sun portugal 2012 alentejo

Portugal | The Alentejo

Real Portugal & Madeira | 49

The AlentejoAlto Alentejo � Baixo Alentejo

Inland, beyond themountains of Monchique andthe Serra do Caldeirao,stretch the plains of theAlentejo, a magnificentlandscape of sweeping fieldsof wheat and sunflowersdotted with tiny whitewashedvillages, forests of pine andcork and mighty rivers whichencompasses one third ofPortugal. The coastal regionof the Alentejo, the CostaAzul, is still practicallydeserted and like the Algarve40 years ago, with just ahandful of pretty seasidevillages such as Vila Nova deMilfontes, Zambujeira do Marand Porto Covo with theirfine sandy beaches.

Evora, the capital of the Alto Alentejoprovince, is one of Portugal’s oldestand most interesting cities and oncefamous throughout Europe as a seatof culture. There is plenty to explorein this UNESCO World Heritage site.The town is full of narrow streets, finebuildings, old palaces, churches andfountains. From here there is easyaccess to historic Vila Vicosa,Estremoz and the traditional carpetmaking town of Arraiolos.

The small seaside town of Vila Novade Milfontes lies on the estuary of theRiver Mira, which rises high in theSerra do Caldeirao. The charmingcentre of whitewashed houses and

Opposite page: Porto Covo

narrow cobbled streets stands abovean expanse of sandy beach. Milfonteshas long been popular with thePortuguese but has remainedundiscovered by foreign tourists. Thetown has several small restaurantsand snack bars, yet retains a relaxedand sleepy atmosphere. This is adeserted, beautiful coastline withattractive villages and fine sandy covesand beaches. Behind the coast are thesweeping plains of the Alentejo.

A visit to the region would not becomplete without seeing one of thefamous ‘white towns’ of the Alentejo.Redondo, renowned for its pottery is amedieval town set in the heart of theAlentejo’s wine region. To this day,local families continue to produceRoman-style jugs and bowls that theysell from their tiny white houses. Closeto the Spanish border is the prettyhilltop village of Monsaraz whichoverlooks fields, vineyards and theAlqueva Lake. Further north themedieval mountain-top village ofMarvao, with its incredible 360 degreepanorama, is one of Portugal's mostspectacular fortified white villages.Nearby is the pretty Roman town ofCastelo de Vide with its atmosphericmedieval Jewish Quarter, where timeseems to have stood still, with cobbledstreets and whitewashed houses,most of which have Gothic doorwaysand potted plants on the doorsteps.

Highlights� Alqueva LakeAlqueva is the largest artificial lake inEurope (c.96km long and with an area of250sq km). Visit small Portuguese villagesaround the lake and eat in localrestaurants. Family friendly activitiesinclude a ‘treasure hunt’ around the lake,whereby you put stamps in a booklet asyou find the ‘treasure’.

� Local Specialities Try the ‘Golden Soup’, a traditional dessertmade from egg yolks, cinnamon, breadand almonds. The dessert was originallymade by nuns to use up leftover egg yolks.

� Nature Castro Verde is a protected nature reservefor birds. This semi-natural habitat forbirds, called a pseudo-steppe area, is oneof the most important in Europe. TheGreat Bustard, Lesser Kestrel, LittleBustard, Black-bellied Sandgrouse,Common Crane and Montagu’s Harrier aredependent on this ecosystem.

�Wine Visit the tasting room in the historic centreof Evora and sample Alentejo's finest wines.

� GardensAfter a 1 million Euro makeover, the publicgardens in Beja have re-opened with anunexpected centerpiece. The Wollemi Pinetree is the world’s oldest species of tree,pre-dating dinosaurs and one of just four inthe world.

Festivals� Festival Musicas do Mundo (Jul) The largest Portuguese world music eventheld in Porto Covo and Sines Castle.

� TMN Sudoeste Festival (01-05Aug) Zambujeira do Mar hosts the biggestsummer festival in Portugal with bandperformances and electronic music.

Note: Dates subject to change.

Direct flight to Beja, AlentejoSunvil Discovery has chartered, for the2nd year running, a BMI flight directinto Beja. The Embraer 49-seat plane,with full catering and free 20kg luggageallowance, operates on a weekly basisfrom Heathrow on Sundays, and is theonly direct flight route from the UK intowhat is an exciting region to explore.See flight details on page 90.

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50 | Sunvil Discovery

For culture vultures, the vast landscapeof the Alentejo, with its fortified cities andtiny villages, creates a beautiful, scenicregion with a magical atmosphere.

The UNESCO World Heritage site of Evora,with its palaces and marble buildings, is amust for any visitor. Located 1-hour fromBeja or Lisbon, Evora is the oldest town inPortugal - with 22 churches and beautifulreligious architecture. The Temple of Dianadates back to the 2nd century, there is a16th century marble fountain, and 17thcentury churches. You will noticearchitecture characterised by a twistedrope decoration, called Manueline, whichis Portuguese late Gothic style and datesback to the 1500s. Marble doors andwindow frames are common in the areadue to the plentiful supply of marble.

The Bones Chapel (Capela dos Ossos) isa Franciscan Chapel whose walls areliterally covered with human bones,including skulls, removed from tombs bymonks. Above the door to the Chapel isan inscription ‘Our bones are here; weare waiting for yours’.

Strategically located on a hilltop,Estremoz has many stories to tell. Parkyour car outside the city walls and visitthe hilltop castle and the fortified walls,the churches and the pretty little streetswith shops selling local products.

The village of Arraiolos is famous for themanufacture of beautiful carpets andtapestries that still maintain the oldtechniques and feature their traditionalyellow and blue colours. Take a walk inthe village where you will see oldworkshops, with women making and

repairing these valuable carpets.

Not far from Estremoz is Vila Viçosa,where the Royal family of Bragança lived,with its impressive Palacio Ducal andPalace Square.

Between Estremoz and Evora isEvoramonte, a medieval village with tiny,peaceful streets surrounding the castle.Linger there and be overwhelmed by thebeautiful views from the top of the tower.

Mertola, the southernmost town of theAlentejo stands at the edge of theGuadiana National Park, perched on ahilltop overlooking the confluence of theOeiras and Guadiana rivers. This walledtown is in a time warp, with narrowstreets lined with many graciousbuildings leading upwards to the ruined13th century castle.

For foodies, the traditional Alentejo fareoffers much to savour in the region’smany excellent restaurants. Try thefreshest of fish from the nearby coast, themany cheeses and locally-reared lamband beef and the world famous ham fromblack pigs fed on acorns from the corktrees. The area is known as the breadbasket of Portugal and boasts vast fieldsof wheat and other grains.

Like all world-beating cuisine, the food ofthe Alentejo developed out of limitedresources. A land suited to growingwheat and grain provided the perfectenvironment for baking breads andrearing pigs. Consequently, the regionproduces a wealth of traditionalPortuguese presunto, chouriço, bloodsausage and the famous Alentejo blackpork, offering the foodie-explorer a feast

What to do and see in the Alentejoof cured delights. Grain is used to createa range of breads, perfect for dipping infruity local olive oil, but even better put touse in the traditional Açorda sauce, thebase for a number of regionalspecialities. Dishes such as Carne dePorco à Alentejana – pork and clamsmarinated in garlic, coriander and whitewine – or Ensopado de Norrego, a lamband Açorda dish – provide a uniqueculinary experience.

Not to be missed are the creamy sheep’smilk cheeses of Serra, Niza and Evora. Trythe buttery descendent of the traditionalQueijo da Serra, a sweet and versatilecheese which is served as a dessert asoften as it is an appetiser. For the fan ofa stronger, more mature cheese, thesemi-hard Queijo de Evora delivers amouth-wateringly peppery taste; both areideal with a glass of spicy Alentejo red.

The best-kept secret of the region,however, is the glorious range of

traditional sweets – many of which youwon’t believe exist until you try them.Named after saints and heavenly gracesand made from egg yolks, bread andalmonds, sweetened with sugar, honeyand cinnamon, the recipe for eachtraditional sweet can be traced back toconvents dotted about the region. Fromone sweet to the next, each varies in itspreparation; be sure to try Elvas daSericá, baked on a traditional tin plateand served with ripe plums, or Pão deRala, a cake made with almonds andpumpkin, originating from the nuns of StHelena do Calvário.

For keen photographers or painters, thehighly photogenic scenery and ancient,white-washed villages and towns withtheir hill-top castles, gardens and distantviews will offer plenty of opportunities topractice their art.

For walkers, cyclists and lovers of theoutdoors, there are cork forests, fields of

Monsaraz




sunflowers, vines, olive groves and citrustrees to enjoy – all with the luxury ofspace and no-one blocking views or thelittle-used roads and paths.

For those keen on water-sports, there’ssurfing on the Atlantic coast, plusAlqueva Lake, the largest artificial lake inEurope at 250 sq km (96km long), whereyou can live on board a boat (see MarinaHouseboats on page 62) if you choose –or just explore the waterside villages atyour leisure and watch the bird life.

For wine lovers, tours of vineyards –often with the owners – and tastings ofexcellent vintages will inspire a whole newperspective on award-winning Portuguesewines. Dine in the wineries’ restaurantsfor the ultimate taste of the Alentejo.

What’s special about the Alentejo wineregion? The unspoiled landscape of theAlentejo, occupying one third of Portugal,boasts 22,000 hectares of sun-drenchedvineyards, eight separate DOC(Denominação de Origem Controlada -Registered Designation of Origin)accredited sub-regions and 250independent wineries. Currently, one inevery two bottles of wine consumed inPortugal is produced in the Alentejo; yetthe region is relatively young - a majorproducer since as recently as the 1990s.

The eight DOC accredited sub-regions -Reguengos, Borba, Redondo, Vidigueira,Évora, Granja-Amareleja, Portalegre andMoura - stretch from north to south in theAlentejo and are identified according tovarying soils and climate. In the north-east, find vineyards in the foothills ofgranite mountains; around Évora, grape

cultivation occurs in red and chalky soils;near Estremoz, soils often contain marblechips and, in the southern regions, soilsare predominantly of limestone.

Places to visit and stay in the Alentejo:Visit Evora, and stay at the five-starConvento do Espinheiro (see page 58), aformer monastery and nationalmonument, where the restaurant islocated in the 1570-built wine cellarvaults and the bar is what used to be themonks’ kitchen. All hotel guests areoffered a complimentary wine tasting andare invited to help harvest the grapes inthe grounds’ vineyards.

On the town’s outskirts is the impressiveCartuxa Winery, a 1755 Jesuit house anddesignated a national treasure. In theCartuxa vineyards, Roupeiro, Antão vaz andArinto grapes are cultivated to producewhite wines, whilst Aragonze, Trincadeiraand Tinta caiada grapes are used formaking red wines. The renowned and rarePera Manca tinto hails from this winery.

About an hour’s drive from Evora isEstremoz. Visit the nearby hillside winery,Encostaz de Estremoz, from whereEstremoz can be clearly seen. Enjoy asumptuous lunch or dinner in the winery’srestaurant which has floor-to-ceilingwindows allowing a fabulous view of thesun setting magnificently over thevineyards. As night falls and temperaturesdrop, join the harvesters and pick grapeswhen there is less risk of fermentation inthe cooler air. Encostaz de Estremozwines first entered the market in 2001 andhave since won many awards.

In Albernoa, near Beja, stay at the

Herdade da Malhadinha Nova (see page53), a family-run wine estate with tendeluxe rooms. Certain varieties of grapeare sorted by hand here and the ancientmethod of treading grapes is still used.Upon arrival guests are presented with anaperitif and taken on a guided tour of thewinery. To complement the wines, guestscan expect excellent estate-reared blackpork and Alentejo beef as well astraditional Alentejo dishes made fromlocal produce in the gourmet restaurant.

Good value for money?Portugal itself is one of the best value-for-money destinations in Europe. Add that toa new charter flight direct into Beja, in theheart of the Alentejo, and holidays thatlead in at just £490 per person for sevennights’ accommodation and breakfast(including flights from Heathrow andtransfers), and you’ve got a winningformula for these budget-conscious times.It’s a time-saving destination, too – just 2-hours 40-minutes from London on adirect flight to get there.




Suite

Guideline price £ per person - 7 nightsPrices based on 2-sharing a Standard room, flights from Heathrow to Beja with BMI andcar hire (Group A – see page 90). Single room supplement on request.

Pousada Sao Francisco 20May-14Jul 15Jul-01Sep 02-29Sep 30Sep-13Oct£685 £778 £817 £690

Please refer to page 2 for details of pricing structure and telephone us for a quotation.

This impressive Pousada, originally built in1268, was a Franciscan monastery and iscentrally located in the city of Beja. Today,after major repair and restoration, the SaoFrancisco provides comfortable lodgingsin a splendid centuries-old structurewhich still retains its former chapter houseand cloister dating back to the 1300’s.

Accommodation35 air-conditioned rooms, converted fromthe original monastic cells, includingstandard rooms and one suite, all withbathroom (bath or shower), hairdryer,telephone, cable TV, safe deposit box andminibar.

Pousada Sao Francisco, BejaAirports: 148km Faro / 174km Lisbon

� Historic Pousada � Bed & Breakfast � Swimming pool � Air-conditioning� Pousada map reference 26 (see page 10)

Amenities/LeisureBuffet breakfast � Restaurant serving anexcellent choice of regional cuisine � Bar� Lounges � Snooker table � Terraces �Lift � Swimming pool (13 x 13m) openMay-Sep � Tennis court � Free parking �36km to Alvito and 76km to Evora �Activities that can be arranged locally:archery, bicycles, birdwatching, horse-riding, country walks and water sports onthe lake.

Opens: 01Apr12


Hotel Vila Gale 20May-14Jul 15Jul-01Sep 02-29Sep 30Sep-13Oct£559 £651 £691 £564


A 40-minute drive from Beja Airport, theVila Gale, was designed to offer a newconcept in country hotels and to blendinto the surrounding landscape of olivetrees and vineyards. Set in 1,620 hectares(4,003 acres), the estate breeds cattleand horses, produces olive oil and is oneof the best known wine estates in theAlentejo. The modern winery can bevisited daily at no extra charge. The hotelis ideal for families.

Accommodation81 air-conditioned rooms includingstandard rooms, superior rooms andjunior suites, all with bathroom (bath andshower), hairdryer, satellite TV, telephone,internet connection (payable locally), wallsafe deposit box, minibar and balcony orterrace with garden or olive tree views �Junior suites have a king size bed andseparate living room which willaccommodate an extra bed for an adult ortwo children � Some standard roomsinterconnect and some will accommodatean extra bed for an adult or child.

Hotel Vila Gale, Albernoa Airports: 32km Beja / 127km Faro / 211km Lisbon

� 4-star hotel � Bed & Breakfast � Swimming pool � Air-conditioning

Amenities/LeisureBuffet breakfast � Restaurant servingtraditional Portuguese and internationalcuisine � Bar overlooking the pool � Livemusic performed daily in summer andweekly in winter � Lounge with largefireplace � WiFi internet connection incommon areas (payable locally) � Largeoutdoor swimming pool and children'spool � ‘Satsanga’ Spa with full range oftreatments (payable locally) and indoorpool, Vichy massage shower, Jacuzzi,Turkish bath and gym (free of charge) �Extensive grounds with vineyards and olivegroves and where Lusitania horses arebred � Safe outdoor child play area with aslide and climbing frame � Free children'sclub for 4-12 years � Children can takepart in the feeding of the animalsincluding an ostrich, donkeys, llamas,ponies, goats and pigs � Mini golf (free) �Activities that can be booked and paid forlocally include kayaking, cycling, quadbiking, paint balling, tennis, skeetshooting, horse riding and donkey rides �Winery visits (free of charge) and winetasting (payable locally) � Guests can helpwith the harvest of the grapes (Aug-Sep)payable locally c.45 Euros per adult andc.23 Euros per child (4-12 years) � Freeparking.

Minimum stay: 3 nights




Malhadinha Nova is a family-ownedcountry estate set deep in the heart ofthe Alentejo region. Driven by passion,the current owners have transformed theestate in order to produce traditionalregional products of the highest qualityincluding their own award-winning wines,the famous Alentejo black pork andpureblood Alentejo beef.

Guest accommodation in the Herdade daMalhadinha Nova has been created in anAlentejo-style country farmhouse whichoffers stunning views over the estate. Theelegant bedrooms, with whitewashedwalls and tiled floors, are decorated witha mixture of designer and rustic furniture.

The Malhadinha Gourmet restaurant, withviews over the estate, uses locallysourced produce to create moderninterpretations of traditional Alentejodishes. Guests can also enjoy a selectionof wines produced on the estate.

Herdade da Malhadinha Nova,Albernoa Airports: 32km Beja / 127km Faro / 211km Lisbon

� Country Estate � Bed & Breakfast � Swimming pool � Air-conditioning

Accommodation10 air-conditioned rooms includingstandard rooms, junior suites and suites,all with bathroom (bath and shower),hairdryer, telephone, cable TV and an ipoddocking station � The junior suites andsuites have a separate living room � Thesuites will accommodate two extra bedsfor children.

Amenities/LeisureBuffet breakfast including wood-bakedbread, croissants, home-made cakes, freshfruit juices and smoked sauages �Malhadinha Gourmet restaurant � Lounge� Wine bar � Swimming pool open allyear � Spa with Jacuzzi and Turkish bath� Bicycle hire (free of charge) � Freeparking � Complimentary guided tour ofthe estate and winery included.

Opens: 17Feb12


Herdade da Malhadinha Nova 20May-14Jul 15Jul-01Sep 02-29Sep 30Sep-13Oct£1168 £1262 £1300 £1173

Special Offers� Stay 2 nights and receive a complimentary 'Tasting Dinner'.� Stay 3 nights and receive a complimentary 'Tasting Dinner' and 'Tea degustation'.� Stay 7 nights pay 6 nights between 17Feb-31Oct12.


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Herdade do Touril 20May-14Jul 15Jul-01Sep 02-29Sep 30Sep-13Oct£612 £889 £894 £641


Set on a 365 hectare estate within theCosta Vicentina National Park, theHerdade do Touril provides an ideal placeto relax and escape from the stresses ofeveryday life. Guests staying here willenjoy the comfort and tranquillity of arural environment whilst benefiting fromits close proximity to the coast.

With its whitewashed walls tinged withblue, tiled roofs and ceramic floors, theproperty retains all the rustic charm ofthe Alentejo, without forsaking any of themodern comforts. The seventeen guestrooms, located in five separate houses,are simply but tastefully decorated andhave French doors which lead out onto aprivate terrace where guests can enjoythe beautiful scenery.

Accommodation14 rooms including standard rooms andsuites, all with bathroom (bath or shower),TV & DVD player, internet connection andprivate terrace � Some units have atelephone � 5 standard rooms have a seaview and direct access to the pool andgarden � 4 standard rooms interconnect �1 standard room has a hydro-massage bath� The suites have a double bedroom,bathroom (hydro-massage bath andshower), separate living room (one suite isopen-plan) and kitchen (microwave, fridge,dishwasher, electric cooker and coffee

Herdade do Touril, Zambujeira do MarAirports: 137 Beja / 142km Faro / 221km Lisbon

� Manor House � Bed & Breakfast � Swimming pool

machine) � The breakfast ingredients aretaken to the suites in the morning with anewspaper and fresh bread � Breakfast forguests staying in the standard rooms istaken in the breakfast room � All roomswill accommodate an extra bed for an adultor child.

Amenities/LeisureBreakfast room � Small bar � Loungewith cable TV, WiFi internet connection(payable locally) and hi-fi system � Saltwater swimming pool (12 x 6m) � Pool bar(bar open in summer only) � Free parking� Bicycles (free of charge) � 4km to amini-market and 10km to a largesupermarket.


Guideline price £ per person - 7 nightsPrices based on 2-sharing a Studio, flights from Heathrow to Beja with BMI and transfers.Single room supplement on request.

Pateo da Vila 20May-14Jul 15Jul-01Sep 02-29Sep 30Sep-13Oct£497 £639 £657 £497


These ten year old, well maintainedapartments are in a quiet location on theouter edge of Vila Nova de Milfontes butwithin easy walking distance (5-minutes)from the village centre, and 200m from thebeaches and the estuary. The apartmentsare light and brightly furnished and offeran ideal base from which to enjoy thischarming seaside village surrounded bystunning beaches and home to some verygood fish restaurants.

Accommodation15 air-conditioned units including studiosand one-bedroom apartments � All unitshave bathroom (bath and shower),kitchenette (2 electric cooking rings,microwave, coffee machine and fridge), TV

Pateo da Vila, Vila Nova de MilfontesAirports: 113km Beja / 187km Lisbon / 167km Faro

� Apartments � Self Catering � Air-conditioning � Car hire recommended

and DVD player and a large balcony orterrace within the building's courtyards �The studios, all double bedded, canaccommodate an extra bed for a child �The one-bedroom apartments have adouble/twin bedroom and separateliving/dining room with a double sofa bedsuitable for an adult or two children.

Amenities/LeisureWiFi internet connection (c.25 Euros perweek payable locally) � Small businesscentre � Safe deposit box at reception �Snooker table � Activities that can bebooked locally include walking, cycling,mountain biking and surfing � Freeparking.

Opens: 01May12




accommodate an extra bed for an adult orchild.

Amenities/LeisureBuffet breakfast � Dinner on request andpayable locally � Outdoor infinityswimming pool and pool bar (open insummer only) � Children's pool �Massage room and Pilates and Yogaclasses (payable locally) � Jacuzzi (freeof charge) and Turkish bath (payablelocally) � The owners have a bee farmand produce their own honey � Bicycleand quad bike hire (payable locally) �Boat trips and surfing lessons (payablelocally) �Walking trails close-by � c. 5-minute (2km) drive to the village centreand closest beach � Free parking.

Minimum stay: 7 nights between 16Jul-27Aug12

Located just 2km from the centre of VilaNova de Milfontes, the Herdade do Freixaloverlooks the estuary of the River Mira andcan only be described as stunning. Theinfinity swimming pool seemingly mergeswith the waters of the estuary and the ruralsetting in open countryside, wooded hillsand meadows where sheep and cattlegraze offers peace and tranquillity. Thewhite sand beaches are within an easydrive and the cafes and restaurants of VilaNova de Milfontes and those dotted alongthe various beaches are within easy reach.This property is in a wonderful location andowner-managed by a very friendly andhelpful family.

Accommodation8 air-conditioned units including standardrooms, a superior room, one-bedroomapartments and two-bedroomapartments. All units have bathroom(bath or shower), hairdryer, cable TV, blu-ray DVD player (films on request atreception), complimentary WiFi internetconnection and terrace � The superiorroom is slightly larger than the standardrooms � The apartments also have open-plan lounge/kitchenette (microwave, 2/4electric rings, toaster and fridge-freezer)and a barbecue on the terrace � 1 one-bedroom apartment has a Jacuzzi � Allrooms and one-bedroom apartments will

Herdade do Freixial, Vila Nova de MilfontesAirports: 113km Beja / 167km Faro / 187km Lisbon

� Rural hotel � Bed & Breakfast � Swimming pool � Air-conditioning

Guideline price £ per person - 7 nightsPrices based on 2-sharing a Standard room, flights from Heathrow to Beja with BMI andtransfers. Single room supplement on request.

Casa da Eira 20May-14Jul 15Jul-01Sep 02-29Sep 30Sep-13Oct£490 £540 £636 £490



Herdade do Freixial 20May-14Jul 15Jul-01Sep 02-29Sep 30Sep-13Oct£573 £775 £754 £578


There are two classic villages along theAtlantic coast of the Alentejo betweenSines and Odemira where the regionborders the Algarve and where there aremany miles of beautiful white sandbeaches and idyllic coves. Vila Nova deMilfontes is one of these villages, foundedby King Dom Joao II in 1468, and is locatedon the estuary of the River Mira. The firstsettlers were convicts and the village wasoften subject to attacks by pirates. Afortress was built there in 1602. Much ofthis coastline is designated a National Parkso there is none of the development that isoften seen in the Algarve. The Mira estuaryis very beautiful and gives shelter to avariety of bird species and marine life. Thesurrounding woods are home to wild boarand foxes. There are excellent beaches,some within walking distance, the mostpopular being Foz, Aivados, Malhao Ribeirada Azenha and Furnas and it is very easy toget away from it all and find a quiet spot.

The Casa da Eira is located in the town ofVila Nova de Milfontes and within easywalking distance of the village centre, thebeaches and the river estuary. This is abrightly furnished and welcoming propertywhich is well managed. Guests have accessto a walled garden and barbecue area and,for those looking for a more active holiday,there are many activities that can bebooked at the property.

Casa da Eira, Vila Nova de MilfontesAirports: 113km Beja / 167km Faro / 187km Lisbon

� Apart-hotel � Bed & Breakfast (BB) � Self Catering (SC) � Car hire recommended

Accommodation13 units including standard rooms (BB)and one-bedroom apartments (SC), allwith bathroom (shower), hairdryer, TV andtelephone � Standard rooms are twin ordoubled bedded and have a fridge andbalcony with sea or street view � Theone-bedroom apartments have a livingroom and kitchen (electric oven and 4rings, fridge-freezer and microwave) andwill accommodate extra beds for an adultor two children � Some units interconnectand can be combined to create largeraccommodation � Sea views are possiblefrom the top floor apartments and streetviews from those on the lower floor.

Amenities/LeisureBuffet breakfast (BB basis) �WiFiinternet connection (payable locally) inthe common areas � Lawned gardenwith barbecue area and children's playarea � Centrally located property within a5-minute walk to the village's cafes,restaurants and shops � 100m walk tothe river and beach � Free parking �Activities that can be booked locallyinclude walking, cycling, mountain bikingand surfing (Jul-Aug only).

Minimum stay: 7 nights (01Jul-14Sep)




As the crow flies Troia is closer to Lisbonthan Beja, however, the time taken todrive to this most northerly coastal regionof the Alentejo is shorter from Beja. Troiais located between the Sado EstuaryNature Reserve and the Arrabida NationalPark. This is an area of sand dunes, pinetrees and Atlantic facing long, white, sandbeaches - some of the finest in Portugal -where even in August you can be on yourown.

Troia has important archaeological sites,dating from Roman times when thepeninsula was, in fact, an island calledAcala. Across the estuary lies the city ofSetubal and a very distinctive lime greenpassenger and car ferry that criss-crossthe estuary linking the peninsula with thecity. It is easy to take the passenger ferryacross the estuary, often seeing theresident dolphins en route, and spendthe day wandering around Setubal andeating in one of the many harbour-frontfish restaurants. The peninsula alsoboasts one of the best golf courses inPortugal, designed by Robert Trent JonesSr.

Aqualuz is made up of three separatesuite hotels: Troiamar, Troiario andTroialagoa. The Troiamar and Troiario arelinked by a central section comprising ofthe lobby, bar, restaurant, lounge areasand spa which are common to bothhotels as is the large outdoor swimmingpool and children’s pool. The Troialagoa,set further back along the peninsula (c. 5-minute walk), overlooks the lagoon.

Aqualuz Suite Hotel Apartments,Troia Airports: 122km Beja / 134km Lisbon / 222km Faro

� Apartments � Bed & Breakfast � Swimming pools � Air-conditioning

AccommodationHotels Troiamar and Troiario have 242air-conditioned units including studios,one-bedroom suites and two-bedroomsuites � All units with bathroom (bath andshower), hairdryer, living room, kitchenette(electric stove, fridge and microwave –except the studios and Troiamar units),cable TV, telephone, internet connection(payable locally), safe deposit box andcovered balcony with chairs and ocean orriver view - the views are better from thehigher floors � All the studios are twinbedded � Some studios willaccommodate an extra bed (sofa bed) fora child, other studios have a separatealcove with bunk beds suitable for twochildren � One-bedroom suites, all twinbedded, will accommodate an extra bed(sofa bed) for a child in the living room �The two-bedroom suites have one doubleand one twin bedroom.

Amenities/Leisure - Hotels Troiamarand TroiarioBuffet breakfast � Gastronomic ‘Azimute’restaurant serving traditional à la cartePortuguese cuisine accompanied by fineAlentejo wines � Bar and TV lounge �Reading room � WiFi internet connectionin the public areas (payable locally) �ATM machine at reception � 3 Lifts(including one panoramic) – 14 floors �Large outdoor swimming pool andchildren's pool � Pool bar/snack bar �Heated indoor pool (25m), children'sindoor pool and Jacuzzi � Gym, Turkishbath and sauna (free of charge) plusmassage rooms (payable locally) �Underground car parking (payable locally

1-bedroom suite – Troialagoa

1-bedroom suite – Troiamar

c.6 Euros per day) � Bicycle hire (payablelocally c.3 Euros per hour) - 5km route(mostly flat) � Two tennis courts, twobasketball courts and two football pitches(payable locally) � Excursions andactivities can be booked locally includingguided visits to the Roman ruins, boatexcursions on the river estuary to view theresident dolphins, visits to wineries,walking trails, water sports and fishinglessons � 150m to a wide sandy beach(beach bar and restaurant open insummer) from Troiamar and Troiario and400m from Troialagoa (lifeguards onpatrol in summer) � In the Marina(c.300m) there are a selection of café bars,restaurants, a bank, supermarket, outdoorcinema (summer only) and a new-designmodern Casino which also hosts showsand concerts throughout the season � Aregular foot passenger ferry Troia-Setubal(c.3.00 Euros each way) departs from theMarina. Guests can take the train fromSetubal to Lisbon (4 stops - c.4.40 Eurosper person). There is also a good selectionof restaurants in Setubal � Complimentaryshuttle service to Troia Golf course (18-hole) c.2km. Special green fees for guestswhen booking golf through the hotel(payable locally c. 40 Euros per person) �c.5km to the car ferry Setubal-Troia (c.13.50Euros for two people in a small car).

Troia Kids (Complimentary): For childrenaged between 3 to 12 years old �Available between 20Jun-10Sep12 (10:00to 19:00) � The clubhouse has a TV,games consoles, toys and daily activities(09:30 to 19:30) for children including

cooking lessons, painting, pool activitiesand building sandcastles on the beach �Children are supervised by Englishspeaking staff.

AccommodationHotel Troialagoa has 123 air-conditionedunits including studios, one-bedroomsuites and two-bedroom suites � All unitshave bathroom (bath and/or shower),hairdryer, lounge, kitchenette (electricstove, fridge and microwave - only belowthe 9th floor. The suites have a largefridge-freezer and electric oven and 4rings), cable TV, telephone, cable internetconnection (payable locally), safe depositbox and balcony with chairs and lagoon orsea view - the views are better from thehigher floors � Studios have twin fold-away beds in the living area � One-bedroom suites, all double bedded, willaccommodate an extra bed (sofa bed) fora child in the living room � The two-bedroom suites have one double and onetwin bedroom and will accommodate anextra bed (sofa bed) in the living room fora child.

Amenities/Leisure - Hotel TroialagoaBuffet breakfast � Restaurant ‘Peninsula’serving light meals � Outdoor swimmingpool and children's pool � Gym � Indoorheated swimming pool and Jacuzzi � Freeuse of all the facilities at the Troiamar andTroiario c.5-minute walk away � 2 Lifts –15 floors � Parking (payable locally) � Thelagoon is a protected area and attractsmany species of birds.

Minimum stay: 5 nights between 15Jul-31Aug11

Guideline price £ per person - 7 nightsPrices based on 2-sharing or 4-sharing, flights from Heathrow to Beja with BMI andtransfers. Single room supplement on request.

Aqualuz Suite Hotel 20May-14Jul 15Jul-01Sep 02-29Sep 30Sep-13OctStudio (2-sharing) £584 £772 £681 £5841-Bedroom Suite (2-sharing) £654 £866 £751 £6542-Bedroom Suite (4-sharing) £577 £740 £674 £577






Hotel Evora 20May-14Jul 15Jul-01Sep 02-29Sep 30Sep-13Oct£501 £502 £598 £501


This property is located just outside thecity Walls of Evora, a UNESCO WorldHeritage site and for Sunvil, one of themost beautiful cities in Portugal. Space isat a premium within the Walls and carparking difficult so the modern Evorahotel is ideally located, within 25-minutes’ walk of the centre with a shuttle(at a nominal charge) running throughoutthe day.

Founded over two thousand years ago,Evora has a population of just over40,000 and is located amongst wideplains covered with vineyards, cork andolive trees to the south of the RiverTagus. Evora, because of its uniquelocation has been occupied by theLusitanians, the Romans, the Visogoths,the Moors and finally came underPortuguese rule in 1166. Monuments andarchitectural styles abound, created bythe most famous craftsmen of the variousages. Romanesque, Gothic, Manueline,Renaissance and Baroque buildings andpalaces are scattered throughout thesquares and narrow streets of thehistorical walled centre which is an openair museum. Evora is the jewel of theAlentejo, one of Portugal's richest regionsin history, gastronomy and naturalbeauty.

Hotel Evora, EvoraAirports: 82km Beja / 131km Lisbon / 288km Faro


Accommodation170 air-conditioned rooms includingstandard rooms, one junior suite and onesuite, all with bathroom (bath and shower),hairdryer, cable TV, telephone, WiFi internetconnection (payable locally), minibar, safedeposit box and balcony with pool or townview � All rooms will accommodate anextra bed for an adult or child.

Amenities/LeisureBuffet breakfast � Two restaurants, oneserving regional cuisine (buffet lunch andbuffet dinner and à la carte) and the othervegetarian dishes � Spacious lounge areas� Sports bar � WiFi internet connection inpublic areas (payable locally) � ATMmachine � Pool table � 2 Lifts – 3 floors �Outdoor swimming pool and children'spool � Pool bar � Very large indoorswimming pool � Supervised kids room forup to 3 years at no charge � Health clubwith large gym (payable locally), Jacuzziand Turkish bath (free) and treatments(payable locally) � Tennis court (free) �250 yard Golf driving range - 50 balls for c.3 Euros � Putting green � Sports shopand equipment rental � Bicycle hire c.15Euros per day � Free parking � c.25-minutes walk to the centre � Hotel shuttlebus services to the centre on request andpayable locally c. 1.50 Euros per person.


Evora is the capital of the Alentejo provinceand one of the oldest and most interestingcities on the Iberian Peninsula. ThePousada dos Loios, originally a 15thcentury monastery, is located in the centreof the town between the Palace of theCounts of Basto and the house of theDukes of Cadaval. This beautiful Pousadahas been carefully restored, maintainingmany original features. A wide marblestaircase leads to the first floor, where theoriginal monks’ cloisters are now wide airycorridors filled with antiques and portraits.

Pousada Loios, EvoraAirports: 82km Beja / 131km Lisbon / 288km Faro

� Historic Pousada � Bed & Breakfast � Swimming pool � Air-conditioning� Pousada map reference 30 (see page 10)

Accommodation33 air-conditioned rooms including standardroom and suites, all with bathroom (bath orshower), hairdryer, cable TV, telephone, safedeposit box and minibar.

Amenities/LeisureBuffet breakfast � Restaurant servingregional cuisine � Bar � Lounge � WiFiinternet connection in the public areasc.300 Euros per hour (payable locally) �Outdoor swimming pool (4.5 x 3m) � 16thcentury chapel � Parking payable locally.


Pousada Loios 20May-14Jul 15Jul-01Sep 02-29Sep 30Sep-13Oct£629 £630 £726 £629





Guideline price £ per person - 7 nightsPrices based on 2-sharing a Deluxe room, flights from Heathrow to Beja with BMI andtransfers. Single room supplement on request.

Hotel Convento do Espinheiro 20May-14Jul 15Jul-01Sep 02-29Sep 30Sep-13Oct£761 £769 £864 £767

Special Offer� Stay 7 nights pay 6 nights between 20May-14Oct12


One of the most famous monasteries inPortugal and a national monument,legend has it that about the year 1400,there was an apparition of the VirginMary above a thorn bush (espinheiro)which led to an oratory being built on thespot. By 1458, as a result of an increasedflow of pilgrims, Bishop D. Vasco dePerdigao ordered the building of a churchand monastery which was settled by themonks of the order of Saint Jeronimo.

Now a luxury hotel and Spa, operated byStarwood Hotels, the Convento doEspinheiro is set in 20 acres of herbgardens and olive groves and has beensensitively renovated to reflect the majestyof the original building and none of thesplendour of the original has been lost.

Hotel Convento do Espinheiro, Evora Airports: 78km Beja / 135km Lisbon / 219km Faro


Accommodation92 air-conditioned rooms including deluxegarden view rooms and 1950s designguest rooms in the new wing and heritagedeluxe rooms and suites in the monastery� All rooms have a bathroom (separatebath and shower), hairdryer, satellite andPay TV, safe deposit box, minibar,complimentary WiFi internet connectionand will accommodate an extra bed for anadult or child � Rooms in the new winghave a balcony � Rooms have either aking sized bed or two adjoining beds �Some design rooms are Grand deluxe andinclude a Jacuzzi.

Amenities/LeisureBuffet breakfast � Gourmet restaurantlocated in the 1570 wine cellar vaults �Wine cellar with a selection of 250 wines,80% from the Alentejo � Bar I - What usedto be the monks' kitchen � Billiards andcard room � Extensive lounge areas �Monks' refectory for concerts and recitals� Outdoor swimming pool and bar �Children's pool with baby area � Grasstennis court - lessons payable locally �Extensive gardens (8 hectares) of olivetrees, herb gardens and vineyards (guestsare free to help at harvest time inNovember) � Health and fitness club withindoor pool (10m), massage showers,

Jacuzzi, Turkish bath, sauna, gym, allcomplimentary to hotel guests �Unsupervised children's playground andindoor mini club � Outdoor sports - to bepre-booked and payable locally, includingmountain biking, hot air ballooning andhelicopter tours � Award winning DianaSpa with a multitude of treatments(payable locally) � Complimentarymonastery tour and wine tasting for guests.In 2009 the Convento do Espinheiro wonthe award as Portugal's leading spa resort� Complimentary shuttle bus service onrequest locally � Free parking.






Hotel M’Ar de Ar Aqueduto 20May-14Jul 15Jul-01Sep 02-29Sep 30Sep-13Oct£732 £734 £829 £732



The Hotel M’Ar de Ar Aqueduto, locatedwithin the ancient city walls of Evora, hasviews of the famous 16th century aqueductfrom which it takes its name. The originalbuilding, containing the old palace of theSepulveda family, dates back to the 16thcentury and has a chapel and vaultedceilings that have been well preserved.The interior is very modern, sophisticatedand stylish, and the location is an excellentbase from which to wander through thenarrow streets of this historic royal city, thecapital of the Alentejo. The restaurant hasan extensive à la carte menu servingPortuguese and Mediterranean cuisinewhich incorporates many local flavours andis complemented with a wine cellar,stocked with the best Alentejo wines..

Hotel M’Ar de Ar Aqueduto, EvoraAirports: 82km Beja / 131km Lisbon / 288km Faro

� 5-star boutique hotel � Bed & Breakfast � Swimming pool � Air-conditioning

Amenities/LeisureBuffet breakfast � Restaurant with gourmetmenus � Bar and terrace, located on thefirst floor, with garden and aqueduct view� 2 Lifts – one is panoramic � Outdoorswimming pool – pool towels are provided� Children's pool � Extensive gardens withterraces, esplanades and aqueduct views� Kids club with Wii player (free of charge)� Free underground car park � Freebicycle hire � SPA with Turkish bath,sauna and gym (free of charge) plus SPAtreatments (payable locally) �Complimentary coffee from the Nespressomachines located in the corridors �Wine

Accommodation64 air-conditioned rooms includingstandard rooms, superior rooms and suites� All rooms have bathroom (bath andseparate shower), hairdryer, cable TV, DVDplayer (films on request at reception), Ipodstation and radio, complimentary WiFiinternet connection, safe deposit box andminibar � Standard rooms, in the originalbuilding, have high windows with streetview and, in the new wing, all the roomshave French windows � Some standardrooms overlook the pool � Superior rooms,located on the first floor, have a terrace withgarden and aqueduct view � Most roomswill accommodate an extra bed for an adultor child � Some rooms interconnect.

tasting can be booked locally c.15 Eurosper person or 50 Euros per personincluding dinner and accompanied bythree wines.


Wine tasting

Standard room

Superior room




This charming hotel, located within theancient 14th century city walls of Evora, aUNESCO World Heritage city, was openedin 1997. The hotel has been beautifullydecorated in a modern simple style,employing vibrant colours to create aninviting atmosphere of warmth andcomfort. Novel objets d’art adorn thewalls, adding further to the charm of thehotel by reflecting the rural life of theAlentejo region. The restaurant servestraditional Alentejo cuisine with a goodchoice of Portuguese wines tocomplement any dish. In summer, dinnermay be served on the terrace overlookingthe pool and historic city walls.

Accommodation91 air-conditioned rooms including classicrooms, superior rooms, triple rooms andsuites, all with bathroom (bath andshower), hairdryer, cable TV, internetconnection, minibar and telephone �Some rooms have a French balcony andviews over the pool and city walls or a cityview � The superior rooms have a balcony� The suites are either twin or double (kingsize) rooms with separate living room withsingle sofa bed, bathroom (bath andseparate shower) and balcony � The suiteswill accommodate an extra bed for a child.

Hotel M’ar de Ar Muralhas, EvoraAirports: 90km Beja / 131km Lisbon / 226km Faro


Amenities/LeisureBuffet breakfast � Restaurant ‘Sabore AR’serving regional dishes � Bar ‘Muralhas’and terrace � Complimentary WiFi internetconnection in the public areas �Comfortable lounge area � Innercourtyard with various seating areas 2Lifts � Well-maintained gardens �Swimming pool (14 x 10m) and children’spool (5 x 3m) open Apr-Oct �Underground parking payable locally c.5Euros per day.

Guideline price £ per person - 7 nightsPrices based on 2-sharing a Classic room, flights from Heathrow to Beja with BMI andtransfers. Single room supplement on request.

Hotel M’Ar de Ar Muralhas 20May-14Jul 15Jul-01Sep 02-29Sep 30Sep-13Oct£592 £793 £689 £592




Hotel Refugio da Vila 20May-14Jul 15Jul-01Sep 02-29Sep 30Sep-13Oct£538 £629 £670 £543


Portel, located in the central region of theAlentejo is a wonderful, pristine,whitewashed hilltop town of 7,100inhabitants, crowned with the remains ofan imposing castle. The town is of Romanorigin and the castle an excellent exampleof 13th century military architecture. Theelegant bourgeois houses blend well withthe whitewashed workers properties. Thelocal economy is based on the traditionalproducts of cooked meats, cheese, honeyand olive oil. Its 34,000 oak forest is one ofthe largest in the Iberian peninsula.

This friendly, owner-managed hotel, someareas of which are decorated withfrescoes dating from the 19th century, wasbuilt in the 1830s when it was an elegantprivate house. Highly recommended.

Accommodation30 air-conditioned rooms, tastefully andconservatively decorated, including standardrooms and 7 junior suites, two in the mainbuilding and five in the roomy rear annexe� All rooms have bathroom (bath andshower - except for the one reserved fordisabled persons, where there is a shower),hairdryer, TV, telephone and minibar �Standard rooms will accommodate an extrabed for an adult or child � Some roomshave a French balcony or terrace � Somerooms have a king size bed � Views of the

Hotel Refugio da Vila, PortelAirports: 42km Beja / 172km Lisbon / 186km Faro


castle from the garden and pool areas �Some junior suites will accommodate extrabeds for up to three children.

Amenities/LeisureBuffet breakfast � A Michelin guiderecommended restaurant with terrace,serving local dishes � Bar � Lift �Complimentary WiFi internet connection inthe common areas � Elegant TV loungewith pool table (payable locally c.3 Eurosper hour) and terrace with a view of thetown and castle � Though located in thetown centre, the hotel has a large gardenwith views to the castle above � Largeoutdoor swimming pool and children'spool � An excellent cookery school(minimum 2 persons) using localingredients and herbs from the hotel'sown vegetable garden. In 2002, theObserver newspaper considered thehotel's cookery school to be one of the 10best in Europe for it's gastronomical andcultural richness � Tasting of the winesand herbs of the Alentejo (minimum 8participants) payable locally � Horseriding at a nearby private ranch (payablelocally) � Visits to local wineries, walksand sailing on the Alqueva lake arepossible locally � 40km from Evora � Freeparking.






Hotel Sao Domingos 20May-14Jul 15Jul-01Sep 02-29Sep 30Sep-13Oct£615 £742 £782 £625


A 75-minutes' drive through a rurallandscape, with every other telegraph poleseemingly occupied by a family of storks,brings you to the 2,000 hectare estatewithin which stands the Hotel SaoDomingos , built in 1875 and originally theheadquarters of Mason and Barry miningcompany. The old gracious building, amixture of Victorian and local Alentejostyles has been renovated to provide acomfortable base from which to tour thenational park, rich in bird life and thenearby towns of Mertola and medievalSerpa.

Accommodation31 air-conditioned rooms including standardrooms in the new wing and superior roomsin the original building � 10 rooms haveking size beds and the rest are twins � Allrooms have bathroom (bath, shower andhairdryer), satellite TV, telephone,complimentary WiFi internet connection,mini safe deposit box and minibar �Standard rooms have a large balcony withpool and lake view and will accommodatean extra bed for an adult or child � Twostandard rooms interconnect � Superiorrooms have two bathrooms (one with toiletand wash basin, the second with bath andshower) and will accommodate two extrabeds for children.

Hotel Sao Domingos, Mertola Airports: 63km Beja / 132km Faro / 237km Lisbon


Amenities/LeisureBuffet breakfast � Restaurant with terraceserving local and international dishes �Large bar/TV room � Reading room �Games rooms (billiards, darts and tablefootball) � Fully fledged seriousobservatory with guidance fromprofessional astronomer every Saturday �Lift � Guided tours of the mining area(payable locally) � Auditorium for 100persons � Swimming pool and children'spool �Mini gym �Mountain bicycle hire(1 Euro per hour) � Bird watching (homeof the rare black stork) � Swimming(lifeguard in attendance) and boating onthe large adjacent 17km circumferencelake � Trekking close-by � Free parking.

sulphur. Over the following 110 years, 25million tons of ore was removed fromthe mine. Although worked since Romantimes, it was Mason and Berry who builtone of the first hospitals and firstelectricity generators in Portugal. Thearea had several railways and the firmbuilt their own steam locomotives.Housing, tennis courts, a football pitchand even a bandstand - all still inevidence - were provided by the firm.The mines were finally exhausted in themid 1960s and the devastated andpolluted landscape is fascinating to seeon a guided tour.

The mines at Sao Domingos are reputedto be the oldest in the world and werefirst worked as long as 4,000 years agoby the Greeks. The area has aparticularly rich history and the mineralwealth was legendary, as the Romansfirst mined gold and silver from here.Only Rio Tinto, 70km to the east and alarger mine has a similar history andwas said to have been the legendaryKing Solomon's mine.

Mertola, the southernmost town of theAlentejo stands at the edge of theGuadiana National Park, perched on ahilltop overlooking the confluence ofthe Oeiras and Guadiana rivers. Thiswalled town is in a time warp, withnarrow streets lined with many graciousbuildings leading upwards to the ruined13th century castle. The Guadiana was avital trading route throughout themiddle ages and Mertola showsPhoenician, Roman, Visigoth, Moorishand Chrisitan influences. At its peak,Mertola had a population of over 2,000,its river port on the Guadiana riverconnected it to the Mediterraneancommercial routes and changed thisfortified settlement into a regionalcapital. The town has severalnoteworthy museums but it is theIslamic museum that is extremely wellknown. Every two years in May, theIslamic festival is held here, whichrecreates the Islamic period of the town.

17km from Mertola and close to theSpanish border, travelling through apicturesque and fertile landscape liesthe now small village of Mina de SaoDomingos. The population is nowaround 400 persons but, at it's peak,15,000 people would have been livinghere. Ten thousand people worked inthe mines, the largest in the SouthIberian peninsula and it is now hard tobelieve that this was one of the mostimportant industrial centres in Europe. Itwas in 1857 that the British engineeringfirm Mason & Barry took over the mines,rich in copper, coal, iron pirates and

Mertola and Mina de Sao Domingos




On the 8th February 2002, the 96m highfloodgates of the Alqueva dam wereclosed, damming the River Guadiana andcreating the largest artificial lake inEurope. By 2006, the lake had been filledto the planned level and the watercovered an area of 250km2. The lake is96km long. The Alentejo is the driestregion of Portugal and the lake willirrigate an area of 1,100km2.

Nine villages surround the lake andAmieira Marina, 2km away from one ofthe nine, is the base for 15 houseboatson which one can cruise on the lake,visiting the other villages and generallyenjoying the lake and its surroundinglandscape of olive and cork trees. By mid-May, the water temperature of the lake isaround 25 degrees and reaches 32-36degrees in August, easily matching theMediterranean. The water is clean andideal for swimming.

Marina Houseboats, Amieira Marina (Alqueva Lake)Airports: 62km Beja / 194km Lisbon / 206km Faro

� Houseboats � Self Catering

The houseboats sleep from 2 to 10persons in boats of one to five bedrooms.The boats are easy to use, have a topspeed of 6 miles per hour and the Marinastaff offer training (c.90-minutes) beforesetting off. The majority of the beds aredoubles and there are only two modelswhich have single beds. All the villageshave docking facilities and each nightafter mooring the boat you can walk tothe village (c.1-2km) to enjoy thedelightful local cuisine. The boats can behired from 2 to 7 nights but dependingon availability on the day, it is possible tohire a boat for a day locally, as long asweekends and the peak season areavoided. The Marina boasts an excellentpanoramic restaurant with a large cellarof Alentejo wines and serves traditionalcuisine for lunch and dinner on Fridays,Saturdays and Sunday's and lunch onlyduring the week (Monday-Thursday).

AccommodationThere are 6 boat types, all built by Nicols,ranging from 10.85m to 11.10m (sleeping 2to 8 persons) and are equipped with GPS,sonar and a communication system � Allboats have bathroom (wc and shower),living room, a drinking water reservoir of750 to 1,200 litres and a green diesel tankof 270 to 300 litres which are adequate forall trips � The kitchen is equipped with gasoven and hobs and electric fridge/freezer� Other equipment includes a ladder toaccess the water, life jackets, exteriorshower, gas barbecue, TV and DVD player,radio with CD player and 220v electricsocket � All crockery, towels and bed linenare provided � No driving licence requiredto navigate the boats. Minimum age tosteer the boats is 18 years � Returnabledeposits of 900 Euros for the boatinsurance and 150 Euros for cleaning aretaken by credit card at the beginning ofeach rental � Technical assistance isavailable seven days a week � There is nocharge for mooring at the docking facilitiesof the various villages surrounding the lake� Electric sockets provided for mobiles andlaptops (excluding hairdryers and toasters)� Welcome pack included (bread, fruitjuices, milk, eggs, ham, cheese, bacon,coffee, tea, typical sausages and water).

Amenities/LeisureThere is a golf course within a two and ahalf hour sail located near Morinho doMerinho � It is possible to moor anywherealong the lake so as to swim or go forwalks � There is a rich historical heritageto be explored around the lake � Therestaurant at the Marina organisesmonthly wine dinners which are verypopular c.35 Euros per person including 5wines � The journey from the south(Amieira) to the north (Juromenha) of thelake is 93km (c. 4 nights return journey) �Day cruises are c.13 Euros per person(minimum 6 people) or 30 Euros perperson including lunch in the panoramicrestaurant (excluding drinks).

Guideline price £ per person - 7 nightsPrices based on 2-sharing a Houseboat (Duo), flights from Heathrow to Beja with BMI andtransfers. Single room supplement on request.

Marina Houseboats 20May-14Jul 15Jul-01Sep 02-29Sep 30Sep-13Oct£1056 £1220 £1188 £942


Amieira Marina

Alqueva Lake




The historic, hill top city of Estremoz ishome to the Pateo dos Solares, a beautifulmanor house with a refined and charmingatmosphere. Situated in the heart of thecity, close to the 17th century city gate ofCurrais and the central Rossio square, thehotel enjoys a surprisingly tranquil settingsurrounded by a well-maintained walledgarden. Within the hotel, the neutral colourof the hotel bedrooms contrasts with thewarm, homely decor of the lounge and bar,where glazed tiled flooring, a wood-burning fireplace and comfortable sofasawait guests after a day’s exploration.

Hotel Pateo dos Solares, EstremozAirports: 127km Beja / 168km Lisbon / 326km Faro


Accommodation40 air-conditioned rooms including standardrooms, deluxe rooms and suites, all withbathroom (bath and shower), hairdryer,telephone, satellite TV, minibar and safedeposit box � All rooms will accommodatean extra bed for an adult or child � Deluxerooms have either a fireplace or a Jacuzzi asan added feature � Some roomsinterconnect.

Amenities/LeisureBuffet breakfast � ‘Azulaich’ restaurantserving regional dishes � Bar � Lounge �Complimentary WiFi internet connection inthe public areas � Gardens with outdoorswimming pool (5 x 10m) open May-Sep �Lift � Free parking.


Hotel Pateo dos Solares 20May-14Jul 15Jul-01Sep 02-29Sep 30Sep-13Oct£776 £869 £908 £781


The CS Hotel do Lago, opened in 2011, islocated on Lake Montargil in the AltoAlentejo region. Just one hours’ drive fromLisbon, this modern 5-star hotel offersspacious accommodation with manyrooms affording beautiful views across thewell-maintained gardens towards the lake.

Guests wishing to relax can choosebetween the outdoor panoramic swimmingpool and the indoor heated pool in theluxurious spa. For those wanting a moreadventurous holiday, there is a marinaproviding a wide range of water sportsactivities. There are also a number ofbeaches around the lake of which thenearest is Ponte de Sor.

CS Hotel do Lago, MontargilAirport: 100km Lisbon

� 5-star hotel � Bed & Breakfast � Swimming pools � Air-conditioning

Accommodation105 air-conditioned rooms includingstandard rooms and junior suites, all withbathroom (shower), hairdryer, cable TV,telephone, complimentary WiFi internetconnection, safe deposit box and minibar �Rooms have a balcony or terrace and eithera pool and garden view or lake view � Allstandard rooms will accommodate an extrabed for a child � The junior suites overlookthe pool and lake and will accommodate anextra bed for an adult or child.

Amenities/LeisureBuffet breakfast � À la carte restaurant ‘APanela’ � Buffet restaurant � Three bars� Four outdoor swimming pools openMay-Sep � Two indoor heated pools �Spa � Gym � Kid’s club (2-12yrs) open10:00-18:30 in summer � Marina � Freeparking � Activities that can be arrangedlocally: water sports, mountain bike hire,horse riding, bird watching and boat trips.



CS Hotel do Lago 20May-14Jul 15Jul-01Sep 02-29Sep 30Sep-13Oct£741 £791 £873 £746






Accommodation24 air-conditioned rooms includingstandard rooms, superior rooms anddeluxe rooms, all with bathroom (bath orshower), hairdryer telephone, cable TV,safe deposit box and minibar � Thedeluxe rooms are located in themonastery tower and are larger in sizethan the standard rooms � Some roomsinterconnect.

Amenities/LeisureBuffet breakfast � Restaurant servingauthentic Portuguese dishes � Bar �Lounge � Sculptor museum (freeentrance) � Lift � Terrace � Gardens �Swimming pool (9 x 13m) open May-Sep� Free parking.

To the north of the hilltop town of Cratostands the Pousada Flor da Rosa. Originallybuilt in 1356 this monastery-fortress hasserved as a castle, convent and palace andevidence of this illustrious past can still beseen throughout the property. The fortresswas converted into a hotel in 1995 underthe guidance of designer Joao Carrilho deGraca who carefully introduced anunderstated modern interior that subtlycomplements the charm of the originalbuilding. Located 22km from the walledtown of Portalegre, near to the Spanishborder, the Pousada Flor da Rosa is anideal base from which to explore thenatural reserve of Serra de Sao Mamede orto venture into neighbouring Spain.

This Pousada, converted from a 16thcentury monastery, is set in the greenvalley of Arraiolos, a city known for thetraditional art of carpet making. Thewoven carpets of Arraiolos, originallybased on the Persian designs but morecolourful in style can be purchasedlocally. There are also some excellentexamples of Azulejos tiles displayed inthe 16th century Misericordia building ofthis quaint, white-washed medieval city.

Pousada Senhora da Assuncao,ArraiolosAirports: 104km Beja / 121km Lisbon / 279km Faro

� Historic Design Pousada � Bed & Breakfast � Swimming pool � Air-conditioning � Pousada map reference 25 (see page 10)

Accommodation32 air-conditioned rooms includingstandard rooms, deluxe rooms and suites,all with bathroom (bath or shower),hairdryer, telephone, cable TV, safe depositbox and minibar � Some roomsinterconnect � Some rooms have abalcony with countryside view � Thesuites have a separate bedroom and livingroom and will accommodate an extra bed(fold-up) for a child � One suite has aterrace.

Amenities/LeisureBuffet breakfast � Restaurant � Bar �Several lounge areas � Lift � Swimmingpool (16 x 8m) and children’s pool (7 x 3m)open May-Sep � Sun terraces �Beautifully maintained gardens � Tenniscourt (free) � Two shaded cloisters andsmall chapel � Free parking.


Pousada Senhora da Assuncao 20May-14Jul 15Jul-01Sep 02-29Sep 30Sep-13Oct£685 £778 £817 £690


Pousada Flor da Rosa, CratoAirports: 182km Beja / 215km Lisbon / 381km Faro

� Historic Design Pousada � Bed & Breakfast � Swimming pool � Air-conditioning� Pousada map reference 27 (see page 10)


Pousada Flor da Rosa 20May-14Jul 15Jul-01Sep 02-29Sep 30Sep-13Oct£817 £910 £1012 £822





Accommodation31 air-conditioned rooms includingstandard rooms, superior rooms andsuites, all with bathroom (bath orshower), telephone, TV and minibar �Many of the bedrooms have an excellentview of the surrounding area.

Amenities/LeisureBuffet breakfast � Panoramic restaurantserving Portuguese dishes � Cosy barwith fireplace � Lounges � Parkingnearby.


Pousada Santa Maria 20May-14Jul 15Jul-01Sep 02-29Sep 30Sep-13Oct£636 £728 £768 £641


At an altitude of 1000 metres, the villageof Marvao enjoys magnificent panoramicviews across the Alentejo plain as far asthe Spanish border. The Pousada,surrounded by 13th century castle walls,is made up of a small group of villagehouses. Many of the original medievalfeatures have been maintained. TypicalPortuguese cuisine is served in thepanoramic restaurant. The Pousada offersa good base from which to visit otherplaces of interest such as the Romantown of Ammaia (6km), Castelo de Vide(13km) and the mountain range andnatural park of Sao Mamede.

Pousada Santa Maria, Marvao Airports: 202 Beja / 231km Lisbon / 401km Faro

� Charm Pousada � Bed & Breakfast � Air-conditioning � Pousada map reference 31 (see page 10)

Castelo de Vide


Casa Amarela 20May-14Jul 15Jul-01Sep 02-29Sep 30Sep-13Oct£601 £693 £733 £606


Castelo de Vide, at 850m above sea level,is of Roman origin but it is probably bestknown for the large Jewish quarter whichexisted in the middle ages. In the oldJewish quarter of the town, nothingseems to have changed since thosetimes, with cobbled streets, whitewashedhouses and mysterious Gothic doorways.One can explore pretty squares, theoldest synagogue in Portugal and, ofcourse, the 14th century castleoverlooking the town.

The stylish main square dates from the17th and 18th centuries, is surrounded byBaroque buildings and is the location ofthe Casa Amarela. Beautifully restored,this 19th century building, dating fromthe French invasion of the town, is in anideal location from which to exploreCastelo de Vide with a variety ofcomfortable bedrooms with either squareor mountain view. This charming manorhouse opened in 2003 and is personallymanaged by the owner, Victor Guimaraesand his family.

Casa Amarela, Castelo de VideAirports: 201km Beja / 218km Lisbon / 400km Faro

� Town house � Bed & Breakfast � Air-conditioning

Accommodation10 air-conditioned rooms includingstandard rooms and two suites, all withbathroom (bath and shower), hairdryerand satellite TV � Suites are twin bedded,have a separate living room and faceeither the square or the open countrysidebehind the town � Traditional and antiquefurniture � Some rooms willaccommodate an extra bed for a child.

Amenities/LeisureContinental buffet breakfast � Comfortablelounge � Complimentary WiFi internetconnection � Lift � Free parking in thetown square � Free use of the publicswimming pool c. 400m distance �Excellent location for exploring the townand the surrounding countryside on foot �Peal of church bells every half hour aroundthe clock can be heard from the mainsquare � Lively market on the last Friday ofeach month � Annual Medieval Festival(Sep) takes place in the main squareRestaurant ‘Casa do Parque’ (c. 300m)serves excellent local dishes for lunch anddinner.



sun portugal 2012 alentejo

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