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Cycling Tour in Alentejo

Tucked between Portugal’s colorful capital of Lisbon, the sun-kissed shores of Algarve, and the Spanish border lies the eternal Alentejo. Its name means “beyond [além] the Tagus [Tejo]”, a reference to the Iberian Peninsula’s longest river. The Alentejo is mineral: Most of the year, its undulating fields are dressed in gold, brass, and bronze, with accents of jade and copper. Clusters of sheep and cattle snooze under the occasional shade tree, their rangelands interspersed with vineyards, and groves of olive, chestnut, oak, and cork trees. Sprightly villages, fortified small cities, and crumbling churches and castles complete the scene.

 

For the cyclist, the Alentejo is a dream: Luscious smooth roads, over mostly rolling terrain, draw the rider deep into pristine countryside, and in and out of whitewashed towns where houses are trimmed in bright colors and locals wave and wish you Bom dia! (Good day!) Cultivated with care over centuries, this land is revered for its production of wine, olive oil, and Jamón Ibérico (world-famous acorn-fed ham), all of which ensure continued pleasure off the bike, around the table. Our tour carries us through the Alto (High) Alentejo into the districts of Évora and Portalegre. Bem-vindo a Portugal! (Welcome to Portugal!)

 

About the Alentejo Region

 

Oldest on the Iberian Peninsula and among the oldest on the continent, Portugal is the furthest western nation of mainland Europe, flanked by the Atlantic and Spain. The Azores and Madeira are part of Portugal, although each archipelago maintains an autonomous regional government. 

 

Cycling Tour in Alentejo

Dates & Pricing

Minimum of 6 participants, maximum of 16, with a maximum guide-to-guest ratio of 1 to 8

 

DATES (7 days)

May 19-25, 2023 | October 13-19, 2023
For more info and availability please contact us.

 

TOUR PRICE

Per person in double occupancy: from $4,190* 

 

Single Supplement: $690*

 

*Add 1-night pre tour extension - See more info below

 

For travel in 2021 and beyond, your tour is carbon neutral! In addition, we donate more than 1% of your trip price to food-literacy and environmental non-profits that share our values. (Details here)

Tour Highlights

  • Full immersion into local culture and history with experienced Tour Leaders
  • Delicious meals emphasizing Portuguese cuisine specific to the Alentejo
  • Elegant, traditional, and charming accommodations in 4- and 5-star hotels
  • Visit and tasting to a winemaker and sampling of the cheeses and olive oil of the Alentejo
  • Personalized experiences to learn about local cork, ceramic, and marble
  • Strolls through the two UNESCO sites of Évora and Elvas as well as in charming Vila Viçosa, Monsaraz, and other villages of the region
  • Exhilarating rides on quiet roads past ruined castles, sleepy and colorful villages, and cork and olive orchards and forests
  • Exposure to two UNESCO intangible cultural heritages: Cante Alentejano (polyphonic singing) and Fado (popular music)
  • Traditional, local recipes to bring home such as gazpacho Alentejano!
  • Add 1 night pre tour extension in Lisbon 
Cycling Level 1 – Antipasto (Appetizer)

What's Included

  • 6 nights of accommodation in 4- and 5-star hotels
  • 6 breakfasts and 2 lunches
  • 5 dinners each with either a 3- or 4-course menu
  • Guided visits to Évora and to a marble quarry
  • Rides in the Alentejo area on mostly quiet, rolling roads through sleep villages, surrounded by pastures, cork forests and olive orchards
  • Entry fees to Ducal Palace in Vila Viçosa
  • 1 visit and tasting to a local winery
  • 1 visit to a pottery center
  • Exposure to two UNESCO intangible cultural heritages: Cante Alentejano (polyphonic singing) and Fado (popular music)
  • Bike rental (see more info here) and Garmin Touring Edge unit (if you have one, bring yours and we’ll upload the routes onto your unit)
  • Comfortable transportation and assistance by 9-seat van for all travel on tour as cited in the itinerary
  • Refreshments, snacks, fruits, and other local delicacies during our rides
  • Two professional Tour Leaders
  • Group transfers to/from Lisbon Delgado airport (one at the beginning and one at the end of tour)
  • Local taxes and gratuities for luggage porters and restaurant servers on tour

What's Not Included

  • 4 lunches and 1 dinner on your own   
  • Alcoholic beverages at group meals (including wine, beer, and spirits)   
  • Round-trip airfare and expenses to/from the tour
  • E-bike, upon request and availability, with $150-250 surcharge depending on the type (see more info here)
  • Trip cancellation, baggage loss or travel delay insurance (this optional coverage is highly recommended. See more info here)
  • Pre tour extension night (Lisbon) at a 4-star hotel, 1 breakfast, 1 guided visit of the city, and 1 dinner with Fado popular music
  • Gratuities for your Tour Leaders
  • Personal expenses, such as, but not limited to, phone calls, laundry, emails, gifts

 

Itinerary

 

 

1-Night Pre-Tour Extension in Lisbon

 

 

 

To request the itinerary as a PDF or to ask us any questions please contact us today!

 

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