Follow in the footsteps of the famous Knights Templar for an escorted walking break with a ready-made group of solo travellers, perfectly designed for lovers of history, culture and tradition in this picturesque region of Portugal.
Walking Grade: Easy to Medium
Extras
Arrive in Lisbon and transfer to our four-star hotel – Dos Templarios in Tomar. If time allows, an introductory walk will be offered.
Transfer time approx: 2 hours
Meals Included: Dinner
The day will be dedicated to the town that will welcome us for the week. A morning introductory walk in the centre will allow us to pass the main monuments and points of interest. After lunch (at own cost), we’ll make our way to the town’s masterpiece – ‘The Convent of Christ’. Built as a Templar stronghold in the 12th Century, it’s a reminder of the power, knowledge, sacrifice and history of one of the most famous religious orders of all time – The Knight’s Templars.
Within a short drive away, we’ll take time to enjoy the views and the engineering prowess of the ‘Pegões Aqueduct’, a 6km long aqueduct built in the 16th Century during the ‘Philippine Dynasty’ which supplied water for the convent.
After breakfast, we visit the Serra de Aires Natural Park’s range of limestone hills and fantastic cave formations. The ‘Santo António Caves’ were discovered in the 1950s by a small boy that decided to follow a bird and saw it disappear through a deep hole in the ground. Seventy years later, we are privileged to witness a part of our planet’s geological wonders.
After lunch (at own cost), we’ll walk the trails down through the valley below the caves, taking us through quaint villages, shady paths and superb scenery as the valley opens out.
Transfer time – approx. 1 hour
Distance: 6.3km/3.9 miles
Ascent +98m
Descent-74m
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Amongst the middle reaches of the longest Iberian Peninsula river, on a small picturesque and picture-perfect rugged island, sits one of the most beautiful medieval military monuments in the country: the ‘Almourol Castle’. Using a traditional boat to ferry us to this enigmatic island, we will have time to explore this 12th Century structure, where we’ll enjoy some of the best views of the week.
Back on dry land, we follow Tanco’s shoreline towards the delightful garden of ‘Vila Nova da Barquinha’, a public garden and an open door gallery of modern sculptures from some of the most respected national artists.
Transfer time – approx. 45mins
Distance: 4km/2.5mi
Ascent/descent: minimal
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Our day comprises of a time travel visit through Portuguese history and its glorious buildings.
The ‘Batalha Monastery’ – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – and one of Europe’s greatest Gothic masterpieces, was born out of a promise of gratitude for a won battle that granted Portugal its independence. During the 150 years that it took to build, the initial project was subjected to numerous changes that resonate with the evolution of architectural styles, from the exclusively Portuguese ‘Manueline’ style to the Renaissance techniques.
After lunch, we visit the ‘Alcobaça Monastery’ a 12th Century UNESCO World Heritage Site. This colossal complex was originally given to St Bernard of Clairvaux – the main reformer of the Cistercian Order and built to reflect the ‘White Monks’ principles: austerity, prayer, penitence, hard labour and constant silence. This monastery is also the burial site of Portugal’s most famous royal lovers and their tragic history – ‘Pedro and Inês’.
Transfer time – approx. 1h
Distance: 2km/1.2 miles
Ascent: Minimal
Descent: Minimal
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Named after ‘Nabia’ – the pagan goddess of rivers and water – the Nabão River stretches for 60km, with luxuriant riverbanks that run from the northern village of Ansião to the south, eventually flowing into the Zêzere River. Our walk this morning follows the course of the river and, at times, our route coincides with the Portuguese ‘Caminho de Santiago’.
Later, we’ll visit a nearby winery where there’ll be a tour through the winery and wine cellar, with some disclosure of the secrets behind the art of making wine. This visit also includes wine tasting.
Transfer time – approx. 20mins
Distance: 6.3km/3.9miles
Ascent/Descent: flat
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Our last day is dedicated to the medieval village of Ourém. This remarkable hilltop village, nestled within ancient walls, is topped with a dramatic castle whose origins go back to Moorish times. We will enjoy a guided tour of the village and castle, after which we have time to relax in the local café and enjoy the views over the immense landscapes below.
Transfer time – approx. 1 hour
Distance: 1.3km/0.8mi
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Today we check out of our hotel and say goodbye before transferring to Lisbon Airport.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Transfer Time – Approx. 2 hours
Our beautiful hotel for the week is perfectly situated in the heart of Tomar next to the historic centre overlooking the river Nabão.
Facilities include restaurant, bar and lounge, two swimming pools including indoor pool, gym with sauna and massages and beauty treatments available by appointment (charges apply) free Wi-Fi throughout.
The comfortable rooms include ensuite bathroom, hair dryer, bathrobe and slippers, flat screen satellite TV, small fridge, digital safe, free Wi-Fi, desk with chair, living area and balcony with views over the river or castle. We recommend to bring a travel kettle and tea, coffee for the room if required.
Frequently Asked Questions
The transfer time from Lisbon Airport to the hotel is approximately 1 hour 30 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 Easy to 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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