Alentejo
To the south of Portugal, beyond the River Tagus ("além do Tejo" in Portuguese), there stretches a vast, undulating and seemingly never-ending plain: the Alentejo.
It is easy to become completely enveloped in its landscape, a clear expression of the harmony that can still exist between humankind and nature. Dotted here and there, amidst the vibrant colours of spring or the ochre hues of autumn, are to be seen brilliant white houses, with their doors and windows framed in blue or yellow. Standing like watchful sentinels in the midst of this great immensity are the so-called "eagle's nests": centuries-old towns nestling behind their defensive walls and awaiting your peaceful "attack".
Here you can follow the trail of the many peoples that have co-existed in these plains over the years and left behind them a host of memories to enrich present-day Portugal: the Roman, Mudéjar and Jewish cultures have all passed through here and left their indelible marks. Perhaps you would like to go back even further? The Alentejo is extremely rich in archaeological remains that bear testimony to different stages in the development of human life over thousands of years.
Make sure that your tour takes in cities such as Évora, classified as a world heritage site and steeped in almost two thousand years of history, Vila Viçosa, the home of the last king of Portugal, or Beja, the home of Soror Mariana, the lovelorn nun, who, shut inside her convent, looked out over the plains from her window and wrote passionate love letters to her dashing French army captain, or perhaps Portalegre, in the heart of the São Mamede National Park.
The calm and beautiful beaches along the Costa Vicentina are much sought after, mainly because they still retain most of their natural features and provide excellent conditions for water sports.
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