Tag Archives: Travel

Portugal: Weekend in Évora – Day 2

Posted on July 23, 2016 | Leave a comment

Between Art And History

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).

Strolling And Looking Up

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.

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 …

Late in The Afternoon

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…

Informations

Visit Alentejo & Visit Portugal

Related posts : DESTINATIONS, LIFESTYLE& HOTEL REVIEWS

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

Weekend in Évora – Day 1

Posted on July 11, 2016 | Leave a comment

Cycling Tour of Évora

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.

The Capela dos Ossos

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).

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!

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…

Informations

Visit Alentejo, Visit Portugal & Turaventur

Related posts : DESTINATIONS, LIFESTYLE & 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.

Portugal: Alentejo Road Trip

Posted on July 5, 2016 | 4 comments

Near Arronches

Bela Natureza

This morning, departure from Avis towards Arronches, in the district of Portalegre (Alto Alentejo, close to the Spanish border). On the program: visit the most important group of prehistoric cave paintings outdoors in Portugal, in the Junco Valley (Vale de Junco).

Classified national monument, they were designed between 4000 and 2000 years before Christ and represent the consecration of the place: the scientific interpretations differ (photo below). Last year I returned to the superb Archaeological Museum of Côa (Centre of Portugal). I am fan: child, I wanted to be a paleontologist, archaeologist …

Magnificent nature! We continue with a walk on the walking path PR1 ARR “Feel Alentejo Nature” – Percurso Pedestrian da Esperança (about 6km / 1:45 / low difficulty level) in the Serra of Sao Mamede Natural Park. Better than a thousand words, a few photos! And old girlfriends, cows ; )

Estremoz

The Old Town

Estremoz for lunch. I really enjoy the small intimate streets of the old town, deserted at lunchtime. Occasionally, a silhouette crosses. The contrast between blue sky and white walls, brightness, the South. As a photographer, I need a beautiful natural light!

What I also really like in Portugal, Japan and Croatia: it’s clean, streets are super clean. A real pleasure!

The Lunch

A place not to miss the Mercearia Gadanha restaurant, where we had a long lunch. Very good food in a cool atmosphere and decoration (photos below). And for chocolate addicts: a large selection of chocolates (including Belgian chocolates) in the deli section of the restaurant.

Monsaraz

Open-air Museum

Like Saint Emilion in France, Monsaraz is an open-air museum medieval city in which you aimlessly wander … Just for the pleasure. And enjoy an Alentejo wine tasting on the rooftop terrace of the Ervideira winery.

Some boho shops, winding clean streets and an arena that in September and Easter hosts bullfighting festivals. And panoramic views of the river Rio Guadiana (last photo). Now we drive to the famous Évora.