Portugal Bicycle Tour Itinerary

Day One : Arriving in the Land That Time Forgot
Your guides will greet you in Lisbon this morning to whisk you away to the land that time forgot!  The Alentejo is just a 2 hour drive from the capital city yet the contrast between the metropolis and the countryside is remarkable. The pace of life here has hardly changed in centuries, and the region boasts a wealth of traditional customs, stunning scenery and fascinating historical tales that lie in wait for you to discover by bike. Rolling hills of gold and green, spotted with cork trees and flocks of sheep, is the typical scenery that you will discover, punctuated here and there by olive groves, vineyards and colorfully painted farmhouses and churches. We’ll start our adventure in the ancient town of Estremoz, where we’ll be able to get into our riding gear, enjoy a light lunch and toast in DuVine style the exciting week that lies ahead. We’ll enjoy a gentle loop ride past vineyards that surround this area, whose wines are at last starting to break out of Portugal and are rapidly gaining international reputation. Learn how to pronounce the names of local grape varieties such as the full bodied reds Trincadeira, Aragonez, Touriga Nacional  and Roupeiro, Antão Vaz or Arinto for the whites, at a special wine tasting organized for us by one of the leading producers of the region. Tonight we dine like royalty at a private 18th century country palace, where we’ll be treated to an exclusive wine and food pairing that will give us a feel for Portuguese hospitality and gourmet tradition. 

Meals: Light lunch & Dinner
Destinations visited: Lisbon, Estremoz, Arcos
Distance cycled: 17 kms / 10 miles

Day Two : Estremoz to Monsaraz
As we mount our steely steeds once again, we turn back for one last glance of the marble keep that watches over Estremoz before embarking on a new adventure.  We’ll make our way through many more sleepy villages, the only life, lazy dogs stretched out on the porches of blinding whitewashed homes outlined with blue or ochre trim. Arriving in Alandroal, we’ll visit the medieval castle built by the Knights of the order of Aviz who expelled the Moors from Portugal in the 13th century. Walk along the ramparts to enjoy the views of the countryside all around you. Onward, we’re the kings of the road as we roll through some of the prettiest landscapes in the Alentejo before stopping for a DuVine picnic of local smoked meats and tangy sheep cheese. After lunch, why not pop in to the village café for a strong “bica” (expresso) with the locals. We arrive at our charming rural hotel, a beautifully restored typical 18th century farm, with an array of modern amenities, infinity pool, gymnasium, and horse riding to name but a few. Relax at the pool, sipping a glass of superb local sparkling wine, before heading up to the perfectly preserved fortified medieval village of Monsaraz where you can enjoy some of the best views in Portugal.  From the perched village we can keep an eye on neighboring Spain and see the largest manmade lake in Europe.  Tonight we dine in the hotel’s own excellent restaurant.

Meals: Breakfast, Picnic lunch & Dinner
Destinations visited: Alandroal, Aldeia de Ferreira, Monsaraz
Distance cycled: 66 kms / 41 miles

Day Three : Monsaraz to Evora
Another gourmet breakfast awaits us this morning before leaving this paradise of tranquility to make our way west.  A short ride brings us into the small village of São Pedro do Corval, famous for its potters, and the main road that crosses here is lined with quaint pottery shops for you to explore.  As you head on, notice a secret number painted on the cork trees lining the roads that have had their bark removed; you’ll have to ask a wandering shepherd what he think it means. Joaquim Madeira will host us for a visit of his property while he explains how he first got involved in the wine industry in the 60’s. Since then he has become one of the most authoritative figures of the Alentejo wine industry and is often asked to give lectures at home and abroad. A light lunch on the front porch of their home will be prepared by his wife Graça, an excellent cook and keen artist. She’ll present us with a tasting of different types of homemade gazpachos (cold soups) from local herbs and paired with Joaquim’s wines. They are both passionate about nature and are keen herbologists. Our ride culminates at the luxurious Convento de Espinheiro hotel to either enjoy their grand SPA or head for the pool. At 7pm, we meet in the lobby for a private historic tour of the gorgeous hotel led by the director himself.  Tonight you are on your own for dinner so you can choose to take it easy at the hotel or explore the town of Evora for a nice meal in a restaurant suggested by your guides.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Destinations visited: Sao Pedro do Corval, Reguengos de Monsaraz, Montoito
Distance cycled: 64 kms / 40 miles

Day Four : Valverde Loop
Just when you thought it couldn’t get better, this morning you will be confronted with the most gourmet of breakfasts yet. Today we’ll enjoy a mellow morning ride to the south west of Evora taking us to the ramparts of ancient town Evora, and we’ll ride under the medieval aqueduct of “silver water”, before veering off into the surrounding countryside. Your guides will show you a little known but significant Neolithic site; the Dolmen of Zambujeiro in Valverde is the biggest dolmen known in the Iberian Peninsula and thought to have been constructed around 6000 years ago as a burial chamber. Nearby, we can explore the remains of the mid 16th century convent of “Good Jesus”, and soak up the atmosphere of the Cardinal’s pond as we try to imagine how the site would have looked in its apogee. After riding through the sleepy town of Valverde, we’ll head north along quiet country roads to the village of Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe, where we have the option to visit the largest megalithic site in Portugal, the cromlech of dos Almendras. Consisting of some 96 astronomically aligned standing stones, extending about 70 metres downhill, the site is estimated to have been erected between 4000 and 5000 BC. This afternoon, it is all about you ! Indulge yourself with a wine or gold massage at the hotel’s renowned Diana spa, or pump some weights at the gym, or just chill out at the pool with a good book and a glass of local sparkling wine. Tonight you will be brought into town to enjoy the hip BL Lounge with its contemporary décor and delicious menu.”

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Destinations visited: Evora, Valverde and N.S. de Guadalupe
Distance cycled: 40 kms / 25 miles

Day Five : Arraiolos Loop 
After a splendid breakfast banquet, we set off on our bikes to the town of Arraiolos through pastoral fields, where the only sounds we hear are birds chirping and the jingle-jangle bells of roaming flocks of sheep. Arraiolos is noted for its brightly colored woolen tapestries that are hand stitched using local wool and organic dyes. This form of carpet making, inherited from the Moors, has been practiced here in its current form since the 17th C. The early designs were mainly Persian imitations, subsequently becoming geometric and more local. You’ll have the opportunity to peek into the many little shops in town, and in some, we can still see the womenfolk of the village hard at work stitching, chatting and laughing together. The castle that looks over the town is remarkable with its well preserved fortifications; walk, or cycle up for some outstanding panoramic views. As we ride out of town, we’ll make our way towards Adega Comenda Grande, one of the area’s prettiest wineries, producing arguably some of the best wines in Portugal, where our friend Silvia will explain the characteristics of the typical grape varieties of the region. There are over 300 grape varieties in Portugal, most of which are completely unknown outside of their respective areas of production! Our final night in the Alentejo will be celebrated in the hotel’s stunning ancient wine cellar; the Divinus restaurant offers a true gourmet dining experience in a graceful atmosphere filled with rich heritage and rare antiques. A toast to a wonderful week all together!

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Destinations visited: Sao Pedro do Corval, Reguengos de Monsaraz, Montoito
Distance cycled: 60 kms / 37 miles

Day Six : Return to Lisbon
Before departing the Alentejo, we’ll be spoiled with a guided visit of Evora, a UNESCO world heritage city with over 2000 years of history. On our tour, we’ll see the Roman temple of Diana and the early gothic cathedral of Evora dedicated to the Virgin Mary of “O”. The now peaceful and picturesque main square of Giraldo was once the sordid site where heretics were burned during the inquisition, and close by, the sinister 16th century chapel of bones containing the skeletons of some 5000 monks. Carved over the chapel doorway, we can read a stark reminder of human mortality “Our bones that lie here are awaiting yours”. We finish up with a celebration of life, and a spectacular week together at the nearby market place for a last glass of wine before we depart for Lisbon. “Saude” Cheers…

Meals: Breakfast
Destinations visited: Evora
Total Distance Cycled:  273 kms / 170 miles. Averaging  55 kms/34 miles per day
Accomplished: Total satisfaction!