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Discover the gastronomic soul of Portugal
Overview
Introduction
This little-known region produces a wonderful array of regional delicacies and rustic dishes, from sheep’s milk cheeses, acorn liqueur and organic asparagus, to Alentejo black pork, chestnut specialities and egg-based desserts. It’s known as the breadbasket of Portugal, holds food festivals all year round and produces almost half of Portugal’s wine. Our suggested itinerary below is not set and can be amended to suit individual requirements.
Board Basis: Bed & BreakfastAgenda
Day 1 - Day of arrival
On arrival at Lisbon airport, collect your hire car and drive inland to the Torre de Palma Wine Hotel in Monforte (193km/c.2 hours).
The location affords beautiful panoramas and a wealth of places to explore including the Torre de Palma Roman Villa, an important archaeological site. Enjoy dinner at the hotel’s ‘Basilii’ restaurant which offers some of the best Alentejo delicacies. The hotel has a separate bread-oven house, regional products shop and wine cellar with tasting room. Cooking lessons are also provided locally.
Overnight at the Torre de Palma Wine Hotel.
Torre de Palma Wine Hotel, Alentejo
Day 2 - Day of exploring
Today , take a scenic drive to the hilltop towns of Estremoz and Vila Viçosa. For those interested in learning more about the local wine production, we would recommend a visit to the José de Sousa Winery in Reguengos de Monsaraz – a DOC accredited sub-region (96km / 1 hour).
Overnight at the Torre de Palma Wine Hotel.
Estremoz, Alentejo
Day 3 - Day of travel
After breakfast, drive southwest (78.5km / c.1 hour) to Évora. This walled town is an excellent destination for a gastronomic break. Not only will you find regional specialities and delicacies but also a number of restaurants offering modern twists of Alentejano classical dishes and innovative cuisine. Favourite eateries of the Sunvil team in Évora include Mr Pickwick and O Fialho. Both restaurants offer a set three-course menu, including a glass of wine, for c.20-25 Euros per person. The menu is based on the regional and seasonal specialities.
Overnight at the Pousada Convento de Evora.
Evora, Alentejo
Day 4 - Day at leisure
Day at leisure in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Évora. With its palaces, twenty-two churches and marble buildings, the town is an architectural gem. Within the walls of the city is the Gabinete da Rotas dos Vinhos do Alentejo, a visitor centre providing information about the region’s wine industry. The Alentejo boasts 22,000-hectares of sun-drenched vineyards, eight separate DOC accredited sub-regions (Denominação de Origem Controlada – Registered Designation of Origin) and 250 independent wineries. Currently, one in every two bottles of wine consumed in Portugal is produced in the Alentejo.
Overnight at the Pousada Convento de Evora.
Vineyards of the Alentejo
Day 5 - Day of travel
After breakfast, drive southwest (108km / c.1 hour 20 minutes) towards Albernoa and the Herdade da Malhadinha Nova. The estate produces traditional, regional products of the highest quality including award-winning wines, the famous Alentejo black pork and pureblood Alentejo beef.
Overnight at the Herdade Da Malhadinha Nova.
Food and wine of the Alentejo region
Day 6 - Day at leisure
Day at leisure. Explore the Atlantic coastline with its sandy coves, steep cliffs and fishing communities. The coastal region boasts many excellent seafood restaurants, most offering the ‘catch of the day’.
Overnight at the Herdade Da Malhadinha Nova.
Atlantic coastline of the Alentejo region
Day 7 - Day at leisure
Day at leisure. Take a ride on one of the property’s bikes (free of charge) around Herdade da Malhadinha Nova’s extensive estate.
Overnight at the Herdade Da Malhadinha Nova.
Cycling around the Herdade da Malhadinha estate
Day 8 - Day of departure
After breakfast, drive to Faro airport (127km/c.1 hour 15 minutes) for your return flight home.
Accommodation
Torre de Palma Wine Hotel - Night 1 to 1
Located in Monforte, this luxury hotel is set in a village in the upper Alentejo, in the Portalegre municipality.
Located in Monforte, this luxury hotel is set in a village in the upper Alentejo, in the Portalegre municipality. Dating back to 1338, the remains of the ancient house were restored in 2014 and inspired by Alentejan customs and the old traditional lifestyle of the prominent Basilii family, the former inhabitants of nearby Torre de Palma Roman ruins.
Unique architecture is complented by stylish decor in neutral colours and beautifully furnished rooms located in either typical Alentejan houses, in converted barns or in a 14th century Manor house surrounded by vineyards.
The location affords beautiful panoramas and a wealth of places to explore including the Torre de Palma Roman Villa, an important archaeological site; the old castle ruins, which survived throughout the Middle Ages; the Roman door and the churches of Nossa Senhora da Conceição and Madalena, where the current local museum, with its archaeological collection, is located.
Accommodation
- 19 air-conditioned rooms including classic rooms, superior rooms, family suite and a master suite
- All rooms have a bathroom (bath and/orshower) with under floor heating, hairdryer, telephone, iPod docking station, cable TV, complimentary WiFi, minibar and mini safeClassic rooms are located in the main building
- Superior rooms have a living area and a terrace or balcony. Some can accommodate an extra bed for an adult or child
- Family suites are located in the typical Alentejo houses with access to an internal patio. Bathed in natural light, these rooms have access to a living room
- 'Villa Romana' master suite is very spacious and has a separate living/dining room, double sofa bed suitable for two children (2-12yrs) and patio
- Some rooms have a king-size bed
Amenities/Leisure
- Buffet breakfast
- Bar
- 'Basilii' restaurant serving local cuisine
- Bread oven house
- Cinema
- Outdoor lounge with hanging fireplace
- Regional products shop
- Chapel
- Complimentary WiFi throughout the hotel
- Iron and ironing board on request
- Outdoor swimming pool (13 x 13m) open all year
- Spa - massages and treatments (payable locally)
- Wine cellar with tasting room
- Organic vegetable garden and wooden area
- Equestrian centre where they breed Lusitano horses and offer horse riding lessons
- Free parking
Activities provided locally include: cookery lessons, cultural tours, cycling, falconry, golf, hiking trails, horse riding, star gazing and wine tasting
Torre de Palma Wine Hotel - Night 2 to 2
Located in Monforte, this luxury hotel is set in a village in the upper Alentejo, in the Portalegre municipality.
Located in Monforte, this luxury hotel is set in a village in the upper Alentejo, in the Portalegre municipality. Dating back to 1338, the remains of the ancient house were restored in 2014 and inspired by Alentejan customs and the old traditional lifestyle of the prominent Basilii family, the former inhabitants of nearby Torre de Palma Roman ruins.
Unique architecture is complented by stylish decor in neutral colours and beautifully furnished rooms located in either typical Alentejan houses, in converted barns or in a 14th century Manor house surrounded by vineyards.
The location affords beautiful panoramas and a wealth of places to explore including the Torre de Palma Roman Villa, an important archaeological site; the old castle ruins, which survived throughout the Middle Ages; the Roman door and the churches of Nossa Senhora da Conceição and Madalena, where the current local museum, with its archaeological collection, is located.
Accommodation
- 19 air-conditioned rooms including classic rooms, superior rooms, family suite and a master suite
- All rooms have a bathroom (bath and/orshower) with under floor heating, hairdryer, telephone, iPod docking station, cable TV, complimentary WiFi, minibar and mini safeClassic rooms are located in the main building
- Superior rooms have a living area and a terrace or balcony. Some can accommodate an extra bed for an adult or child
- Family suites are located in the typical Alentejo houses with access to an internal patio. Bathed in natural light, these rooms have access to a living room
- 'Villa Romana' master suite is very spacious and has a separate living/dining room, double sofa bed suitable for two children (2-12yrs) and patio
- Some rooms have a king-size bed
Amenities/Leisure
- Buffet breakfast
- Bar
- 'Basilii' restaurant serving local cuisine
- Bread oven house
- Cinema
- Outdoor lounge with hanging fireplace
- Regional products shop
- Chapel
- Complimentary WiFi throughout the hotel
- Iron and ironing board on request
- Outdoor swimming pool (13 x 13m) open all year
- Spa - massages and treatments (payable locally)
- Wine cellar with tasting room
- Organic vegetable garden and wooden area
- Equestrian centre where they breed Lusitano horses and offer horse riding lessons
- Free parking
Activities provided locally include: cookery lessons, cultural tours, cycling, falconry, golf, hiking trails, horse riding, star gazing and wine tasting
Pousada Convento de Evora - Night 3 to 4
The Pousada, originally a 15th century monastery, is located in the centre of the city, next to the Roman Temple of Diana - one of the highlights of Évora - and between the Palace of the Counts of Basto and the house of the Dukes of Cadaval.
The Pousada, originally a 15th century monastery, is located in the centre of the city, next to the Roman Temple of Diana - one of the highlights of Évora - and between the Palace of the Counts of Basto and the house of the Dukes of Cadaval. This beautiful property has been carefully restored, maintaining many original features. A wide marble staircase leads to the first floor, where the original monks’ cloisters are now wide airy corridors filled with antiques and portraits.
Accommodation
- 36 air-conditioned rooms including standard rooms, superior rooms and suites
- All rooms have a bathroom (bath and/or shower), hairdryer, cable TV, telephone, complimentary WiFi, safe deposit box and minibar
- Superior rooms have a designated sitting area
Amenities/Leisure
- Buffet breakfast
- Restaurant serving regional cuisine
- Bar
- Lounge
- Complimentary WiFi throughout the hotel
- Outdoor swimming pool (10 x 6.5m) - open Jun-Sep
- Snooker and table tennis tables
- Free parking
Herdade Da Malhadinha Nova - Night 5 to 7
Malhadinha Nova is a family-owned, 450 hectare country estate set in the heart of the Alentejo region.
Malhadinha Nova is a family-owned, 450 hectare country estate set in the heart of the Alentejo region. The estate produces traditional, regional products of the highest quality including award-winning wines, the famous Alentejo black pork and pureblood Alentejo beef.
Guest accommodation is offered in an Alentejo-style country farmhouse which affords stunning views over the estate. This is one of our most highly praised properties and from the elegant bedrooms - decorated with tiled floors and a mixture of designer and rustic furniture, it is easy to see why.
The Malhadinha Gourmet restaurant, with views over the estate, uses locally sourced produce to create modern interpretations of traditional Alentejo dishes. Guests can also enjoy a selection of wines produced on the estate.
Accommodation
- 10 air-conditioned rooms including standard rooms, junior suites and suites
- All rooms have a bathroom (bath and shower), heated floors, hairdryer, telephone, cable TV, complimentary WiFi, ipod docking station and designer furniture (Philippe Starck lamps, coat racks and side tables) and country-cottage fittings
- Standard rooms (32sqm) have a king-size bed
- Junior Suites (50sqm) have a separate room which can accommodate two extra beds for children (2-11 years)
- Suites (90sqm) have a king size Dux bed, living area with fireplace and a bath tub in the bedroom. Free-standing stairs lead up to the second bed, tucked away in the loft area - suitable for two children (2-11 years)
Amenities/Leisure
- Buffet breakfast including wood-baked bread, croissants, home-made cakes, fresh fruit juices and smoked sausages
- Gourmet restaurant
- Lounge
- Complimentary WiFi throughout the hotel
- Wine bar
- Outdoor swimming pool (6 x 10m) - open all year
- Spa with Jacuzzi and Turkish bath
- Bicycle hire (free of charge)
- Free parking
- Complimentary guided tour of the estate and winery included
Minimum stay: 2 nights when staying between Thursday and Saturday (inclusive)
Route Map
Best time to go
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Time Difference
GMT + 0
Currency
Euro
Language
Portuguese
Average flight times
2 hours 35 minutes
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Average temperature
Average rainfall
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