We have just completed another fantastic river walk along the banks of the Tagus, called the Trilho da Barca d’Amieira.
In order to promote the Portuguese heritage of the traditional blue and white ceramic tiles, the Estremoz town hall is launching a new cultural route called the Tile or ‘Azulejo’ route, through which it aims to promote knowledge and awareness of the tile, but also as a fun thing for both residents and visitors to the town to enjoy.
Nisa is just over an hour’s drive from Estremoz, heading north towards the Rio Tejo. We’d been wanting to visit for a while, for three reasons: the ceramics, embroidery and cheese, which are all famous in the region!
Efrain Palermo is an artist with a unique, visionary art style. He has recently arrived from the United States and will debut his art style at the FIAPE exposition in Estremoz – open from 01-05 May 2024. Palermo’s art style, which he describes as Sculpted Oils combines bas-relief sculpture with oil painting in curved, bent frames.
Our second road trip in April 2024 took us north to Nisa and surroundings in upper Alentejo. We hadn’t set out to make a major trek but while visiting the tourist office we picked up a leaflet and map of PR9 Trilho da Mina de Ouro do Conhal (Hike of the Roman Gold Mines), which sets out from a little village called Arneiro close to the Rio Tejo that divides the Alentejo region from Beira Baixa.
Moving on from Alcáçovas on the second part of our road trip, we headed over to the larger neighbouring town of Viana do Alentejo, again parking at an ASA on the outskirts at the Parque Municipal Santa Joana, a lovely little park, manned by a park keeper but unfortunately no dogs allowed.
For the first road-trip of the year in our van we didn’t want to venture too far from home. The weather was forecast to reach 30° and we were ready to try out camping in an ASA (service area for camper vans) rather than a costly campsite. So checking on the trusty Park4Night app within a 100km radius of Estremoz, we decided on the Viana do Alentejo area, and in particular Valverde and Alcáçovas. With just a little research online we soon found that we would be able to combine country hikes, nature, history, culture and good food in a short two-night stopover. Perfect!
We have passed this church many, many times on our way home from Estremoz and this week our curiosity finally got the better of us. So we stopped off to take a closer look…
The Chapel of Our Lady of Conceição dos Olivais is located at around two kilometres from the centre of Estremoz, on the road to São Bento do Ameixial. Built in the latter part of the 16th Century it sits on a slight hill surrounded by vineyards alongside the ancient ‘Pedra da Ronca’ dolmen – which loosely translates as ‘The Snoring Stone’…
If you are looking for a traditional Portuguese restaurant in Estremoz with no nonsense authentic food, just like it used to be in the old days, then this place is for you.
The Cosmic View Retreat, guided by astrophysicist and Zen teacher Mark Westmoquette, is designed to take you on a journey of yoga, mindfulness and stargazing to discover the cosmic you!