Alentejo region of Portugal?

[cruisinred]

Has anyone been to the Alentejo region of Portugal, east of Lisbon? I have heard it described as an undiscovered Tuscany or Provence. Any feedback of places to see or places to stay would be most welcome.



Thanks/Obrigado

[kyshel]

My nephew fell in love with anyplace that got him out of France, on the way to Portugal BUT he stayed just left of Carcassonne and raved about everything. I think he spent all his money and had to thumb to the next stop, so, if you would like the name of his little dream hotel, I'll get it.
I'm a huge fan of Lisbon. After researching so many places to stay, I came across a great little hotel with huge terrace rooms.
Albergaria Senhora Do Monte has the absolute best view of Lisboa. Granted, although their standard rooms are hardly worth staying in, the patio rooms are outstanding. email [email protected] for rates IF they have availability in terrace rooms. Our terrace was tiled in traditional Portugese blue and white--floor and walls, with bouganvilla tendrils vining around the seats and wrought iron rails. If you get really jet-lagged, the padded chaises are wonderful for a cat-nap. The placement of the hotel is interesting itself--near some of the most prominant churches above the city--trams will take you within blocks to the Graca Square, but getting a taxi to figure out the one-way streets can be tricky. Once you get the driver to the highest point in Lisboa, you can get within a block of your hotel, if you're game to walk the last part. Knowing a bit of Brasilian Portugese helped me, but I suggest getting exact directions from the extremely helpful desk staff at the hotel.
From your terrace, you look down into the heart of Lisboa, past the river and out to sea. Oh, and just to your left is the Castelo, which is illuminated in a gloious golden glow, to draw your attention from the city view at night.
The neighborhood is pleasant, with little restaurants and bistros--very local! and very inexpensive. You can buy foods and wine to take back to savor as you relax after a full day of museums, monasteries and shopping.

[cruisinred]

We just booked our first trip to Portugal. My husband has wanted to go for a long time, and the idea grew on me as I read that it is one of the last 'undiscovered' corners of Europe....if one makes the effort to go the less developed areas.



We're spending 3 days at the Lapa Place in Lisbon (with a luxlink deal of course) and then driving east to the Alentejo region and staying at this quaint b&b : www.casadeterena.comfor 2 nights.