Portugal

Slap bang in the heart of southern Portugal, stretching over one third of the country, from the Atlantic coast to the Spanish border and from the south bank of the Tagus down to the Algarve, lies sleepy Alentejo. Its coastal region is a long stretch of wild cliffs and untouched beaches, its undulating hinterlands an undiscovered territory of empty roads, white villages, cork-tree forests, vineyards and olive groves. Its evocative hilltop castles are reminders of the many battles and conquests of yore. The patios and gardens bear witness to the rich influence of the North African Arabs, roots that shaped the people and the nature of this sultry region.

The alluring coastline of southern Portugal has long attracted those seeking sun-drenched beaches and attractive coastal villages. The region has been described as being ‘blessed with windswept dunes, powdery sands, ocher cliffs, and natural grottoes’. We have created an itinerary that takes in the coastline starting just south of Lisbon in Palmela and finishing in Lagos, staying in unique hotels ranging from pousadas to rural inns.