Day 9 - Vila Vicosa to Moura

Vila Viçosa truly lived up to its name. Translating to "Lush Village," the name reflects the area's fertile soil and natural beauty.

This charming place is nothing short of spectacular. The abundance of pink marble is a defining feature, found everywhere—from the hotel we stayed in to the shops, bars, and even the kerbstones. 😊👌

Historically, Portugal was a monarchy, and Vila Viçosa was home to the Ducal Palace, the residence of the House of Braganza—one of the most prominent noble families in Portugal. However, with the country's transition to a republic in October 1910, the town experienced a period of decline. By the 1930s, things started improving, and today, Vila Viçosa feels like an open-air museum. 😊

It’s a breathtakingly beautiful place, rich in history and charm, and absolutely worth a visit. Like many of the places I’ve explored this week, I would love to return and spend more time here.

After leaving Vila Viçosa, we’re making our way to Moura—a journey of 64.5 miles (104 km) with 3,543 ft (1,081 meters) of elevation gain across eight climbs. All are described as "easy," though one has an average gradient of 7.9%!

Today’s lunch break was a welcome change. We took an hour off the bike to explore Monsaraz, perched atop a hill. I couldn’t be happier that we did—it’s absolutely breath taking! Gilda prepared a delightful picnic for us to enjoy in the sunshine at the summit. It was beautiful. Words can’t do justice to how incredible this place is, and even the photos I’ve included below barely capture its beauty 🥰. While there, I discovered a local gin and couldn’t resist sampling two varieties. Needless to say, I walked away with two bottles—now I just have to figure out how to get them home!

After lunch, we cycled through the breathtaking Portuguese wetlands. The landscape was stunning, though the strong, unrelenting wind made it a bit challenging—it’s a very exposed area. Towering boulders rose from the water like soldiers standing to attention, while wading birds moved gracefully across the shallows. With the sun shimmering on the water, the scenery was absolutely mesmerizing.

As we continued, we passed through charming villages, each with its characteristic cobblestone streets. Most homes were painted a crisp white, accented with vibrant blue doors, windows, and fences. The overall effect was both picturesque and inviting.

You’ll be happy (or maybe not!) to know that I’ve been singing again today. This time, I reworked Roy Orbison’s “I Drove All Night” into “I Rode All Day.” It was either that or a rendition of “Take Me Home, Country Roads.” 😂😂😂 Honestly, I might just be the most tone-deaf person alive 🤪😳😱. A few group members playfully grumbled that I’d given them an earworm. 😂😂

Here's a picture of our route through Portugal – what an incredible journey it has been! It's hard to believe we only have two days left. The yellow dot (or squiggle) shows where we are right now.

We've just arrived in Mouro, and the hotel is absolutely stunning. Time for a quick shower before heading out to explore! Thanks for following along, and I'll catch you tomorrow. xx