Evora, PORTUGAL
Airing Date: May 12th, 2003
Designated a World Heritage site by the United Nations, Evora and its surrounding region offer excellent examples of medieval architecture.
The city fascinates even the most reluctant traveller with its grand castle, Roman temple and beautiful cathedral.
Everything from the city streets to its ancient walls represents an era of a time long gone.
According to local legend, there was a time when a man by the name of Geraldo single-handedly stormed one of the town's watch-towers by climbing up a ladder of spears driven into the walls. From there he distracted municipal sentries while his companions took the town with hardly a fight. After finally conquering the town, he became known as 'Geraldo the Fearless'. These days there's no need for such extravagant measures as Evora is open for all tourists to explore.
One of the more intriguing historical sites is the Roman temple. Dating back to around the second or third century, it's the best preserved Roman monument in Portugal, if not all of the Iberian Peninsula. Built as a shrine to the goddess Diana, this temple boasts 14 Corinthian columns in surprisingly good condition.
Up the road from the temple is the Santa Maria Cathedral.
After checking out the historical sites of Evora, hire a pushbike and ride to the neighbouring town of Arraiolos.
Arraiolos is located just 23 kilometres away and features an amazing castle perched on the hillside.
But what the town is really famous for is the Kalifa Rug Factory. Here, you can learn how these very expensive rugs are made, and if you've got a spare $5000, you can even buy one.
Riding further through the Portuguese countryside you'll come across the village of Azaruja.
Locals have worked in these vast cork forests for generations, producing up to 30 million corks a day. That's a lot of cork, especially when you consider that each cork takes around 30 years to mature before it's good enough to use in a wine bottle.
Two days of riding and 50 kilometres later, you'll find yourself back in the historical town of Evora again. If you're feeling hungry, try the town's specialty. For around $14 a serve, you can get a delicious dish of pan-fried pork and clams.
The facts
Through Travelworld Cathay Pacific flies to Rome with connections on British Airways to Lisbon. Prices start from $2314.
Travelworld
Tel: 13 14 35
Accommodation at the Hotel da Cartuxa in Evora starts from $215 a night.
Hotel da Cartuxa
Tel: 0011 351 266 739 300 (international)
BikeIberia offer one to 12 day guided and self-guided tours through Portugal and Spain. Tour highlights include visits to megalithic monuments and Roman ruins, cork forests and olive groves, a unique medieval castle, and the workshops where renowned tapestries are made.
BikeIberia
Tel/Fax: 0011 351 21 342 9790 (international)
Mobile: 0011 351 96 242 3455 (international)
Car hire through World Cars starts from $36 a day.
World Cars
Tel: 1300 65 66 01
