Start riding by the castles and monasteries of Marvão, Crato, Estremoz, discovering the medieval heritage of Portugal, explore the marble region of the Alentejo and its renaissance palaces, the fortified villages atop of the Alqueva and enjoy a week long ride in these peaceful rolling hills while exploring local wine cellars, sleeping in convents and discovering the UNESCO world heritage sites of cities like Évora, Vila Viçosa and Monsaraz.
Voted Best Wine Region of the world in 2014, Alentejo is a picturesque and charming place, where you’ll fall in love with:
Visit the UNESCO world heritage sites in Évora, the fortified village of Marvão, the former Palace of the Portuguese Kings and the rural lifestyle of the local homesteads; Ride the never-ending rolling hills and the hidden trails between the fields. The car-free roads and trails of the Alentejo provide a great atmosphere for bike tours and its topography makes it a great region for beginner and intermediate riders. You’ll have plenty of time to stop and check out the “Sobreiros” and visit the “Antas” along the way.
You’ll get to sleep in Convents and dine in some of the country's best restaurants, harmonizing every meal with amazing wines; Admire the Alqueva Dark Sky Reserve, visit the Esporão Wine and Olive Oil “Herdade”, experience a boat ride in Europe’s biggest artificial lake and try an amazing array of experiences the Alentejo has to offer!
Pick up from your hotel for a 2 hours transfer to Pousada do Marvão, in Alentejo. Check-in at this Pousada on the top of the hill and inside the village walls, overlooking the northern Alentejo plains. Set up of the bikes. Free afternoon to relax at the hotel or walk through the village’s narrow streets, visit the 9th century castle, cistern and admire the beautiful S. Mamede mountain range Hotel – Pousada de Marvão (upgrade to superior room in "premium" option)
Breakfast at the hotel. Start of the ride to Alter by the beautiful “Beirã” region, passing the medieval city and stronghold of Castelo de Vide, for a quick stop and coffee. Keep riding through this rural area, rich in olive groves and Cork Oak trees, going through Flôr da Rosa and then Alter do Chão, home of the Lusitano thoroughbred. Relax at the hotel in the afternoon. Hotel – Convento D'Alter or Pousada do Crato – 5 star small luxury hotel of the world (included in the "premium" option)
Breakfast at the hotel. Start of the bike tour, from Crato to Alter do Chão, where we will ride the rolling hills of North Alentejo to the top of yet another medieval village: Estremoz, where our hotel, the Pousada de Estremoz (included in the premium option) is marvelously located overlooking the Alentejo plains, or the Convento de São Paulo, a unique historical house convent in the Ossa mountain range. Enjoy your afternoon visiting Estremoz or relaxing at this amazing charm hotel. Hotel – Convento de São Paulo or Pousada Castelo de Estremoz – Rainha Santa Isabel (included in the "premium" option)
Breakfast at the hotel. Start of our bike tour, from Estremoz to Redondo going through the Ossa mountain range, a steady climb will let you enjoy the views from the top. Ride through Redondo and this quaint countryside of farmed land and rolling hills all the way to Monsaraz, a fortified village atop the Alqueva Lake, with beautiful views over the Alentejo plains. Arrival at our hotel, the Horta da Moura, in Monsaraz, the first rural hotel in the Alentejo or Herdade São Lourenço do Barrocal, a Small Luxury Hotel of the world (included for “Premium option”), perfect for relaxing and visiting its renowned Wine cellars. Hotel – Estalagem de Monsaraz or Herdade São Lourenço do Barrocal (included in the "premium" option)
Breakfast at the hotel. Start of the ride towards Reguengos home of Herdade do Esporão, one of the iconic wine and olive oil producers in Alentejo. Once you leave Reguengos you'll ride some of the quietest roads of this region, through Montoito village and endless vineyards and farmland almost to the edge of the city of Évora. On arrival check in at the hotel M’Ar de Ar Aqueduto hotel, an amazing 5 star hotel by the Évora Aqueduct, or M'ar D'Ar Muralhas, a 4 star hotel placed inside Évora's fortified walls. Free afternoon to visit Évora before dinner at Luar de Janeiro, another opportunity to taste the majestically prepared local gastronomy. Hotel – M’ar de Ar Muralhas Hotel or M’ar de Ar Aqueduto Hotel (“premium” option)
Breakfast at the hotel. Start of today’s optional bike tour, a morning loop towards Arraiolos, an amazing white washed fortification on the outskirts of Évora, famous for its woolen carpets with intricate and traditional motifs. Ride by the central plains of Alentejo enjoying the views of the cork and olive trees, the bulls and cattle that roam free in the big properties of the region, here called Herdades. Lunch in Évora. Free afternoon for visiting and shopping in Évora and its amazing monuments Hotel – M’ar de Ar Muralhas Hotel or M’ar de Ar Aqueduto Hotel (“premium” option)
Breakfast at the hotel, followed by check-out and free time to enjoy Évora's city center before transfer to Lisbon (airport or hotel) or extended stay in Évora.
Extend your stay in Lisbon or Évora for an extra day before or after this trip.
Live Love Ride
Avenida Infante D. Henrique, 311
1950-421
Lisbon - Portugal
Monday to Friday
09AM to 06PM GMT
EUR: (+351) 217 590 365 - Call to the Portuguese national fixed network
US/CAN: +1 (917) 695-3350
Email: ridewithus @ liveloveride.pt
