In the heart of the Alentejo region of Portugal the sun shines and the earth is dry, a perfect climate for cork trees. Portugal supplies more than half the world’s cork. Boutique shops sell cork baseball caps, cork purses, cork shoes and the usual coasters and wine stoppers. No, I didn’t bring a single cork souvenir home but marveled at Portuguese ingenuity with this renewable resource.
Little Evora has a lot to offer, Roman ruins, Roman Aqueduct, quaint town centre, imposing cathedral and the hilly, narrow streets dividing white washed Moorish homes we have come to expect. The streets are seriously cobbled so walking is not for the feeble of foot.
The highlight of our stay was the oasis of Albergaria do Calvario with its trendy décor, lovely courtyard garden and family room where tapas were always at the ready. Toward the end of the afternoon, sapped by the weariness of walking hours upon hours, we joined other travelers for tapas and ice cold mint lemonade. Delightful!
