Cycling through Alentejo

          It's been some of the best cycling of the trip, this little excursion through the Alentejo region of Portugal.  Covering 34 percent of the land area of the country, it houses only 7 percent of the population, which, for us, has translated into narrow winding roads with hardly any traffic, a small town or two a day with a quiet plaza for our morning coffee and pastel de nata, and a shaded park where we can make our lunch in peace.  Add to that very gently rolling terrain, olive tree groves, a large dam-created lake to add a little blue to the landscape, and hilltop castles galore, and you have cycling paradise. Did I mention that Alentejo produces some of Portugal's best wines?  A treat for the eyes as we ride past miles of vineyards just sprouting this year's vines, and for the tastebuds when we sample the fruit of the vine in the evening. 

 

 

 

 

 

          We have stayed in a pleasant hostel in one town, at a lovely quinta (farm) guesthouse with a pool and great breakfast in another, and also at campgrounds with all the amenities.  

 We are now wrapping up our two day stay in Evora, one of Portugal's oldest towns, with a Roman temple to Diana (maybe), and churches and a cathedral dating back to the 13th century!  Toss in the chapel of bones and there has been much to see.

 

 

 

              Our quiet roads come to an end tomorrow as we begin a three day jaunt to Lisbon and the conclusion of a fabulous journey. We will do a final post before we head for home.