Cycle in Nature & Cook Like a Chef

We designed this trip for those in search of a teeming mixture of nature and heritage and a dot of excellent cuisine to top it off! This tour explores three regions, the Natural Park of Serra d’Aires e Candeeiros, the beautiful region around Évora – a city classified by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, and the gorgeous natural park of Alentejo SW and the Vicentine Coast – a dramatic change of landscapes going from the inland mountain range, Alentejo plains to the impressive south coast. Note, due to the tough profile of the climbs in Serra d’Aires e Candeeiros, we programmed this tour with e-bikes. But if you opt to use a normal bike we guarantee you will have a more challenging ride!… Your evenings will be spent with Chefs or local cooks. In our cooking classes, you will learn how to prepare the acclaimed Portuguese delicious and uncomplicated food. At each class, you will receive a little cookbook with the recipe of what you prepared so that you can repeat the cooking experience back home. We can adjust this trip to fit your best wishes and performance level. Day 1 – Transfer from Lisbon to Alvados The Natural Park of Aires and Candeeiros has a very special landscape, dotted here and there by boulders, fissures and slopes. Underground there is a rich network of caves and galleries that extend beyond your imagination. The small village of Alvados is hidden in a deep valley, where our hotel comes as a surprise. Bike and Cook and relax at this charming place. Day 2 – Caves Route of Aires and Candeeiros (43km +1.100m) We’ll take you first to visit the wonderful limestone caves of Santo António formed more than 150 million years ago. You’ll continue cycling through the rural and olive trees fields, then visiting an olive mill and tasting some olive oil. Arriving at the village of Porto de Mós you may choose to visit the castle and then head back home for some relaxing time in the SPA. A cooking class at the hotel ends the day. Day 3 – Monasteries Route (47km +824 m) You’ll cycle from Alvados to the Monastery of Batalha and then to the Monastery of Alcobaça.These are masterpieces of Gothic art, mingled with Manueline style.The route is again hilly at the beginning but then you have a wonderful downhill on a narrow road through the mountains. After the visits, a 2 hr van trip will leave you at a rural guesthouse nearby Évora, Alentejo. Day 4 – The Wine & Cork Route (44km +324 m) Leaves the farm in direction of Igrejinha, a white village where all houses have stripes with different colors, resembling a great painting. Cycle to the cork factory, see how cork is transformed and learn about all you can do with it! Ride to S. Miguel de Machede, and finish with a visit to the winery of São Miguel, a really fun and interesting visit. Transfer back to the farm or return cycling (15 km). A cooking class on Alentejo gastronomy will be waiting for you! Day 5 – The famous carpets (40 Km +425 m) Along the ecotrail, a bike lane built on an old railway, we’ll take you to the village of Graça do Divor. From here, heads to the Arraiolos castle village, with its rich historical centre and famous hand-made carpets. Local winery visit with a fantastic private carriage collection. A few kms later a cheese production farm where local liqueurs, jams and other regional delicacies are produced could be tasted (extra).Transfer back to the farm or return cycling (10 km). Day 6 – 20 centuries of History (20 Km +121 m) Évora is such a gorgeous city you must cycle there to explore it, through beautiful old streets we carefully selected for you. After your lunch (not included) we will take you to Santiago do Cacém by van. There we will drop you off in the castle for a visit, and you may cycle to the hotel afterwards. Another tasty cooking class will be waiting for you! Day 7 – From the Mountain to the Sea (65 Km +660 m) After all these inland days, you deserve a bit of sea views and maybe a swim! Head out towards the coastline through a lush green oak forest. The Blue Ocean and schist cliffs will frame the arrival to the fisherman’s village of Porto Covo. On the way check out a fortress that used to protect a natural bay from pirate attacks. Soon after you will have the opportunity to watch the unloading of the fish and the lamprey drying in the sun. Later relax at the beach or snoop around the small streets and shops of Vila Nova de Milfontes, followed by the perfect end of the day at the romantic river side farm hotel. Day 8 – Day of departure… Or keep cycling with us along the Vicentina Coast Tour! Check-out and transfer to Lisbon.