Tag Archives: Heritage

Portugal: Weekend in Évora – Day 2

Portugal-Alentejo-Evora-Walking-Tour-11-Photo©Mademoiselle Le K

Between Art And History

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Fórum Fundação Eugénio de Almeida

After a brunch at the rooftop pool of the Vitória Stone Hotel roof, I head (this time without bike) to the historic center of Évora, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Facing the Roman Temple, the Fórum of the Fundação Eugénio de Almeida, where I visit the exhibition, “All Heritage is Poetry“.

And then, surprise, surprise upon entering the first room: an art piece of Ai Weiwei, Stone Pilar (above right). In the first photo of this post: at the entrance of the exhibition, one can read on a table, “O e a amanha Questão” (“Tomorrow is the question“), a reflection on what are heritage and its conservation. The visit of the Forum and the exhibition was exciting. 

The left picture below: a ceiling dating back to the terrible Portuguese Inquisition, which lasted nearly three centuries (from the 15th to the 18th century). Part of the premises of the Foundation Eugénio de Almeida is located in the former Palace of the Inquisition (exterior view of the building on the fourth picture below).  

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Strolling And Looking Up

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Taking Time

I like to walk when people have lunch at the terrace of restaurants. The streets and sights are deserted. I can focus on my photos, see and discover. And when we travel two, I prefer to be photographed when there is none.

On the above left photo: I dream having the same terrace. Photos below: Páteo de São Miguel, one of the properties of the Fundação Eugénio de Almeida. In the courtyard, a contemporary art work and a bench covered with ancient tiles, Azulero

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A Small Museum

A l’entrée du Páteo de São Miguel, se trouve le musée des calèches (Coleção de Carruagens). En plus des calèches, on découvre dans un court métrage l’histoire de la famille Eugénio de Almeida. At the entrance of Páteo de São Miguel, you can visit the Museum of Carriages Coleção de Carruagens). Besides the carriages, you can discover in a short film of the Eugénio de Almeida family’s story.

A travel through time: a tailcoat suit in giant trunk and toiletry and hat bags …

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Late in The Afternoon

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Walking Through A Maze Of Narrow Streets

with buildings lined with yellow or blue paint. Meeting with above-away rare passersby. I end my long walk (begun in late morning) at the terrace of Páteo.

See you soon in Comporta for a surf session with my happy team (of the rafting and bike)! To be continued…

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Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés.

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Visit Alentejo & Visit Portugal 

Related posts : DESTINATIONSLIFESTYLEHOTEL REVIEWS

Many thanks to Visit Alentejo and Visit Portugal to this beautiful invitation. As always, these are my opinions.

Weekend in Évora – Day 1

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Cycling Tour of Évora

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Departure From The Ecorkhotel

The night was too short. I always need to redo my suitcase X times until no time … As a result, now my dream team is already on bikes, while I have a green tea break in the patio of the Ecorkhotel  (photo below).

In front of the hotel, our two guides including Teresa Vilas Boas, the owner of Touraventur, explain us our bike tour of Évora (photos below). We start by crossing countryside, because the Ecorkhotel is located on the outskirts of the city and historic center classified World Heritage by Unesco.

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The Capela dos Ossos

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We stop at the Capela dos Ossos (Chapel of Bones), built in the 16th century by a Franciscan monk. Upon the entry, it says: “Nós ossos que aqui estamos pelos vossos esperamos” (“We bones that here are, for yours await”, traduction Wikipedia). 

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The Beautiful University of Évora

We take up our bikes and the street steeply climbs and then goes down! This is the first time I use a bike with gears (I think so, LOL)! What a surprise when visiting the Évora University, built by the Jesuits in 1559 and closed in 1759 by the Marquis of Pombal!

The walls of classrooms and corridors are covered with Azulejos (photos below). The kind of university where I would have liked studying!

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Wine Tasting and Shopping

To be honest, I’m not fond of the wine tasting, except when I visit a “terroir” (vineyards) or have a wine tasting course like in the Ecole des vins de Bordeaux (the School of Bordeaux wines, in Bordeaux, France). But I really enjoy the decor of the Ervideira wine cellar in a small shopping street in the historic center (left below).

Just opposite, I discovered a restaurant very popular with the local youth … and just about everyone: the Páteo. Before the last bike climb in narrow streets leading to the famous Roman Temple from the second century, I spot these beautiful colorful dishes. And to buy homemade jams : Loja Mó sells products made by people with a handicap.

Pictured below: near the Roman Temple, the Convent of Lóios which is now a pousada. Around 3 p.m., we have lunch. By late afternoon, I finally bring my luggage in the Vitória Stone Hotel, a new design hotel. Well, I feel fantastic, just a few leg cramps (LOL)! To be continued…

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Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés.

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Visit AlentejoVisit Portugal & Turaventur

Related posts : DESTINATIONSLIFESTYLE & HOTEL REVIEWS

Many thanks to Visit Alentejo and Visit Portugal for this amazing invitation. Also thanks to the great team of Turaventur to turn this bike tour in real pleasure! As always these are my opinions.

Casa da Cisterna, Portugal

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Heritage Village

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It’s Time To Hit The Road Again, Miss!

Last March, I was invited in Switzerland, to a conference about a luxury travel (a post soon). The first topic was to define today luxury: we all agree to define it by experience and service. And Casa da Cisterna is a perfect mix of these two concepts!

During my trip to the Center of Portugal, I had a real crush on this little gem nestled in the castle of Castelo Rodrigo, a medieval village overlooking a wide plain. Olympian calm and a view to die for! To open a book and curl up in a hammock.

Speaking of experience, Ana Berliner, the charming owner of Casa da Cisterna and her great team have prepared a surprise: a wilderness dinner atop a mountain overlooking Spain. Simple and elegant: one of the best memories of my stay in the Center!

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My Room

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Intimate

The more I travel, fewer places where instantly, I feel really good! Beyond the decor, it is first a question of energy, space and light. Upon entering my room, I had this reassuring diffused sensation of clarity, sharpness and sweetness.

Each room is decorated differently. The facilities are new, with separate shower and toilet, and the bedding is impeccable. In a weekend, I removed 15 days of insomnia :)) Photo below: the golden morning light and breakfast on the terrace. I never tire of the view!

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Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés

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Visit PortugalTCP/ARPT Centro de Portugal, TAPA2Z AdventuresHistorical Villages

Related posts : DESTINATIONS & HOTEL REVIEWS

Many thanks for this beautiful invitation to Visit Portugal, TCP/ARPT Centro de Portugal and TAP. Many thanks to Ana Berliner and the lovely team of Casa Cisterna. As always these are my opinions.