Felicity Long
Portugal's Alentejo region could paper its streets with accolades -- the area has recently been cited by Time magazine, The New York Times, Conde Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure as among the top destinations for 2022.
But before we talk about its charms, a brief word about the weather.
Like much of Europe, Portugal is sizzling this summer, and in some areas -- including in the central Leiria district -- there have been wildfires and heat-related deaths.
With that in mind, I spoke to Jayme Simoes, longtime Portugal expert and president of Louis Karno & Company Communications, who was in the Alentejo at the time of this writing, to get a sense of boots on the ground.
"It was hot last week [the week of July 10], but this part of Portugal is used to hot spells -- no fires, nice at the river beach, lots of great places to eat in a cool setting. And last night it was in the upper 50s, sunny today and warm," Simoes said.
He added that the cork and olive trees so prevalent in the region are not fire-prone, adding, "We were fine!"
That said, Mother Nature is unpredictable, so clients looking to travel to the destination this summer should keep an eye on forecasts and strongly consider travel insurance.
Picturesque, quiet towns and outdoor attractions
For first-timers, the Alentejo is about 90 minutes from Lisbon yet offers a striking contrast from the buzz of the big city. I visited Evora, the capital of the rural Alentejo region and a Unesco World Heritage Site some years ago and found a picturesque and relatively untouristed, walled medieval town with winding streets and historical architecture.
That quiet charm is still there, according to Simoes, who touted the town, along with Estremoz and Marvao, as having "no crowds, no lines and great prices."
Outdoor buffs can enjoy hiking, cycling and horseback riding, as well as bird-watching -- including in Comporta, known for its white storks and about 200 other species of birds.
Alentejo also does nightlife its own way, offering an internationally certified Dark Sky Reserve in Alqueva, situated more or less in the center of the region. The protected area offers more than 6,000 square miles of stargazing in a setting of tranquility rarely seen in today's modern world.
The Alentejo is also a key beach destination.
The conserved Atlantic coastline offers miles of unspoiled beaches, some carved into the cliffs. Southwest Alentejo and Vicentina Coast Natural Park cover more than 60 miles of protected land and shore, stretching from Sao Torpes near Sines to Cape St. Vincent.
The region is also a magnet for surfers and bodyboarders, including for novices and experts. Surfing is popular year-round, but the best waves crash from fall through spring.
Finally, music is such an important part of the local culture that Cante Alentejano -- music sung acapella in chorus, was awarded Unesco's Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity designation in 2014. Performances can pop up anywhere, but visitors can also check the tourism office for scheduled concerts.