Maribel

Yep, this one is DEFINITELY charm, as it has been for Mel and was for me!

progol,
Your home Dom Dinis, also has THE views--just didn't get a photo of it.
My perfect itinerary is 35 nights! I've been pushing for this for a long time and finally have achieved it. Retirement is a blessing.

progol

Maribel,
My last trip (Croatia & South Italy) was 5 weeks but my family guilt-tripped me and I reduced it…to 4 weeks. Now I want that last week back!😉

Maribel

That last week, 5th week, for me is so very important (especially with the airline fares that we now pay for). My tiny family hasn't guilt-tripped me (just hubby and me--I'm an only child, and we don't have children or grandchildren, nor do we no longer have our pets, which would make a HUGE difference)

progol

My husband says I shouldn’t have allowed them to guilt trip me! So I’ve got a trip scheduled for Egypt and Jordan for 5 weeks at the end of the year!😉

heathersalber0039

Hi, I found these posts incredibly helpful. I will be in Evora as a base for 5 nights the end of this month. First day will be to do the town itself. Second day Cork forest tour in Redondo with lunch and wine tasting. Third day marble quarry tour and walking tour in Vila Vicosa. Would love to do Elvas for a day with a stop in Estremoz along the way since will not have time to do it when in Vila Vicosa. Woudl love to do Marvao and Castel for another day but am concerned about the drive versus going to Monsaraz which is much closer. Could actually do both since I have two full days to play with. Also thinking about dropping one of them to do the megaliths tour for a half day. I know I am all over the place but would love to hear opinions and thoughts on Marvao versue Monsaraz or should I just do both. Thank you in advance.

Maribel

Monsaraz is indeed much closer/easier.
Although from our Evora 5-night base we did the drive up the Serra de São Mamede to Marvão and Castelo de Vide with our friends in one day (we had been before), it did make for a very long day. After we stopped for a late lunch in Portalegre, we had planned to make another stop in Estremoz to show them the town, but we ran out of time and they ran out of energy! My day trips tend to be very lengthy...too lengthy at times for my traveling companions, and I crack the whip for an early start when attempting a long day trip.

We've been more impressed with Marvão, the true eagle's nest, than Monsaraz, but I think it's simply because the former is more isolated, the surrounding mountain scenery more awe inspiring, its perch more dramatic, making it even more photogenic. But that's just our impression. It does, however, make for a long day, as we spent considerable time walking through the lovely town of Castelo de Vide, touring the small synagogue museum there and photographing from its castle.

I think your cork forest tour with lunch and wine tasting will be very enjoyable (we didn't combine the cork and wine but instead went to the Esporão winery in Reguengos for a tour and lunch). I also think your marble quarry/walking tour of Vila Viçosa may be pleasant.
That said, if I had to drop one it would be the VV quarry and walking tour, which I think won't be as impressive, but that´s just a personal feeling because I know all these towns. We stayed in VV at the lovely Pousada but enjoyed the other towns even more.
And everyone enjoys the Ebora Megalitica tour.
Too many great choices in the Alentejo!

heathersalber0039

Hi, There are four of us and we do not have any problems with long days our approach is identical to yours. I really do not want to drop the marble quarry tour and walking tour, it gets fantastic reviews and very different. Have you done Elvas? Is Elvas diferent enough from Marvao and Monsaraz? Definitely leaning more towards Marvao since it seems very unique. Also toyed with doing a day trip to Tomar but that really seems too far.

Maribel

Tomar is much, much too far for a day trip. It merits its own 2 or 3 nights (for the Knights Templar castle and day trips from there).

Don't drop the marble quarry tour, then, since you're excited by it. We didn't have time for it during our Pousada stay.
But don't add the city of Elvas at the border.

heathersalber0039

Hi, can you tell me why to not go to Elvas? On another site folks were raving about it.

Maribel

I just don't think you have the time, with the other tours that you're contemplating. Yes, it's a lovely city, but it would be an hour's drive from Evora. if you think you can squeeze it in, you could stop in Estremoz on route and kill two birds with one stone, especially if it happens to be a Saturday, when Estremoz holds its outdoor market.

Is this your marble quarry tour perhaps?
https://rotadomarmoreae.com/en/marbl...n-vila-vicosa/

An extremely helpful guide book that I've used to plan my Alentejo trips is the Bradt Guide to the Alentejo by Alex Robinson, filled with great detail.


Edited to add that I see Claudia N recommended this guide to you on the other travel forum. Her recommendation of it to me sent me off to purchase it and it's been extremely helpful in planning my own adventures.

I've also been to Arraialos and have stayed at its Pousada (actually I've stayed at all the Alentejo Pousadas except for Beja). We went specifically to purchase an embroidered carpet, a tapete, which is my most priceless "souvenir". An heirloom item.

heathersalber0039

Hi Again, Yes I did purchase the book and it is wonderful. That is the quarry tour and we are also doing the walking tour with them as well later in the day. I would love to see a picture of your needlepoint since that rug town was on the list. A friend of mine purchased a beautiful Portugese wool wall hanging from Burel Factory which is Estrela wool. It is very expensive but very different. Can only afford one but have not seen enough photos of Arraiolos rugs or wall hangings to understand the differences. Thank you so much for all this info....