Our bikes are KROSS TRANS ALP trekking bikes. They were chosen because they are the best for the type of cycling tours we do. They have trekking tyres, which are good for both asphalt andirt roads. They are all regularly serviced to ensure they are safe and reliable.
List of equipment here: panniers, helmets, basic tools for fixing small problems, maps, route instructions, history notes and also suggestions of where to eat.
* With van guided and guided tours you also receive a Portugal Best Cycling Jersey.
You are very welcome to bring your own bike but please consult us to see if your bike is appropriate for the terrain of the tour you chose. Also take into consideration that transport of your bike from the airport to the first hotel is not included and so this may incur an extra cost.
We also supply Electric E-BIKES at extra cost and GPS Satellite Navigation systems. The e-bikes are one size only and are all ladies model. These bikes cannot do dirt tracks so if riding with a group you may want to split in some parts if others want to do dirt tracks.
Where you stay
CYCLING IN PARADISE - The Farmhouse
You stay in our beautiful country house Monte do Serrado de Baixo, a genuine Monte – a traditional Alentejan farmhouse. It is spacious, comfortable and very welcoming. It has an orchard, an organic vegetable garden, a pasture with sheep grazing and an ancient olive grove with huge cork oaks growing all around.
Decorated in a rustic style. There are 4 rooms in total each with its own toilet and bath/shower. All rooms are personalised and each one has its own individual theme and related colours: Cork, Olive, Wine and Wheat.
CASTLES AND WINES
With this tour you could find yourself sleeping in castles, palaces and farmhouses. Cycling is through beautiful landscapes with vineyards, olive groves and cork oaks. Experience internationally awarded wine tastings and the fabulous gastronomy of Portugal and the Alentejo.
ALONG THE COAST
With the tour along the coast you experience ever changing landscapes from cork oak forests to rice fields, sand dunes, high cliffs, white sandy beaches and even coves to explore. This is a gastonomical paradise for the palate with the wines, the cheeses, the food, the sweets, picnics at the beach with easy relaxing days. With this tour you will be staying in a variety of guesthouses, pousadas and hotels which are itemised on the itinerary.
WILD ALGARVE
With these other tours you will be staying in a variety of guesthouses, pousadas and hotels which are itemised on the itinerary.
Not a cyclist?
No problem. This is your holiday and can be adapted to your preferences!
Visit Producers of Local Cheese and Wines
The Alentejo is one of the most fertile and productive wine regions in Portugal, boasting wines that will surprise you with their excellence, aromas and colours. Who would want to miss a wine tasting session?Visits are possible to different craftsmen and local producers of cheeses, local liquers, olives, olive oil production, cured meats, jams and other regional delicacies. Each area has its own sweets! For all these products a great deal of investment has been made by the producers to achieve certificates of quality.
Cork and Marble Production Processes
The Alentejo is also the largest producer of cork in the world. Cork trees are in abundance everywhere so when shopping it is no surprise that most shops have all sorts of items made from cork including bikinis, bags and purses.
In addition not too far away are the marble towns of Estremoz and Vila Vicosa where local marble quarries have given an opulent look to many of the buildings. Portual is the second largest exporter of marble in the world and about 85% of this is produced around Estremoz. The marble has been used for centuries as a material for sculpture and architecture and there is so much in this area that it is used everywhere, even the doorsteps, pavements and the cobble stones are made out of marble.
Arts and Crafts
The Alentejo offers an interesting diversity of pottery and painting, work in leather and hide and also blankets, covers, rugs and tapestries. Even today embroiderers can be seen sitting in the street doorway to their houses continuing to create, stitch by stitch, the traditional designs.
Jeep Safaris
Various jeep safaris are available including excursions with wine, cheese and olive tasting, finding the Megaliths, discovering Monsaraz and discovering secluded monuments off the beaten track. Please ask for a quote.
Walking Tours
Different walking tours are available either guided or unguided on specific walking tracks where you may immerse yourself in nature. These tours can just be one day or several days, as you chose.
Canoeing
- Explore a river or lake calmly
- Canoe trip with rapids
- Sea Kayaking
How to get there
Flights to Lisbon Airport
Flight Time 2hr 40min from London (Local time is the same as UK time).
| FROM | DAYS OF THE WEEK | FLIGHTS PER DAY | AIRLINE |
|---|---|---|---|
| GATWICK | DAILY | 1 | EASYJET |
| GATWICK | DAILY | 1 | AIR PORTUGAL |
| HEATHROW | DAILY | 3 | BRITISH AIRWAYS |
| HEATHROW | DAILY | 6 | AIR PORTUGAL |
| LUTON | DAILY | 1 | EASYJET |
| BRISTOL | TUE, THU, SUN | 1 | EASYJET |
| EDINBURGH | THU, SUN | 1 | EASYJET |
| DUBLIN | DAILY | 1/2 | AER LINGUS |
| MANCHESTER | MON, WED, THU, FRI, SAT, SUN | 1 | AIR PORTUGAL |
| LIVERPOOL | MON, WED, FRI, SUN | 1 | EASYJET |
