Join us on our NEW Portugal walking adventure to the picturesque Alentejo region. Beautiful views, fantastic scenery along with medieval towns and historic Roman sites will be discovered on this fully-guided two centre Solos walking break.
Walking Grade : Medium
Extras
Arrival in Lisbon and transfer to the Five Star Hotel M’Ar de Ar Aqueduto, Evora . If time allows an introductory walk will be offered.
Transfer time approx. 1h 30mins
Meals Included: Dinner
Today we dedicate the day, to this fabulous UNESCO World Heritage Site town. We’ll take time to relax and meander through the town’s narrow streets and monuments. In the afternoon, there will be free time to explore. Alternatively, there will be an optional walk centered on the beautiful valley of the Rio Valverde.
Walking Distance: 8.5km/5.2 miles
Ascent/Descent minimal
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Our walk today will take in the classic Alentejo scenery along with the pre-historic monuments dotted throughout the area. The Ribeira de Valverde passes through the villages of Valverde and Guadalupe winding its way amongst cork oaks to the beautiful lake at Nossa Senhora da Tourega.
Walking Distance: 12.5km /7.8miles
Ascent +73m
Descent -125m
Highest point: 262m
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
This morning there will be time to explore the local area before we transfer to Alpalhao. Alpalhão is a small village situated on the plain between the mountain range of São Mamede and the river Tejo, which integrated the domains of the Order of the Templars. It is known for the benefits of its thermal waters (a few kilometers away, in Termas da Fadagosa hot springs), the quality of its traditional cheese and for its craftworks. The Bienal da Pedra (Stone Biennial) initiative also took advantage of the region’s blue granite to leave numerous sculptures scattered throughout the town, including an intriguing finger pointing to the sky, ‘Dedo de Deus’ (God’s Finger), in the churchyard of the main church.
En-route we make a visit to the famous marble city of Estremoz. Estremoz is surrounded by spectacular winding walls whose upper city still lies behind 13th-century battlements.
Transfer time – 2 hours
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Today we discover the small, hilltop medieval town of Marvão, surrounded by walls and with a majestic castle that defended the population from the Spanish back in medieval times. From here we can admire spectacular views and then walk along a medieval narrow road flanked by ancient stone walls.
The town is perched on a great granite escarpment within the São Mamede Mountains. It stands out for its imposing Castle and it’s Neolithic and Roman remains such as the Roman road, the ruins, the Roman Bridge including the Village of Ammaia.
Walking Distance: 9km /5.8miles
Ascent+407m
Descent-407m
Highest point: 842m
Terrain: Mountain paths, old laid tone tracks, dirt tracks
Meals Include: Breakfast & Dinner
Today our walk starts from the village of Monte Carvalho where we take the path eastwards to meet the Ribeira (stream) where we ascend through a small gorge to the plateau with magnificent views beyond. We will continue walking along lanes through farmland and descend through cork oak woodland, beautiful meadows, and stunning countryside back to the village.
Distance: 10km / 6miles
Ascent+330m
Descent -330m
Highest point: 782m
Terrain: Good tracks, with some rough sections
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
For our last day of walking we climb to Senhora da Penha where we find a little chapel on the top of a hill offering amazing views over Castelo de Vide with its rows of whitewashed houses. We will walk along narrow lanes on an old Roman road, bordered by cork trees or stone walls and descend to Castelo de Vide. This well-kept border town complete with impressive ramparts, a ruined castle, panoramic views and natural spring waters which have been revered as curative for centuries.
Distance: 10km, 6miles
Ascent+286m
Descent-327m
Highest point: 725m
Terrain:Tarmac, roughly cobbled tracks §ions of good tracks
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Today we check out of our hotel and say goodbye before transferring to Lisbon Airport.
Transfer Time – 1 hours 55 mins
This comfortable hotel, once a 15th century palace, is a perfect base for our stay in Evora, ideally located within the city walls of this UNESCO World Heritage Site town. The hotel is within easy walking distance to the beautifully preserved Roman Temple.
Facilities include Restaurant, bar, outdoor swimming pool overlooking the beautiful Roman Aquaduct, “Aquaduct Spa offering sauna, Turkish Bath steam room, pool, health and beauty treatments, gym (costs apply) , free Wi-Fi.
Our comfortable, sophisticated rooms include ensuite bathroom,air conditioning, modern furnishings, HD LCD satellite TV, chair, desk, safe, minibar, Nespresso Coffee machine, free Wi-Fi.
Our modern, well appointed hotel situated in the traditional Portuguese village of Alpalhao is in a perfect location for our last three days of exploring this wonderful region
Facilities include restaurant, bar, indoor and outdoor pool, Salus Spa including sauna, Turkish Bath, indoor pool, Jacuzzi, health and beauty treatments ( costs apply) , free Wi-Fi
Our each uniquely decorate rooms feature a different theme based on local handcrafted products, ensuite bathroom, with complimentary toiletries, free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, hairdryer, safe, salellite TV, mini bar and balcony.
Frequently Asked Questions
The transfer time from Lisbon Airport to the hotel is approximately 1 hour 20 minutes, depending on weather and traffic.
It is your responsibility to ensure that you are fit and well enough to take part in your chosen activity holiday. This walking holidays is graded as Medium. If you are unsure as to whether the walks are within your capabilities, please contact the office to discuss this matter, thus making sure you appreciate the terrain and the length of the walks that you will be walking.
It is recommended to bring water & snacks for the walk.
You could be walking across uneven ground in some areas and extreme care must be taken, especially if wet. If used to using a pole/stick, it is advisable to bring it. Please appreciate the route and content of the holiday may change at the time and at the discretion of the guide/organiser, should conditions require. Solo’s Holidays Ltd cannot be held responsible for personal injury, accident or damage to property whilst on these walks other than incidents arising out of the company’s negligence. The guide has the right to refuse to guide a walk with anyone not properly attired.
It is of paramount importance that you have the correct footwear. It is essential to wear walking boots that are comfortable and preferably lightweight, with some ankle support and a good grip. If you already have a pair of boots that you are happy walking in (including during hot/wet weather and on hard ground), then bring these along. However, if you are bringing new footwear, do make sure they are well broken in before you arrive. Experience has shown that wearing 2 pairs of woollen socks adds to comfort.
Whilst we would hope for good weather during your holiday, it is of course impossible to guarantee this. We would therefore recommend you travel with clothing suitable for all conditions, and suggest you use the following checklist as a guideline of what to take:
Walking boots with good ankle support
Waterproofs – jacket and trousers
Walking poles – recommended as they provide good support for the knees, particularly on downhill sections of walks and when conditions are wet/slippery
Lightweight trousers and shorts with pockets
Shirts or t-shirts for walking in
Walking socks – several pairs
Lightweight fleece or jumper
Hat & gloves
Daysack/rucksack for walking
Umbrella – it can be used also for protection from the sun as well as rain
Lightweight drinking bottle to carry water whilst walking
Small first aid kit – plasters, insect repellant, etc
Good, high factor sunscreen, sunhat and sunglasses
We suggest a Group Collection to cover transfer drivers, and hotel staff of €25.00 per person. Your Tour Leader will collect this on your behalf and distribute it accordingly, thus relieving you of the burden of who, when and how much to tip. The tipping of housekeeping will be left to your individual discretion (a small amount left in your room on departure should cover this and would be much appreciated). As is customary, ‘the hat’ will be passed around for the driver and guide on all optional excursions. For any meals that are not included in your itinerary, or taxi fares, your Tour Leader can advise of an appropriate % add on.
To enter Portugal or Madeira your passport must meet 2 requirements. It must be:
less than 10 years old on the day you enter (check the ‘date of issue’)
valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave (check the ‘expiry date’)
Check both the issue date and the expiry date in your passport. If you renewed your passport early, extra months may have been added to its expiry date. This could affect the requirement for your passport to be less than 10 years old.
A visa is not required by holders of passports endorsed “British Citizen” for stays of upto 90 days in any 180-day period. Please note that stays in other EU countries counts towards this 90 day period.
It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct visa, a valid passport and any other travel documents for your holiday. All information provided relates to British citizens who hold or are entitled to apply for a British passport. For the most up-to-date visa information please visit; Portugal Foreign Advice
If you are not a British citizen and do not hold a British passport, you must make your own enquiries as to the applicable requirements.
Compulsory vaccinations: None.
All clients are responsible for acquainting themselves with up to date health information of the countries being visited and where necessary take the required precautions. We recommend that you check with your doctor prior to departure as this information can change. You can also visit the travel health website for more information; Travel Health Portugal
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