8 Reasons to offer the Alentejo, Portugal to your clients.

Portugal is fast becoming the new top destination in Europe for discerning travellers. It has so much to offer it is also a destination that you can offer to your clients more than once - encourage them to explore further and delve deeper into this fascinating country. If you looking for an excellent DMC in Portugal to work with - read on.

With Beautiful colonial towns, stunning and diverse scenery, world-class cuisine, award-winning wines, unique heritage and traditions, fascinating wildlife and gorgeous beaches - there is something for everyone!

Portugal by TravelTailors and I wanted to introduce you to a slightly more off-the-beaten-track area of Portugal which we think you and your clients will love. The Alentejo region is one of the largest areas of Portugal and includes stunning scenery and huge beaches such as Comporta, Nature reserves, UNESCO heritage sites, unique Moorish influences, gorgeous architecture fascinating agriculture, gastronomy and wine.

We have a recording of Paula's 40-minute webinar presentation on the Alentejo region for you to watch HERE.

Contact us for example itineraries that include the Alentejo region of Portugal.

The Alentejo - The northern Alentejo is more mountainous, while towards the vast interior there are unending fields of wheat, cork and olive trees and plains that extend as far as the eye can see. The Alentejo Coast is still an undiscovered beauty with beautiful wild beaches, lakes and nature reserves. The simple beauty of the Alentejo region is filled with walled towns and UNESCO heritage, Moorish Castles reminding everyone of the many battles taking place on these rolling hills. The Arab influence is seen everywhere; in the names of most towns starting with “Al”; the whitewashed houses; the pottery and the food. The best experience possible in the Alentejo is to enjoy its slow pace, scenery, gastronomy and gentle ambience. This is the main reason why The Alentejo is the area of choice for most local people to visit to recharge and renew.

Here are a few highlight areas and experiences that Portugal by TravelTailors can offer you and your clients in the Alentejo region:

1. Beaches - Huge and long or quiet and secluded - always gorgeous!

Half of the huge Alentejo region is coastline and offers a variety of gorgeous beaches. Portugal by TravelTailors can design wonderful beach trips to get to the main, key beaches and also to more secluded ones on a private boat. We love nothing better than to design a glorious and relaxing coastline and beach cruise on a yacht or catamaran with a VIP picnic of Portuguese delicacies and wine on a secluded beach or private sandbank. We can also design beach days with horse riding, dolphin watching (curated by conservationists) canyoning, SUP, kayaking and visiting coastal nature reserves.

2. Diverse wine experiences

The Alentejo is an excellent wine-producing region with a long tradition and boasts wines that will surprise you with their excellence, aromas and colours which are as unique as the landscape and cuisine. The Alentejo region was once an expanse of wheat fields but today, the wheat fields have been replaced by vast vineyards, whose wines take in the power of the landscape and the heat. The white wines are aromatic, fresh and balanced, and the red wines -ruby, merlot or garnet-coloured - are more intense, full-bodied and at the same time smooth and slightly astringent. Some of the unique traditional wineries Portugal by TravelTailors' can organise for your clients to visit and taste their premium wines include Herdade das Servas, Dona Marina, Quinta do Quetzal, Quinta de Ribafreixo, Malhadinha Nova and Cartuxa.

The ancestry of “Vinho de Talha”

In Portugal, the Alentejo region has long been the guardian of “Vinho de Talha,” a technique developed by the Romans for making wine in clay amphorae called talhas. The talha winemaking process has been handed down from generation to generation throughout history, almost without change. Travel back in time with us and have a hands-on experience as you learn about this ancient winemaking process.

Southern Vineyards

The southern part of the Alentejo like Granja-Amareleja, Moura and Vidigueira has more challenging conditions for vineyards, with poor, limestone-based soils and a significantly hotter climate. Nonetheless, a new generation of producers, particularly around Vidigueira, have shown the potential of these southern parts of the Alentejo. Vineyards we like to take your clients to so that they can take part in wine tasting and tasting local gastronomy including Quinta do Quetzal, Quinta de Ribafreixo or Malhadinha Nova. The Ribafreixo Winery is a unique place where as well as a guided tour through the winery and vineyards guests also have a fantastic meal at the Panoramic Restaurant,. This restaurant welcomes diners in a refined ambience focused on wine-based themes with its delicious Alentejo style gastronomy, fine food created exclusively by chef Catarina Parreira, paired with the winery's greatest Wines and Kosher Olive Oil.

3. Unique Gastronomy Experiences & Picnics

The Alentejo - just like all regions in Portugal - has wonderful local gastronomy to enjoy. Alentejo traditional cuisine often has, as a base, pork, lamb and seafood. To these main ingredients, local herbs are added which grow wild on the plains or are cultivated in local herb gardens. The fine, locally-produced olive oil is also a staple ingredient. The region is also known for its cheese and sweet desserts. The creative cuisine of the Alentejo region is an authentic experience coming from the hands of the hardworking and friendly people who work the land of the region, from the olive trees to the vineyards to the animals in the fields. Portugal by TravelTailors loves to take your clients to traditional restaurants with laid-back and cosy environments where they will find very good examples of this gastronomy and organise traditional or luxury picnics in beautiful, private locations. We also specialise in "farm-to-table" gastronomy experiences.

Petiscos

In Portugal, these snacks are called "petiscos" and, similar to tapas in Spain, they offer an excellent way of trying multiple Portuguese flavours in one sitting. We love to offer guests petiscos on a picnic or in fabulous local "hole in the wall" restaurants to offer as much variety as possible.

Brotherhood of “Porco Preto” Ham

In Barrancos we offer a unique experience to visit a smokehouse where the famous Smoked Black Pork Ham is produced, known in Spain as “Pata Negra” and in Portugal as “Porco Preto”. Enjoy a VIP private visit, a Ham Carving Workshop and naturally the final prize, a tasting of the outstanding Ham. Uncover the secrets behind the traditional production of hams, shoulder cuts, black pork loins and sausages, a culinary treasure recognized worldwide.

Coastal Cusine and Cooking Lessons with Chef Artur - Setubal farmers' market.

One of Portugal by TravelTailors' favourite gastronomy experiences is where Chef Artur takes guests on an exclusive, private gastronomy tour along the seaside. Together guests will visit the famous Setubal farmers' market, where they will source the best and freshest local ingredients. Enjoy a traditional Portuguese breakfast with the chef at a local bakery and visit a shellfish farm to buy fresh seafood that they will cook for lunch. Explore the beautiful sights of the Atlantic Ocean from the Arrábida hills and stop at a cliff overlooking the water where chef Artur will head up a cooking lesson to help spin that bounty into a delicious lunch using the kitchen in his van and outdoor grilling. Partake in an informal lunch together, nap in the sun or take a plunge in the cool water at the nearby beach, before heading out to yet another small village - Azeitão to taste some special sweets and local wines.

4. Historic, picturesque towns and monuments - UNESCO listed

The Alentejo region has a large variety of picturesque, white-washed and fortified towns with rich Moorish and Jewish history and elegant monuments. A few examples that Portugal by TravelTailors like to take your guests to explore include:

Evora

Explore the medieval city of Évora, classified by UNESCO as a World Heritage City. Its walls have been guarding the streets and buildings practically unaltered throughout the centuries. Visit the enigmatic church of St. Francis and its famous and unique, Chapel of the Bones. Continue up the narrow streets of the old town reaching the Giraldo square where the Inquisition once had its headquarters. Visit the millennium-old Roman Temple and visit the interior of the 13th-century cathedral. Finish your walking tour with the wonderful 16th-century university, once a prestigious Jesuit college. Until the end of the 15th century, Évora was the headquarters of one of the largest Jewish communities in Portugal. The Jewry was located inside the fortress walls. It had two synagogues, a “mikveh” (place for ritual baths), a hospital and a leper colony. Some Jewish signs are still visible in the door jambs of houses in Rua do Raimundo, Rua dos Mercadores and Rua da Moeda.

Elvas

Set amidst the arid plains that form the border between Portugal and Spain is the uniquely well-preserved historic frontier town of Elvas. Elvas is a rather hidden gem in Portugal and is among the finest examples of intensive usage of the trace italienne (Star-shaped fort) in military architecture, and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2012. Behind the star-shaped fortress walls is a picturesque, tranquil town with many interesting sites to visit.

Estremoz

Estremoz is made up of beautiful whitewashed houses, which bring freshness to very warm days, and emerge from the immense landscape of olive groves and vineyards. Once the home of Roman and Muslims, a house of many kings and queens of Portugal, Estremoz has a rich heritage, both from the cultural and archaeological point of view. Two sets of medieval walls surround the town: the first set dates from the thirteenth century and lies around the "old town"; the second corresponds to the fence of fortified walls erected to defend the downtown of Estremoz during the war for the restoration of the Portuguese independence from Spain (17th century).

Palmela.

A small town, located in one of the hills of the Arrábida mountain range, which has over the centuries attracted the various military forces who have passed through the Iberian Peninsula. It is believed to owe its name to the Romans, specifically to a praetor called Palma. The Moorish were responsible for building the castle at its highest point, from where it dominates the whole area between the Sado and Tagus Rivers, and even the Sintra mountain range can be seen.

5. Castles - Marvão, Castelo de Vide, Castelo Branco and Belmonte

Alentejo has many impressive castles and fortified villages which were of great importance to the defensive lines of Portugal against Castille (Spain). Portugal by TravelTailors can include a fascinating historic tour of some of these in a tailor-made itinerary based on your interests. Some of the main castles your clients might like to visit include:

Marvão

The hilltop castle of Marvão is located at the most extreme eastern border of Portugal, on the highest crest of the Serra de São Mamede. Geographically, Marvão is a point of natural strategic defence, marked by steep slopes to the north, south, and west. Inside the walls are narrow streets lined with the beautiful popular houses that are typical of the Alentejo. Amidst them, it is easy to find Gothic arches, Manueline windows, wrought-iron balconies and other embellishments in the nooks and crannies of the buildings made from the local granite. This impressive fortress town served as an entry point for the thousands of Jews who fled Spain in the 15th and 14th centuries.

Castelo de Vide

Castelo de Vide is a small town with a castle on a hill. By the 14th Century, a large Jewish community existed here. The medieval layout of the streets combines with a Jewish influence on some of the street names, such as Rua da Judiaria (Street of Jews), Rua Nova (New Street), where Jews converting to Christianity lived and were known as new Christians, Rua do Arçário (Street of Arcades), the source of the community’s wealth and the Rua das Espinosas, named in honour of the 17th-century philosopher Spinoza, son of a Castelo de Vide resident. Learn about the medieval Jewish Quarter and its influence on local architecture.

Castelo Branco

A mediaeval Jewry quarter was recently discovered here. The typical Jewish architecture and the inscriptions on the thresholds are still visible in these streets that carry the names of their inhabitants’ professions. Castelo Branco was the birthplace in 1511 of the Jew João Rodrigues, also known as Amato Lusitano, who later became one of the 16th century’s most notable doctors. He had to flee from the Inquisition and died in Thessaloniki in 1568.

Belmonte

Belmonte was the main centre for the country’s community of Marrano (new Christian) Jews. Belmonte retains much of the medieval atmosphere of times when the Jewish community would have to practice its prayers, traditions and customs in secrecy even if Belmonte is now more than proud to be home to its synagogue. If clients are interested, Portugal by TravelTailors can arrange with the local community your participation in prayer, or attend the Shabbat.

6. Horse Riding on Huge Beaches, through Vinyards and across Scenic Plains - Lusitano Horses

A glorious experience that Portugal by TravelTailors' owner Paula Alves loves is riding horses in the Alentejo region. Comparta Beach is 60km long and a wonderful place to ride horses along the beach. Feel surrounded by nature, the purity of the air, the immense sky, the forest, the birds and the sea. Horse riding on the beach is also an opportunity to discover the beach flora, and wonderful botanical species that make the landscape so beautiful. Horse riding is also available all over the inland Alentejo regions where you can ride across huge plains and through vineyards.

Lusitano Thoroughbreds

Portugal by TravelTailors also loves to present your clients to the famous Portuguese Lusitano thoroughbred. The Lusitano thoroughbred is renowned for its' noble characteristics and willingness to please; highly intelligent, with a majestic appearance. In Alter do Chão your clients can visit the Coudelaria Alter Real, founded by King D. João V in 1748, with the purpose of breeding Lusitano horses for the Royal Paddock. This was one of the most important Lusitano breeding institutions in the country and it kept the king’s expressed wishes of preserving the Lusitano purebred. The Coudelaria offers different educational activities in its 300 hectares of beautiful landscape, focused on the development and dissemination of environmental preservation and Lusitano heritage. It´s also possible to view the mares leaving for pasture (which in Portuguese we call “Éguada”) which leaves the viewer with a strong and memorable image of the horses running free in the field.

7. Watersports both inland and at the coast

Alentejo region has many different areas where you can enjoy a wide variety of water sports. You can go stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) both on Lake Alqueva inland and also at spots on the beach such as the lagoon at Santo Andre Natural Reserve. there are also places to go (sea) kayaking, canyoning and snorkelling in Parque Natural da Arrábida as well as observing groups of Dolphins with the biologists who work to protect them.

Kayaking from Portinho da Arrábida to visit remote beaches.

Discover the beach of Portinho da Arrabida and its coastline by sea, and admire the beautiful cliffs, caves and hidden beaches. Kayaking is one of the best ways to discover the impressive coastline of Arriba. The fact of not having the noise of a motor gives you an even nicer way to admire the beautiful cliffs, caves and hidden beaches. The kayak tour from Portinho da Arrábida takes around 2 hours and includes stops at beautiful beaches for resting and snorkelling.

Water Sports at Lake Alqueva.

The Great Lake resulting from the Alqueva Reservoir provides the perfect place for spending a few days relaxing and in good company. Welcome to one of the largest artificial lakes in Europe, built on the River Guadiana. It has a reservoir of 250 km2 and covers five Alentejo municipalities. The lake has brought an amazing environment to this region. Where once there were fields of olive trees, cork oaks and holm oaks, today there is water and renewed life, with optimal conditions for outdoor activities and for water sports such as sailing, water-skiing and wakeboarding, or for invigorating trips by canoe or kayak. For lovers of hiking and biking, there are marked trails to be followed. These are a great way to discover the customs and traditions and to mix with the local population. At the Great Lake, it's easy to let yourself be captivated by rural tourism while appreciating the simple pleasures of country life and contemplating the surrounding nature.

SUP at Santo Andre Lagoon.

The Natural Reserve of the Lagoons of Santo André and Sancha occupies part of the Alentejo coast and is an excellent spot for SUP. The Natural Reserve is made up of the Santo André Lagoon, the largest lagoon on the Alentejo coast with around 500 hectares, and the smaller Sancha Lagoon (15 hectares). Its protected status recognizes the high ecological value of these two wetlands and their surrounding areas, which also include its magnificent sand dunes.

8. Wellness - yoga, spa, hot air ballooning and stargazing experiences

We know that the Alentejo is constantly challenging our senses. From the wine palates to its varied gastronomy to its wonderful landscapes and great lakes. It is also a perfect location for a more relaxing travel experience where wellness takes centre stage. Portugal by TravelTailors can design wonderful itineraries to include more relaxing activities such as yoga, spa treatments, hot air ballooning and star gazing. We work with a wide range of wellness and yoga experts, hotels, spas and private locations to be able to design creative, wellness itineraries.

The Alentejo is a great location for dark skies and stargazing experiences. There are many places such as the Alqueva Lake Observatory and specific hotels and other locations that are perfect for this unique and inspiring experience. Another activity that people love is to take a hot air balloon ride. Alentejo has the perfect weather conditions for a peaceful and safe balloon ride. With the guidance of an experienced pilot, your clients can admire the golden fields, the pastures, the horses, the granite castles, and the whitewashed houses of Alentejo.

We do hope that you found this article about the Altenjo region of Portugal and what our DMC Portugal by TravelTailors can offer you and your clients there of interest.

For more information, you can see a 40min webinar presentation on the Alentejo region from Paula Alves HERE.

Connect with Portugal by TravelTailors on the www.Squirrel-fish.com platform to get access to copyright-free images, videos and other useful digital resources.

Do not hesitate to contact us if you would like to set up a meeting with me or Paula Alves from Portugal by TravelTailors to find out more about how they can support you and your clients in Portugal.

Webinar on the Alentejo Region - Portugal by Travel Tailors