Portugal Bike: The Megalithic Heritage in Alentejo

	Guided		Notes
April, October	1,670 Euro		Per person/week

*Please contact advertiser for rates & availability for your travel dates.

Active Adventure

Tour Highlights

1. Cork oak trees and Olive trees
2. Dolmens and Menhirs more than 10.000 years old
3. Winery - guided visit and wine tasting
4. Almendres Cromlech and Xurez Cromlech
5. The white Medieval Village of Monsaraz on the top
6. Beautiful fields with wild flowers in the Spring
7. Évora - a World Heritage town classified by UNESCO
8. The biggest pottery center in Alentejo
9. Beautiful, white marble quarries
10. The Highest Anta in the Iberian Peninsula (pre-historic monument)


Summary

Alentejo is a scarcely populated region with open horizons, where the rhythm of life follows the idle sound of regional songs. It is perfect for riding a bicycle and experiencing an unforgettable adventure. This is a land of unimaginable heritage. The tour will take you along the remarkable traces of ancient cultures: dolmens and cromlechs, Roman and Arab vestiges mingling with the most recent signs of Christianity of which the numerous medieval castles are but one example. You will ride alongside vast wheat-fields and vineyards where intense green and golden colours are the main characteristic of the plains in Alentejo. One of the most typical sights in this region is a vast field with some cork trees here and there and the herds (sometimes sheep, sometimes pigs or cows) usually enjoying the shade of the trees. The villages with their whitewashed one-floor houses are a picturesque landscape in Alentejo. You will have the opportunity to visit Évora, which is classified as World Heritage by UNESCO, and some other beautiful villages, such as Estremoz, Vila Viçosa and Monsaraz. The people here are very proud of their heritage and they preserve the ancient buildings and also the ancient practices. This is a region that has a very rich handicraft tradition �" pottery, embroideries, hand-painted furniture, wrought-iron works, etc. The local gastronomy is varied and quite tasty and perfectly matches the famous local wines. This is a tour where the quietness and silence of the endless landscapes invite us to share nature in a rural environment and socialize with the people that live and work there. This is a spectacular tour characterized by moderate physical and technical difficulty and it takes us to the most ancient vestiges of our history and heritage.

Typical Day

Programme

Day 1: Arrival - Welcome at Lisbon airport. 1H30 drive to Santiago do Escoural, briefing about the tour followed by dinner. Lodging in a Bed & Breakfast unit that includes all the modern facilities and gives you all the comfort and cosiness.

Day 2: On the trails of the Dolmens and the Cromlech - 49km (31mi), level 3. After breakfast we ride along the beautiful flowered fields of Alentejo where we find several Megalithic monuments dated from 5000 to 10000 years ago. Picnic on the way. Lodging in a 4* Hotel with swimming-pool, located in the middle of the historical center of Évora, next to the 14th century city wall.

Day 3: FREE day. After breakfast visit to Évora, Classified as World Heritage by UNESCO. Lodging in a 4* Hotel with swimming-pool, located in the middle of the historical center of Évora, next to the 14th century city wall.

Day 4: Cork Oak Trees and the marble - 52km (32mi), level 4. After breakfast we learn everything about cork trees and cork. We ride towards Estremoz, the land of wine and marble. Picnic on the way. Dinner with the group. Lodging in a beautiful manor house (Bed & Breakfast) converted into a 3* design hotel.

Day 5: The pure and beautiful marble of Alentejo - 38km (24mi), level 2. After breakfast we ride towards Vila Viçosa and visit the Marble Museum. The landscape shows us vineyards, olive groves, montados (a field of cork trees) and marble. We visit a quarry. Picnic on the way. Dinner with the group. Lodging in a restored 18th century building in the historic center of Terena, 50 meters from the castle (Bed & Breakfast).

Day 6: The medieval village of Monsaraz. - 52km (32mi), level 3. After breakfast we ride towards more megalithic monuments and we get to the whitewashed medieval village of Monsaraz on the top. We visit a pottery workshop and visit a winery and taste the wine. Picnic on the way. Dinner with the group. Lodging in Rural 4* hotel with swimming-pool, that offers us a peaceful and quiet atmosphere.

Day 7: Departure - After breakfast transfer to Lisbon airport. 2H30 drive to airport.

Age range, type of group

Technical Data

Type: Hybrid Bike Tour
Class: HISTORIC TOUR
Version: Guided
Region of Portugal: Alentejo (inland)
Duration: 7 days / 6 nights / 4 days cycling /
1 day rest
Begin: Santiago do Escoural (Alentejo)
End: Reguengos de Monsaraz (Alentejo)
Difficulty level (1-5): 1 2 3 4 5
Intermediate. You must be in good shape
Distance: 190km (118mi)
Average: 48km/day (30mi/day)
Trails: 72% asphalt �" 28% dirt roads

Sleeping and meals

The price includes:

- 7-day Hybrid Bike Tour with a Guide
- Transfers from and to Lisbon Airport
- Accommodations (6 nights): 3 four* Charm Hotels, 2 Manour Houses, 1 B&B/Rural Tourism. Double bedroom occupancy.
- 6 Breakfasts
- 4 nourishing and energetic picnics
- 4 Dinners (including our famous wines, our amazing cheeses and lovely desserts)
- Daily energy-bars and water
- The winery �" guided visit and wine tasting
- Visit to the biggest marble quarry in Alentejo
- Luggage transport from Hotel to Hotel
- Documentation about PortugalBike Tour
- Liability Insurance
- Personal Accident Insurance
- Techno-Mechanical Assistance
- First-Aid assistance on location
- Permanent Backup Vehicle
- Visit to Marble Museum

Rates

Dates and Prices for 2012:

April 08 â€" 14:
Guided: Euro 1670 (Single Suppl. + € 210)
October 21 - 27:
Guided: Euro 1670 (Single Suppl. + € 210)



=> Prices per person, double bedroom occupancy, 4* quality Hotel.
=> If you want a different date, ask us about prices and availability.

Other Information

On this tour you will ride with this bicycle

HYBRID BIKE: BH K30k Silvertip
DETAILS:
Frame: Alluminium
Fork: Front fork suspension with lock
Brakes: Hydraulic disc brakes
Gears: Shimano XT/LX, 27 speeds
Pedals: Normal (with cages or not) or Shimano SPD
Tires: Hybrid tires 700x40 (28"x1.6)
Weight: 13,5kg
Other: Seat post with small suspension, man or woman seat, front bag on the handlebar.
(please see the picture #26)



Testimonials

»»»» Our cycling trip with you was the highlight of our holiday!!! This was our first cycling trip in another country and we will definitely do it again. I would like to thank you again for such a wonderful trip. The route was very interesting with a lot of variety in the itinerary. Jose has put a lot of thought and time into discovering and planning it. I particularly enjoyed the off road areas �" through farmers lands. The fun and challenge off rolling hills, uneven ground and not knowing what was around the next corner. I loved the bike I was riding, and in fact my own bike without disc brakes seems very inferior now. Not only was the route varied and interesting, but the choice of accommodations was as well. Each place had its own unique charm, and the meals were superb. We felt very pampered at the end of the day (and after 50 kms I was tired!!). I also enjoyed the opportunity to just chat, and learn about your interesting country --- its politics, its history -- both past and present. Cristina and Jose, you are wonderful hosts and new friends. We thoroughly enjoyed our time with you and I will be raving about this holiday with all my cycling friends. I wish you much success in your business.
= Karen Clarke - Age: 56 (Edmonton, Alberta - Canada), 2009 =

»»»» We really felt like saw the authentic Portugal. Going through the cork forests, seeing the marble quarry, and staying in the small towns gave us a unique experience for the true countryside. We loved the history of Evora, Terena and all the places in-between. It was great to enjoy the local foods and we enjoyed learning and tasting the true "Port". Your hospitality and care and attention to our needs was excellent! Thank you so much for this amazing experience.
= Lincoln and Susan Browning, Ages: 54 & 52 (Calgary, Alberta �" Canada), 2008 =

»»»» The Megalithic Heritage in Alentejo tour was an excellent adventure for a family of 4 (including 2 teenage boys). We truly wished that we could have extended our journey. The hybrid cycling exceeded our expectations… great landscape, quiet roads and paths, charming villages, peaceful vineyards… all which allowed us to explore remote areas of Portugal that would normally be inaccessible. The accommodation, meals, and travel route were superb. Combining this with the hospitality and personal touch of our guide and host from PortugalBike Tours, I’d strongly recommend this tour for anybody interested in cycling within Portugal.
= Tom Trottier (Toronto �" Canada), 2008 =

Cristina Henriques (View My Profile)
Being a Portuguese-owned Company, we know our country better than anybody else and we want to expose people to places and curiosities about Portugal that only a Portuguese knows! Our goal is that you visit Portugal …riding a bicycle!

On PortugalBike Tours you have the opportunity to visit our historical, cultural and landscape heritage in our National Parks, enjoy the sun and the beaches, and at the end of the day you can recover your strength with an exquisite dinner. You can taste our famous wines, amazing cheeses and lovely desserts, and sample typical dishes of each region of Portugal.

Travelling with PortugalBike will connect you deeply with the country, becoming part of its everyday life, observing details that typical tourists miss and enjoying spontaneous encounters along the way. You will rest in cosy and charming accommodations. We always choose 4-star quality hotels whenever possible in each region or Bed & Breakfast units. Our accommodations are always the best offer of each region.

PortugalBike Tours are designed so that we begin at a certain point and we end elsewhere. You do not start and end at the same place. We think that is the best way to discover Portugal ...riding a bicycle! Read the specific information about each ride to learn more details.

PortugalBike Tours have a maximum of 16 participants, and a minimum of two. Larger groups are also possible upon request and according to our availability. Our Bike Tours are prepared for one week (7 days / Sunday to Saturday).

The dates of PortugalBike Tours are according to our calendar, or on request, according to our availability. The prices below are for the scheduled PortugalBike Tours. If you wish a different date, ask us for prices and availability.

WE ARE PROUD TO OFFER YOU A GOOD PRODUCT AND A QUALITY SERVICE