Page 28 - Spanish Insight - November 2019

Hotel de Moura, Portugal

A Night Away:

By Anne Fleming the right, and magnificent marble being planted down to the water’s
staircase in the centre. We climb
edge and in doing so is creating a
to the first floor and find our room at tourist industry in this traditionally
After staying in Carmona, we the end of a corridor overlooking a poor area of Alentejo.
take a minor road and cross the wonderfully tiled patio below. In the evening, we take a walk
border into Portugal at Rosal de Our room is simple and retains the down the street to a recommended
la Frontera. There are no border convent character. Bright sunlight restaurant and eat well for a good
guards, no motorways. Another half streams in the window and reflects price. Next morning, breakfast is
an hour’s drive takes us to the town on the crisp white bedlinen. A busy, but the staff ensure all tables
of Moura, a medieval town with a modest wardrobe, a desk under are clear and the buffet table is
rich Moorish heritage and we see the window and a bright bathroom replenished.
Moura Castle on the crest of the hill is more than adequate for our stay. During the next few days, we
as we approach. Later we drive to Alqueva dam, explore the area, taking one late
We find our hotel easily as it is in which is the largest artificial lake night to go and see the stars
the centre of the town. The façade in Europe. As we follow the road in the planetarium. We visit the
of this 17th century building is around the lake, we admire the walled town of Monsaraz, and the
decorated in traditional blue and stunning azure of the water in traditional potteries nearby, and
white tiles. It was a convent in the contrast to the cream of the arid enjoy an opportunity to dine in the
17th Century but became a hotel landscape. “Alqueva” is a word middle of vineyards overlooking the right for our stay. We found the staff
in 1900.The reception area is busy, derived from “fallow lands” and we lake - called “Herdade do Esporão” friendly and helpful. Yes, a lift would
and as we wait to be allocated a can see that the creation of the dam and visit the home of Sharish Gin. have been nice, but the grandeur
room, we admire the lovely entrance has brought water and irrigation We have enjoyed our time in this of the building more than made up
hall, with a small bar and lounge to to the thousands of vines that are tranquil area, and the hotel was just for it.

28 Spanish Insight November 2019