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— Day 1: Alvito (Beja)

We arrive at our hotel, a wonderfully restored 15th century castle in the center of the town of Alvito. After checking in, we have a welcome drink and get an initial briefing from our local guides.

We're then free to stroll the castle gardens and enjoy dinner in the hotel restaurant.

Overnight at the Pousada de Alvito

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40 km Day 2: Evora (Évora)

Cycle from Alvito past lovely ancient villages on our way to Évora, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Our hotel is the luxurious Pousade de Évora, Loios, originally a convent and one of Évora's most important architectural buildings

We begin with a pedal through Alvito, famous for its manueline architecture. We cycle through several tiny lovely hamlets, where life goes by at the slow Alentejo pace, and then ride to the village of Viana do Alentejo, well known for its pottery, the majestic castle and the impressive Church of Senhora de Aires.
Take a break to visit a "tasca" (typical café). We continue cycling to Évora, s UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Relax in the swimming pool after the ride and take an evening stroll through Évora.

Overnight at the Pousade de Évora.

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45 km Day 3: Evora (Évora)

Ride to ancient pre-Christian monuments, Roman ruins and cycle around lovely Évora. We enjoy another night in the Pousade de Évora.

Today we visit some of the most important ancient megalithic stone monuments in the region. The landscape is lovely, with a lot of holm oak and cork trees. We learn about the cork extraction and the people that inhabited the region more than 5000 years ago.

We ride to the ancient stone structures, Dolmen of Zambugeiro, the biggest in Europe, and the Cromlech of Almendres. From here we cycle to the Roman ruins of Tourega. In the afternoon we ride in Évora and discover the amazing history of this beautiful city. We can visit the surreal Bone’s chapel and the impressive cathedral, originally from the 13th century.

The ideal day to finish the ride is with a wine tasting in the Évora Wine Tour Shop.

Overnight at the Pousade de Évora in Évora

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50 km / alternative route: 57 km Day 4: Reguengos de Monsaraz (Évora)

Bike from Évora through olive groves, past castles and traditional villages to Reguengos de Monsaraz.

We ride among olive groves to reach the small and traditional village of Nossa Srª de Machede. Here we should stop at a local café for a drink, visit the leather factory and an olive mill (when in season). Then we pass the Castle of Valongo and visit a cheese factory in Aldeias de Montoito.

After arriving in Reguengos de Monsaraz, we still have plenty of time for some wine tasting in a gorgeous winery where they still have a room with the old clay pots to keep the wine.

We stay in the wonderful 4-star Hotel Provincia where we can have a drink and relax with a dip in the swimming pool.

Overnight in Reguengos de Monsaraz

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35 km Day 5: Monsaraz (Évora)

Cycling from Reguengos, visit a pottery village, onto Monsaraz, a village built in a castle on top of a hill.

We visit the famous pottery village of S. Pedro do Corval, where we can see the men molding the clay, transforming it into beautiful pots and plates, and the ladies painting them with flowers. We recommend lunch by the lake (take a picnic), with a beautiful view over Monsaraz.

Then it´s time to conquer the gorgeous village of Monsaraz, built in a castle on top of a hill. From Monsaraz we take in the beautiful view over the lake of the Alqueva dam, the biggest artificial lake of Europe.

It's an easy ride today except for the hill up to Monsaraz.

Relax in the pool at the Vila Planicie hotel in Monsaraz.

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50 km Day 6: Vila Viçosa (Évora)

Cycle from Monsaraz to Vila Viçosa in the land of the marble kingdom. Overnight in a palace, the Pousada de Vila Viçosa, D. João IV

We start with a gentle rolling morning and then visit the impressive sanctuary of Nossa Srª da Boa Nova and the flowery village of Terena. Then comes the moon like landscape of the marble quarries of Bencatel. Marble, the "white gold", was extracted from this area to build gorgeous cities such as Estremoz and Borba.

We arrive at Vila Viçosa, a favourite resting place for many kings who were followed by many noble people who built beautiful manor houses in the area.

Our hotel is the The Pousada de D. João IV, set in the former Convent of Chagas de Cristo. The Pousada has kept intact the convent cells, the retreats and the oratories built by the nuns. We can also appreciate the exquisite conventual recipes in the gourmet restaurant.

Overnight in Vila Viçosa

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35 km Day 7: Estremoz (Évora)

The Marble Route - Cycling from Vila Viçosa to Estemoz, overnight at another hotel in a castle, the Pousada Rainha Stª Isabel.

We start by visiting the fabulous Ducal Palace of Vila Viçosa, and then head to Borba. In Borba, we can visit one of those typical local cafés where the wine served is produced in the clay pots that decorate the space. It’s the local "hand made wine". We visit a marble quarry and then follow to the Church of Nossa Srª dos Martires, a marble gothic church.

Arriving to Estremoz we are surrounded by the beautiful architecture and the imposing tower of the castle where we will sleep, the Pousada Rainha Stª Isabel. From the private palace gardens and swimming pool surrounded by battlements, we have a stunning view over the city of Estremoz and the vast Alentejo plain.

Overnight in Estremoz.

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— Day 8: Estremoz (Évora)

After breakfast in the castle, our tour comes to an end. We transfer to Lisbon for our return back home full of great memories of Portugal!

High quality Specialized hybrid bikes.

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Photos are examples, actual hotel & room may vary.

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Tour Season

March 10th – October 13th 2012

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Tour Dates

• Sat, Mar 10 2012 Outdated
• Sat, Mar 17 2012 Outdated
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