Alegrete
Alegrete is a pretty hilltop village situated South of Portalegre and just a few kilometres from Casa dos Sonhos. It still maintains its quaint traditional looking houses some with distinctive arched doorways especially in the old part of the village which stretches from Largo do Coreto (bandstand) up to the remains of the 14th century castle. From the ramparts of the old castle you have a clear view of the farmland below dotted with olive groves and the vast Alentejo plain with views all the way back to Besteiros.
Estremoz
Estremoz has a wonderful market held every saturday in its main square lined with marble buildings and floored with marble cobble stones and kerb stones. The market sells everything you may wish to buy, its famous for its local cheeses and speciality chorizo sausages, it also has a large second hand and antique section including furniture and jewellery and perhaps the odd entire cart!
Evora
Evora is a day trip from the cottage and is UNESCO listed with its Roman remains, Moorish castles and interesting chapel of bones, we have a great restaurant we can make a reservation for you here, its rated as Portugals best restaurant and we agree, though it isnt expensive at all.
