Ancient Medieval Villages of Portugal – 7 Days
Type of tour: Guided
Level: 3
Duration: 6 Nights
Distance: 35 Miles/day average
Dates: Jan 4, 25; Feb 15; Mar 1; Apr 12; May 31; Jul 26; Aug 16; Sep 13; Oct 25; Nov 15; Dec 6, 2015
Tour price: €2370
Start city: Marvao, Portugal
End city: Evora, Portugal
Tour Description
You will start your tour in Marvão, a small medieval town on the top of the hill, surrounded by walls and with a majestic castle that defended this small town from the Spanish people many times. There you can admire a spectacular view and then ride down along a medieval narrow road with ancient stone walls.
You will climb to a little chapel on the top of a hill where there is an amazing view over a beautiful medieval town and its rows of whitewashed houses. You will ride along narrow roads, either sided by cork trees or stone walls and now you will get to a beautiful town in Alentejo located in the cool mountains of the Natural Park of São Mamede, among dense olive groves and chestnut trees. The town is full of monuments, fountains and ancient houses. You will see medieval monuments, dozens of churches, enchanting alleys and some of the best Gothic porticos in Portugal.
Then you will cycle to a typical border town with its castle, again surrounded by walls. It also has a star-shaped fort, several churches, a monumental Aqueduct, a unique pillory dating back to the 16th century and many interesting details.
The ride continues to the capital of marble, where you can visit the Museum of Marble and learn how this industry began. You will visit a town which is one of the most traditional wine regions in Portugal. You can visit a vineyard and taste the world famous Alentejo wine. On the next day you will visit a town which is famous for its rugs.
This tour ends in Évora, a wonderful walled town with many Roman vestiges, medieval churches and buildings, fountains, the aqueduct, charming streets, etc. Évora is a city classified as World Heritage by UNESCO.
Highlights: Guided Daily Program: Guided Day 1: Individual arrival Day 2: Marvão and its castle (30 miles/49 km, 2625 ft/800 m ascent) Day 3: The Natural Park landscape of South Mamede Hills (47 miles/76 km, 3215 ft/980 m ascent) Day 4: Vila Viçosa and its marble (39 miles/62 km, 3446 ft/1020 m ascent) Day 5: Cork trees, Olive trees and Vineyards (44 miles/71 km, 2854 ft/870 m ascent) Day 6: Towards Évora (16 miles/25 km, 853 ft/260 m ascent) Day 7: Departure Dinners and picnic lunches are not included in self guided tour. Included Services: Guided Bike Rentals: Guided Bikes will be equipped with the following at no additional charge: Pedals: Seats: Helmets: Road bike details: Hybrid bike:
Welcome at Lisbon airport; transfer to tour start. Briefing about the tour followed by dinner. Lodging in a cozy 3-star hotel in Marvão, the highest medieval village of Portugal.
Overnight in Marvao.
After breakfast you ride down from the medieval village of Marvão into the Natural Park of São Mamede Hills. Here nature and history embrace each other. It seems time has stopped–everything is quiet! Enjoy lunch with a dazzling view over another medieval village, Castelo de Vide.
Overnight in a classic Manor House.
After breakfast you’ll leave Castelo de Vide and its castle, its churches and the Jew quarters and we ride on into the Natural Park. The day ends in Elvas, a beautiful border town with its castle, walls and an aqueduct built in the 16th century.
Overnight in a 4-star hotel built into a medieval convent.
After breakfast ride towards Vila Viçosa, the capital of marble in Portugal. This is a quiet small town where even the sidewalks are made of marble. Enjoy lunch in the garden and then visit the Marble Museum where you can learn how marble was extracted in the past and how it is extracted today.
Overnight in a 4-star hotel converted from an anceint convent.
After breakfast leave the Convent and ride towards Estremoz, land of marble and wine. End your day in Arraiolos, the land of the famous rugs where you may visit a tapestry workshop.
Overnight in a16th century converted convent.
After breakfast ride towards Évora, a city classified as World Heritage by UNESCO. Visit a winery and taste the wine and then spend the afternoon wandering around in this historic city where you can find evidences of 2000 years of History.
Overnight in Evora in a 5-star hotel.
After breakfast you will be transported to Lisbon airport.
Bikes available to be rented (to be reserved in advance at the time of booking) include:
The bikes will have flat pedals.
The bikes will be equipped with a men’s or women’s seat, as you indicate on the booking form.
Please note that helmets are NOT availabe to rent on this tour. We recommend that you bring your own or plan to purchase one upon arrival.
