Blogs from Alentejo, Portugal, Europe - page 4

Geo: 39.4104, -7.34076Shortly after waving off neighbours Nick and Caroline yesterday (Wednesday) morning we set off on our bikes (ashamed to say it is the first time I have used mine for about a month) turning left outside the gates, along quiet lanes. The landscape was very reminiscent of parts of the UK with its boulders, dry stone walls and oak trees, but the cork trees were somewhat alien to us.Fascinating fact about cork: did you know that once the tree is about 25 years old it is harvested from the tree once every ten years which is why you see a year number painted on the trunk? Also, Portugal produces about 50% of the world's corks.Anyhow, our ride suited me down to the ground since the road surface was quite smooth, very little traffic, beautiful ... read more

We had a bad night , Suzy rocked with the thud, thud of the music from the club across the road and she rattled from the beat of the traffic passing by. Even Sion hid inside his comfort blanket and friend Baa Baa the sheep. We called in to ask for a refund and were curtly told no chance. Perhaps by now we should have learned to check the site and the plots first before parting with money. And best of all only pay for one night until the campsite proves a good place to stay. We were glad to leave the city and head out again into the Portuguese countryside. The roads were yet again empty. It was Monday morning after all and we are now heading back home. We have reached the furthest point ... read more

Alentejo.... - Evora... read more

Ao contrário do que planearmos – descansar umas horas antes da partida – foi com entusiasmo e excitação, que chegamos à estação das Devesas, com as nossas bicicletas equipadas, cerca da 1h da manhã. A partida no comboio regional estava agendada para a 1h35min. Não poderíamos começar de forma mais baralhada toda a programação logística: devido a incêndios que lavravam áreas por onde passavam os comboios os atrasos eram muitos e as incertezas da realização da nossa viagem eram grandes. As 2h15min da manhã fomos informados que estava prestes a chegar às Devesas, o comboio que nos levaria à Gare do Oriente, em Lisboa; tudo estava em aberto. Depois do congestionamento e esperas em algumas estações da linha, chegamos a Lisboa às 7h35min. De imediato tomamos o comboio da CP que faria a ligação à estação ... read more

Located in Alentejo - Santiago do Cacém - is one of Portugal's must visit sights. The Badoca Safari Park offers you the chance to do a real safari and get close to natures wonders and wildlife - it's a unique experience for families and all kind of travelers and nature lovers. You get to see many african animals such as zebras, giraffs, tigers and buffalos - soon there'll be lions and a rhyno! - kangaroos and crocodiles! and lots of other mammals and wildlife (and also some farm and mountain animals). There is also a bird exhibit with meat-eating birds - eagles, hawks and owls - and many nature related atractions like the new river rapids ride. A whole day in the park plus a 2-hour safari will cost you only 16.5 euros (14.5 eur for ... read more