The farm you will visit is a paradise for walkers, ramblers, and wine lovers. Imagine exploring this world of rolling hills, cork forests, olive groves, and vineyards in a landscape occasionally broken by a medieval fortress or an abandoned chapel. For six generations, the family owners have made a living on the 1,400-acre estate in the Alentejo by sustainably managing cork forests, rearing sheep, and making fine wines. You're invited to share the joy of their lives and see the beauty of the surrounding countryside. Nature-lovers and birdwatchers will not be disappointed. With luck, you might see or come across an Egyptian mongoose, a bustard, a wild boar,  a hoopoe, a bee-eater, a booted eagle, or many more species. On arrival, you will be introduced to your guide Joana. Start with a nice cup of tea, coffee, or cool refreshment. Then your guide will take you on a beautiful 2-hour Jeep tour in a Classic Land Rover into the deepest parts of the cork forest. During your tour, she will explain to you everything about the cork trees, cork cycle (cork stripping, cork storage, cork manufacturing). You will also learn about local fauna and flora, vineyards, Iberian pig fattening, olive groves, and all the farm activities. When you return to the winery, visit the shop where you can find the finest products including cork handicrafts, olive oil, and of course their wines. Later, have a cork stripper's traditional three-course meal in a quiet family-run restaurant. After this, it will be time to go home with the best memories of the Alentejo.

Departing from Évora, it will take you about 4 hours to visit the amazing village of Monsaraz. Wander the streets and enjoy the breathtaking views of this hilltop village. Enter a time capsule that will take you back centuries. En route, the tour will stop at San Pedro do Corval, a pottery village. Stop by a family-owned pottery and have a great opportunity to interact with the locals and learn about ceramics. Afterwards, don't go home without tasting unique wines from a local winery.

Let’s get out of the urban and historical environment and see Évora’s surroundings. As a traveler, this can be your opportunity to truly get to know the region, our culture, and traditions. We will show you special places that define who we are. You can talk to locals and gain an understanding of what it’s like to live here. Our towns and villages are places where you can find the ancestral activities of Alentejo. We will take to sites that maybe could only exist in your imagination. Wine might be what better defines Alentejo and its people. There will be no farewell without a glass of wine or two!

Explore the cultural tapestry of Évora, capital of the province of Alentejo, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Passing through a rustic landscape of olive and cork trees, journey 81 miles (130 km) south of Lisbon to reach the outer vineyards of this well-preserved treasure. Walk through the whitewashed Old Town to visit Évora's most famous landmark, the Roman Temple. Its large Corinthian columns date back to the first century, the era of Emperor Augustus. Another breathtaking stop will be the Cathedral of Évora, one of the most important Gothic monuments in Portugal. Then head to Saint Francis Church with the "Bones Chapel", or Capela dos Ossos, which is completely decorated with human bones. Don't miss the University of Évora, a former Jesuit college built by Cardinal-King Henrique in 1559. Afterwards, stroll through Évora market to admire the colorful and tasty ingredients used to create some of the Portugal's most marvelous dishes. In the afternoon, head to the Herdade do Esporão (near Reguengos de Monsaraz) to visit an important wine cellars in Portugal.

Your day begins with a visit to a farmhouse, where you will learn that cork is the bark of the cork oak, a variety of oak. Portugal is responsible for 55% of the world's cork production, which is valued worldwide for decorative cork coatings used for things such as walls and floors. Your tour will then progress to the historical center of Evora, where you will discover the ancient Temple of Diana next to the Evora Cathedral, which was built during the Roman period. Alentejo wine has a unique profile, something that seems impossible to happen in a region of hot and dry climate. This makes it indispensable to add water to the vine, with soils and reliefs a very sunny zone allowing the perfect maturation of the grapes. This is a practically flat region that produces white wines that are generally soft, slightly acidic, and have aromas of tropical fruits. The red wines are full bodied and rich in tannin, with aromas of wild and red fruits. Your tour includes a visit to one of these wineries with a tasting. It is also possible to visit Monsaraz, but you will be forced to cut the wine tour short in order to time to make both. At the conclusion of your day, you will return to Lisbon.

The city of Évora counts back thousands of years of history. You will be taken you to see the city highlights and hear its 1,001 stories. You will definitely appreciate the beauty of this magical city. The historical center will come as a complete surprise. Inhabited since immemorial times, it is still possible to appreciate Roman remains, surrounded by medieval buildings. After visiting the historical center, the cathedral and the Bones Chapel, you will head to Alentejo to a beautiful local winery for a wine tasting. Sample regional products such as fresh bread, cheese, cooked meats, and jam. After lunch, head to the village of Monsaraz village, a fortified settlement established in the Copper Age. Admire the influence of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam in the architecture and traditions of this ancient village that has been inhabited by members of these three religions.

Escape the hustle and bustle of Lisbon and spend the day in the beautiful Alentejo region of central Portugal. Go to the historic towns of Evora and Monsaraz, and discover monuments that date back to pre-historic times. Following a pick-up from your hotel in Lisbon, transfer to the capital of the Alentejo at Evora. Explore its interesting history, from Roman times, through the times of the Moors to the Reconquista to the present day. Meet the locals and taste the food of the region as you see sites such as the Roman Temple, Giraldo Square, and Graça Church. Next, transfer to the partially-walled village of Monsaraz and enjoy a traditional meal with local wine. Along the way, admire the Alentejo landscapes, such as the lake at Alqueva. Look at the ruins of the Castle of Monsaraz on the hilltop of Monte Xarez, before transferring back to Lisbon at the end of the day.

Évora, has a rich history that goes back more than five millennia, as demonstrated by nearby megalithic monuments such as the Zambujeiro Anta and the Cromlech. Some neolithic settlements developed in the region. Another village of this type is the so-called "castle of giraldo", inhabited continuously from the 3rd millennium to the first millennium BC and sporadic occupation in medieval times. The visigothic period corresponds to a dark time of the city. At the time of Muslim domination, the city experienced a new period of economic and political splendor, thanks to its privileged location. The walls were rebuilt and an alcázar and a mosque were built in the area of the roman acropolis. The growth of the city out of the primitive Moorish fence led to the construction of a new belt of walls in the fourteenth century, during the reign of D. Dinis. The main squares of the city were "praça do giraldo" (originally "praça grande") and "largo das portas de moura and rossio". The "giraldo square", home of an annual fair since 1275, was also the site of the Town Hall (since the fourteenth century) and the jail. Évora is testimony to various styles and aesthetic currents, being over time endowed with works of art to the point of being classified by "unesco", in 1986, as a Common Heritage of Humanity.

the Zambujeiro Anta and the Cromlech. Some neolithic settlements developed in the region. Another village of this type is the so-called "castle of giraldo", inhabited continuously from the 3rd millennium to the first millennium BC and sporadic occupation in medieval times. The visigothic period corresponds to a dark time of the city. At the time of Muslim domination, the city experienced a new period of economic and political splendor, thanks to its privileged location. The walls were rebuilt and an alcázar and a mosque were built in the area of the roman acropolis. The growth of the city out of the primitive Moorish fence led to the construction of a new belt of walls in the fourteenth century, during the reign of D. Dinis. The main squares of the city were "praça do giraldo" (originally "praça grande") and "largo das portas de moura and rossio". The "giraldo square", home of an annual fair since 1275, was also the site of the Town Hall (since the fourteenth century) and the jail. Évora is testimony to various styles and aesthetic currents, being over time endowed with works of art to the point of being classified by "unesco", in 1986, as a Common Heritage of Humanity.

Go back in time and visit the 1st century Roman Temple and the Evora Cathedral. Explore the São Francisco Church that houses the chilling Chapel of Bones and find out what gave the city the UNESCO World Heritage status on this guided walking tour with a local expert. Enjoy free time for lunch and then head to Arraiolos, a sunny village that developed on the side of the castle. Known for its embroidered rugs with centuries of history, the rugs are handmade by embroiderers in a tradition that has been passed down over 500 years. You will learn to embroider your own Arraiolos rug step by step with a local embroiderer. In the workshop, you will be given the kit with all the necessary material to start your rug and help from your guide and the embroiderer, whilst gaining some insider knowledge about the region. Trip Itinerary • Departure at 8:30 at Hotel/Accommodation in Lisbon • Visit the Roman Temple • Visit the Cathedral of Evora • Visit the Praça do Giraldo (Giraldo Square) • Visit the Chapel of Bones • Learn to embroider your own arraiolos rug step by step with a local embroiderer • Visit the Arraiolos rugs Interpretive Center • Visit the Arraiolos Castle • Return to Lisbon