Portugal, California of Europe

Portugal is a great country to go on holiday. Thanks to its beautiful climate Portugal becomes known as the California of Europe! Also in the late autumn and even on sunny days in winter you can still enjoy the sun, sea and sand.

The Algarve is Portugal's most famous, but misses the authenticity of what the country has to offer. In order to see the real Portugal, a visit to the Alentejo definitely is recommended.

Just above the Algarve you will find the Alentejo. The Alentejo lies  in the south of Portugal, between the Tagus River and the Algarve. In the east it borders with Spain in the west to the Atlantic Ocean. It is a vast, predominantly rural region is sparsely populated, and about a third of the Portuguese territory occupies. The beauty of the landscape, the quality of archaeological, historic, architectural and ethnographic heritage and gastronomy and excellent wines provide the conditions for a discovery of the coexistence of nature - culture and tourism.

The Alentejo is particularly suitable for active tourism and tourism in nature. The beautiful landscape invites to hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. The municipal roads despite the lack of bike paths, suitable for cycling. On the rivers, lakes and the coast are many watersports.

The beaches are beautiful. And the air is, in this fantastic climate, ideal to go parachuting, paragliding, glider or balloon sail.

Something you definitely do not want to miss, is the coast of the Alentejo. It remains fascinating to this part of the Alentejo. Along the marshes of the estuary of the Sado going, you reach a vast coastline between the point of Tróia income cape Sines forms an uninterrupted sandy beach. In the interior is the lush green of the Serra of Grândola on, the cork oak forests are interspersed with dense pine forests, the rivers run in beautiful lakes and the abundance of water gives life to the many rice fields. Suddenly the landscape. South of Sines, the wind and the sea, like a chisel and a hammer, along with the fantasy of the geological times, for the most strange shapes ensured cliffs were carved, slate blocks were rounded, rows of dunes formed along the beaches small secret beaches were formed and disappeared again, got new vegetation types, the coastal plain was smoothed and gave food to algae, fish, reptiles, birds and rare mammals the Alentejo is nature. It's a fascinating history museum associated with the life of nature, and that is the reason that this area has deserved to be classified: three Protected Areas, The Nature of the Estuary of the Sado and the Lakes of Santo André and Sancha, and the Natural Park of Southwest Alentejo and Vicentine Coast.

In short, once visit this beautiful region in Portugal, instead of the more famous Tuscany in Italy or the Dordogne in France. There is a world to open for you and one thing is certain: You keep coming back!

Casas de Fèrias Alentejo

O Monte Vale Pereiro está localizado em Portugal, no Litoral Alentejano, perto de Vila Nova de Milfontes e Cercal do Alentejo, a quinze minutos do Oceano Atlântico e das suas recatadas e bonitas praias. O Monte Vale Pereiro é composto por três confortáveis casas,cuja localização oferece a possibilidade para fazer caminhadas,ciclismo e equitação. 

A propriedade de mais de doze hectares, está rodeada pela natureza, árvores de fruto, estábulos, cavalos e uma piscina. Toda a propriedade é alimentada a energia solar e eólica. Cada uma das casas oferece uma vista única, rodeada de uma beleza natural envolvente. Aqui tem a possibilidade de ter umas férias de aventura, andar de bicicleta pelos montes e vales ou percorrer inesquecíveis caminhos a cavalo. 

Cada um dos nossos convidados tem acesso a um espaço adicional: a natureza circundante. Abra a porta e caminhe ao longoda propriedade coberta de eucaliptos. Encontrará imensos lugares para se sentar e relaxar,tomar café e conversar. Em tempo de Verão a nossa refrescante piscina está composta por esperguiçadeiras, de modo a poder usufruir do clima maravilhoso que caracteriza esta região.

Do Alentejo Litoral é o local ideal para encontrar o sol, do mar relaxamento, natureza e cultura local. É também um destino para todo o ano, para fãs do ar livre, bicicleta, BTT, passeios a pé, passeios a cavalo, observação de pássaros, caminhadas e desportos aquáticos, além de outras actividades possíveis.


Visite Casas de férias Alentejo

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Visit Monte Vale Pereiro directly or make your booking by one of her partners
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Make dreams become true and visit the beatifull regions of Portugal.

Birdwatching in Portugal

Birdwatchers
  

For the birders among you there is quite something to see. The Alentejo is a paradise for bird watchers. In the vicinity of the estate are numerous stork nests, even the black stork is seen in the vicinity. Common birds are the bee-eater, hoopoe, the little eagle and golden eagle, the crested cuckoo, the red-backed shrike and Red Head, the putter and many other species.

Organised walks from 2 to 10 miles are possible and are served by tourist offices in the surrounding area.

At least don't forget your binoculars! 

Birds spotted:

Black Kite
Black Redstart
Catle Egret
Common Raven
Common Redstart
Common Stonechat
Corn Bunting
Crested Tit
European Bee-eter
European Nuthatch
European Serin
Goldfinch
Great Grey Shrike
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Hoppoe
Imperial Eagle
Little Bustard
Long-legged Buzzard
Marsh Tit
Red Kite
Red-legged Partridge
Short-toed Treecreeper
Spotless Sparkling
White Stork  

bron: Monte Vale Pereiro Holidayhomes Portugal

Vila Nova de Milfontes

De kust van de Alentejo heeft vele gezichten. In het zuiden vind je grillige, steile kliffen met kleine stranden en vissershaventjes. Verder naar het noorden wisselen witte duinen af met blauwe lagunes en uitgestrekte rijstvelden. Nabij Monte Vale Pereiro ligt de gezellige badplaats Vila Nova de Milfontes.

Vila Nova de Milfontes is een plaats (freguesia) in de Portugese gemeente Odemira en telt 4258 inwoners. In de  zomer ligt dat aantal met de komst van toeristen rond de 50.000..

Vila Nova de Milfontes is een geliefde badplaats voor de Portugezen en heeft buiten het dorp een eigen vissershaven. Er zijn stranden aan de riviermonding en aan de zee. De nabij gelegen plaatsen Säo Luis, Cercal en Odemira zijn een bezoekje waard. Je proeft het Portugese leven.

Vila Nova dankt zijn naam, "Milfonte" aan de talrijke fonteinen. Vrij vertaald betekend het de stad van de duizend fonteinen.  Het voormalig kasteel is nu een internationaal hotel. Wie zijn sportieve krachten wil meten kan mountainbiken en in de nabije omgeving golfsurfen en kanovaren. De sportvisser kan kiezen voor de Atlantische Oceaan of de Rio Mira.Paardrijden, jeep-safari, waterfietsen en zeevissen is ook mogelijk..

Vila Nova de Milfomtes grenst aan Parque Natural do Sudoeste de Alentejano e Costa Vicentina. Het park heeft een prachtige flora en fauna. Onder dit beschermde gebied vallen ook de duinen en de stranden. Deze stranden bestaan afwisselend uit zand en mooie rotsformaties met kleine baaien. Er zijn talloze restaurantjes in alle prijsklassen, markten met verse groenten, vlees en vis. In de omgeving is er regelmatig een zigeunermarkt.  


bron: Monte Vale Pereiro Vakantiehuizen Portugal

Porto Covo

  

The coast of the Alentejo has many faces. In the south, rugged, steep cliffs with small beaches and fishing ports. Further north, exchanging white dunes with blue lagoons and lush rice fields. Less than 9 miles from Monte Vale Pereiro is the welcoming resort of Porto Covo.

Porto Covo about 1,400 inhabitants as of 2008. It is located at the coast, about 8 miles south of the port of Sines. Since 1990, it has become a popular destination for tourism due to its beaches (many of them being only small coves between rocks), natural beauty and fine dining. During the summer the population almost increases tenfold with people coming from all over the country to their vacation homes, rented apartments and campgrounds. Pessegueiro Island, with its fort, geographically departs from the territory of the freguesia of Porto Covo.

Porto Covo is a popular holiday destination among the Portuguese. No mass tourism, but in summer just pretty busy.

Beaches of Porto Covo:
There are no beaches as the beaches of Porto Covo, one of the most beautiful villages of the country, and, for certain, one of the most beautiful coasts. Praia Grande and the Beach of Pessegueiro Island are the widest and the most accessible, but the whole parish's coast is full of small beaches with fine sand and clear waters, separated by large rocks, that look like they were made to create a feeling of intimacy and exclusivity. The beaches are for everyone, but we feel like saying: choose yours! Vieirinha, Oliveirinha, Foz, Burrinho, Samouqueira (the magnificent Samouqueira…), Pequena, Espingardeiro, Búzios, are some of the names of these treasures as small as they are precious. All these beaches have good sanitary conditions, but some of them have a difficult access and have no permanent surveillance.

Pessegueiro Island is one of the municipality’s most interesting places, either from the historic or from the landscape point of view. The island has ruins of a Roman port and in the cliff in front of it stands the Pessegueiro Fort. A channel separates the island from mainland, crating a beautiful beach with good conditions for windsurfing and spear-fishing. During summer it’s possible to visit the island on organized boat trips from Sines and Porto Covo.

bron: Monte Vale Pereiro Holidayrentals Porto Covo

Discover the real Portugal, the Alentejo Region

Golden plains that disappear out of sight combine with the sun and the heat to impose their own slow, steady rhythm. 

This is the Alentejo. Inland, the vast golden wheat fields undulate in the wind; along the coast, unspoilt beaches look rugged and unexplored. The open, ample landscape is peppered with cork-oaks or olive trees that have withstood the ravages of time. Occasionally sturdy fortress walls rise up from hills, as at Marvão or Monsaraz, or you’ll see just a simple dolmen reminding you of the magic of the place. Atop small hills stand white one-storey farmsteads, while the castles are reminders of the battles and conquests that once took place here. The patios and gardens bear witness to the influence of the Arabs, who helped to shape the people and the nature. In the Alentejo, the brute force of the land dictates the march of time.Perhaps this is why the region’s culture has its own particular character.All you need to do is visit Évora and discover its Roman roots and the delightful charm of its heritage to understand why the city has been classified as a world heritage site. When you see the temple of Diana and some of the city’s churches, you’ll regard your time as well spent. But don’t travel northwards or southwards without exploring the region’s coastline. There the landscape consists of high sheer cliffs sheltering tiny beaches. And there are also the sweet smells of the countryside, the herbs and spices used to season fish and seafood dishes. Here the time passes slowly, because the Alentejo follows the rhythm of the land itself.

The sun is more golden in the Alentejo. Fall for the charm of this light, and explore the nature in the region.

Travel through the Serras d'Ossa and Monfurado or explore the Serra de São Mamede Nature Park; discover a whole unique habitat in the Sado Estuary and feel the calm of the reservoir waters. Go and discover the coast, a continuous beach from Tróia to Sines, and then carry on into wilder scenery, with idyllic coves hidden between cliffs. Rediscover the past of the Alentejo, by following a route that includes the 'towns' of São Cucufate and Pisões. Travel from the Neolithic Age to the Middle Ages round the archaeological circuit of Castro da Cola, and delve into the ruins of Miróbriga. Learn about the Alentejo identity, stitched into each thread of the Arraiolos rugs, instilled in the marble, in the thoroughbred Lusitanian horses and in the delicious Alentejo wine and bread. In Beja, discover the secrets of the plain, and in Monsaraz, climb up to the 'eagle's nest'.

By the Guadiana, let yourself be enchanted by stories of the frontier and the lands by the river, and in Campo Branco, learn about the culture of the open plains and their wealth of bird life. But if you are looking for excitement, you will not be disappointed: the Alentejo is also a favourite setting for extreme sports. You can tour the region on horseback or mountain bike, go canoeing on the rivers or go skydiving. Or else you can explore an African savannah on a safari in the heart of the Alentejo. Let yourself go in the Alentejo, and don't forget the gastronomic delicacies. Discover the cheeses of Serpa, Évora and Nisa; follow an olive oil route around the olive presses and co-operatives, and collect the region's herbs and aromas. And finally, for dessert, get a taste of heaven on earth by sampling the divine sweets from the kitchens of the convents.

Climate

The Alentejo climate resembles the southern Californian climate. Although it is not on the Mediterranean it has such a climate, mild winters and dry summers. Daytime temperatures rarely drop below 12 degrees C, but in summer it can be very hot, especially more inland. The coastal temperatures are more moderate and the water of the Atlantic always remains a little cold. The climate is one of the reasons of the increasing interest of people seeking to retire to the Alentejo. For the young families the climate is as much of importance as the space. Let’s face it: the Alentejo is a province with a future as rich as its past!

Enjoy all that the Alentejo has to offer, and forget about diets for a while. Combine your travels with eating and drinking, and take an occasional break at one of the region's many excellent restaurants and taverns. In Serpa, Évora and Niza be sure to sample the protected origin local cheeses, all with their own particular characteristics, but all irresistible to the nose and palate. At the end of your trip, pass by one of the cheese-makers in each area and take some cheeses home as presents. While you are in the Alentejo, discover also a new olive oil route from the north to the south of the region. Include in your itinerary a visit to Moura to see the olive press at the olive oil museum at Lagar de Varas do Fojo, and learn from this important remnant of traditional technology how the oil used to be made. For the greedy, the Alentejo confectionery based on recipes from the convents leads the purest of beings to sin. Indulge in the "morgados" of Évora, the "trouxas de ovo" of Beja or the "sericaia" of Elvas and Vila Viçosa, based on eggs and almonds, and sometimes sweetened with honey. Don't forget to include the typical aromas and tastes of the Alentejo in your return basket: pick a handful of oregano and take home a bunch of rosemary to give a real Alentejo touch to your meals. 

Bron  Monte Vale Pereiro Holidayrentals Portugal Alentejo