Hello fellow Fodorites!
I hope this note finds you well and excited about your upcoming travels!
The Father/daughter duo is on the road again for our 8th annual European Fling. We were in Portugal in 2008 and absolutely loved the country, the people, the food and wine and again the people.
We flew into Porto and spent a few days walking and eating, drove out to the Douro and stayed in a Quinta for a few more days of eating and lots of drinking. Then started driving south and spent an afternoon shopping for pottery and thoroughly enjoyed eating yummy suckling pig. Spent a night at the Obidos Poussada and walked the wall in the morning sun then slowly made our way to Lisbon for a week of pastries, architectural walks, quaint tram rides (ha ha) and Fado.
We were so amazed with Portugal being so beautiful and incredibly friendly, with fantastic food and wine that we thought it would be great to see another part of the magnificent country.
So we will be flying into Lisbon and staying 3,4 or 5 days. Then getting a car and going to Sintra. At that point we want to go east toward Evora (I would love to see the megaliths) and spend 5/6/7 days driving around the Alentejo region. I am a wine rep and we distribute great wines from the region so tracking down a winery or two is definitely in the cards.
I know the region is more arid, remote and less traveled which is why we want to explore there. Some people refer to Alentejo as the Tuscany of Portugal which to me is very exciting.
So calling out to Stu or any other Fodorite that have been in the area for some advise. Which towns were your favorite and why.... Marvao.... Monsaraz....Evora... Estremoz.... (ie food, architecture, views, unique gifts to share... oh how I love my cork purse and cork kitchen apron!!) Thanks in advance for any and all suggestions!
"May the four winds blow you safely home....."
Flinging around Portugal... again!
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Here's another Portugal addict. We have been this June (3 weeks) for the third year in a row. We stayed in Evora for 2 nights only. We came from Obidos and the drive along the N114 was so beautiful. The Tuscany of Portugal is a good description of the landscape. Evora is a pretty town, but rather smallish. There are quite some monuments, though, and the Roman remains are interesting. We also saw the megaliths of Almendres. Impressive, but - to me - much more impressive were the acres and acres of cork oaks and olive groves.
We still have to see the smaller towns (Marvao, Mértola, etc.) and intend to do so next year in June. Our air tickets have been booked already!
Marvao is magical---do not miss it.
We also enjoyed the Pousada in Estromoz.
I guess I'm also on the addicted-to-Portugal list because I've been going back every year since 2004. If I had a week to tour the Alentejo, I'd probably go to both the "upper" and "lower" parts of the region. If pousadas are in your budget, I'd stay in Arraiolos or Evora for a few days to see that part (Estremoz, Evoramonte, maybe Borba), and then drive to Marvao for a night. Though Marvao is a bit out of the way, it's definitely worth it. IMO, though Marvao has gotten much more touristy since I was first there in 2004, it is still beautiful. The castle is one of the best I've been to for walking around, both on the walls and on the grounds. Terrific views out over the plains, sunsets are something else.
Then in the lower part of the Alentejo, Beja, Moura and Serpa are both nice. I like the pousada in Beja a lot.
A very nice place to stay in the "central" Alentejo is Casa de Terena. Tiny village with a castle, and the house itself is very nicely done. http://www.casadeterena.com/ Monsaraz, Elvas, and Vila Vicosa are nice places to visit close to Terena.
What time of year are you going? Springtime is just beautiful.
We spent several days exploring the Alentejo this past spring, staying at the Pousadas and visiting some of the wineries in the area, including Herdade do Esporão, Adega Maior and Herdade da Malhadinha Nova, but missed J. Portugal Ramos due to a conflict in scheduling, spending nearly the entire day at Malhadinha, including lunch (Wining and Dining in Portugal’s Alentejo).
We'll be heading back next spring to continue our research on the area. It has a lot of potential, as does the Alto Douro and points north.