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Alentejo Bike Tour
Alentejo Bike Tour - Road
Discover the amazing history, culture and traditions that Alentejo has to offer. Discover the amazing history, culture and traditions the Alentejo has to offer. Voted as the Best Wine Region in the world in 2014, Alentejo is a picturesque and charming destination, where you’ll definetely fall in love with its whitewashed villages, medieval castles, golden plains, secular traditions and lifestyle.
Details
Voted as the Best Wine Region in the world in 2014, Alentejo is a picturesque and charming destination, where you’ll definetely fall in love with its whitewashed villages, medieval castles, golden plains, secular traditions and lifestyle.
Starting in one of UNESCO's world heritage sites, Évora, ride along historical villages as Arraiolos, Évora Monte, Estremoz, Vila Viçosa, Monsaraz, Mina de São Domingos, Mértola and Vila Nova de Milfontes, in the West Coast.
Ride low traffic national roads and traditional backroads of the Alentejo region, popular for its long rolling hills and narrow roads among agricultural fields and stone walls that provide a great atmosphere for riding the bike. The stages have low elevation making it perfect for beginners and intermediate riders.
With a rich and famous gastronomy, the Alentejo is a great destination to experience the best that Portugal has to offer, being considered by many as the best place to eat and drink in Portugal.
Also, you’ll have the opportunity to spend the night in historical buildings now converted in splendid touristic lodgings.
Minimum participants: 4
What's Included
- 7 nights accommodation on Half Board basis;
- Transfer from and to the airport;
- Luggage transfer between hotels;
- Briefing and travel road book;
- Wine tasting
- Bikesul App with navigation function or GPS device with pre loaded
courses;
- Nutrition and hydration during the stages;
- Wine tasting in Monsaraz;
- KTM Revelator Alto Disc (Carbon);
- Saddle bag with an extra inner tube, levers, mini pump;
- Helmet;
- Bikesul exclusive water bottle offer;
- Ride_in_ cycling Jersey offer;
- Personal Accidents and liability Insurance.
Not Included
- Flights;
- Meals, except when especified;
- Any beverages consumed with meals that are included in the package;
- Extra equipment non-specified as included;
- Mini-bar and extra consumptions not mentioned on the program;
- Personal expenses;
- Travel Insurance.
Extras:
- Garmin Virb camera, so you can record all the best moments of this
amazing journey;
- Extra-nights (subjet to availability)
Highlights
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History, culture and milenar traditions
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Sleeping in Castles and farmhouses
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Starting in Évora, UNESCO classified as a World Heritage Site
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Medieval villages
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Quiet and reduced traffic amazing tarmac roads along stunning landscapes with vineyards, oak and olive trees
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Crossing the biggest artificial lake in Europe
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International awarded wine tastings
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Delicious regional Portuguese gastronomy from Alentejo region
Itinerary
A Ride_in_/Bikesul staff member will be at the airport to welcome-you and drive you to Évora, just one hour away from Lisbon. If you prefer, you can meet us at the hotel in Évora.
At 06pm, enjoy a welcome drink and general briefing, followed by the adjustment of your bicycle (if rented from Bikesul).
Évora
Dinner (drinks not included)
Departing from Évora, we ride towards the old village of Valverde and then head north on a slight steady climb towards Arraiolos, the village of the famous "Arraiolos carpets", boasting also a circular castle. Then, enjoy the traditional Alentejo landscape made up of olive and cork trees. After passing through Vimieiro it's time to face the challenging climb that will take us to the imponent castle of Évora Monte, once a strategic military site. From here, you will be able to sight another castle, the one in Estremoz, the next one we will "conquer". The final part of this stage will be somewhat challenging with the ascent to the hill where the village of Estremoz is located. End this day by exploring the castle of Estremoz and contemplating the magnificent views from the castle over the region, where the Serra de Ossa stands out to the south.
103km | 64mi - 660 m | 2165ft elevation gain
Estremoz
Breakfast
Dinner (drinks not included)
From Estremoz we continue to the North, passing through Sousel, Fronteira and Alter do Chão, small typical villages where, among the white houses with colorful bands, imposing stately mansions of the 18th century stand out, showing the agricultural wealth of the region.
The surrounding nature is generous, allowing beautiful landscapes, such as the Ribeira Grande River Beach, which offers varied sports and leisure activities to all visitors. This very traditional locality has a great pride in its craftsmanship, executing ancestral techniques, with works in cork, weaving and embroidery, horn, and the colorful Alentejo painting and decoration in wood and ceramics.
Alter do Chão is well known for its Stud Farm, founded in 1748 by D. João V, who aimed the creation of Lusitanian horses for Picaria Real.
After passing through the village of Crato we can sight the Serra de São Mamede in the distance, where Castelo de Vide is located.
There follows a moment that will mark your trip, the passage through the famous "Alameda dos Freixos" that connects to the city of Portagem and to the final climb which takes us to the final destination of the day, the Marvão Castle.
104km | 64.5mi - 1000m | 3280ft elevation gain
Marvão
Breakfast
Dinner (drinks not included)
Descending from the village of Marvão, we start this day by cycling along the border with Spain, through Serra de São Mamede, passing by the ruins of the ancient Roman city of Ammaia, before reaching the city of Portalegre.
We then head south to the small but well-preserved village of Alegrete, which boasts a beautiful castle at the top of the hill.
Still in the hearth of the Serra de São Mamede, we find the village of Arronches which due to its geographical location was an important bastion of defense in the Middle Ages, as can be seen from what remains of the Castle, which has reached our days with only the remains of its towers.
The second half of the stage will be mostly flat, passing through very typical small villages such as Santa Eulália, Barbacena, Vila Fernando and Terrugem, until we enter the wine region of Borba and pass by the huge marble quarries of Vila Viçosa, which is known as the "Alentejo's Princes", being a true open-air museum!
120km | 75mi - 900m | 2950 ft elevation gain
In Vila Viçosa
Breakfast
Dinner (drinks not included)
From Vila Viçosa we head east towards Elvas, the largest fortified city in Europe. Also nicknamed “The Boarder Queen”, it is one of the hidden gems of the Alentejo. Due to its strategic position close to the Spanish border, Elvas was marked by many wars. Elvas military history can be revisited walking through the city. Its fortifications, together with the Fortresses of Santa Luzia and Nossa Senhora da Graça, are considered to be the largest and best preserved bastioned fortifications in the world!
Following south, we will reach the Guadiana river and the small town of Juromenha where we will find another fortress that during the Middle Ages played a predominant strategic role. Enjoy the magnificent views over the river and Spain.
Descending close to the left bank of the Guadiana we arrive at the great water reservoir of Alqueva, being able to sight in the distance the imposing castle of Monsaraz.
Before facing the challenging climb to the castle, we will pass through other small villages such as Motrinos, Barrada and Aldeia do Outeiro. In the last one stands out the Menhir of Bulhoa, and the Convent of Orada where the famous Cromeleque do Xarez is located.
110kms | 70mi - 700m | 2300 ft elevation gain
In Monsaraz
Breakfast
Dinner (drinks not included)
A long day where the difficulty will be the distance we have to ride. The first part of this stage will take place along the Alqueva dam, the largest artificial lake in Europe. The passage through Moura marks the change of scenery, with its small hills and valleys so characteristic of the Guadiana Valley Natural Park. On this day, the final destination will be the village of Mértola but not without before passing through the "Minas de São Domingos", an open-pit mine that is now deserted and closed. This small village also has a pleasent river beach that is highly sought during the summer.
137km | 70mi - 500m | 1640ft elevation gain
In Mértola
Breakfast
Dinner (drinks not included)
Continuing our stage, we cross the municipality of Ourique and then the great municipality of Odemira, where the scenery begins to change drastically as we approach the coast, towards the town of Vila Nova de Milfontes, located in the mouth of the River Mira on the Alentejo coast.
Arriving in Milfontes and in the beautiful Atlantic coast after this long journey will cause a unique sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. If the weather is pleasant, be sure to visit Praia do Farol or Praia do Carreiro da Fazenda.
130km | 81mi - 1400m | 4600ft elevation gain
In Vila Nova de Milfontes
MEALS
Breakfast
Dinner (drinks not included)
Our trip has come to the end.
Transfers to the airport will be arranged but if you’re planning on staying a few extra days, let us know if we can help with some recommendations.
MEALS
Breakfast
Praça do Giraldo
Estremoz
Marvão
Vila Viçosa
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Monsaraz
Mértola
Vila Nova Milfontes
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