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| South Alentejo | Ref: PT002 |
| 8 days / 7 nights | |
| Price: £405pp (based on 2 people sharing) | |
Type:  |
Self Guided:  |
Level:  |
| Distance: approx 234 miles | ||
travel :
- Fly to Lisbon. Transfer to start point if tour starts on a Saturday
Itinerary
Day 1:
Arrive in Évora. The Alentejo Province is a region of wide plains to the south of the Tagus River (Rio Tejo). In the heart of this region, at a distance of 130 km from Lisbon, lies the city of Évora, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Part of the town is enclosed by ancient walls and has been preserved in its original state, as well as its monuments dating from various historical periods. The town and its population of over 41,000 likes to be considered as a seat of learning with its original University founded in 16th Century by Cardinal Dom Henrique. Within the surrounding wall the most prominent feature is without doubt the 2nd or 3rd Century ruins of a Roman Temple dedicated to the Goddess Diana. Before being rescued from its neglected state of ruin in 1870 as it had been used in its history as an armoury, theatre, and even a slaughterhouse. Among the attractive features of Évora is the 15th Century Convento dos Lóios that has been reconstructed as a fascinating Pousada. The city’s Cathedral started in 1186 took some 50 years to build and is reminiscent of a fortress except for having been flanked by two unmatched towers
Day 2:
To the southwest is the quiet sleepy town of Alcáçovas that attracted the King, Dom Dinis. Its origins are pre-Roman and in 1283 it was granted a charter as a town by Dom Afonso III. It was the historic location in 1457 for the wedding of Portuguese princes to two Spanish princesses and it was in this town that the Peace Treaty of the War of Spanish Succession was signed in 1668. On the way you will have the opportunity to visit the cave of Escoural. Here you will see cave-paintings of horses and bison from the Palaeolithic and Neolithic age that are 10-30,000 years old. 28 miles
Day 3:
Rising like a pyramid above the vast plains of surrounding wheat fields, Beja stands proud as the capital of the Baixo (Lower) Alentejo region. Founded by Julius Caesar, it was known in Roman times as Pax Julia until the Moorish invasion in AD 711, when it grew into an important cultural centre. Beja is most famous for the Letters of a Portuguese Nun, supposedly written by Sister Mariana Alcoforado of the Convento da Nossa Senhora da Conceição during her love affair with a French military officer in the 17th century. 46 miles
Day 4:
Today you will cycle through the wide landscapes from the Planície Dourada (Golden Plains), sloping farm and meadowlands. This area stretches out from the whole Baixo Alentejo (Lower Alentejo) to the Algarve. You cycle through a number of small villages, most of them built on the top off a hill. For many years this region was a kind of no man’s land between a strong Moorish Principality in the Algarve and the advancing Christian “Reconquistadoras” in the North. Famous for its creamy cheeses, Serpa is a sleepy agricultural hilltop town of white houses located in the south-eastern corner of the Alentejo, situated just 30 km from the Spanish border. The Turdelos, one of the original peoples of Iberia, founded this walled town in 400 BC. 36 miles
Day 5:
Pulo do Lobo (wolfs jump in Portuguese) is a narrowing in the river Guadiana. The riverbed is so narrow that a wolf can easily jump from one side to the other. This part of the river is full off rapids and one can find the remains of 15th century windmills. As this is an impassable area, it is a natural habitat for many birds. 34 miles
Day 6:
The route for this day is mainly undulating to hilly, but because of the severe climb to Monsaraz at the end, and because it is a bit longer than the other stages, this stage is the hardest. Olive groves, Holm-oaks and Cork-oaks dominate the landscape. Perched above the River Guardiana on the frontier with Spain, the tiny medieval walled town of Monsaraz is one of the most atmospheric places in the Alentejo. With its narrow cobbled lanes, low-rise old houses and an imposing castle, visitors are offered a feel of medieval Portugal in one of the oldest places in the country. A number of interesting prehistoric monuments exist in the surrounding areas of Monsaraz, including the spectacular Menhir of Outeiro that stands almost 6 metres tall. 50 miles
Day 7:
From Monsaraz it is back to Évora. This stage is mostly undulating with some hilly parts. After descending the hill of Monsaraz, you enter a famous Portuguese wine area around Reguengos de Monsaraz and São Pedro de Corval. Many known varieties of wine are produced here, such as Reguengos de Monsaraz and the Monsaraz wine. São Pedro de Corval is also known for its pottery workshops where you can take a look in one of the many studios/workshops to see how pottery is made and hand painted. After Reguengos you cycle through a deserted area with “Montes” and an abandoned railway track. This open rural landscape is dominated by Holme-oaks and Cork-oaks. 40 miles
Day 8:
After breakfast you check out from your hotel for your homeward journey. You will either be transferred back to the airport or why not extend your stay in Lisbon.
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