Discover Portugal's Hidden Food Gem

Portugal has a region with great food and wine.

When thinking of Portugal, people often think of Lisbon or the Algarve. But there's a better place for a holiday with good food, wine, and a relaxed atmosphere.

This place is called Alentejo. Next year, its main town, Évora, will be the European Capital of Culture. It's a small town with a lot of character.

Walking in Évora feels like being in a lively, friendly place where everyone knows each other.

The people of Alentejo have a way of life called 'vagar', which means taking things easy and enjoying life.

Vagar is about having a slow lunch, drinking good wine, and not being in a hurry. It's a great way to live.

There's a modern hotel in a 16th-century palace in Évora.

The hotel is called M'ar De Ar Aqueduto.

I stayed at the M'ar De Ar Aqueduto hotel in Évora. It's a contemporary hotel in a historic building.

The hotel has a beautiful pool under the old stone arches of the city's aqueduct. There's also another great place to stay called Moagem Industrial Lodge.

Moagem Industrial Lodge is in an old grain mill. It's a mix of old and new, with the original machinery still there.

If you like city breaks, you might also like Cagliari in Sardinia.

Évora's buildings are a mix of old and new, with white walls and yellow and blue decorations.

The city's architecture shows its history, with buildings from different times. The yellow and blue decorations are traditional and also help keep insects away.

The Aqueduto da Água de Prata is a long, old aqueduct with homes and shops under its arches.

At the top of the city, there's a Roman temple from the 1st century. But there's also Roman history under the city.

Under the City Hall, there's an old Roman bath complex. Évora also has a strange but interesting attraction called the Chapel of Bones.

The Chapel of Bones was built by monks and has thousands of human skulls and bones on its walls. It's a powerful reminder of life and death.

The nuns in Évora made sweet treats like Pão de Rala using sugar and egg yolks.

There are many nice restaurants in Évora.

Évora is known for its food, which is made with local ingredients and traditional recipes. We tried the local sweets first.

The sweets were invented by nuns who mixed sugar with egg yolks. For savory food, you can choose from many restaurants.

In Évora, pork is a popular ingredient, even in desserts. You can also try the local cheese, Queijo de Évora, or a sweet wine called Marquês de Borba Late Harvest.

What makes Évora and Alentejo special is their wine. If you can, visit during the Évora Wine Festival in May.

The festival is a fun celebration with wine tastings and good food. I liked the Comenda Grande Rosé, which is dry and fruity.

I also liked the Quinta do Quetzal 'Arte' Red, which goes well with pork. For a white wine, the Porta da Ravessa is fresh and citrusy.

The wine in Alentejo is great, making it a must-visit place for food and wine lovers.

You should visit the medieval village of Monsaraz.

Monsaraz is an old village on a hill near the Spanish border. It has narrow streets and a 14th-century castle.

The village is like a museum, with old houses and a castle. You can walk on the castle walls and see the countryside.

For more information, visit the Alentejo website. You can stay at the M'ar De Ar Aqueduto hotel for around £120 per night.

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