Daily itinerary
The Alentejo
Portugal
Day 1
Private group bus will meet you at our pickup location in Lisbon at 10am and whisk you to Évora (approximately 1h20m minute ride).
Wine tasting & tapas: We will be joined by Nelson Rolo winemaker at Adega do Montado, who will present his wines to the group.
We will then have a leisurely walk visiting the Cathedral and the Bones Chapel, ending at your hotel in Évora – a 5-star hotel located within the walls of the town.
Dinner: The restaurant 1⁄4 para as 9 has been in business for over 40! Among other things, we will enjoy a delicious, local fish stew and hear what Fado is all about.
Fala Português?
If you desire, you can begin each morning with a fun informative half hour Portuguese lesson.
Day 2
Cultural stop over: You will learn why cork is such an incredible sustainable resource.
We will visit a cork forest led by the always jovial, interesting Andreia. You will never look at a wine cork in the same way again!
All of the flights into Portugal from the United States are overnight flights. Please plan to
arrive into Lisbon no later than Sunday, October 20th.
Meeting time on first day, October 21st, is at 10am.
On last day, October 27th, we will drop you off at Lisbon airport at 9:30am.
We can help you arrange a different drop off location and/or time, contact us for details.
Lunch & wine tasting: We will then stop at Senhor Daurindo’s for a super traditional Alentejo feast accompanied by some very local wines.
More culture: On the way back to our home base, we will stop by at the pre-historic megalith, Cromeleque dos Almendres: a stone circle that predates Stonehenge by 2000 years. At almost 8,000 years old it definitely puts things in perspective.
Day 3
Cultural stop: A guided visit to the royal summer palace in Vila Viçosa.
Wine tasting: Howard’s Folly. Funny name, serious wine. Lead winemaker David Baverstock is better known for running the wine operation at Esporão. But Howard’s Folly is a new, small venture by David’s good friend, Howard who lived for 30 years in Hong Kong.
Lunch: Innovative Chef Bernardo creates perfect dishes to pair with Howard’s wines.
Day 4
Cultural stop over: the fairytale village of Monsaraz. One of the best-preserved villages in the country. If it were anywhere else, it would be mobbed with tourists year-round. We will stop in the pottery town of São Pedro do Corval along the way for some shopping.
Lunch: We will have an easy and light tapas lunch as we taste the simple but delicious creations of Rui at Gaspacho. Of course, plenty of wine (and beer) will be present.
You have a free evening to explore Evora and all its nooks and crannies.
Day 5
Wine: Visit our friends at Quinta do Quetzal who love both art and wine. Our visit will be led by winery head, Reto Jorg.
Lunch: João Mourato, head chef at Quetzal, may receive a Michelin star one day. You will not believe he is only 26!!
Cultural highlight: the Roman Villa of São Cucufate has been standing for over 1,800 years.
Day 6
Cultural stop over: We will visit one of the oldest outdoor markets in Europe in the marble town of Estremoz.
Winery tasting: Owner, winemaker Luis Louro of Monte Branco was practically born into the wine business. Luis has strong opinions about winemaking and looks forward to sharing them with you. It also helps that his tasting area overs a glorious view of the countryside.
Lunch: Luis is going to show off and cook a leg of lamb for the group.
Day 7
Early breakfast, check out and transfer back to Lisbon airport.
Most of you will be departing on a noon flight that day, therefore you will be leaving the Évora hotel at around 8 am.
If you are staying in the country, breakfast is at your leisure.
We can help you in booking transfers at other times and to different locations. Just let us know what you are looking for.