BICYCLE TOURS & MOUNTAIN BIKING

Castles & Cork Trees

The Alentejo was the scene of some of Portugal's bloodiest battles with Romans, Moors and later Spaniards - you'd almost expect a band of knights in armor to come riding across the fields as you cycle past! Nowadays, however, it'd more likely be a black garbed peasant lady riding her donkey into town.

This itinerary samples an assortment of Alentejo towns and villages starting with the graceful town of Evora with its Roman/Moorish past; the pristine walled villages of Monsaraz and Marvao; Vila Vicosa with its elegant Ducal Palace; the 14th century monastery in Flor da Rosa now a luxury hotel; and finally, delightful Castelo da Vide with its picturesque medieval Jewish quarter and tiny synagogue - the oldest in Portugal. You'll be left with unforgettable memories of this lovely region - its serenity and heart-stopping beauty and, of course, days of idyllic cycling. Your last night finds you in old Lisbon where you'll celebrate and say "goodbye" with a farewell dinner and fado show.

Trip Highlights:

• Ride across the rolling Alentejo plains studded with olive and cork groves.
• Taste the hidden gems of peninsular wines - excellent, full-bodied, luscious reds and whites.
• Stay in whitewashed medieval walled villages and spend a night in a regal marbled convent.
• Explore the village of Castelo da Vide with its heart-breaking remnant of its pre-Inquisition Jewish quarter.
• Take a glimpse into a vanishing old way of life where shepherds outnumber computers.

Tour Details

Day 1: Evora
After a mid-morning pickup in Lisbon, the group will be shuttled to the little museum town of Evora, the spiritual heart of the Alentejo and one of the most impressive and enchanting towns in Portugal. Evora is a fascinating mixture of three cultures - Roman, Moorish and medieval. In fact, it is so extraordinary for its beauty and history that the whole town has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. There is plenty of time to visit the lovely little Roman temple to Diana and a medieval chapel lined with the bones of long ago monks, while wandering the labyrinth of cobbled Moorish streets. Group welcome dinner.

Day 2: Evora to Monsaraz
Cycle through the gentle countryside to the the ancient walled village of Monsaraz, virtually unchanged since the middle ages. En route you'll examine Celtic dolmens rising from a cornfield and begin your acquaintance with the Alentejo - the cork and olive groves, the whitewashed houses with their blue trim, and the black clothed figures patiently tilling the fields. Arrive in Monsaraz in time to explore this charming village and to enjoy the spectacular views all the way over to Spain. (Ride of 56k / 35m).

Day 3: Monsaraz to Vila Vicosa
A wonderful ride today through vast, rolling expanses of wildflower covered plains leads you to the equally flower bedecked royal town of Vila Vicosa, the family seat of the Bragancas, last ruling family of Portugal. On the way, stop to visit a town famous for its pottery and watch the potters at work - a family trade that's fast dying out. Group dinner. (Ride of 63k / 39m).

Day 4: Vila Vicosa
An optional loop ride is available today to the tragic ruins of a castle overlooking the Guadiana River and the border with Spain. Riding on, you'll visit the medieval village of Alandroal with its Moorish castle and walls before heading back to Vila Vicosa. The ride leaves plenty of time to explore Vila Vicosa, the ducal palace and the 13th century castle built by King Dom Dinis after taking it from the Moors. Evening Free. (Ride of 50k / 31m).

Day 5: Vila Vicosa to Flor da Rosa
Today the itinerary travels north to the little village of Flor da Rosa and its impressive 14th century monastery built by the father of one of Portugal's greatest warlords. On the way, you'll ride through the little marble town of Borba where even the curbs and sidewalks are made of marble. The walled town of Estremoz is next with its moat and drawbridge and towering ramparts. Riding on northwards you'll stop to visit the Royal Stud farm in Alter do Chao, where the beautiful Lusitanian horses have been bred for over 200 years. Between stops will be easy riding through some of the oldest olive groves in Portugal. Group dinner. (Ride of 80k / 50m).

Day 6: Flor da Rosa to Castelo da Vide
This last day of riding will be through the beautiful oak-forested slopes of the Serra de Sao Mamede to the medieval spa town of Castelo da Vide with its enchanting Jewish quarter. Before you arrive, however, you'll stop in Portalegre to visit the fascinating Fabrica de Tapecarias (tapestry factory) - all that remains of an industry that reached its zenith in the 17th and 18th centuries. Riding onwards and upwards through the Serra you'll reach the breathtaking walled village of Marvao, high above the Alentejo plains before riding on to lovely Castelo da Vide. Here you'll visit the tiny 13th century synagogue in the Judairia (Jewish quarter) set amid cottages, most of which still have Gothic doorways. Group dinner. (Ride of 53k / 33m).

Day 7: Lisboa
Today, catch a shuttle to old Lisboa where you'll have the day free to shop or join a sightseeing tour of Lisbon on foot. Farewell dinner and Fado show.

Day 8: End of Tour
Say your farewells, this is the end of the tour.

Before The Trip...

• Pre-tour packet detailing general information about the country, what to bring and a list of related reading material that you might want to peruse before leaving.
• Free assistance with pre- and post-tour hotel bookings, airline reservations, travel insurance and help with pre- or post-tour trip itineraries.

• Use of lightweight, high performance aluminium frame hybrid bikes - all new with ergonomic seats, smooth shifting, adjustable handlebars, a rear carrier rack and all maintained by expert mechanics.
• Bilingual experienced guides familiar with the country and the terrain and armed with cell phones. Usually, at least one guide is a native who provides an in-depth look at his or her country’s culture.
• Informative daily briefings with detailed route maps.
• Historical and cultural information on each day’s ride or walk.
• Routes chalked daily with arrow markings.
• Use of guide books and related reading material.
• All breakfasts - reinforced with cereal and fruit. Most dinners - including wine. Unlimited fruit, snacks and water en-route.
• Support van to transport luggage and tired campers.
• Luggage tags.
• Yours to keep - CTTC monogrammed water bottle.
• Water resistant bike bag with tire levers, pump, spare tube and a lock.
• No need for a patch kit - Cycling Through The Centuries is always at hand.

• Welcome drinks reception to break the ice!
• Comfortable accommodations with private bathrooms, ranging from simple village hotels, country inns and manor houses to four or five-star hotels, pousadas and paradors - all chosen for comfort, charm and convenience to sights.
• All entrance fees to scheduled historical sights, wine tasting and museums.
• All en-route transportation fees such as trains, ferries or buses.
• All tips and gratuities.