Megalithic Heritage in Alentejo tour was an excellent adventure for a family of 4 (including 2 teenage boys). We truly wished that we could have extended our journey. The hybrid cycling exceeded our expectations… great landscape, quiet roads and paths, charming villages, peaceful vinyards… all which allowed us to explore remote areas of Portugal that would normally be inaccessible. The accommodation, meals, and travel route were superb. Combining this with the hospitality and personal touch of our guide and host from Portugal Bike Tours, I’d strongly recommend this tour for anybody interested in cycling within Portugal.
= Tom Trottier (Toronto – Canada), 2008 =
»»»» Regarding our tour, we spent a marvellous week in Portugal and were happy to discover the nice countryside of the Alentejo. This week out in the wonderful nature, discovering lots of nice trails and some cultural sites made us really forget everyday's life. It was fantastic and we enjoyed very much the perfect organisation and your company, while riding the bikes, around the pick-nick-table or during one of the nice dinners together with you. Portugal Bike is a great team that we can warmly recommend to all our friends. We hope to see you again, perhaps on another tour.
= Max and Franziska Beckmann (Germany), 2006 =
»»»» Although the Tour was not difficult, we feel like a personal victory to get to the end. We loved the ride and the beautiful sceneries. We also liked the picnics a lot; it's great to eat admiring the landscape and listening to the birds and feeling the presence of animals. Everything was very well organised and we really appreciated how you quickly adapted the programme to our riding capacities.
= Jean Linda Genders (Netherlands), 2006 =
Member discount:
10% discount for InfoHub customer. Request a free gift certificate.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
If you wish a different date, ask us for prices and availability.
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Portugal
Bicycle Touring
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