I am planning a one week trip to Portugal and would like some advice on the Pousadas in the Plains region (Evora, Estremoz, Alvito, Beja). Which one is the best? <BR>Also you have hotel/resorts recommendations in the Algarve? We're hesitating between the Meridien resorts, Villa Lara, Villa Vita or Quinta do Lago. Does somebody have an experience of these places? Many thanks in advance.

Hello, Joelle, <BR>In October we visited but didn't stay at the Pousada in Evora; it is very formal and beautiful and directly across from the Roman temple, also it is very expensive. We stayed for several nights at the Pousada in Elvas, right on the Spanish border, and found it very comfortable. It was the first Pousada (from the 1940s) and not terribly fancy, but very clean, friendly, and less expensive than some of the other Pousadas. Elvas is a very interesting old city, surrounded by beautiful countryside. Good luck

Joelle, There is no question that the <BR>one at Evora is very nice, but expensive <BR>However, Estromoz has a super Pousada <BR>but not as much to see as Evora. The <BR>Lagos area is hard to beat for location <BR>at the Algarve, but you should spend one <BR>nite at Pousada dos Infante at Sagres <BR>with a fabulous view over the Cape. <BR>If you plan to fly out of Lisbon, then <BR>the Pousada at Palmela is excellent for <BR>your last nite---an hour to the airport. <BR>Good luck---you will love Portugal.

Bom dia, Joelle <BR> <BR>Three years ago we stayed two nights in the IBIS hotel of Evora, <BR>located close to the ring. <BR>We found it very conveniently, rather cheap and neat with the whole inner city at easy walking distance. <BR>It isn't so easy to drive your car through the narrow and one-direction streets of the city (however, if you can survive Aix, you probably won't have problems with Evora). <BR> <BR>Bom viagem, <BR> <BR>Jef <BR> <BR>

We visited several pousadas during our trip to Portugal but preferred staying elsewhere. <BR>Read all about it in our Portugal travelogue on our non-commercial web site, TheTravelzine.com. <BR> &lt;http://thetravelzine.com&gt;

Many thanks to those who answered. I am still wondering about the beach resort in Algarve for a five night stay. The trouble is that I have a demanding husband who would like to find a place combining good accomodation, good food (we're French!), beach, swimming-pool, quietness and cultural/sport activities, all of this at the same time... <BR>