Tour Factsheet

Self-Guided Bicycle Tours in Portugal:

Cycling Portugal Castles and Wine

Self-Guided Bicycle Tours in Portugal: Cycling Portugal Castles and Wine Tour Facts Sheet On this tour you will cycle through Roman ruins, rural paradise and one of the most ancient towns in Europe: Évora, world heritage site. You will pass by the Alqueva reservoir, one of the world's best places for stargazing, at the border with Spain. Visit artisan centers, wine and cheese making farms and marble workshops.

Beautiful, serene historic hotels, Roman ruins, rural paradise and one of the most ancient towns in Europe, Highlights Alqueva reservoir, one of the world's best places for stargazing, Artisan centers of pottery, winemaking and marble work. €1230 Price Single supplement: €560 7 nights lodging in 3-4 star charm hotels (most built in castles, convents); all breakfasts; 1 dinner; use of a 24- Includes speed trekking bicycle; use of GPS with preloaded tracks; briefing by our staff; Visit our website for tour dates, price and full roadbook and map; luggage transfers itinerary description at Cycleeurope.com. Countries Portugal Begin/End Arraiolos/Estremoz Arrive/Depart Lisbon Portela Airport (LIS) Do you need more information? Read our Self Guided Tour FAQ Sheet here. Total 250 km (156 miles) Distance Daily 35 - 50 km (22 - 30 miles) Distance Flat to rolling terrain with some climbs, What to some dirt roads which are well-suited Expect for hybrid bikes. Rating 2 – View Tour Rating Descriptions

Terms Terms & Conditions

Cycling Portugal Castles and Wine

Tour Dates

Can begin all Saturdays between April and October (though July and August can be quite hot). Departures on days different from Saturdays are possible, pending availability, for an extra price.

Self-guided tours Collections Program:

This tour is part of our Self-Guided Collections program Great cycling experiences abound throughout Europe! Since we cannot directly operate self-guided tours everywhere, we have used our vast experience and network in the continent to curate and offer self-guided tours on our website that are operated by select partners that we know and trust. These tours are similar in quality to those we operate directly in many ways – for example, the tour begins with an in-person briefing (in English); bicycles are provided in optimal condition, and each customer goes through a personal bike fitting at the tour start; the roadbook and step-by-step navigation instructions, as well as lodging/accommodations are of similar quality. If you have any question regarding this type of tours, please feel free to ask us!

Your Itinerary

Day 1: Tour begins in Arraiolos, Portugal Highlights: mediaeval village famous for its round-shaped castle and embroidered carpets Accommodation: Pousada de Arraiolos Welcome to Arraiolos! We meet this afternoon at your first charm hotel, built in a wonderful 16th century convent. We will fit bicycles and go over route details. Take a walk around the center of Arraiolos and admire the castle while tasting a delicious pastéis de toucinho or relax in the hotel swimming pool before dinner.

Day 2: Cycle from Arraiolos to our guesthouse out of Évora Mileage: 45 km (28 Highlights: cheese farm, winery with its private carriage collections miles)

Before leaving Arraiolos you can climb to the castle for unforgettable views. Pedal on Accommodation: rolling terrain to reach a cheese, jam and liqueur farm. Further on you can visit a winery Monte do Serrado de also famous for its carriage collection. Dinner is included tonight. Baixo

Cycling Portugal Castles and Wine

Day 3: Loop ride on the Megalithic route or on the Wine and Cork route Mileage: Highlights: Ancient Roman settlement of Évora, prehistorical sites and 5,000 years of Megalithic route history or Cork factory and wineries 25-40km (16-25 miles); You have a choice today between two loop rides. The first one will take you on the Wine and Cork route Megalithic route: visit one of the biggest dolmen and one of the most 42-62km (26-39 miles) important cromeleques in Europe. On the second loop you will cycle to a cork factory, Accommodation: where you'll see how cork is transformed and learn about all you can do with it! You will sleep in Evora tonight. Inhabited for more than 2000 years, Evora is on the roster of most Hotel Mar de Ar ancient towns in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Be brave and visit the surreal Muralhas XIII century bone chapel.

Day 4: Cycling from Évora to Reguengos de Monsaraz Mileage: 50km (31 Highlights: Degebe river valley, castle of Valongo, wine tasting miles)

Pedal east towards the Spanish border today, through olive groves and barren landscape to reach the small and traditional village of Nossa Senhora de Machede. Here you can visit a Accommodation: leather factory and the mysterious castle of Valongo. Reguengos de Monsaraz was Solar de Alqueva nominated European wine city in 2015. Visit a local winery where the scent of the fermenting wine in clay pots fills the air.

Day 5: Cycle from Reguengos to Monsaraz Mileage: 35km Highlights: Pottery village, Alqueva reservoir, castles and fortified town of Monsaraz (22miles)

Today you will visit the pottery village of S. Pedro do Corval, where you can see the men Accommodation: transforming the clay into pots and plates and the ladies painting them at an impressive Casa do Pinto speed. You will be heading to the castle town of Monsaraz, which overlooks the Alqueva reservoir. The largest reservoir in Europe, this body of water straddles the Spanish- Or Portuguese border and was designated in 2012 as one of the first Starlight Tourism Destinations for its ideal star-gazing conditions and exceptionally low light pollution. Then it’s time to conquer the castle, use all your energy to climb up to Monsaraz before Estalagem de going down to the relaxing country hotel to cool off and dine. Monsaraz

Cycling Portugal Castles and Wine

Day 6: Cycle from Monsaraz to Vila Vicosa Mileage: 50km (31 Highlights: marble capital of Portugal miles)

You will pedal north with views into Spain, riding toward Vila Vicosa through wheat fields and olive orchard dotted with cork-oak trees. This semi-arid region is one of the country's least populated and is known for its agricultural production, though today's short climb ends Accommodation: at a town famed for its marble. The beautiful rose-colored Vila Vicosa marble can be seen Pousada D. João IV everywhere in town-including the street pavers! You can learn about its properties, history and the process of extraction at the marble museum.

Day 7: Cycle from Vila Vicosa to Estremoz Mileage: 35km Highlights: the marble route, taste petiscos, Estremoz (22 miles)

Accommodation: A light cycle today to give you the opportunity to stop in taverns to taste local delicacies "petiscos". You will sleep in a historical 700 years old hotel in Estremoz tonight, which is Pousada Castelo de the second largest exporter of marble in the world. And the journey will not be over until Estremoz - Rainha Stª you climb up to the marble donjon tower of the castle where you will sleep. Isabel

Day 8: Tour ends in Estremoz Boa viagem!

Your tour ends after breakfast. We can organize an optional transfer to Lisbon if you wish and we highly recommend to spend a night in this beautiful capital.

NOTE: This hotel itinerary is subjected to changes according to availability. City taxes are not included.

LODGING UPGRADE: Room upgrades are possible in some hotels. Ask for availability.

Cycling Portugal Castles and Wine

GTA: How to get there and away

Starting point: Hotel Pousada de Arraiolos, Nossa Sra. da Assunção, 7044-909, Arraiolos. From the bus station in the city center you can catch a bus to Arraiolos.

Ending point: Hotel Pousada Castelo de Estremoz - Rainha Stª Isabel, Largo de D. Diniz, 7100-509, Estremoz. From Estremoz, you can catch a bus that will take you to Lisbon city center and then public transport to the airport.

Once you book the tour we will send you detailed information and different options on how to get to the starting point and away from the ending point of the tour.

Luggage Transfers

Luggage transfer is included in your package. Normally, the luggage is collected from 09.00 at the reception of the hotel and is delivered at the following hotel by 17.00. Every piece of luggage must be marked with a visible luggage tag. Please make sure yours have correct tags.

If your luggage is not ready by the time the driver comes to collect it, you may need to have to pay directly a local taxi for the service.

Please consider that the luggage is not insured during the transport. You need to have your own insurance. Do not leave valuables or fragile items in your luggage.

Normally you cannot use the luggage transport service to skip the stage. In case you need help to skip the stage, please contact our emergency number.

Services available at an additional cost (ask for availability)

• E-bikes available for an extra cost of €100 per bike for a week-long tour. • Optional visits: - Wine tasting in Évora – Day 3 Time: 5 pm Price per person: €5 - Wine tasting in Quinta do Carmo or João Portugal Ramos (closed on Sunday), Estremoz This winery is closed on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Wineries close at 5.30 pm, so you may have to choose if you want to visit the winery or see the palace of Vila Viçosa. Closed on Sundays. Time: 15h30 Price per person: starting from €10

Cycling Portugal Castles and Wine

• Transfers Day 1 - Transfer from Lisbon to Arraiolos – 75€ per person Day 8-transfer from Estremoz to Lisbon - 75€ per person • Cooking class - Chef for a day Come and cook with us…and then enjoy your own Alentejo meal! Price: 38,50 € per person • Phone Rental - 10 € plus cost of calls you make • Massage - please consult us

Cycling Portugal Castles and Wine

TREKKING BIKES

Cycling Portugal Castles and Wine

KROSS TRANS ALP

Frame Aluminium Performance Fork SR Suntour NEX (travel 63mm) Rear shock no Gears 24 Front derailleur Shimano Altus FD-M310 Rear derailleur Shimano Deore RD-M591 Brakes Tektro V-brake Brake levers Shimano Tourney ST-EF65 Shifters Shimano Tourney ST-EF65, 8 speed Crankset Shimano Acera FC-M311 48/38/28T Bottom bracket SR Suntour Chain YBN S8 Casette Shimano Altus CS-HG31-8 11-32T Front hub Panasonic NWM 789 Rear hub Shimano FH-RM30 Tires Schwalbe Silento Puncture Protection 28"x1,6" Rims Kross (Alloy, Double Wall) Handlebar Kross Universal Components (steel, rise, 610mm, 25,4mm) Stem Kross Universal Components (alloy, adjustable, 25,4mm) Seatpost Kross Universal Components (alloy, suspension, 27,2mm) Headset Neco H128 Saddle Selle Royal Lookin Classic Moderate Royalgel Grips Herrmans Primergo Pedals Alloy w/anti slip Weight 17,5 Extras Carrier; Bag; Fenders; Kickstand

Cycling Portugal Castles and Wine

E-BIKES (available for an extra cost of 100€ per bike)

Frame Focus Impulse Trekking Hydroformed 6061 Alloy Fork SR Suntour NEX, HLO, w/hydraulic lockout, 63mm Motor Impulse Performance 2.0 Battery Impulse Li-Ion 17 Ah, 612 Wh, removeable Battery Charger Impulse 4Amp Display Impulse Small LCD Display, with Control panel and push assistance Rear Derailleur Shimano Deore, low profile, 9-speed Shifter Shimano Alivio Cassette SRAM PG-920 Crankset Impulse Peformance Gear front: 36 rear: 11-34 Handlebar Concept, riser Stem Concept EX Saddle SR Selle Royal Freccia Cut Seatpost Concept Brake Calipers Tektro Auriga, adjustable, 180/160 Wheelset Shimano DH3D32 QR/ Concept QR - Concept SR 300 rims Tires Schwalbe Road Plus, 40-622 Fender Mudguards, Sport Rack Carrier, Sport Chainguard Horn Impulse Frontlight Supernova Pure3 Rearlight Trelock, LED Slim Dynamo Shimano DH3D37, QR Pedals Trekking Sport Kickstand Impulse, adustable Colour Diamond: Ultrablue, Trapez: Skywalkerblue

Cycling Portugal Castles and Wine

Available accessories: