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PORTUGAL PORTUGAL PORTUGAL PORTUGAL Undiscovered Portugal Visit UNESCO World Heritage Site of Marvao Walk in unspoilt tranquil countryside See fascinating birdlife SELF-GUIDED Departures for a minimum of 2 persons travelling together

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PORTUGALPORTUGALPORTUGALPORTUGAL

Undiscovered

Portugal • Visit UNESCO World Heritage Site of Marvao

• Walk in unspoilt tranquil countryside

• See fascinating birdlife

SELF-GUIDED Departures for a minimum of 2 persons travelling together

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Tour Grade – B Tour Code - TPOR

For dates and prices visit: www.walksworldwide.com

Introduction The hills of the Alentejo, in which the Sao Mamede Natural Park is found are just two hours inland from Lisbon on Portugal’s border with central Spain, and are widely recognised as on of Europe’s most beautiful and unspoilt areas. The hills run along the border and spill over into Spanish Extremadura as the Sierra de San Pedro, with the highest point at 1,025 metres, Pico de Sao Mamede. It is a mystical region of wooded hills, rocky crests and fertile valleys, criss-crossed with mediaeval tracks and archaeological remains – a region where time has simply stood still. Life has changed little in the picturesque white-washed villages where bread, cheeses and regional wines are still produced in traditional ways, and local produce feeds the communities. The Sierra de Sao Mamede, a Natural Park since 1989, is at the junction of the Mediterranean and Atlantic climatic zones giving a diverse fauna and flora typical of both. Cork oak woodlands and olive groves mingle with sweet chestnut and Pyrenean oak, and botanists will be interested in the numerous types of wild flowers here. It is also a fascinating are for wildlife enthusiasts and birdwatchers being home to rare wildlife such as wolf, lynx, boar and over 120 resident and migratory bird species such as vultures, and eagles including the Bonellis Eagle, the Park’s emblem. Starting from the old castle town of Castelo de Vide, ancient stock tracks lead you towards the Pico Sao Mamede, past tranquil lakes (good for swimming), through vineyards and orchards, and on along the ‘Smugglers Route’, over the border into Spain. Enjoy leisurely picnic lunches of acorn fattened black ‘jamon iberico’, and local goats cheese, whilst vultures and eagles soar above on the thermals. From a converted convent hotel, you pass back into Portugal through rocky countryside carpeted in wild flowers to the mediaeval walled town of Marvao, a UNSECO World Heritage Site. Enjoy a day here exploring the castle and nearby Roman ruins at Ammaia. Finally, with views over wild landscapes towards the Estrela Mountains, you descend through olive groves back to Castel de Vide and one last evening to reflect on your journey back in time. Few tourists have discovered this secluded and very beautiful part of Portugal, and it is rare to meet many other walkers on the trails. Even in the height of the season the towns are not overrun with tourists, except of course, for the annual chestnut fair in Marvao in November and the Carnival in Castelo de Vide.

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The area you visit Neolithic man left the many dolmens and menhirs in the region, which you will have an opportunity to visit on day 4, but it was during the Roman occupation that the original forests started opening up to roads, bridges, weirs, watermills and farming wheat, sweet chestnut and olives. The main Roman town in the area, Ammaia, was built near Sao Salvador de Aramenha, and an impressive museum of objects found in the excavations and the city’s ruins can be visited on your free day in Marvao. The geology of the area is complex, with areas of schist, ancient granite and limestone valleys with rich red soils where one of the caves holds possibly the largest bat colony’s in Europe. You walk past jagged quartzite rock

ridges with cliff nesting raptors, rising above the pine and chestnut forests. The most spectacular of these ridges are above Castelo de Vide, and the cliffs at the Galegos border where vultures nest.

Flora and Fauna On your walks look out overhead for griffon vulture and the rare black vulture soaring on thermals, Bonelli’s eagle, short toed eagle, ‘meowing’ buzzards, the smaller goshawk and ravens. Amongst the rocks and trees the melodious nightingales, blue rock thrush, rock bunting, red-rumped swallows, crag martins, the beautiful crested hoopoe, little owls, golden orioles with their ‘fluting’ song, bee-eaters – one of the most colourful birds, although the brilliant blue rollers are pretty good too!

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This area is rich in flora. The wild flowers in the Sierra is at its most prolific and colourful in the Spring and early Summer. The nostalgic smell of french lavender, heathers and yellow broom, the brilliant poppies and gladioli, the rare blue hedgehog broom, the exquisite angel’s tears and hoop-petticoat narcissi, Spanish bluebells, wild tulips, crocuses, and red peonies. Flitting between the flowers are many species of butterflies including the scarce swallowtail and the red dotted Spanish festoon which lay their eggs on birthwort.

The Holiday Routine As this is a self-guided holiday you can choose the time of day you wish to start your walk. We recommend that you start early on hot days to avoid the mid-day heat. Your main baggage is transferred between each overnight halt leaving you free to walk carrying only your usual daypack. Walking conditions For as much as possible the walking is on dirt tracks which are generally fairly easy going, through the hills Ascent and descent is a natural feature of this holiday although these sections are rarely steep or sustained. Distances vary between 15 and 25 km, with daily walking times varying between 4-6 hours, with one day at leisure (optional walks available) to enjoy Marvao. Overall this is a moderate walking holiday best enjoyed at a steady, but leisurely pace. You will have plenty of time to observe birds and flowers etc en route. On the walks, you are unlikely to meet many other walkers. It is important that you have a reasonable level of fitness and are capable of walking 4-6 hours per day for several days consecutively. A full explanation of the trip grading can be found in our brochure or online at www.walksworldwide.com. You should ensure you are comfortable walking at this level of grading and are physically prepared for the trip. As the name suggests, self-guided holidays are for those that prefer to be independent. Within reason you are able to dictate your own schedule, as well as walk at your own pace with the aid of route notes and maps. All your accommodation has been reserved in advance and unless otherwise stated within this trip dossier, your main baggage is transferred between each accommodation along the way, so there’s no need to worry about carrying

heavy loads and having to back pack. This means you only need to walk each day and carry your usual lightweight daypack. However, it is important that you are entirely comfortable with being independent whilst on a walking holiday. For detailed information as to what a self-guided holiday entails please read the self-guided walking holidays section at Types of Trip section on www.walksworldwide.com before booking your self-guided walking holiday. Route Notes- Help keep them up to date Things can and do change along the routes that self-guided walking holidays follow. A sign may have been changed, or even removed, a path may have been obstructed, even re-routed, a landmark the route notes refer to may simply no longer exist. It is clearly impossible to keep track of all the changes that may occur outside the local tour operators control and knowledge. It may be the route notes translation can be improved (they are translated into several languages by the local operator after all) too. Clearly a case of “last person to walk the route” has the most up to date information. In the spirit of camaraderie amongst walkers and in an effort to constantly keep route notes updated and improved upon, the local operator (contact details in your final joining instructions) will always welcome notification of any changes along the way/recommendations for improvement if you would care to forward any useful and specific information to them. Alternatively, send to Walks Worldwide and we will forward accordingly. What you need to provide Your personal equipment as detailed in the clothing and equipment list later in this trip dossier. Itinerary IMPORTANT- Before booking you should read our “Types of Trip” and “Essential and Useful information” sections on www.walksworldwide.com including our ‘Important Warning’. Due to the specialist nature of our holidays, day to day itineraries should be taken as a guide only, and as statements of intent and not contractual obligations. We regularly update our trip dossiers to take into account changes to trekking routes, accommodation, local transport etc. Such changes are a factor of this type of holiday and when made are out of necessity. Other factors such as adverse weather,

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unforeseen circumstances and other matters entirely out of our control etc can also lead to enforced changes during the course of the holiday. It is not possible to guarantee that any of our holidays will operate exactly as per the anticipated itinerary. The most current trip dossier will be made available on our website. We will also send you the most up to date trip dossier with your “Final Joining Instructions” approx. 2 weeks before departure and you should carefully check this for any changes that may affect your plans.

B – Breakfast, L – Lunch, D – Dinner.

Outline Itinerary

Day Itinerary Overnight Accommodation Meals

1 Arrive Castelo de Vide

Castelo de Vide

Hotel

2 Follow 'medieval footsteps' to Revalados Revalados Quinta Barrieiro BL

3 'The valley walk'. Swimming, vineyards and orchards

Quinta Soutinha

Quinta Soutinha BL

4 'The smugglers route' crossing into Spain.

San Pedro, SPAIN

Convento San Pedro

BL

5 Walk 'the Marvao experience', crossing back into Portugal.

Marvao Casa Dom Dinis BL

6 Leisure day in Marvao. Options of local walks Marvao Casa Dom Dinis B

7 Chestnut, cork, sheep and olive day! Walk back to start point of the holiday.

Castelo de Vide

Hotel BL

8 Depart Castelo de Vide B

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Day 1 Arrive at Castelo de Vide See Joining Arrangements and Transfers section later in this trip dossier. Hotel, Castelo de Vide Day 2 You start walking from Castelo de Vide by ascending up to the rock perched Penha church with vast views towards the Estrela mountains. Continue along the patterned mediaeval track to the traditional farming village of Carreiras. These ancient tracks link farms and fields and various white hill villages. You can have either a picnic or bar lunch at Marcelino’s. There will be ample opportunity for birdwatching and studying the prolific wild flowers. From Carreiras you follow tracks to Revelados passing huge cork and chestnut trees You can take your evening meal in your charming and friendly family-run converted farmhouse. (Distance approx 18 kms, walking time approx 5 hrs). Guesthouse, Quinta do Barrieiro.

Day 3 Setting out from Revelados you follow the edge of a pretty lake (good swimming) and various country lanes to Porto da Espada, an attractive village surrounded by chestnut trees in the heart of the São Mamede hills. Take lunch in the Casa de Pasta Dona Estrela (Porto da Espada), a tavern caught in a time warp! Following up the valley past vineyards,

orchards and grazing animals, you come to the Quinta Soutinha, a quiet spot to spend the night right under the highest hill in the range. (16 kms). You can purchase a simple, but tasty supper a short distance up the road at the Tasca Monte Sete. (Distance approx 16km, approx 4 hrs walking time) Guesthouse, Quinta Soutinha,

Day 4 The Smugglers Route into Spain! Starting from Monte Sete you meander through cherry orchards (blossom time late March and early April and fruit in June) and down a track passing a small slate quarry (still hand extracted) and a waterfall, to the hamlet of Montinho. You then walk over the Sierra Fria into Spain. This was once a busy smugglers track before the EU did away with frontiers. Near El Pino you can stop off to sample the acorn-fattened black pig ‘jamon iberico’, local sheep and goat cheese and wine. Then on to Los Mellizos to see the 7000 year old dolmens. In this area you often see vultures and eagles soaring above on the thermals as they nest in the surrounding rocky cliffs. A short walk brings you to San Pedro, and the unique converted convent Hotel. (Distance approx 22 km, walking time approx 6 hrs) Converted Convent, San Pedro

Day 5 Marvão is a mediaeval walled town and castle set on a high rock. (UNESCO World Heritage site, population 186) and is always visible to the west, the white town on a craggy outcrop. The walk takes you along tracks through Fontañera and back into Portugal with attractive rocky countryside with scattered cork trees and farmhouses, wild flowers, Blue rock thrush and Crag martins. After a picnic lunch, the last part of this walk is up a steep mediaeval track entering Marvão through one of its two gateways. You will stay in the Casa Dom Dinis in the higher part of the village, and there is a selection of convivial restaurants for

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dinner. (Distance approx 16km, walking time approx 4 hrs) Hotel, Marvao

Day 6 A day at leisure. You can enjoy the local surroundings and walk the castle walls...about two kilometres, all with amazing views. Or try one of the local walks. Or you can visit to the fascinating Roman city remains and museum at Ammaia. Hotel, Marvao Day 7 Leaving Marvão you descend to Vale de Rodão through chestnut and oak woods, small farms and olive groves, with sheep and goats grazing nearby. Enjoy a picnic lunch under a large cork tree. Continue on ancient tracks back to Castelo de Vide and the Hotel Castelo de Vide. The rest of the afternoon is free to explore Castelo de Vide, its castle and lively Jewish Quarter. (Walking time approx 3-4hrs, distance approx 14km) If you want to use up more energy, try the ‘challenge’ walk between Marvão and Castelo de Vide. This walk takes you from the heights of Marvão down to the tiny hamlet of Cabeçudos through a wild and rocky landscape, then over pine and oak clad hills and through the delightful village of Escusa. From here you climb up to a rocky crest and finally down to Castelo de Vide. This is an alternative walk for your last day, or can be

adapted into a circular walk for your quiet day in Marvão! Hotel, Castelo de Vide,

Day 8 Depart Castelo de Vide See Joining Arrangements and Transfers section later in this trip dossier. Lisbon Extra nights can be arranged if you would like to visit Lisbon either before the start or end of your holiday. Accommodation would be in a 4* hotel situated in the old part of Lisbon, on one of the city’s seven hills, with Lisbon at its feet. Located close to the Castle of São Jorge and boasting spectacular views of the River Tagus, the hotel boasts a privileged setting on the belvedere of Senhora do Monte. Facilities include a panoramic bar, air-conditioned rooms, TV and direct-dial telephone. Contact us for a quote.

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Practical Information Joining Arrangements and Transfers The joining point for this holiday is the first night’s accommodation in Castelo de Vide. The nearest International Airport is Lisbon. It is a 2 hour drive to Castelo de Vide from Lisbon. By public transport it is considerably longer and quite complicated. We strongly recommend the use of private transfers to arrive and depart Castelo de Vide. We can arrange private airport transfers for you to suit your arrival and departure times. The cost for a private transfer is £95 per car (max 3 persons) each way e.g. £47.50 per person each way if two people in a car. Airport transfers are not included in the Land Only trip price. International Travel The nearest International Airport to reach the joining point is Lisbon. For total flexibility and choice, the price of our holidays often excludes flights. However, as an ATOL bonded agent we are able to arrange competitively priced tickets with the majority of international airlines. Where low cost airlines offer a better option, we are also able to arrange these, subject to a small booking fee. Only by arranging your flights with us can we offer you the peace of mind and 100% financial protection that booking with a licensed tour operator brings. Contact us to discuss your regional flight options for this holiday. If you would prefer to make your own International travel arrangements you can book this holiday as Land Only. You will need to book flights that enable you to arrive in Lisbon and subsequently Castelo de Vide on Day 1 of the trip itinerary. Return flights should be booked to depart from Lisbon no sooner than Day 8 (bearing in mind it is a 2-hr drive by car to the airport) of the trip itinerary. Please note if you are booking Land Only it is your sole responsibility to ensure you arrive at the joining point for the contracted arrangements in good time before these commence. No refunds will be provided in respect of any unused services contracted as a result. Similarly our contractual obligations cease at the end of your contracted arrangements.

IMPORTANT- MAKE SURE YOUR CHOSEN HOLIDAY IS GUARANTEED TO RUN BEFORE YOU PURCHASE AIR TICKETS AND MAKING ANY OTHER TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS. Please contact the Walks Worldwide office to check the status of your chosen holiday BEFORE purchasing your International Air ticket. You should not book your International flight tickets or make any other travel arrangements until your chosen holiday is guaranteed to run. If you are purchasing your own air ticket, you should be aware that most of the cheaper airline tickets available for sale on the internet or from low cost carriers are non-refundable in the case of cancellation. For this reason we strongly advise you check the rules of the ticket when you make a flight booking, and check the limitations of any cancellation insurance policy you have. We cannot be held liable, for losses incurred relating to any flight bookings or subsequent travel arrangements you have made yourself. Travel by Train If you would prefer to travel to Lisbon by train www.raileurope.co.uk provides an online booking service for European rail services, including Eurostar. You should not book your International rail tickets or make any other travel arrangements until your chosen holiday is guaranteed to run Baggage Please make sure that your baggage is clearly marked with your name, inside as well as outside, in case the labels get detached. Please limit your luggage to max 20kg and to one piece per person. As your main baggage will be transported by vehicle a normal suitcase can be used for your main baggage. Passports and Visas British passport holders (and other EU passport holders) do not require a visa for stays up to three months (please ensure your passport has at least 6 months validity). Accommodation Accommodation will be reserved for you on a twin share basis unless you have already requested a single room at extra cost. The first and last nights are spent in the Hotel Castelo de Vide in Castelo de Vide, 3 star, with its own pool, and conveniently situated for exploring the town. Quinta do Barrieiro is set in the heart of the São Mamede hills and is a very comfortable conversion of a group of farmhouses. There is

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a gorgeous swimming pool and Maria and José Manuel provide excellent hospitality. Quinta do Soutinho is beautifully situated under the Pico de São Mamede, and also has a lovely pool. It is run by Ermelinda and José Antonio who will look after you, and direct you to the local taverna Monte Sete for a simple but delicious evening meal. The Convento de San Pedro, for your night in Spain, is converted from an ancient convent maintaining many original features, within the small village of San Pedro, and has a restaurant and pool. The Casa Dom Dinis in Marvão is a small family run hotel in the higher part of the village. They also run the nearby Bar do Castelo where they provide snacks and meals. Marvão has several restaurants and excellent handicraft shops. All accommodations are subject to availability and change. Food Breakfasts will be taken at your overnight accommodation and picnic lunches will be provided. As you will no doubt experience, the colours and flavours from the small farms are wonderful and the local restaurants are proud to serve the local produce, not forgetting the olives and olive oil, chestnuts, goat and sheep cheeses and local baked bread. Dried codfish has been an essential part of the Portuguese cuisine for centuries and there are dozens of ways of preparing it. Local traditional dishes include rich vegetable soups, a spicy hot tomato and bread soup, a cold tomato soup in the summer months, and açorda alentejana made with lots of garlic, olive oil and coriander. Then golden codfish, lamb or kid stew, venison, wild boar, pork and clams, and the superb flavour of the local black pig grilled on charcoal. There are a tempting list of puddings and fruits, and the local grown and bottled wines are excellent. The corks are also grown and made locally. Climate It is of course impossible to predict the precise weather conditions you will encounter during the course of your holiday. The Alentejo has a typically Mediterranean climate with long dry sunny warm summers, with most of the rainfall during the cooler winters. The midsummer temperatures can be very hot during July and August. The most pleasant walking months are March to June, and September to November.

Vaccinations and medical precautions We always recommend visiting your doctor and dentist for a check up before travelling. Your doctor will also have access to the most up to date information on vaccinations and medical precautions for the country you are about to visit. In general, no vaccinations are necessary for Portugal and health problems here are quite rare. A useful travel health online resource is www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk Please make sure that you obtain form EHIC either online www.dh.gov.uk or from your local post office – you will need to produce this if you have to see a doctor. First Aid You should always carry your own small, personal first aid kit. This should consist of the following: A general anti-biotic, throat lozenges, painkillers, plasters (band-aids), blister treatment, insect repellent (DEET), rehydration salts, antiseptic cream, diarrhoea treatment (e.g. Imodium). Currency The Portuguese currency is the ‘Euro’. Please refer to www.xe.com for up to date rates. ATM machines available in the bigger towns, Castelo de Vide and Marvao. You will not have access to any banks or ATM machines in the rest of the villages and you would be best bringing cash with you, although many hotels and restaurants do take cards, but only some shops do. Language Portuguese. We recommend you take a phrase book if you do not speak the local language. A few hotel and restaurant owners will speak limited English. The locals will certainly appreciate any attempt you make to speak their language and is all part of the fun. Travel Insurance It is a condition of booking any of our holidays that you have comprehensive travel insurance. It is your to responsibility to ensure you are covered for medical and personal accident risks for the part of the world you intend to travel and the activities involved. This cover should include repatriation costs, air ambulance and helicopter rescue. It is also advisable to take out cancellation insurance as all deposits paid are non-refundable. You may arrange either single-trip or annual multi-trip travel insurance through Walks Worldwide. Please call us on 0845 301 4737 or e-mail us- [email protected] for a quotation.

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Inclusions and exclusions

Inclusions � Meals as indicated in the outline itinerary � All accommodation � Maps and detailed route notes � Baggage transfers within the itinerary

Exclusions

� International Flights and airport taxes � Drinks � Souvenirs and personal items � Insurance � Meals not indicated in the outline itinerary � Airport transfers from/to Lisbon

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At least one set of casual / non-walking clothes will be useful for wearing in hotels on this holiday. Whilst walking you must not worry about how you look: comfort and protection against bad weather are of prime importance. Because mountain weather is so very variable, we recommend a number of thin layers rather than a few thick ones. The following list is our suggested guide to help you with your packing based upon our many years of travelling/walking. Using your own judgment for packing is of course important, especially with regard to casual clothing etc but please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about packing for your holiday, or are uncertain as to the suitability of your clothing and equipment. CLOTHING

� Walking boots and spare laces � Trainers/approach shoes � Sandals � Socks – 3+ pairs (Walking and Casual) � Underwear 3+ � T-shirts 3+ � Trekking Pants � Short trousers 2+ � Light fleece 1-2 � Thick fleece 1-2 � Thermal underwear � Waterproof jacket with hood � Waterproof trousers � Sun Hat � Warm Hat � Gaiters � Swimwear

EQUIPMENT

� Daypack/rucksack (size 30-35 Litres) � 2 Large water bottles ( 1 litre each) � Towel – quick drying pack towel is recommended � Torch (and spare bulb and batteries) � Camera & accessories � Binoculars (optional) � A variety of dry bag/plastic bags � Sunglasses � Trekking poles (highly recommended) � Reading material (optional) � Washing/Shaving kit � Insect Repellent � Small personal First Aid kit (see section above) � Anti-Bacterial Handwash � Water purifying tablets � Sun Cream & lip salve � Blister plasters – i.e. Compeed � Tickets/E tickets � Passport � Money

Clothing and Equipment Lists

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The following items should also considered as being useful on a walking holiday

� Penknife/small scissors (DO NOT PACK IN HAND LUGGAGE) � Moisturising cream � Baby wipes � Snacks/Energy bars � Safety pins (DO NOT PACK IN HAND LUGGAGE) � Padlock for your kitbag � Small sewing/repair kit (DO NOT PACK IN HAND LUGGAGE) � Small mirror � Nail clippers (DO NOT PACK IN HAND LUGGAGE) � Spare glasses/contact lenses � Earplugs (against snorers) � Cold water Travel Wash (preferably biodegradable) � Travel adaptor