Tour to Évora and Monsaraz

 Évora and Monsaraz—There are some places in the world where simplicity means beauty. Welcome to Alentejo's fascinating 6000 year-old-city, to the most beautiful small village in Portugal, and enjoy the works of local artisans.

This tour will take us first to the City-Museum and a World Heritage Site of Évora, where you will merge into the past of this marvelous city and its world-class monuments, such as: The Chapel of the Bones, St. Francis Church, Cathedral and the Diana Temple. Next stop: a small city called Reguengos de Monsaraz. Although a modern city, it is a good example of a small city in Portugal’s largest region. Our stop here has a purpose: to observe artisans producing the famous, colorful Alentejo blankets which exist in almost every alentejana house because of the low winter temperatures.

Next, we will continue to the small town of Monsaraz which will leave you speechless. Indeed, this stop is the highlight of this tour; nothing has changed there in the last few centuries due to its excellent preservation. This town is built of schist and its tiny little houses with white-washed facades maintain the charm of a town which has been developing without losing its primitive characteristics. Here, the castle is a must-see with its panoramic view over the Alqueva Lake and Central Alentejo. The streets of Monsaraz contain many monuments and churches that hide the terrible past of a place marked by the Inquisition.

After lunch (meal not included in tour price) we will continue our tour with a visit to São Pedro do Corval, the clay pottery capital of Portugal. Here, it is possible to see many artisans creating impressive works using clay and painting their masterpieces with scenes from daily life in Alentejo. After, you will return to the Hotel.