Alentejo Coast The Alentejo region of Portugal is known for its flat plains dotted with distinctive cork trees and its pretty hilltop villages made up of white-washed houses. Yet many visitors come to the Alentejo to experience the region’s stunning coast. Stretching out from the south of Lisbon toward the popular beaches of the Algarve, [...]
The Alqueva reservoir was only created 10 years ago and as yet is little known as a tourist destination. Yet this 250 sq km pool of crystal clear water, Europe’s largest artificial lake, is quietly developing a reputation as a top destination for a houseboat holiday. Alqueva houseboat rental Boats can be rented for a [...]
Many of us might consider our holidays to be the perfect time to put away our computers and phones, and unplug completely from our routine lives. The advent of smartphones and ever increasing wifi coverage is threatening this gadget de-tox, with more and more people feeling the need to stay connected even during their time [...]
He is known as one of the great explorers of all time and is perhaps Portugal’s most celebrated citizen. Vasco Da Gama brought great wealth to the Portuguese crown through his maritime endeavours and his legacy is alive and well almost 500 years since his death. You can find bridges, football clubs, churches and even [...]
As we approach the longest night of the year the temperature, just like the remaining leaves on the trees, keeps quietly falling. The sun is becoming a rare sight while the wind whistles around the window frames, reminding us not to venture out without our layers of thermal protection. Our thoughts, quite understandably, turn to [...]
Alentejo Day 3 – Tuesday 30 Aug 2011 Vila Galé Clube de Campo, Beja Vila Galé Clube de Campo was a startling contrast to Malhadinha Nova. At more than four times the size (weighing in at a whopping 1,620 hectares) the estate is owned by the Vila Galé hotel group. With 17 hotels in Portugal [...]
Alentejo Day 2 – Monday 29 Aug 2011 Malhadinha Nova, AlbernoaTranquillity. Alentejo redefined the word for me. Bouncing along a bone-rattling dust track, seemingly no civilisation in sight, even our trusty satnav had given up telling us to ‘turn around where possible; you are not on a road’. Suddenly there were vines: green and lush [...]
Alentejo Day 1 – Sunday 28 Aug 2011 Herdade dos Grous, Albernoa We headed up a long drive, flanked by a blue lake, the deeply etched trunks of old olive trees, and up ahead was the pristine white and blue of the restaurant, startling against blue sky, an oasis set in acres of lush, manicured [...]
Alentejo Day 1 – Sunday 28 Aug 2011 The airport, Beja I was warned before we set off that everything in Alentejo is slow. ‘Don’t expect anything to happen in a hurry.’ Not true. The little Beja airport, plonked in the middle of nowhere, is square, awkwardly shiny new, and disconcertingly empty; peopled in the [...]
Lisbon has many attractions to hold the attention of its thousands of foreign visitors. Often regarded as the perfect weekend city break it offers a pleasing blend of history and culture along with a fine reputation for locally produced food and drink. It is worth taking a day of your schedule, if time permits, to [...]
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