Alqueva and the Great Lakes – 8 Days
Type of tour: Guided
Level: 2
Duration: 7 Nights
Distance: 29 Miles/day average
Dates: Mar 21, May 23, 2015 (minimum 4 participants)
Tour price: €3640
Start city: Vila Vicosa, Portugal
End city: Albernoa, Portugal
Tour Description
Be prepared to travel back in time with the Alentejo Alqueva route! Visit a true masterpiece from the Al-Andaluz period as you enter a 13th Century Moorish Castle, considered one of the finest examples of Mude´jar art in Alentejo.
Ride to the Marble city and admire the whitewashed houses and the grandiose 16th century marble palace. Climb up to the clouds to visit the medieval village of Monsaraz and its castle, and take a dive to discover the Portuguese underwater village at the largest non-natural lake in Europe.
Cycle through the most beautiful olive trees groves in the Iberian Peninsula to arrive at the capital of the Roman Empire.
Highlights: Guided Daily Program: Guided Day 1: Arrival Day 2: Vila Viçosa – Monsaraz (27 miles/44 km) Heading for the clouds, along scenic landscapes and ancient Mudéjar art we’ll pass by the 13th century Medieval Castle of Alandroal and later on visit a traditional, local biological goat cheese manufacturer and taste one of the regional products. Pedal through an easy afternoon to reach the medieval village of Monsaraz, considered a National Monument and the balcony of the great lake, with its impressive views over the Alqueva Dam. We’ll be resting in an exclusive rural hotel. Before dinner, enjoy a cocktail and the sunset over the great lake. Day 3: Monsaraz – Moura (18 miles/29 km) Leaving the Castle we will ride towards the Alqueva bank shore, but before beginning, we will take a peek at the underwater village of Luz, which was submerged due to the construction the Alqueva Dam and the Great Lakes. Grabbing our bikes, we will depart on a charming trip through the green olive trees fields reflected in the blue crystal water of our companion for this tour, the Alqueva Lake. Our stage reaches its end at a typical countryhouse for our accomodation tonight. Day 4: Moura – Pedrogão (22 miles/35 km) This part of the tour will be quite quick and easy allowing us to visit the wine cellars and enjoy a full wine tastings at our next destination. We will be staying at an elite wine country house with a salt water swimming pool and have a regional gourmet dinner especially prepared for us. It will be a glorious evening. Day 5: Pedrogão/Sobroso – Beja (26 miles/42 km) The next 2 nights you’ll be staying at a luxurious and very exclusive countryhouse & spa. You’ll dine a typical gourmet meal with the most superb wines from Alentejo. This luxury hotel in Albernôa perfectly combines traditional elements with the contemporary demand for well-being in a peaceful environment. Day 6: Beja – Albernoa (19 miles/31 km) During todays morning you’ll be visiting a local winery, in which it will be given a quick presentation about this precious wine region. At our destination, the luxury country house & spa resort in the middle of hectares of vineyards, we’ve prepared for you guided visits to the vineyards and winery, exclusive wine tastings and relaxing activities followed by one of the most regional gourmet dinners accompanied by country house premium wines. Day 7: Lisbon You’ll return to our country house luxury resort for a delicious light lunch. During the afternoon you’ll have some free time to enjoy the many activities available in the countryhouse. During dinner we’ll savour our tour and its special moments in a nostalgic and traditional meal, where you will be able to relish the most typical and exquisite Portuguese gastronomy. Day 8: Departure Included Services: Guided Bike Rentals: Guided For an additional cost, you may rent: Please note that as part of the guided tour package, you will have access to the van/trailer with full bicycle repair support. Pedals: Seats: Helmets:
Arrival to Lisbon airport and transfer to Vila Vicosa (2 hours, driving). You will be staying at one of the most luxurious hotels in Portugal, a real museum dedicated to marble. After a general briefing on the tour, we will enjoy an exquisite contemporary interpretation of the best Alentejo terroir cuisine.
Overnight in Vila Viçosa.
Our goal for this day is the clouds. After breakfast we’ll bike around the historically and culturally rich village and admire the 16th century Dukes Palace and its 110 meters of marble forefront.
Overnight in Monsaraz.
Breakfast will start early with a ride around the tiny fairytale village of Monsaraz and its Castle, originally fortified by the Knights Templar, with some of the most fantastic views over the great lake and the Spanish border.
Overnight in Moura.
After a sweeping breakfast, we ride east through immense and breathtaking vineyards. Just before reaching our resting point, you will have the opportunity to visit one of the oldest and best olive oil mills in Portugal. We have organized a special olive oil tasting at the Adega Cooperativa Moura & Barrancos, just for us. Don’t tell anyone..!
Overnight in Pedrogão.
You will continue south, riding through small whitewashed villages houses with colourfull framed windows, and you’ll pass right through the middle of the biggest olive grove in the Iberian Peninsula. To complement the simplicity of the olive trees the ride will also take you through sun-baked fields of golden ears of wheat.
Overnight in Beja.
To finish our visit of the Alentejo, we will be riding our bikes on an easy to pedal off-road track. Along the typical countryside landscape, we want you to see, feel, hear and breathe the regions’ good life and atmosphere.
Overnight in Albernoa.
Good morning! After the most wonderful evening, enjoy the exquisite breakfast that we’ve prepared for you with views to the vineyards, followed by a relaxing walk through the farm where you’ll be able to find some of the finest examples of the Alentejo pureblood livestock.
Overnight in Lisbon
Today is departure day. During the morning we’ll do the transfers to the airport
Bikes available on this tour, included in the cost of the tour package (reserved in advance at the time of booking):
The bikes are equipped with flat pedals. You may bring your own pedals if desired.
Tour saddles are included, but you may bring your own seat. Please ensure that your seat has a universal seat post.
Helmets are provided as part of the tour package, but we recommend that you plan to bring your own helmet for safety and hygiene purposes.
