Cycling and Cooking in Portugal by E-bike

Day 1: Arrival and transfer to Alvados

Arrive in Alvados, a little village hidden deep in a valley. This valley is almost 300 m deep, so you'll know why we recommend e-bikes! Enjoy Alvados' charming architecture - a mix of modern lines and local trends and materials. Here, in the heart of the Natural Park, you'll find your lovely hotel.

Aires and Candeeiros boast very special scenery, and as you bike, you'll discover man-made rock walls that mark the roads and properties, as well as impressive boulders dotting the barren but beautiful landscape. Beneath your feet is a colossal network of caves and galleries extending beyond your imagination - these provide sheltering spots for the 18 species of bats that live in the park.

This evening, you'll enjoy your first delicious meal at your hotel.

Overnight in Alvados.

Day 2: Caves route
26 miles/42km; total elevation gain 800m

This first cycling tour will take you to the breathtaking limestone caves of the Natural Park. The guided tour takes around 1 hour and tells of the history of two working men who, in 1955, crept through an opening in the rock in their attempt to catch a bird. Inside, they discovered the gallery of the Santo António Caves, formed more than 150 million years ago. Occupying a huge area of around 6,000 square meters, these caves are brilliantly adorned with stalagmites and stalactites.

From the caves, you'll continue cycling through the area's agricultural fields, including many olive groves. In the 1950s, around 200,000 liters of olive oil were produced here! There may be the opportunity here to visit an olive mill and taste some sumptuous olive oil yourself.

On the way, you may park your bicycles for a beautiful short walk to the top of the Fornea. This amphitheater is about 500 m in diameter and 250 m in height. Arriving in the village of Porto Mós, you may decide to visit the impressive castle before heading back for some relaxing time in the hotel spa (massages are bookable at the desk).

A picnic lunch is included today, and you'll have your first included cooking class at 7:00 pm with the chef at your hotel.

Overnight in Alvados.

Day 3: The Monasteries Route
29 miles/46km; total elevation gain 560m

Today you will cycle from Alvados to the Monastery of Batalha and then the Monastery of Alcobaça. The route is again hilly at the beginning, but you'll be rewarded with a wonderful downhill section on an atmospheric mountain road.

The Monastery of Batalha took over a century to build, from around 1386 to 1517, spanning the reign of seven kings! It's a masterpiece of Gothic art, mingled with Manueline style. We suggest enjoying lunch in a lovely Batalha cafe (not included in tour cost).

The Alcobaça Monastery has a beautiful 13th-century façade, though the building of the complex actually started in 1178. The impressive tombs of King Pedro I and his mistress, Inês de Castro, who was murdered on the orders of Pedro's father, King Afonso IV, are one of the highlights of the monastery. From Alcobaça, you'll be transferred to a farm in Évora to enjoy dinner and a relaxing evening.

Overnight in Évora.

Day 4: The Wine and Cork Route
27 miles/43km; total elevation gain 213m

Today's bike tour leaves the farm and heads towards Igrejinha, a sparkling village where all the houses are painted in different colored stripes, creating the effect of a painting! From here, you'll cycle to the cork factory to see how this material undergoes incredible transformations - a highlight of the day. Option to cycle back to the farm and skip the winery (34 mi/55 km; repeating the 9 mi/15 km on the same road).

From here, enjoy the ride to S. Miguel de Machede, another little countryside village where you might like to stop for a drink at a local cafe. The day should finish with a visit to the winery of São Miguel - a fun, interesting experience to savor. After your visit to the winery (including wine tasting for guided tours), you'll be transferred back to the farm to avoid cycling on the main road (return transfer included in tour cost). You may also choose to cycle back to the farm after the winery (for a total of 46 mi/74 km, 12 mi/20 km is along a main road; this is not recommended).

This evening, you'll enjoy another cooking lesson, this time in Alentejo regional food, which you'll prepare at the farm!

Overnight in Évora.

Day 5: The famous carpet city of Arraiolos
26 - 37miles/41 - 60km; total elevation gain 293 - 430m

Following the Eco Trail, a bike lane built on an old railway, you'll ride through small farms to get to Graça do Divor, a very well-preserved white and blue village. It's a great place to pause for a drink and to try the delicious meat pies of Mrs. Ilda!

From Graça do Divor, the route heads to the village of Arraiolos with its rich historical center, famous carpet production center, and tantalizing Pastéis de Toucinho. The views from the castle are unforgettable! Afterwards, enjoy a winery visit with a fantastic private carriage collection (included in guided tour cost).

Dinner is not on the agenda for this evening so that you can explore the authentic eateries in Arraiolos. If you'd prefer to dine at the farm again instead, the price is not included in the tour cost, and you must book 24 hours in advance.

Overnight in Évora.

Day 6: Twenty centuries of history
7.5 miles/12km + 1.2 mils/2 km; total elevation gain 62 + 50m

Évora is such a gorgeous city that it's well worth exploring by bicycle. Visit some of its most beautiful sites, cycling through a selection of stunning streets to explore the Roman Temple, the Cathedral, the Chapel of Bones, and the university. After lunch (not included in tour cost), you'll be transferred by car to Santiago do Cacém for a visit to the castle, after which you'll cycle to the hotel.

At 6:00 pm, meet the chef for another brilliant cooking class. Enjoy!

Overnight in Santiago do Cacém.

Day 7: From the mountain to the sea
35 miles/57km; total elevation gain 335m

After all these inland days, you deserve some sea views and maybe even a swim! Before leaving Santiago do Cacém, visit the last operating windmill and head out towards the coastline through a lush green oak forest. The blue ocean and schist cliffs will frame your arrival in the fisherman's village of Porto Covo.

On the way, check out a fortification that was once used to protect a natural bay from pirate attacks. You will have the opportunity to 'walk into the ocean' on a pier made of rock where you can watch the unloading of the fish and the sun-drying of the lamprey.

Later, relax at the beach or explore the small streets and shops of Vila Nova de Milfontes, followed by the perfect wind-down at the romantic riverside. You'll then enjoy a final delicious dinner (included in the tour cost).

Overnight in Vila Nova de Milfontes.

Day 8: Departure or extension

The tour officially ends after breakfast, but you are welcome to extend your stay - please enquire.

Don't want the adventure to end? Consider taking a cycling day tour in Portugal.