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Active Adventure
Tour Highlights
1. Accommodations in Historic Hotels, Castles, Palaces, Monasteries and Fortresses
2. The majestic Marvao Castle from the top
3. Fields of cork trees, olive trees and vineyards
4. The 13th century medieval town of Marvao
5. Visit to a winery and wine tasting
6. Arraiolos - famous for its rugs
7. Amazing white marble quarries
8. Relive history itself in each stone, each glance and each object
9. Evora - a World Heritage town classified by UNESCO
10. Feeling a different outstanding atmosphere in each Pousada.
Summary
This is a gorgeous Road Bike Tour (on which you can also use a Hybrid Bike) which takes you to several Castles, Palaces, Monasteries and Convents; these magnificent places were once inhabited by the clergy or the Queens and Kings of Portugal and now are converted into exquisite lodgings, which we call POUSADAS. This Tour starts in Marvao, 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 before you start riding down. Afterwards, you will climb to Senhora da Penha, a little chapel on the top of a hill where there is an amazing view over Castelo de Vide, another medieval town, and its rows of whitewashed houses. You will ride along narrow roads, either sided by cork trees or stone walls and you will get to Crato, where you will stay in an amazing building that was once a convent and today is a luxury hotel. On the next day you will ride towards Estremoz. This is one of Portugal's traditional wine regions. You can visit a vineyard and taste the world famous Alentejo wine. The ride continues to Vila Viçosa, the capital of marble, where you can visit the Museum of Marble and learn how this industry began. You will also visit a pottery workshop. And you will get to Evora, a wonderful walled town with many Roman vestiges, medieval churches and buildings, fountains, the aqueduct, charming streets, etc. Evora is a city classified as World Heritage by UNESCO. This PortugalBike Tour ends in Arraiolos which is famous for its rugs that are still hand-made following a tradition that is documented since the 17th century.
1. Accommodations in Historic Hotels, Castles, Palaces, Monasteries and Fortresses
2. The majestic Marvao Castle from the top
3. Fields of cork trees, olive trees and vineyards
4. The 13th century medieval town of Marvao
5. Visit to a winery and wine tasting
6. Arraiolos - famous for its rugs
7. Amazing white marble quarries
8. Relive history itself in each stone, each glance and each object
9. Evora - a World Heritage town classified by UNESCO
10. Feeling a different outstanding atmosphere in each Pousada.
Summary
This is a gorgeous Road Bike Tour (on which you can also use a Hybrid Bike) which takes you to several Castles, Palaces, Monasteries and Convents; these magnificent places were once inhabited by the clergy or the Queens and Kings of Portugal and now are converted into exquisite lodgings, which we call POUSADAS. This Tour starts in Marvao, 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 before you start riding down. Afterwards, you will climb to Senhora da Penha, a little chapel on the top of a hill where there is an amazing view over Castelo de Vide, another medieval town, and its rows of whitewashed houses. You will ride along narrow roads, either sided by cork trees or stone walls and you will get to Crato, where you will stay in an amazing building that was once a convent and today is a luxury hotel. On the next day you will ride towards Estremoz. This is one of Portugal's traditional wine regions. You can visit a vineyard and taste the world famous Alentejo wine. The ride continues to Vila Viçosa, the capital of marble, where you can visit the Museum of Marble and learn how this industry began. You will also visit a pottery workshop. And you will get to Evora, a wonderful walled town with many Roman vestiges, medieval churches and buildings, fountains, the aqueduct, charming streets, etc. Evora is a city classified as World Heritage by UNESCO. This PortugalBike Tour ends in Arraiolos which is famous for its rugs that are still hand-made following a tradition that is documented since the 17th century.
Typical Day
Programme
Day 1: Arrival. Welcome at Lisbon airport. 3H00 drive to Marvao. Briefing about the tour followed by dinner. Lodging in a Pousada with a cosy ambience and almost family atmosphere.
Day 2: The beautiful Natural Park with its medieval towns - 65km (40mi), level 4. After breakfast we ride down from the medieval village of Marvao on the top and we ride into the Natural Park of Sao Mamede Hills. Here Nature and History embrace each other. It seems time has stopped! Everything is quiet. We have our picnic at a place with a dazzling view over another medieval village, Castelo de Vide. Dinner with the group. Lodging in a Pousada that manages to combine the genuine characteristics of the former convent with modern luxury.
Day 3: Cork oak trees, olive trees and vast vineyards - 67km (42mi), level 4. After breakfast we leave the Monastery and ride towards Alter do Chao where we can admire the whitewashed houses with a yellow or blue stripe, the cobblestone roads sided by trees, beautiful manor houses dated from the 17th and 18th centuries and we can also visit the small castle. We have our picnic and then the day ends in Estremoz, the land of marble and wine. Dinner with the group. Lodging in a castle converted into Pousada from where you can admire a superb view over the city of Estremoz and the vast Alentejo plain.
Day 4: Vila Vicosa and its marble. - 41km (25mi), level 2. After breakfast we visit a winery and taste the wine. Then we ride towards Alandroal and Vila Vicosa, the capital of marble in Portugal. This is a quiet small town in Alentejo where even the sidewalks are made of marble. We have our picnic in the garden and then we visit the small Marble Museum where you can learn how the marble was extracted in the past how it is extracted nowadays. Dinner with the group. Lodging in a Pousada that was once a Convent. It is full of legends and tales.
Day 5: Towards Evora - 59km (37mi), level 3. After breakfast we ride to Redondo where we visit a pottery workshop. We have our picnic before arriving to Evora, a city classified as World Heritage by UNESCO. You will have the afternoon free to wander around the city where you can find evidences of 2000 years of History. Dinner with the group. Lodging in a Pousada, which was originally a convent and is one of Evora's most precious architectural buildings.
Day 6: Arraiolos - an old town famous for its rugs. - 58km (36mi), level 3, or 24km (15mi), level 1. After breakfast we ride to Arraiolos, another small town in Alentejo with its whitewashed houses. This town is famous for its rugs. Before getting there we have our last picnic. Dinner with the group. Lodging in a Pousada which is an example of perfect harmony between the traditional and modern concepts of Portuguese architecture.
Day 7: Departure. After breakfast we leave to Lisbon airport - 2H00 drive
Day 1: Arrival. Welcome at Lisbon airport. 3H00 drive to Marvao. Briefing about the tour followed by dinner. Lodging in a Pousada with a cosy ambience and almost family atmosphere.
Day 2: The beautiful Natural Park with its medieval towns - 65km (40mi), level 4. After breakfast we ride down from the medieval village of Marvao on the top and we ride into the Natural Park of Sao Mamede Hills. Here Nature and History embrace each other. It seems time has stopped! Everything is quiet. We have our picnic at a place with a dazzling view over another medieval village, Castelo de Vide. Dinner with the group. Lodging in a Pousada that manages to combine the genuine characteristics of the former convent with modern luxury.
Day 3: Cork oak trees, olive trees and vast vineyards - 67km (42mi), level 4. After breakfast we leave the Monastery and ride towards Alter do Chao where we can admire the whitewashed houses with a yellow or blue stripe, the cobblestone roads sided by trees, beautiful manor houses dated from the 17th and 18th centuries and we can also visit the small castle. We have our picnic and then the day ends in Estremoz, the land of marble and wine. Dinner with the group. Lodging in a castle converted into Pousada from where you can admire a superb view over the city of Estremoz and the vast Alentejo plain.
Day 4: Vila Vicosa and its marble. - 41km (25mi), level 2. After breakfast we visit a winery and taste the wine. Then we ride towards Alandroal and Vila Vicosa, the capital of marble in Portugal. This is a quiet small town in Alentejo where even the sidewalks are made of marble. We have our picnic in the garden and then we visit the small Marble Museum where you can learn how the marble was extracted in the past how it is extracted nowadays. Dinner with the group. Lodging in a Pousada that was once a Convent. It is full of legends and tales.
Day 5: Towards Evora - 59km (37mi), level 3. After breakfast we ride to Redondo where we visit a pottery workshop. We have our picnic before arriving to Evora, a city classified as World Heritage by UNESCO. You will have the afternoon free to wander around the city where you can find evidences of 2000 years of History. Dinner with the group. Lodging in a Pousada, which was originally a convent and is one of Evora's most precious architectural buildings.
Day 6: Arraiolos - an old town famous for its rugs. - 58km (36mi), level 3, or 24km (15mi), level 1. After breakfast we ride to Arraiolos, another small town in Alentejo with its whitewashed houses. This town is famous for its rugs. Before getting there we have our last picnic. Dinner with the group. Lodging in a Pousada which is an example of perfect harmony between the traditional and modern concepts of Portuguese architecture.
Day 7: Departure. After breakfast we leave to Lisbon airport - 2H00 drive
Age range, type of group
Our clients come in all ages, but the most common are people over 40, with an average age around 55.
Technical Data
Type: Road Bike Tour
Class: HISTORIC TOUR
Version: Guided or Self-Guided
Region of Portugal: Alentejo (inland)
Duration: 7 days / 6 nights / 5 days cycling
Begin: Marvao (Alentejo)
End: Arraiolos (Alentejo)
Difficulty level (1-5): 1 2 3 4 5
= Intermediate. You must be in good shape
Distance: 250km (155mi)
Average: 50km/day (31mi)
Technical Data
Type: Road Bike Tour
Class: HISTORIC TOUR
Version: Guided or Self-Guided
Region of Portugal: Alentejo (inland)
Duration: 7 days / 6 nights / 5 days cycling
Begin: Marvao (Alentejo)
End: Arraiolos (Alentejo)
Difficulty level (1-5): 1 2 3 4 5
= Intermediate. You must be in good shape
Distance: 250km (155mi)
Average: 50km/day (31mi)
Other Information
On this tour you will ride with this bicycle
ROAD RACE BIKE: SCOTT CR1 Comp
DETAILS:
Frame: Carbon fiber
Fork: Carbon fiber
Shifters: Shimano 105
Gears: Shimano 105/Tiagra, Compact 20 speeds (50x34 with 12-30)
Pedals: Normal (with cages or not) or Shimano SPD, or Look Keo Classic
Tyres: Road 700x23, Schwalbe anti-flat tyres
Weight: 8.2kg (18 pound)
Other: Man or woman seat, triangle bag on the frame (1,3 liter) and seat bag (1,6 liter). Two 0,66 liter water bottles.
Testimonials
>>> Our The Charming Pousadas in Alentejoi and Towards the Algarvei trips were our second and third trips with you - have you had any clients that have returned for a third time?
Our first trip in 2007 was on mountain bikes where we visited several castles - Linhares, Marvao, Sesimbra, Peninche, Obidos. We realized then that Portugal is a great venue for biking - the right topography, climate, rideable trails or quite roads and your organization!
The Pousadasi trip was great. The trip was well organized from the bike route to the selection of the accommodations. Cycling through the hills surrounded with the olive and cork trees was awesome. The well-planned route, attention to detail, and quality bikes combined for a stress free holiday. Route-finding was never a worry with the GPS! We always looked forward to each Pousadai at the end of each day to recoup and relax after the daily cycle. Thank you Jose!
Toward the Algarvei bike tour was a super way to combine landscapes with cycling. We enjoyed this trip because it offered more cycling and less elevation. The inland coastal landscapes combined with a stunning finale in Lagos were great. All of the accommodations were comfortable and of a high standard. The night at the Monte Joao Roupeiro (Rural tourism) and the grouper kebabs in Odeceixe was great. Again the tour was well-designed and you made sure that the smallest details were attended to. Thanks for the great trips. We hope to join you again, maybe next year.
= Dave and Sue White, Ages: 56 & 55 (Luanda - Angola), 2010 =
>>> My Dear Cristina and Jose, we have told many of our friends and family what a great trip you put together for us. You did everything. We left all our worries behind and just enjoyed. We were so relaxed by the end it was hard to get back to work. We had a fabulous time. PortugalBike is an outstanding Company. Everything went perfectly from the time you picked us up at our hotel in Lisbon until the time you dropped us off again in Lisbon. The accommodations and the food on the trip were excellent. The biking on beautiful back roads in Alentejo was fun and relaxing. Very rarely did we even encounter cars with the exception of the beautiful villages we stayed in. The equipment provided was outstanding. Thanks again.
= Kurt Stenmark, Age: 59 (Denver, Colorado - U.S.A.), 2010 =
ROAD RACE BIKE: SCOTT CR1 Comp
DETAILS:
Frame: Carbon fiber
Fork: Carbon fiber
Shifters: Shimano 105
Gears: Shimano 105/Tiagra, Compact 20 speeds (50x34 with 12-30)
Pedals: Normal (with cages or not) or Shimano SPD, or Look Keo Classic
Tyres: Road 700x23, Schwalbe anti-flat tyres
Weight: 8.2kg (18 pound)
Other: Man or woman seat, triangle bag on the frame (1,3 liter) and seat bag (1,6 liter). Two 0,66 liter water bottles.
Testimonials
>>> Our The Charming Pousadas in Alentejoi and Towards the Algarvei trips were our second and third trips with you - have you had any clients that have returned for a third time?
Our first trip in 2007 was on mountain bikes where we visited several castles - Linhares, Marvao, Sesimbra, Peninche, Obidos. We realized then that Portugal is a great venue for biking - the right topography, climate, rideable trails or quite roads and your organization!
The Pousadasi trip was great. The trip was well organized from the bike route to the selection of the accommodations. Cycling through the hills surrounded with the olive and cork trees was awesome. The well-planned route, attention to detail, and quality bikes combined for a stress free holiday. Route-finding was never a worry with the GPS! We always looked forward to each Pousadai at the end of each day to recoup and relax after the daily cycle. Thank you Jose!
Toward the Algarvei bike tour was a super way to combine landscapes with cycling. We enjoyed this trip because it offered more cycling and less elevation. The inland coastal landscapes combined with a stunning finale in Lagos were great. All of the accommodations were comfortable and of a high standard. The night at the Monte Joao Roupeiro (Rural tourism) and the grouper kebabs in Odeceixe was great. Again the tour was well-designed and you made sure that the smallest details were attended to. Thanks for the great trips. We hope to join you again, maybe next year.
= Dave and Sue White, Ages: 56 & 55 (Luanda - Angola), 2010 =
>>> My Dear Cristina and Jose, we have told many of our friends and family what a great trip you put together for us. You did everything. We left all our worries behind and just enjoyed. We were so relaxed by the end it was hard to get back to work. We had a fabulous time. PortugalBike is an outstanding Company. Everything went perfectly from the time you picked us up at our hotel in Lisbon until the time you dropped us off again in Lisbon. The accommodations and the food on the trip were excellent. The biking on beautiful back roads in Alentejo was fun and relaxing. Very rarely did we even encounter cars with the exception of the beautiful villages we stayed in. The equipment provided was outstanding. Thanks again.
= Kurt Stenmark, Age: 59 (Denver, Colorado - U.S.A.), 2010 =
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