Taste of Heritage

Taste of Heritage is a premium, single-base cycling holiday at the Convento do Espinheiro, a beautifully restored convent in the countryside 2 km from Évora, a UNESCO World Heritage city. Choose 1, 3 or 5 nights, with a local cycling guide and support van on every ride.

Each day reveals a different side of the Alentejo, from family-run wineries and a cork factory to artisan workshops, a prickly pear farm and quiet villages shaped by centuries of history. Rides cross gentle hills, open fields and oak forests, with longer stays reaching the hilltop fortress of Monsaraz and the marble towns of Estremoz and Vila Viçosa.

This is a journey into the flavours, craftsmanship and timeless charm of the Alentejo, with relaxing days built in and the convent as your home. Routes can be swapped for kayaking or walking, and a cheaper version stays at the operator's farm.

Highlights

• Stay in a restored convent near Évora, with no packing and unpacking
• Évora's cathedral, university and Chapel of Bones
• Wine tasting at a family winery and a visit to a cork factory
• Prickly pear farm, chocolate truffle tasting and a private classic car collection
• Hilltop Monsaraz and the marble towns of Estremoz and Vila Viçosa (5-night option)
• Picnic lunches and local restaurant meals with a cycling guide and support van

Surface and terrain
Gently rolling secondary roads, ecotrail and dirt roads through open countryside. Most routes are rated Easy to Easy+, with 200 to 400 m of ascent. The Monsaraz route ends with a steep climb, and the megalithic route includes a 4 km dirt climb.

Weather
The Alentejo has hot, dry summers, with July and August often very hot. Spring and autumn are mild and ideal for riding, and winters are cool with some rain.

Suitable for Leisure riders and foodies wanting relaxed, fully supported rides with comfort, culture and gastronomy. Suits couples and small groups, including less confident riders, with e-bikes available.