Private Tour - "The Alentejo escorted Tour" (2 Days)

Itinerary

Day 1: Lisboa – Arraiolos - Estremoz - Évora

On this first day we will start by driving southeast towards the vast region of the Alentejo. Our first stop of the day will be in the very small town of Arraiolos. Arraiolos is where you will meet the typical Alentejo village: the white immaculate houses with some blue or yellow stripes, the castle at the top of the village that keeps guard over the fields of Alentejo, the typical slow pace of its people that know very well the “art of living” and the embroiderers working in the streets making the famous and genuine Arraiolos carpets, just like they were made hundreds of years ago. After this first stop we will go even deeper into the Alentejo region towards the land of olives, black pigs, marble and wine. In fact, just outside the old Estremoz you will find one of the best wine Estates of Portugal: the Seis Reis Estate. Here you will learn all the secrets and details about the wine production in the Alentejo and at the end taste some of their excellent wines. Later in the afternoon we will reach the city of Évora. The winding walled city of Évora, capital of the Alentejo region is a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and will attract you for its medieval appearance and it will be difficult to stop walking around the very narrow streets of its historical centre. Besides several other monuments to be visited (such as the Cathedral, Saint Francis church and the ancient University) it is also in Évora that is located one of the most significant traces of the roman occupation in the Portuguese territory: the Roman Temple, famous under the name of Diana’s temple. Take the chance to have lunch here, since Évora – as any other genuine city in Alentejo – is well known for its fantastic traditional gastronomy. A "meeting" with the Portuguese history and the genuine houses from the South of Portugal, with their white washed façades.

Accommodation Suggestion:

M'Ar de Ar Aqueduto Hotel (Évora)

"The M'Ar de Ar Aqueduto is the new 5 star hotel in the city of Évora well located in the historical centre and in the hearth of the area classified as World Heritage by UNESCO. This hotel impresses by the adaptation of an old sixteenth century building from which the hotel still preserved the magnificent chapel, the vaults and some of the manueline windows. This amazing boutique hotel was built with modern design and charm. It offers to all its guests a Spa, 2 Spa bedrooms, 64 rooms and the tempting flavours of the Restaurant degust'Ar coordinated by the chef António Nobre."

(for more details, please follow the hotel link)

Day 2: Évora - Vila Viçosa - Monsaraz (town or wine estate) - Lisboa

On this second day we will continue to explore the deep Alentejo region. Our first stretch of the day will take us the the incredible Vila Viçosa Palace. Chosen by the Bragança family as a perfect Summer residence this palace would eventualy become the Royal Palace as this family stepped into power. The long marble façade hides inside one of the best portuguese collections of paintings, furniture, silverware and other items left to the Bragança foundation after the departure of King Manuel II to exhile in the year of 1910. After so much history it will be time to continue towards the town of Reguentos. If you're a wine lover we will take you to the wine estate of Esporão, for a visit and wine tasting of what is one of the top wine making companies of Portugal. If you prefer to continue to explore the historical Portugal then we will take you to the little fortified medieval village of Monsaraz. The village of Monsaraz is one of the most ancient settlements South of Lisbon. With its narrow streets, churches and castle, strolling within the village will be a very unique experience. The views from its walls towards the countryside or towards the big Alqueva Lake are surprising. At the end of the day we will finally return to the city of Lisbon.

Accommodation Suggestion in Lisbon:

To be discussed but, we guarantee the same deluxe and charm level of the other suggestions.

End of Tour