If you’d like to sample Portugal but want to get away from the Algarve, the heart of the country offers a number of varied and exciting destinations. In the south there’s the forgotten region of Alentejo, where ancient walled towns and churches gleaming with local marble mark the rugged landscape. This is the real Portugal, where quiet afternoon siestas blend seamlessly into warm evenings filled with legendary local cuisine.
Wine-aficionados will find much to love in the local vineyards, and foodies will adore traditional accompaniments like queijo de ovelha, a bright orange wheel of fresh sheep’s cheese. Further west lies the town of Obidos, where a hilltop fortress dominates and July’s Medieval Market sees the town make a colourful return to simpler times.
The real stars of old Portugal are the hotels - the ‘pousadas’ which are built into ancient castles, monasteries and even palaces. This unique form of accommodation blends history with luxury - plunging you into a boutique traditional experience with all the modern conveniences you’d expect. Whether you’re seeking a modern hotel on a budget or a romantic hilltop hideaway, Hotels4u have great offers on a range of central Portuguese hotels.