Sassiness of the Alentejo
Unique Estates, Hotels and Activities
The Alentejo will amaze you with its beauty, endless golden fields sprinkled with olive and cork trees. A collection of Historical Cities classified as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, villages with white houses situated on top of a hill, a few are surrounded by ramparts.
Even though this region is known for its fruity aroma wine, it’s fulfilled with picturesque family estates; normally these estates produce their own wine, olive oil, horticulture and even have animals like cows and horses. Which is the case of Herdade São Lourenço do Barrocal in Monsaraz, a family own property for over 200 years that’s been carefully transformed into a remarkable hotel of understated luxury with 40 guest rooms surrounded by ancient holm oaks, olive grove and vineyards. If you’re seeking a smaller estate, Herdade da Malhadinha Nova in Albernoa is perfect with only 20 spacious rooms sprinkled in a rural and typical Alentejo style where tradition and modernity blend in harmony. There are also bigger properties offering more structure, such as, Vila Galé Clube de Campo with 83 rooms featuring outdoor and indoor pool, generous areas for events and team building actions, which can be combined with sports activities like cycling, quad bike rides and water sports. Not to mention, it also has its own vineyards producing their Santa Vitória Alentejo wines.
Regardless of the chosen location, there are unique and local activities such as, unveil the village of São Pedro do Corval, known as the land of pottery in the Alentejo. Roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty making your own pot or simply stroll around the village to appreciate the art of local artisans. Along with the wine, olive oil plays an important role in this region; there are various locations to discover the production process and tasting. Our favourite place for a tasting is in a beautiful wine estate in Monsaraz. Offering tasting of 3 kinds of olive oils overlooking the vineyards, apart from having a delightful and spacious restaurant for those who would like to taste the local cuisine. In the Alqueva area, there’s a small museum of strawberry brandy that will leave you intrigued with its distillery process and the history behind this strong Portuguese drink; if you’re brave enough you can try it in the end. Finally, couldn’t leave the Alentejo without properly visiting a wine estate, there’s a modern estate just outside Vila de Frade. This winery preserves ancient traditions and techniques used by the Romans, as well as, from the people of the Alentejo…