Private Templars Tour with Estate Wine & Cheese Pairings

Bright and early out of Lisbon, taking the eastbound highway, following the wide Tagus up-stream river line. At Vila Franca de Xira we veer North, now with olive groves interspersed with wild pine, more livestock, vineyards, sunflower farms and cork oaks lining both sides of the freeway.

We make our way to Almourol, a medieval Templar Castle, erected on a granite outcropping islet in the middle of the Tagus River. The access is by small boat, an exciting, tiny thrill.

On to Herdade dos Templários (Templars’ Estate), for a guided stroll through the vineyards and winery and a sampling of five wines combined with local cheeses and bread, all artisanal.

Next in line, naturally and without fail, will be the iconic, world-famous, Templar Castle and the Convent in Tomar, a historic heavyweight, with the typical escarpment walls and rectangular keep. Its inner Chapter House is something to behold, and you may recognize it from the 2018 Terry Gilliam movie “The Man Who Killed D. Quixote”. At least one hour, to take it all in, including the sheer magnificence of its main Cloister, where Manueline ornate nationalism gave way to the cosmopolitan Renaissance.

Lastly, on to the iconic medieval Templar Pentagonal Tower in Dornes, a tiny village on the Zêzere river, a right bank tributary of the Tagus. The village itself is extremely quaint, with its river beaches, boat rides, medieval church and cemetery laid out below the tower, all begging for a walk through. Lunch at long last, of day-catch river fish, where the large-mouth bass features prominently along with other local specialties. Merry drinks a must, of course. A knight in shining armour would be hard-pressed to do better.

The return to Lisbon will be unhurried and easy.

We suggest bringing comfortable clothing, sunglasses, a hat and your camera.

– Driver/Guide
– Lunch
– Bottled Water
– Pick-up and Drop-off
– Private Tour
– Wine tasting