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The first part of the day will take us on some beautiful roads. You may use this first part of the day to observe the change of climate and vegetation, which is very distinctive of this region. Our first stop will be the city of Santarém and a quick visit of the Jardim das Portas do Sol, a place of great significance, linked to the very beginnings of the history of Portugal and the Portuguese people.
A second stop is scheduled at the observatory and interpretation center do Sobreiro e da Cortiça in Coruche. A guided tour of this space will allow you to learn a ton about cork and its various functions and uses. And yes, cork is not only used to produce the stoppers of our wine bottles.
Throughout the day, you’ll have the opportunity to observe several white storks. These large wading birds nest here in large numbers on power poles, rooftops, and tall trees. In the past, these large migratory birds used to travel thousands of kilometers every year to Africa. This highly adaptable species has been able to benefit from living alongside humans. They now tend to settle in one place, a trend that could be explained by climate change, as southern Portugal currently experiences conditions similar to those the storks encountered in Africa, allowing us to observe them throughout the year.
After our lunch break, we begin the return trip to our base. however, there is still a long way to go, and above all, many curves to negotiate. We continue driving through the plains of Ribatejo, and we’ll pass by the Montargil Dam, among other places.
The final hours and the last stretches of road will take us back across the Serras de Aire e Candeeiros, bringing us back to the landscapes and climates that are more familiar to us.
*No motorcycle licence required
