Ideal place to get away from it all
The sun-baked region of Alentjo is nestled between Lisbon and the Algarve. The main city, Evora, is a 1hr drive from Libon, and another 60 mins down to the main tourist area of the Algarve.
Even though it occupies one-third of the country, the Alentejo is relatively unheard of in the UK market. The region is dominated by farming plains dotted with pretty, whitewashed villages and hilltop castles. The main industries are farming, marble, cork and wine production.
Given its rural nature, it will come as no surprise that the majority of visitors to the Alentejo want to get away from it all. This is not the place to recommend to clients seeking active days and endless nights out. However, for those wanting peace and tranquillity combined with traditional Portuguese culture, it is worth considering as an alternative break.
Among the region’s attractions are its many towns and villages, which have a strong Roman heritage. But the centrepiece of the region is the ancient university city of Evora, founded by the Romans, which was declared a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation in 1986.
Alentejo has many walking routes in the National Park of Serra de Sao Mamede. There are also several golf courses for the more sporty types.
The local cuisine is generally excellent. Traditional dishes are heavily reliant on pork or lamb as most of the region is situated away from the coast. Seafood, therefore, is limited compared with the rest of the country.
But the region produces some of the finest Portuguese wines, with vineyards around the town of Vidigueria being the most famous. Wine-tasting tours including the all-important sampling are available.
Accommodation is typical of the Portuguese market and caters for every budget, with a good mix of hotels, pousadas, and in particular, farmhouses.
Pousadas are state-owned hotels, many in former palaces or converted monasteries. Cresta’s Spain and Portugal brochure features two pousadas in the region: the Sao Francisco, a 13th-century monastery in Beja, and the Castelo de Alvito, a 15th-century fortress in Alvito. Prices for the Pousada do Castelo de Alvito lead in at £294 per person for three nights’ bed and breakfast, flying with British Airways to Lisbon from Gatwick between November and December.
Twin-centre breaks combining the relaxing Alentejo with the hustle and bustle of Lisbon are a good way to introduce clients to the region.
Cresta offers a variety of Lisbon city-centre accommodation to combine with its choice of pousadas in the Alentejo.
A two-night stay at the Executive Inn, Lisbon, and three nights at the Pousada do Castelo de Alvito costs from £371 per person. Prices are based on two people including bed-and-breakfast accommodation, three days’ car hire and flights with British Airways from Gatwick.
Overall, this is an ideal location for repeat clients who appreciate the traditional Portuguese way of life, rather than the home comforts of a five-star hotel in the Algarve. This is off-the-beaten-track tourism and Portugal at its most authentic.
n Ian Lomas’s educational was organised by the Portuguese Trade and Tourism Office and TAPAir Portugal.
The sun-baked region of Alentejo is nestled between Lisbon and the Algarve. The main city, Evora, is a 1hr drive from Lisbon, and another 60mins down to the main tourist area of the Algarve.
Even though it occupies one-third of the country, the Alentejo is relatively unheard of in the UK market. The region is dominated by farming plains dotted with pretty, whitewashed villages and hilltop castles. The main industries are farming, marble, cork and wine production.
Given its rural nature, it will come as no surprise that the majority of visitors to the Alentejo want to get away from it all. This is not the place to recommend to clients seeking active days and endless nights out. However, for those wanting peace and tranquillity combined with traditional Portuguese culture, it is worth considering as an alternative break.
Among the region’s attractions are its many towns and villages, which have a strong Roman heritage. But the centrepiece of the region is the ancient university city of Evora, founded by the Romans, which was declared a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation in 1986.
Alentejo has many walking routes in the National Park of Serra de Sao Mamede. There are also several golf courses for the more sporty types.
The local cuisine is generally excellent. Traditional dishes are heavily reliant on pork or lamb as most of the region is situated away from the coast. Seafood, therefore, is limited compared with the rest of the country.
But the region produces some of the finest Portuguese wines, with vineyards around the town of Vidigueria being the most famous. Wine-tasting tours including the all-important sampling are available.
Accommodation is typical of the Portuguese market and caters for every budget, with a good mix of hotels, pousadas, and in particular, farmhouses.
Pousadas are state-owned hotels, many in former palaces or converted monasteries. Cresta’s Spain and Portugal brochure features two pousadas in the region: the Sao Francisco, a 13th-century monastery in Beja, and the Castelo de Alvito, a 15th-century fortress in Alvito. Prices for the Pousada do Castelo de Alvito lead in at £294 per person for three nights’ bed and breakfast, flying with British Airways to Lisbon from Gatwick between November and December.
Twin-centre breaks combining the relaxing Alentejo with the hustle and bustle of Lisbon are a good way to introduce clients to the region.
Cresta offers a variety of Lisbon city-centre accommodation to combine with its choice of pousadas in the Alentejo.
A two-night stay at the Executive Inn, Lisbon, and three nights at the Pousada do Castelo de Alvito costs from £371 per person. Prices are based on two people including bed-and-breakfast accommodation, three days’ car hire and flights with British Airways from Gatwick.
Overall, this is an ideal location for repeat clients who appreciate the traditional Portuguese way of life, rather than the home comforts of a five-star hotel in the Algarve. This is off-the-beaten-track tourism and Portugal at its most authentic.
n Ian Lomas’s educational was organised by the Portuguese Trade and Tourism Office and TAPAir Portugal.