The Alentejo in Portugal offers great scenic beauty with its rolling countryside full of cork oaks, olive trees and vines. The hills, sometimes small mountains, are frequently crowned by mighty castles. Notwithstanding its appeal, the Alentejo remains unspoiled; it has not been discovered by mass tourism.
You will be seduced by the culture of its hospitable people and its magnificent cultural heritage – it is full of splendid historical towns like Marvão, Estremoz, Portalegre, Vila Viçosa, Borba, Monsarraz, Elvas en Évora-Monte.
We think the Alentejo is one of the last secret treasures for travelers exploring the cultures of Europe.
In terms of food do not miss the local gaspachos, the carne de porco alentejano (pork and clams cooked together) or the empadas de galinha (small chicken pies).
The red wine is some of the best Portugal has to offer. They range from soft and plummy – a great match with black pork – to those with an intense ripe fruit bouquet. A grape commonly used here is the Aragonez, better-known abroad as the Tempranillo.
In contrast, the whites tend to be fresh but very aromatic.
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You will be staying at Monte da Rosada (MR) in the village of Arcos, close to the medieval town of Estremoz. It is around 1,5 / 2 hours drive from Lisbon.
MR is a grand 19th century country house, lovingly transformed by its current owner into an intimate and atmospheric hotel. Each room is equipped with air condition and is decorated in a casual rustic yet elegant style.
The property has extensive gardens and of course a large swimming pool.
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Below is an outline of the gastronomic holiday we propose.
However, we can also tailor-make gastronomic holidays according to your specific wishes, should that be of interest. For example, maybe you would prefer to have more wine tastings and not as many cooking lessons? Should there be more time for playing golf or horse riding? Do you have a preference for a specific Portuguese region?
If so, please contact us and we will arrange a personal gastronomic experience bespoke to your individual requirements.
Day 1 (Thursday):
Guests arrive at albergeria MR during the day or evening:
Welcome drinks will take place on the terrace or at the beautifully renovated ’adega’ of MR and will be followed by a light supper in the restaurant of MR.
Day 2 (Friday):
Breakfast at leisure.
Around 11.00 we will depart to a cheese maker approximately 20 minutes drive from our hotel.
The farm which we will visit is a traditional rural place, in the midst of beautiful rolling hills. Quality ewe’s milk cheeses are made there, not dissimilar to the pecorino’s from Southern Tuscany. We will have a tour of the farm, and will see how cheese is made on-site. This will be followed by a tasting of cheeses at various stages of maturation.
Following the cheese tasting it is a short drive to modern local wine producer.
We will tour the beautiful quinta of this excellent small scale wine producer, which will also include a viewing of the modern art gallery of the winery.
We will conclude the visit with a tasting of their signature wines, accompanied by various local delicacies, including chorizos, cheese, pastries, which will serve as a light lunch.
Around 15.00 we return to our hotel where there will be some time to relax and swim in the large outdoor pool of MR
Our first cooking class will begin around 18.30. It will be taught by renowned chef Ricardo Aragão in the large kitchen of MR.
Ricardo, one of Portugal’s best-kept secrets, has added new techniques to his repertoire of Portuguese cooking following his experiences cheffing abroad in restaurants in UK and Macau. In Lisbon he has cooked at internationally celebrated restaurant Bica de Sapato, where he incorporated Japanese elements into various fish dishes.
The cooking classes will be a combination of demonstration of techniques and hands-on cooking. Some dishes we may prepare include:
gaspacho, roasted black pork sirloin with ameixas* de Elvas (*plums), octopus salad with sweet potato, dogfish with clams and coriander, almond tartlets style santa clara.
The cooking class will be followed by dinner of the dishes paired with matching wines in the atmospheric restaurant of MR
Day 3 (Saturday):
Late or early breakfast.
Around 11.00 guests will be picked-up for a trip to the Saturday Estremoz market. This is one of the largest markets in the region situated in the heart of this beautiful historical town. Chef Ricardo Aragão will be there to pick out some the best delicacies.
Around 12.30 we depart from the market square for a private tour of the 2nd winery we will visit in Estremoz. It is a lovely historic place; some think is the most beautiful manor house of the Alentejo region.
The 17th and 18th century buildings, while preserving the original baroque features of its architecture, also contain an excellent modern wine making operation.
Our tour of the quinta will be followed by a wine tasting of their signature wines, accompanied by some local delicious food, serving as a light lunch.
After the tasting we will drive back to our hotel, where you can unwind.
The late afternoon cooking class will begin around 18.00 at the hotel. This cooking class also be taught by Ricardo Aragão.
This cooking class may focus on modern Portuguese cooking, with an emphasis on fish dishes. Lightness, freshness and color will predominate.
The cooking class will be followed by dinner in the restaurant of our hotel, with each dish served with matching wines
Day 4 (Sunday):
Breakfast at leisure. Guests depart during morning or afternoon.
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Dates 2009:
- Our gastronomic breaks are available throughout the year, except the month of August
- To check availability for specific dates, please get in touch
The price for an all-in 4 days (3 nights) gastronomic long weekend:
- 895 Euro per person
- 100 Euro single room supplement
What is included?- 3 nights accommodation
- 3 breakfasts
- 2 cooking lessons – including aperitif/wines/soft drinks & canapés
- 3 dinners – including wines and soft drinks
- 2 tours & tasting at wineries, with light lunch
- 1 tour & tasting at a cheesemaker
- 1 tour of the Estremoz weekend market, accompanied by a chef
- all local transportation
- recipes of the dishes prepared during cooking lessons
- long weekend is fully escorted by an English speaking host
Please click here if you wish to receive more information
Please click here if you wish to make a reservation
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Estremoz /Arcos is about a 1,5 / 2 hours drive from Lisbon.
There is an excellent motorway from Lisbon to Estremoz, which makes for a relaxed and beautiful ride.
Arrival and departure transfers can be organised easily.
Paladares Travel does not offer flights or car rental services. We suggest you to book directly with one the many companies offering such services. However, if would like Paladares Travel to assist you in making arrangements please let us know.
If you wish to book your flights directly, we kindly refer you to http://www.flytap.nl, the website of TAP Portugal.
TAP Portugal is Portugal’s national airline; they are known for their reliability and good level of service. TAP has frequent connections to various cities in Portugal, from Amsterdam, Brussels and London.
Alternatively there are many other companies offering flights. Booking early can be very advantageous.
