Alentejo
The
Alentejo is a huge region covering about one third of Portugal's landmass.
The countryside varies hugely: vast wheat plains, vineyards, cork and
eucalyptus forests all interspersed with the lakes formed by the dams
that Salazar was so fond of creating. The nearest large town is Beja with
and Serpa where they are famous for their white sheep's cheese making
an interesting side visit.
Closest towns to the Algarve are Almodovar, Ourique and Castro Verde and the very pretty village of Santa Clara a Velha which has a huge lake, Pousada and an excellent little restaurant.
The
walled city of Evora is the largest in the region and is listed as one
of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites due to the survival of it's roman, moorish,
medieval and 17th century architecture. The countryside round about it
full of paeleolithic and neolithic sites including dolmens and cave paintings.
The towns on the spanish border such as Serpa, Vila Viçosa, Elvas
and Estremoz are said to be worth visiting although we haven't yet managed
to do so.