Sunvil - The Alentejo, Portugal

March 24, 2011 - PRLog -- Where is the Alentejo?
It’s south of Lisbon and north of the Algarve.  To the west is the wonderful unspoilt Atlantic coast and a National Park that’s largely empty.  To the east is Spain.  Unbelievably, the Alentejo makes up one-third of Portugal.  It’s claimed to be like the Algarve was some forty years ago – little known and with very few visitors, despite its warm weather and good food and wine.

Why is it such excellent value for money?
Portugal itself is one of the best value-for-money destinations in Europe.  Add that to a new charter flight direct into Beja, in the heart of the Alentejo, and holidays that lead in at just £399 pp (two sharing) - £57 pp pn - for seven nights’ accommodation and breakfast (including flights from Heathrow and transfers), and you’ve got a winning formula for these budget-conscious times.  It’s a short flight, too – just 2 hours 40 minutes from London on a direct flight to get there.

What is there to do and see?
For culture vultures, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Evora, with its palaces, marble buildings and much more.  “The most beautiful city I know in Portugal”, says Noel Josephides of Sunvil Discovery, experts in Portugal since 1984.

For foodies, the traditional Alentejo fare offers much to savour in the region’s many excellent restaurants.  Try the freshest of fish from the nearby coast, the many cheeses and locally-reared lamb and beef.  The area is known as the bread basket of Portugal and boasts vast fields of wheat and other grains.

For wine lovers, tours of vineyards – often with the owners – and tastings of excellent vintages will inspire a whole new perspective on award-winning Portuguese wines.

For keen photographers or painters, the highly photogenic scenery and ancient, white-washed villages and towns with their hill-top castles, gardens and distant views will offer plenty of opportunities to practice their art.

For walkers, cyclists and lovers of the outdoors, there are cork forests, fields of sunflowers, vines, olive groves and citrus trees to enjoy – all with the luxury of space and no-one blocking views or the little-used roads and paths.  

For those keen on water-sports, there’s surfing on the Atlantic coast, plus Alqueva Lake, the largest artificial lake in Europe at 250 sq km (93 km long), where you can live on board a boat if you choose – or just explore the waterside villages at your leisure and watch the bird life.

What’s the weather like?
Summers are hot – you’ll enjoy the hotel’s swimming pool after a day’s sight-seeing!  Winters are cold, and Spring and Autumn offer long sunny days and a comfortable average temperature of 15°C.

When do the new weekly flights start?
On 22nd May, 2011, on Sundays from London Heathrow to Beja, in the heart of The Alentejo, departing at 0600 hours (arriving 0840) and returning at 0940 hours (arriving at 1230).  Flights run from 22nd May to the first week of October.

What sort of flight will it be – the usual bunfight?
Far from it!  The flights are courtesy of an Embraer 49-seater operated by BMI, with full service catering included in the price and a generous luggage allowance of 20 kg – more akin to the pleasurable flying experiences of many years ago than today’s no-frills offerings.

How do I find out more and book?
Visit www.realalentejo.co.uk or call specialist Sunvil Discovery on 020 8758 4722 to talk to one of its expert team for advice on a tailor-made holiday to suit your personal interests.

Ends
24th March, 2011

Press:  For more information and images, please contact Mika Bishop at Travel PR on 020 8891 4440 (m.bishop@travelpr.co.uk).

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