Picturesque Portugal

Where in the world is Camille?

A view from the road in Portugal
On the road in Portugal creating a new DuVine bike tour! Here’s a sneak preview of what’s to come…
Think Europe, 30 years undisturbed.  The landscapes of the Alentejo are peppered with vineyards, cork trees, fields, hilltop perched villages, and laundry hanging out to dry.  Cobblestone streets are still the common look of all the towns here, making it an interesting cycling experience – no road bikes welcome!  Marble is as common as cinderblock, adding an elegance and feel about the area that leaves one quite impressed.  I really have this image that once upon a time, the streets were paved with marble – road bikes welcomed!

One of the many cork trees
Picture yourself on a bike riding through the country with eucalyptus trees lining the street and shepherds tending to their flocks.  As you wind your way through the narrow streets you are sure to pass old ladies dressed all in black with their wide brimmed matching hats coming back from their gardens, baskets a plenty.  Today I saw a man out walking his 2 goats and a sheep, one of the goats on a leash.  I was too timid to ask where he was going, or where he had come from. Laundry is hung up all will- nilly in parking lots, on stop signs at intersections…you name it…apparently no one is afraid to hide their washing here.  The houses and buildings seem to be a thing of pride,  as they are all well cared for with a fresh coat of white paint and nice colorful trim in either yellow, blue or green.  In the pastures you see lots of sheep, some pigs and cows.
The potential for unforgettable DuVine picnic spots is limitless: be it at the base of an old windmill looking over a fortified town, in the shade of a cork oak forest, on the banks of the border lakes with views of Spain, or in a winery while tasting the best wines the region has to offer (a pretty recent industry for them!)  Amazingly, the top 2 export markets for the wines of the Alentejo are Brazil and Angola!

A potential picnic spot
The roads are a bit bumpy but the rolling hills offer amazing views for miles on end.  The region is the hottest in the country but doesn’t compare to the heat of Spain-its neighbor to the east.  The Atlantic influence keeps the temperatures at a warm but comfortable temperature with a refreshing cool breeze always present.
A  trip to the Alentejo is a discovery of old world charm with a gentle hospitality;  while its food and wine will please your palate’s desire to try something new. So stay tuned for your chance to join us on a bicycle tour in Portugal and discover this untouched region in DuVine style!

So excited to hear about the new destination. Portugal has been on my list of countries to explore and there would not better way than with DuVine. It’s been a few years since my last DuVine trip so I’ll wait anxiously for news of when Portugal will be available. Thanks!