Castles & Vines
8-day guided bike tour

Castles & Vines <br /> 8-day guided bike tour

An adventure of fairytale proportion. In the spring, look forward to a colorful array of wildflowers. In the fall, fields come alive with grape harvesting for the vindimas festival. We like to refer to Alentejo as The Tuscany of Portugal™, suitable given the characteristic green & gold landscape that surrenders itself to your Trek touring bicycle, mile after folkloric mile, and for the romantic lifestyle that surrounds you in each destination town, whitewashed and nestled against a backdrop of tradition and hospitality. Each afternoon on this Alentejo wine country bike tour, you’ll explore a new village such as Arraiolos and Èvora, cut from the storybooks with their narrow cobblestone streets, and conclude several days with a wine tasting at a local wineries. Later, after browsing the old quarter, look forward to an evening feast on hearty Alentejan cuisine, delicious wines and sweet pastries. The Alentejo has a way of making its guests feel welcome. Expansive blue skies, and calming pace of life will help remind you, day after sunny day.

Location

Tour Details

April 22nd – April 29th
June 3rd – June 10th
September 2nd – September 9th
October 7th – October 14th

Would you prefer other dates? Just ask us a quote for your private tour | REQUEST

FADO dinner | Unanimously voted UNESCO World’s Intangible Cultural Heritage
Alentejo Wines | Wine tastings at local wineries from the Alentejo
Olive Oil tasting
Quiet backroad routes
Historic castles, palaces & villa lodgings
UNESCO City of Évora
Cromlech of the Almendres megalithic complex | one of the largest existing group of structured menhirs in Europe
Regional dinners & mediterranean cuisine
Cork Trees
Roman historical sites
Monsaraz, city in the clouds

Day 1 | Arraiolos

Transfer from Lisbon to Montemor-o-Novo, a medieval city at the gates of the Alentejo plains, rich in old world charm with its baroque churches and manueline styled doorways. we’ll begin with a visit to the old moorish castle archeological site then it’s off on our way through shady groves of cork oaks. We’ll stop for a picnic on traditional treats then we’ll meet up with our friends for some degustation as we partake in a wine course and tasting. afterward, browse the tiny streets and shops in this tiny town of pastel blues and hand woven tapestries. Welcome dinner tonight and lodgings at a fabulous 16th century convent. (40km/24mi plus mild 1 hour hike)

Day 2 & 3 | UNESCO City of Évora

Leaving Arraiolos, you can opt to take a short cut (15miles) and spend the day in the UNESCO roman city of Évora, or take the longer ride and visit a site of cromlechs from the ancient visitors to the region. Either way, you’ll end up in the city known as the jewel of the Alentejo, established by Romans and enjoyed by millions today, Évora has plenty to see and do as it serves as the central location for the rota dos vinhos. Walking tour in the early evening before we dine on some savory regional dishes at our favorite restaurant on the Alentejo plains! Tomorrow, take an optional ride out to the fairytale village of Monsaraz, a medieval stronghold on the plains. and another of Portugal’s principal wine regions. Stop in to sort through the colorful pottery of Corval along the way! Or, spend the day off the bike, browse the Capela dos Ossos and greater Évora, joining the others later by van, as we rendezvou in Monsaraz. Two nights at the illustrious Convento do Espinheiro, a 5-star heritage hotel & SPA. (24-48km/15-30miles & 0-60km or 0-38miles option)

Day 4 & 5 | Vila Viçosa

We’ll head into the heart of the Alentejo wine country en route to the city of Vila Viçosa, known for its shady streets, white marble sidewalks, unique baroque architecture, and birthplace of Portuguese poet, Florbela Espanca. After a spin down a shady lane the next day, through vineyards we’ll visit a local marble site, we’ll picnic and taste some more wines in the afternoon. Get lost in this marvelous Alentejo oasis, visit the ducal palace, and spend two nights at the enchanting Palacio Dom João IV. (40km/25miles or 60km/37 miles)

Day 6 | Estremoz

Today we’ll be taking a leisurely ride and loop through the vineyards of Borba, a major producer of Portuguese wines in the Alentejo. we’ve saved some of the prettiest riding for last, as the tour concludes in the old Moorish city of Estremoz. We’ll meet up afterward for a final wine tasting and some treats at a local producer. Reflect on the events of the day by finding a shady cafe in the charming old quarter of this marble city. Tonight we stay at the Palacio Santa Isabel! (16km/10miles or 40km/25miles with option for additional ride to Sousel)

Day 7 | Lisboa

This morning it’s back to Lisbon, Portugal’s capital city and birthplace of the traditional Fado music – unanimously voted UNESCO World’s Intangible Cultural Heritage. Our farewell dinner will be in the Alfama district, where Fado began, at one of our favorite restaurants. Join us for a toast and some live music that will pull at your heartstrings, as we dine on delicious local cuisine and recount the week’s memories. Accommodations tonight will be at the enchanting Solar do Castelo, part of the Heritage Collection. (Aprox. 1,5km/1 mile walking tour)

Day 8 | Até breve!

Day reserved for departures

Tour Length: 8 days / 7 nights
Price: 2995€ | 5% group discount for groups 6+ available at the time of booking
Includes: Trek touring/hybrid bicycle & helmet rental; support vehicle & guides; accommodations with breakfasts; luggage transfer; wine tastings; rider’s insurance; BCB jersey & water bottle
Single Supplement: 850€
Accommodations: historic castles, palaces, and country villas
Dining: breakfasts, picnic lunches, dinners with wine, Fado dinner
Daily Distance: 15-35 miles / 25-60 Km average
Terrain: moderate rolling terrain with some climbing, paved roads, some rural gravel paths, cork and olive grove landscapes
Minimum/Maximum participants: 4 / 16

NOT INCLUDED: Airfare

Castles & Vines 8-day guided bike tour