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	Portugal

	Alentejo South and North

	*** . 8 days . hotel & guest houses . round trip . code: PAZ/PAN



	Between the cork oaks and storks’ nests The province of Alentejo forms a part of the vast area between Lisbon and the Spanish border. It is a beautiful region, only thinly populated and abundant with cork oaks and olive trees. The villages and towns lie dotted here and there like white spots in the sun-drenched hilly landscape. The early and late seasons in particular offer fantastic cycling conditions over mainly quiet roads, where sometimes the only shadow is that of a passing stork. Southern Alentejo On your way to Alcaçovas the dolmen and excavations you pass in the hilly landscape will remind you of prehistoric times. On your ride further to Beja, the hills will continue to dominate the landscape. Visible from miles around, and most prominent place in southern Alentejo, Beja has dominated the Planície Dourada, or “Golden Plain” from time immemorial. The Alentejo is famous for its rolling landscape with cork oaks and olive trees. You ride through the most beautiful parts during the trip to Beja and Mértola (on the 15-day tour). Here you also see many “Montes”, large farms dating from Roman times and always built on top of hills. The 8-day tour skips the southern point to Mértola, and goes directly to Serpa. Mértola is a fortified town established high on a cliff top covered with agave. You imagine yourself centuries back when you feel your way through the narrow alleys between the whitewashed houses of the small town. Northern Alentejo Both the southern and the northern round trip go through Monsaraz. It puts you in the border region with Spain, where the Portuguese king Dom Dinis once had 50 strongholds built. The castle of Monsaraz, situated spectacularly on a hilltop with wide views over the surrounding area, is one of the best-known. The northern trip takes you from here to Elvas, still an impressive fortress with its double town ramparts and bastions. Two large forts high above the town give it extra protection. From Portalegre you can do a day trip to Marvão and Castello de Vide, two lovely little towns with higher forts frowning down sternly on them. And in Estremoz you will find out that marble is extracted here and in such quantities that the inhabitants have not only placed a marble statue on every corner, but have even paved their streets with this natural stone.

+ day to day

Southern Alentejo PAZ
1 Arrival at Lisbon airport and transfer to Évora.
2 Évora – Alcaçovas, 57 km.
3 Alcaçovas – Beja, 67 km.
4 Beja – Serpa, 58 km.
5 Serpa, rest day or round trip, 56/80 km.
6 Serpa – Monsaraz, 83 km.
7 Monsaraz – Évora, 64 km.
8 Évora – transfer to Lisbon and departure.

Northern Alentejo PAN
1 Arrival at Lisbon airport and transfer to Évora.
2 Évora – Monsaraz, 65 km.
3 Monsaraz – Elvas, 72 km.
4 Elvas – Portalegre, 61 km
5 Portalegre, rest day or round trip, 48/58 km.
6 Portalegre – Estremoz, 74 km.
7 Estremoz – Évora, 75 km.
8 Évora – transfer to Lisbon and departure.

+ tour prices

In 2008:
€ 700 per person
Surcharge single room € 170 per room

Additional night in Evora (Bed & Breakfast) based on a 2-person room € 40 per person
Surcharge single room € 30 per room per night

Travel dates:
Every Saturday from February 16 up to and including June 21 and from August 30 up to and including November 1

+ included

* Transfer Lisbon – Évora and return
* 7 nights in hotels and guest houses in 2-person room with shower/lavatory
* breakfast, 7x
* transport of luggage on relocation days
* detailed descriptions of routes and maps
* 24-speed bicycle with pannier bags, repair kit, lock and water bottle holder

+ special details

Reservation charges € 17,50 per booking

* Minimum participation 2 participants
* Transfers by agent from/to Lisbon only on Saturdays; for transfer at your own discretion (taxi and bus) travel expenses will be reimbursed in consultation

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