Lisbon and Evora, Portugal
April 21 - 30, 2023
We spend our first three days in Portugal exploring Lisbon, Europe's second oldest capital city, and the landmarks that surround it: Belem, Sintra and the coastal town of Caiscais.
An hour's train journey then takes us east to a very charming walled city and a UNESCO world Heritage site. Evora, located on a plateau of the Alentejo province, combines natural beauty of cork trees, olive orchards, vineyards with an archaeological landscape of cromlechs and dolmens reaching back the Neolithic Period. With a population of about 56,000 Evora is composed of white washed houses, narrow streets and medieval squares. All the groups and traditions that have occupied the city have left their mark in art and architecture: Moors, Jews, Romans, Christians. www.evora-portugal.com
Our walks of about 8 miles per day will explore this ancient landscape and beautiful countryside. We will walk through small farms along the 16th Century aqueduct; visit the hilltop medieval town of Monsaraz (within site of the Spanish border); have a lovely walk to the 11th century Valongo Castle; be amazed at the Neolithic standing stones; have a tour of Evora and stop along our walking routes for wine-tasting.
Day by Day Overview
Friday, April 21 Meet at 2:00PM in the lobby of the Hotel Lisboa Plaza for a half day walking tour of Lisbon. You have the morning free to explore on your own. https://lisbonheritagehotels.com/lisbon-plaza-hotel/
Saturday, April 22
We'll take a 20-30 minute bus ride to the historical district of Belem. Many of the
great Portuguese explorers embarked on their voyages from here, including Prince Henry the Navigator,
Ferdinand Magellan and Vasco da Gama. All are memorialized in Belem's Monument to the Discoveries. We'll
visit St. Jeronimo's Monastery (15th century), visit Sant'Anna ceramic factory, and treat ourselves to the special
Belem custard tart. You'll have the afternoon free to explore on your own. Evening entertainment is a Fado
music performance and dinner.
Sunday, April 23
A one hour bus ride will take us north to the town of Sintra. Sintra, a UNESCO World
Heritage site, is a town of marvelous historic mansions, all set against the backdrop of lush hills. We'll visit
Sintra's National Palace where Portuguese royalty lived until the early 20th century. We'll slowly make our way
back to Lisbon via the coast and the town of Caiscais, returning to our hotel mid afternoon.
Monday, April 24
In the morning travel by train (1.5 hrs) to Evora and then take a taxi from the train
station to the hotel. We'll arrive in ample time to check into the hotel, get lunch on your own and explore the
town a bit. At 6:30 we have a welcome reception in the Hotel patio followed by a buffet dinner at the hotel at
7:30PM.
Tuesday, April 25
We take a bus from the hotel this morning to the Megalithic trail.
Our walking takes us through a Holm Oak and Cork Oak Forest. This area is dotted by impressive granite
boulders which, over 6,000 years ago, were used to build burial sites and magical cult sites. We will visit the
Cromelech of Almendres and the Dolmen of Zambujeiro...the biggest in Europe. Time permitting, we round out
our cork oak journey by visiting a cork factory in the afternoon. Transport back to our hotel. Distance today: 8
miles; Elevation: mainly flat with a few small hills.
Wednesday, April 26
Today we have a guided tour of the UNESCO World
Heritage city of Evora. We will visit the historical center of this walled city. Evora was an important trading and
religious center which is reflected in its buildings and monuments: The Roman temple (the best preserved
Roman structure on the Iberian Peninsula), Capela Dos Ossos (the Chapel of Bones) and the main square of
Evora which was the site of many executions in the Spanish Inquisition of the 16th century. As we are already in
the town center you are on your own for lunch and a free afternoon.
Thursday, April 27
Today, enjoying gorgeous views along the way, we walk along
the lovely river, Degebe. After our picnic lunch our destination is the surreal castle of Valongo. Surrounded by
vineyards, the castle was built in 1283 and is now a National Monument. The castle is not open. Our bus meets
us to takes us to visit Ervideira, one of the area's fine wineries. Get ready for an unusual experience of wine
tasting (http://www.wonderfulland.com/ervideira/). Not to spoil the surprise for you, but a blind tasting is part
of the challenge! Distance today: 8 miles; Elevation gain 500 ft.
Friday, April 28
Today our destination is the medieval fortified village of Monsaraz. Sitting
high on a hill and near the border with Spain, its white houses with red tile roofs can be seen from a distance.
Our walk takes us on tracks gradually climbing to the village gates. Monsaraz is car free, has narrow streets and
tiny village squares. The village has remains of a castle, a bullring and many interesting shops and cafes. From
Monsaraz we have spectacular view of the surrounding landscape. We will visit the village then have free time
to walk around on our own or shop.
Saturday, April 29
This morning we walk along the town aqueduct. It was built in
the 16th century to solve water shortages in the city. Our route is through beautiful scenery of the Alentejo plain
with its small farm holdings. At lunch time we arrive to our guide's farm and are treated to a gourmet picnic
lunch! Afterwards we return by bus to Evora for last shopping and preparation for tomorrow's departure.
Distance today: 6 miles; Elevation is mainly flat.
Sunday, April 30
Breakfast and departure. We will take the train back to Lisbon, arriving there between
11:00 and 12:00.
Please Note: The above schedule is subject to change due to weather or other circumstances beyond our control.
