So imo Marvao is beautiful & deserves to be on the list of places to visit before you die 😊👌, however, the tough crowd I am cycling with would seem to differ 😂😂. The views are spectacular and hard to describe, I've added a few photos at the bottom of the blog 😊 it's 1€ 50c to go up to the castle & well worth it!
Marvao apparently holds an international classical music festival (established in 2014). It hosts an international film festival:- Periferias in August. It also holds a Major Chestnut 🌰 Festival in early November each year (who knew there was such a thing 🤷♀️). So for a little town at the top of a blooming big hill, there is a lot going on.
The photo is of a Griffon Vulture 😬 Colin one of the group took it yesterday.
We have 3 tour guides from PT with us, they do a grand job, amongst many other things, they transported our bikes to Portugal, they fix things, sort stuff out, feed us, move our luggage, remind us to hydrate properly, do a fab brew stop & try make sure we know where we are going (we still get lost some times 😂) - with 20++ of us, it's probs like herding cats 🐈⬛ 😂😂
Gilda - the lovely lady with the natas, (day 4)
Seb - his first PT tour (day 3)
Mike - (picture below)
They are probs all shattered. They deserve a mention for doing such a grand job! Mike looks very coordinated with his bike & outfit & is an Ironman 😳 amazing!
Todays cycling started with a 5km descent, it had to really .....given that yesterday afternoon we had climbed it 🥵🚴♀️. We have had a longer cycling day with approx 76.34 miles (122.9 km) 4,090 ft (1,248m) of ascent. Interestingly we have done more descending than ascending which must be a first. Although in Garmins world we still did 8 climbs, which it classes as "easy". Yeah, whatever!!
The Portuguese (in fact most of Europe) are quite sensible with a lot of climbs into the hills and mountains, (unless you are doing the Col's) the average gradients are quite gentle 3, 4, 5%. You can generally guess when something is going to get steeper, there is a sign (gives it away really 😬) & on busier roads there are crawler lanes. Most of the road surfaces are quite smooth, although like the UK some of the small lanes can be a bit iffy.
The ride today was "undulating" no big climbs, smooth surfaces, we went into Spain & back into Portugal a number of times. The road surfaces in Portugal are quite tough and noticeably worse than the Spanish ones. My Garmin & phone changed time zones a number of times - very confusing! 🫤
The change in the terrain is interesting, the lush hillside terraces of vines in Northern Portugal have given way to olive groves as we travel further south. I stopped to watch the farmer harvesting the olives, he told me they have to do each tree individually. He has 250 trees! It seemed to be very labour intensive.
Tonight we are staying in Villa Vicosa. Which apparently is in one of the most fertile regions of Portugal, has a famous family & is known for pink marble. So I'm off to find out more 😊 See you tomorrow, have a lovely evening xx
(Marvao photos below)
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Wow Wendy I love your descriptions and your photos -inspirational! Superb … what a stunning adventure … enjoy & stay safe xx
Thank you Mary xx
I told you it could be downhill !!😀
Another very interesting blog with great photos
I like the sunken garden near to the church.
Thank you Doreen, the whole is amazing xx
Look at you smiling away in that pic. Love it. I do hope you are getting to sample the wine and olives that you experience on your ride! I also think you should stay an extra week so you can report back on exactly what happens at a chestnut festival 🤣
Great to hear you have such good guides. Keep on peddling and keep the bloggs coming x
Thank you Kaz, I felt happy getting to the top of that climb. Not really sampling the wine just yet, will definitely do that next week. I am also intrigued by a chestnut festival 👌🤷♀️
A very good read I’m pleased for you the weather is good
Wow Wendy another impressive day! I’m
So glad it was more of a descent type of day although still tough!
€1.50 to go into the castle! Crazy prices and I bet you were in awe.. so much history and the views too! I love you get to experience all these amazing parts of Portugal that people would not associate from the typical Porto - Lisbon - Algarve areas. You’ve certainly added to my bucket list of places to visit … again without a bike 🤣
The 3 PT guides sound so hopeful … it’s great having all
These snacks and natas but I do need to ask… have you got or had any harribo? 🤣
You should add this place to your list! The guides certainly know their stuff which helps everyone. Hope Porto is all good with you both
Pictures today are fabulous - love the one of the street with the white houses, the eagle and you.
Great read today of your trip, such in-depth detail - love it. Sounds a day of interesting sights and cycling !!! Really enjoyed it keep up the cycling and great to hear your having sunny weather a fun time.
Thanks Hazell, it’s a bit different to C2M last year but no less enjoyable x
I know you said you were slow on the climbs but a vulture circling overhead 😳🤷🏻♂️😂
😂😂😂, you should look at my fb profile, the post has been deleted by fb for being offensive 😂😂 they obvs don’t like how slow i go 😂