Portugal & Spain Cycling: The Alentejo to Andalusia

Portugal & Spain Cycling: The Alentejo to Andalusia Itinerary:

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• Day 1 From Arraiolos, known for its needlepoint carpets, pedal past cork forests along back roads to delightful Évora, Alentejo's capital.

  Our trip begins today in Lisbon, Portugal. After our 9 a.m. group rendezvous in Lisbon, we'll board our private vehicle for the 90-minute transfer to Arraiolos, a typical Alentejo village made up of white-washed cottages and renowned for its needlepoint carpets found in many a palace, convent and aristocratic home. Following a short briefing and bicycle fitting, we'll begin our warm-up ride from the village's central plaza, making our way past olive orchards along scenic back roads to delightful Évora, Alentejo's capital and once the second most important city in Portugal after Lisbon. This fascinating city, seemingly untouched by time, is a bustling university town as well as a UNESCO World Heritage site enclosed by medieval walls and filled with museums and monuments dating from the medieval to renaissance periods. Wander the streets after dark and you'll discover the 1st-century Roman temple lit up for all to admire. Overnight tonight in Évora. Dinner included.
  
  Cycling: 14 miles; Terrain: flat and gently rolling hills.

• Day 2 Bike from Estremoz, a medieval town famous for its white marble quarries, through the rolling, wide-open Alentejo to Alter do Chão.

  After breakfast, we'll transfer to Estremoz, a medieval town surrounded by vineyards and famous for its many white marble quarries that supplied the stone for Evora's Roman temple as well as its 13th-century Sé Cathedral. Portugal is the world's second leading exporter of marble and it is this same crystalline rock that appears in many of the region's cobblestone-patterned squares, sculptures, monuments and fountains. Marble is so abundant here that even modest cottages are constructed with marble doorsteps and window frames. After a short visit to Estremoz, we'll climb on our bikes and begin cycling through the rolling, wide-open Alentejo landscape making our way to the tiny village of Alter do Chão, our destination for the evening. After taking a refreshing dip in the pool and enjoying a satisfying dinner, we can relax in our rooms in a restored 16th-century convent, now a charming hotel. Breakfast and dinner included.
  
  Cycling: 32 miles; Terrain: flat and gently rolling hills.

• Day 3 Ride to a stud farm, a Celtic burial chamber, and an elegant spa town before climbing to Marvao, set high on a granite pedestal.

  Today we begin by cycling right from the door of our hotel to the Coudelaria de Alter do Chão, a magnificent stud farm founded in 1748 by King João V to breed the finest Lusitano horses. After a visit to the horse farm and its museum, we'll continue our ride before making a second stop at a prehistoric Celtic stone burial chamber dating back over 5000 years. As we cycle northeast towards the Spanish border, we'll climb gently passing the Pousada de Crato where the Knights of the Order of Malta built their monastery, and carry on to the elegant spa town of Castelo de Vide with its 14th-century castle and medieval Jewish quarter. While most of today's ride takes us through an undulating landscape, we'll finish the day with a challenge; a 1,000-foot climb over the last four miles to reach the enchanting village of Marvão. Set on a 2,400' granite pedestal, the panoramic views from the village will be a reward for all (even if you get there via our support van!). This evening we'll dine on Alentejo gastronomic specialties such as succulent acorn-fed black pork before returning to our hotel to gaze at the overwhelming number of stars visible in the pitch black sky of the Portuguese countryside. Breakfast and dinner included.
  
  Cycling: 43 miles; Terrain: rolling and hilly terrain; steepest climb: 1,000' in 4 miles (6% grade).

• Day 4 Cycle the wide plains of Spain's Extremadura region to Mérida, founded by the Romans in 25 AD.

  We say adeus to Portugal this morning and cross the border into Spain's tranquil and wildlife-rich Extremadura via a 2-hour vehicle transfer. From Torremocha, we begin cycling through the wide plains of Spain's Extremadura region to Mérida along part of the Via de la Plata, one of the many Camiño de Santiago routes that ultimately lead to Santiago de Compostela - the famous pilgrimage site in northwestern Spain. En route, we may have an opportunity to observe some of the 340 species of birds that inhabit or migrate through this region including eagles, vultures, owls, bustards, herons and storks. Mérida, founded by the Romans in 25 A.D., became the capital of the province of Lusitania and is celebrated for having the greatest collection of Roman ruins in Spain including an aqueduct, circus, bridge, amphitheater, temple and the longest Roman bridge still in existence. Overnight in Mérida. Breakfast and dinner included.
  
  Cycling: 37 miles; Terrain: rolling hills; steepest climb: ~200' in 1.5 miles.

• Day 5 Spin across the picturesque Sierra Morena mountains towards Carmona, a Roman walled city containing numerous architectural treasures.

  After breakfast we'll transfer to Guadalcanal, the starting point for our spin across the picturesque Sierra Morena mountains towards Carmona. The Sierra Morena range stretches in an east-west direction for approximately 240 miles across south-central Spain, creating a natural border between the country's central plateau and Andalusia to the south. We will stop midday for a picnic lunch next to a lovely creek in the Parque Natural Sierra Norte. After completing our ride at Constantina, we'll drive the remainder of the way to colorful Carmona, once inhabited by both the Romans and Moors due to its strategic position on a ridge overlooking the Andalusian plain. Located on the banks of the Guadalquivir River, the town is a natural fortress containing numerous architectural treasures including the Baroque-style tower of San Pedro church, soaring above the surrounding rooftops. Encircled by a Roman wall and the Cordoba and Seville gates, the town's old quarter still retains a mysterious medina-like feeling inviting us to wander its labyrinthine streets or relax in the square over tapas and drinks. Dinner is on our own tonight offering an opportunity to choose from a variety of restaurants serving delicious local fare. Breakfast and lunch included.
  
  Cycling: 40 miles; Terrain: rolling hills with some moderate climbs; steepest climb: 820' in 2.7 miles (5% grade).

• Day 6 Take in the Andalusian landscape biking through cotton fields, olive and orange groves filled with wildflowers en route to Córdoba.

  Depending on the distance we wish to cycle today, our ride this morning begins in either Carmona, Lora del Rio (a 30-minute transfer from Carmona), or Palma del Rio (a 90-minute transfer from Carmona) and takes us through a quintessential Andalusian landscape dotted with cotton fields, olive orchards and orange groves filled with wildflowers. The terrain is rolling for the first 20 miles but becomes hillier after Palma del Rio. We continue along our undulating route this afternoon, passing the village of Almódovar del Rio and its impressive castle overlooking the Guadalquivir, before finally reaching lovely Córdoba, our destination for the next two nights (we have the option to jump in the support vehicle at Almodovar or cycle all the way to Cordoba). Córdoba, the ancient Moorish city famous for its 10th-century Mezquita (Great Mosque), surrounding Jewish quarter and impressive Roman bridge was the former capital of Muslim Spain and is one of Andalusia's crown jewels. We have dinner together tonight in an authentic local restaurant before returning to our hotel near the city's Moorish wall for a good night's sleep. Breakfast and dinner included.
  
  Cycling options: 41, 58 or 75 miles; Terrain: rolling to hilly with some moderate climbs; steepest climb: ~160' in 1/3 mile (6.5% grade).

• Day 7 Explore Córdoba, the ancient Moorish city famous for its 10th c. Mezquita, surrounding Jewish quarter, and impressive Roman bridge.

  Today is a free day for us to leave our bikes behind and discover marvelous Córdoba, soaking up the rich history and culture of this World Heritage Site. Our guides will lead a 90-minute walking tour this morning in order to help us get oriented with the city's layout. Once we're on our own, numerous options include a visit to the famous mosque, a climb to the top of the Tower of Calahorra for panoramic views of the city, a stop in one of the city's fine museums, or simply strolling through various neighborhoods and peeking into the numerous flower-filled courtyard patios (local residents have traditionally been very proud of their patios and welcome visitors' inquisitive gazes). The Romans originally founded Córdoba due to its strategic position at the highest navigable point on the Guadalquivir River, using the port to ship olive oil, wheat and wine to Ancient Rome. The city reached its peak of importance in the 10th century when it became the capital of the Moorish kingdom of Al-Andaluz. At the time, it was one of the most advanced cities in the world and an important political, economic, financial and cultural center (it had what was then the largest library on earth). Córdoba was also for a period of time an example of religious harmony and diversity. In addition to the famous mosque, the city contains many significant religious monuments from different eras including the Córdoba Synagogue Museum (14th century) and innumerous Fernandine and Alphonsine-style churches (13th century). After our day of exploration, we'll eat dinner independently tonight, choosing from Córdoba's many excellent tapas bars and restaurants serving Andalusian, Moorish or Mediterranean cuisine. The evening also offers a great opportunity to mingle with the locals and watch some fantastic Flamenco dancing or listen to an Andalusian music performance. Breakfast included.

• Day 8 Ride hills blanketed with olive trees to Montefrio, built on a dramatic rocky outcropping.

  Back in the saddle again! We depart Córdoba this morning for an hour-long transfer to the village of Luque where we begin our ride among olive orchards and through a patch of hillier terrain directly to the door of our hotel in Montefrio, a friendly village built on a dramatic rocky outcropping. During the Moorish period, this area was frequently at war with the Christians who had settled Alcala la Real nearby. An impregnable fortress, Montefrio was valuable to the kingdom of Granada and relied on an extraordinary network of watchtowers to communicate with surrounding villages and control important transportation and trade routes on the Granada plain. We'll glide past many of these towers during our ride today. Breakfast and dinner included.
  
  Cycling: 40 miles; Terrain: rolling to hilly with some moderate climbs; steepest climb: ~ 800' in 3 miles (5% grade).

• Day 9 A final ride through Andalusia brings us to Granada with splendid views of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

  What an exciting and scenic day of cycling to finish our tour! As we cruise on our bicycles through the Andalusian countryside towards Granada, we'll have splendid views of the Sierra Nevada mountain range – the home of Spain's highest peaks – towering in the distance. Granada itself, at the foot of the Sierra Nevada, is a World Heritage city whose origins date back to 5th century B.C. Our final ride ends with us rolling directly into the city this afternoon with some free time to relax before meeting our traveling companions later this evening for a scrumptious farewell dinner. We'll spend the night at the fantastic Alhambra Palace Hotel. Breakfast and dinner included.
  
  Cycling: 40 miles; Terrain: rolling to hilly with some moderate climbs; steepest climb: ~ 600' in 1.5 miles (7% grade).

• Day 10 Our journey ends with an exploration of the Alhambra Palace (14th c.), a sublime example of Moorish architecture and landscaping.

  Although we've packed our helmets and cycling clothing away, our visit to Andalusia would not be complete without a tour of Granada's pride and joy, the ornate Alhambra Palace. A sublime example of Moorish architecture and landscaping, the Alhambra is an enormous palace/fortress complex constructed mainly during the 14th century by Spain's Muslim rulers. Considered by many to be one of the world's architectural wonders, we'll have time this morning to appreciate the remarkable ingenuity and aesthetic of its builders. At lunchtime, our trip draws to an end and guests have the option to extend their stay in Granada independently, transfer to the train station or airport, or ride back with our guides in the support vehicle to Lisbon, Portugal (8 hours) where our epic adventure began. Breakfast included.

Although we do our very best to adhere to the schedule above, the itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control, including weather and terrain conditions.

Our trip price includes bicycles perfectly designed for the terrain we encounter during our two-wheeled tour of Portugal and Spain: High-quality, reliable Trek 7.3 FX aluminum-frame hybrid bikes. Bikes are equipped with handlebar bag, map case and a GPS unit, which is loaded nightly by our guides with the next day's route. Should you wish to bring your own seat and pedals, your guides will gladly mount them on your bike at the beginning of the trip.

If you are traveling alone and specifically request single accommodations, you will be asked to pay the full single supplement noted on the trip itinerary. If you wish to share accommodations, we will assign you a roommate if one is available. If a roommate cannot be found, you will be asked to pay a reduced single fee, which is half of the full single supplement. Please be advised that there are a limited number of single rooms available.

All accommodations; meals as noted in the daily itinerary (wine included with most dinners); tri-lingual cycling guides; support vehicle; bikes (Trek 24 speed hybrid touring bikes, equipped with a small handlebar bag and GPS); sightseeing as noted in the itinerary including entrance fee to the Alhambra Palace.

Round-trip airfare, airport/hotel transfers, 7 lunches and 2 dinners, travel insurance, excess baggage charges, alcoholic beverages (apart from wine with dinners) and items of a personal nature. Please bring your own bike helmet.

This trip is rated Moderate [3]. Although a support vehicle will be available for each day's ride, participants should enjoy spending much of the day (4-6 hours) on their bikes. Most of our cycling route is along quiet, scenic back roads with little vehicle traffic. The countryside in Portugal and Spain is hilly so a regular conditioning program beginning at least 3-6 months prior to departure is strongly recommended. Anticipate daily hill climbs of varying inclines to last anywhere from 10 – 40 minutes. Cycling, walking/running and a daily stretching regimen are all great ways to prepare for this adventure.

Springtime and early autumn temperatures typically range in the 60s and 70s (F) during the day, with nighttime temperatures in the 50s and 60s. Although sunshine is generally abundant, rainfall is a possibility during any month of the year making adequate raingear a necessity.

This trip is subject to the booking information set forth in the current REI Adventures Reservation Information. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A full gear list and pre-departure information is sent upon sign-up. We highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance through REI Adventures. If coverage is purchased at the time of your initial reservation, the 'Pre-existing Conditions Exclusion' is waived (certain exclusions apply).

We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Why wait? Space is limited, reserve your adventure today.

The key to staying comfortable while on an active trip is layering. To get maximum comfort with minimum weight, you need versatile layers that mix and match to create the right amount of insulation, ventilation and weather protection. This gear list has been created to help you in choosing your equipment for the trip. Try to bring only what is necessary, as this will help you and the field staff.

Gear Checklist

Things to Consider

• Always pack essential items such as your passport, REI Adventures trip final bulletin, money, eyewear, medications, camera and cycling helmet in your carry-on baggage, in case your luggage is delayed.
• We recommend bright-colored bicycle clothing for visibility and safety.
• Always test your clothing layers before a trip. Your outer layer should fit easily over the inside ones without binding.
• If you are not bringing a shoe and pedal system (optional), you will need a shoe designed for cycling or cross training to be used with the provided flat pedals. Consider these features: lightweight, closed toe, designed with stiffer soles to provide more efficient energy transfer as you pedal. Stiff soles protect your feet while riding and support the full length of your foot to reduce cramping and fatigue.
• If you bring your own saddle, please bring only the seat and not the seat post. Seat posts are not universal and will likely not fit the bike you’ll be riding.
• Formal attire is not required at restaurants. Comfortable, casual clothes are appropriate for sit-down meals. We suggest bringing slacks, shorts that are mid-thigh or longer, skirts, or summer dresses in fabrics that are easy to wash and wear.