Trip report part 2: Evora and the Alentejo
Jun 18th, 2014, 10:09 AM
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Trip report part 2: Evora and the Alentejo
As mentioned in the previous report, after a wee bit of confusion getting out of the Lisbon airport the drive to Evora was easy and uneventful - until we got to the town itself at which point we got hopelessly lost and stuck in one way streets before ultimately finding the Pousada. The folks there were very helpful in parking the car, and told us the easier way in and out for the next day (don't follow your gps!).
We had been warned about the size of the rooms so we were pleasantly surprised when our "superior" room had a little sitting room. The room itself was ok if unremarkable (still don't like the hard beds), the bathroom however was really difficult to use. We are in our 50's and managed the clawfoot bathtub ok, but I can see someone a little elderly really risking a fall. As advertised, the common spaces at the Pousada are gorgeous, I'd say the staff was friendly and helpful, but sort of perfunctory - the restaurant staff was very sweet. food mostly ok there except for a wonderful regional soup with cilantro and bread, and the rabbit confit. I'm going to suggest that if you want to stay at a pousada you might want to choose one in a smaller town that perhaps doesn't see so many guests coming and going.
The first day we barely had time to see the museum, but enjoyed very much walking around the roman temple ruins and the square.
The second day was amazing. Drove to the megaliths which were mind blowing, plus just the beauty of the countyside. Then drove to Arreilos and had lunch in a great restaurant (will have to look up the name later) and had fun buying a very mini rug. Then a superb dinner at Tasquina De Oliveres - one of the best of the trip so far. I'll review all the restaurants at once at the end. Ok, gonna sign out now as dinner awaits - more tomorrow about our trip to the enchanted/haunted forest of Bussaco!
We had been warned about the size of the rooms so we were pleasantly surprised when our "superior" room had a little sitting room. The room itself was ok if unremarkable (still don't like the hard beds), the bathroom however was really difficult to use. We are in our 50's and managed the clawfoot bathtub ok, but I can see someone a little elderly really risking a fall. As advertised, the common spaces at the Pousada are gorgeous, I'd say the staff was friendly and helpful, but sort of perfunctory - the restaurant staff was very sweet. food mostly ok there except for a wonderful regional soup with cilantro and bread, and the rabbit confit. I'm going to suggest that if you want to stay at a pousada you might want to choose one in a smaller town that perhaps doesn't see so many guests coming and going.
The first day we barely had time to see the museum, but enjoyed very much walking around the roman temple ruins and the square.
The second day was amazing. Drove to the megaliths which were mind blowing, plus just the beauty of the countyside. Then drove to Arreilos and had lunch in a great restaurant (will have to look up the name later) and had fun buying a very mini rug. Then a superb dinner at Tasquina De Oliveres - one of the best of the trip so far. I'll review all the restaurants at once at the end. Ok, gonna sign out now as dinner awaits - more tomorrow about our trip to the enchanted/haunted forest of Bussaco!
Jun 18th, 2014, 03:26 PM
#2
I love your TR -- truly it's like reliving our trip. We got totally into the megaliths and started doing these crazy drives to see some of them. The countryside was so lovely it was fun to just search for them.
A sitting room -- hmmm, that would have been very nice. We did have a regular shower/tub in our tiny cell. When we were visiting Convento de Cristo we went to the monk's rooms and thought they were larger than our room at the Evora Pousada.
I completely agree on the staying at Pousadas. I think some of the ones in isolated areas would be nicer to stay in.
A sitting room -- hmmm, that would have been very nice. We did have a regular shower/tub in our tiny cell. When we were visiting Convento de Cristo we went to the monk's rooms and thought they were larger than our room at the Evora Pousada.
I completely agree on the staying at Pousadas. I think some of the ones in isolated areas would be nicer to stay in.
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