Tour overview

Itinerary: Lisbon and Alentejo Culture Program.

Day 1: Arrive in Lisbon.

Lisbon and Alentejo Culture Program. Arrive at Lisbon airport and a driver will be waiting to take you to your hotel. Rest of the day at leisure.

Day 2: Lisbon – Sintra – Lisbon.

In the morning we drive to the town of Sintra, where we head to the Pena Palace to enjoy its unique architecture and fantastic panoramic views. Entrance and guided tour of this historic site. Next, we head to the center of Sintra, classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you will have a guided tour and free time for lunch and the chance to explore its charming streets. After the visit to the town of Sintra, we will visit a wine cellar in Sintra, where you will learn about its production processes and be able to taste the region’s premium wines. Return to your hotel in Lisbon.

Day 3: Lisbon – Évora.

In the morning we travel to the city of Évora, where we’ll be spending the next few days. In the afternoon, we begin our cultural incursion with the “Évora Desaparecida Tour” – a unique way of discovering the historical and artistic heritage of an Évora that no longer exists, on a walking tour of convents, churches and other destroyed or fragmented spaces, “victims” of the progress of the late 19th century: armed with photographs from over 100 years ago, we discover a vanished Évora World Heritage Site… At the end of the day, we headed to a workshop on Alentejo regional food with a contemporary twist. We start with a welcome drink and immediately get hands-on, always with a detailed explanation of the “how”, “why” and “when” of the regional products used: preparing the starters, the main course and the dessert. starters, the main course and dessert; to accompany, wine and infusions. We learn and taste.

Day 4: Évora – Montado Route – Montemor o Novo – Évora.

The Montado ecosystem is the Alentejo’s natural heritage par excellence: at Herdade do Freixo do Meio, a 400-hectare estate, we take a guided tour of the Montado to understand how this complex but sustainable ecosystem is organized, from the cork oak to the holm oak, the black pig, the cork… At lunchtime, since we’re in the countryside and in the Alentejo, we can’t help but eat a Grain Stew made in clay pots, over an open fire, with organic products and wine, also from the Herdade. For dessert, we’ll have the traditional Sericaia and fruit. In the afternoon, we’ll head to the city of Montemor-o-Novo, at the gates of the Alentejo, a city steeped in history that today is the focus of a strong movement in favor of ecological practices. At the top of the castle, we’ll see what’s left of the old infrastructure: the cisterns, the pipes and the old Jewish quarter, we’ll pass the 16th century Convent of Nossa Senhora da Saudação and we’ll go down to the center, passing by a producers’ cooperative, where we’ll learn about local, organic and sustainable products. At the end of the tour, return to Évora.

Day 5: Évora – Viana do Alentejo – Alvito – Évora.

In the morning we start with a tour of Viana do Alentejo, a picturesque Alentejo town with traditional houses and a strong pottery tradition. We visit the castle, located in the most central part of the small town, a strong testimony to the Alentejo Gothic revival in the Mudejar and Manueline style. Then we go to the workshop of the Master Potter, where our gaze wanders between stacked bowls, painted plates and some artistic innovations. We roll up our sleeves, put on our aprons and learn how to use the potter’s wheel. the potter’s wheel, feel the cold clay in our hands, shape a piece and finally paint it. In the afternoon, we’ll set off on a walking tour of an Alentejo territory that is still 100% rural, a mere 35 minutes from Évora, the 2nd smallest municipality in mainland Portugal, home to 2511 people and a heritage that has been practically untouched since the 15th century. since the 15th century. We enter Alvito’s century-old Mother Church and discover a Renaissance fresco from the late 15th century. We continue on foot through the largest set of Manueline portals in the Baixo Alentejo, passing the Town Hall, the Pillory and entering the castle palace of the 1st Baron of Portugal. Finally, crossing the Largo das Alcaçarias, we enter the Ermida de S. Sebastião, a late-Gothic hermitage covered in fresco paintings from 1611, with heavenly musician angels in the vaults… Time to discover the Hermitage of S. Neutel and Santa Águeda (already part of the other lands of Baronia…), the “sea” that stretches out before it and the profusion of colors, shapes and stories that are kept in its more than 5 successive campaigns of fresco mural painting: unique. We closed the day with a snack in a typical Alentejo tavern, sitting on benches, surrounded by the atmosphere of the end of the day in the countryside. After dinner we return to Évora.

Day 6: Évora – Alqueva / Monsaraz – Évora.

In the morning From February to October, we enter the Great Alqueva Lake on a Dutch sailing boat built in 1913 and restored to navigate these waters. In the cold months, we go up to Monsaraz Castle, visit the medieval town and get close to the wall to watch the sky reflected in the great lake. In the afternoon, take the opportunity to enjoy the tranquillity of the countryside, the setting of the traditional Monte Alentejano and the local cuisine on offer. Return to Évora at the end of the day.

Day 7: Évora – Lisbon.

Departure from Évora in the morning to return to Lisbon. In the afternoon, private tour of Lisbon with a specialized guide. In the evening, a boat trip on the Tagus River to watch the sunset.

Day 8: Lisbon – Return.

Free time. At the agreed time, transfer to the airport for your return flight. the end of our Lisbon and Alentejo Culture Program.

 

Moments of the trip:

Guided tour of Lisbon.
Visit to Sintra, Cascais and Estoril.
Entrance to Pena Palace and Quinta da Regaleira.
Visit to Évora.
Alentejo Regional Food Workshop.
Visit to the Alentejo Montado Route.
Tasting of traditional Alentejo food.
Visit to the city of Montemor-o-Novo.
Visit to Viana do Alentejo.
Visit to the Master Potter’s workshop and practice the art.
Visit to Alvito.
Tour of the Alqueva.
Visit to Monsaraz.