Evora, the capital, is sheer poetry - if you can fight through its tourists to see the famous temple of Diana, old university and monastery (now a splendid pousada).
Elvas, on the border with Spain, of great historical importance in bygone battles against the invading Spanish and Arab forces, and it has a fantastic aqueduct.
Borba and Redondo are small one-horse towns, but the wine is worth a taste.
Arraiolos is the home to handmade tapestries and rugs, and exquisite blue and white dwellings.
The Algarve, Down into the Algarve, away from the hassle of tourist boom towns the area offers a variety of trips into the hills of Monchique, a spa town sporadically damaged by forest fires. From Lagos and Cape St Vincent, from whence sailed the navigators of old, to Silves, Tavira and Vila Real on the Spanish border, a car journey can whisk you away from timeshare touts, and English grub signs, to a tranquil, colourful environment, especially so in early Spring, when the orange and almond blossom make this part of Portugal an exquisite place to visit.
The Algarve, Down into the Algarve, away from the hassle of tourist boom towns the area offers a variety of trips into the hills of Monchique, a spa town sporadically damaged by forest fires. From Lagos and Cape St Vincent, from whence sailed the navigators of old, to Silves, Tavira and Vila Real on the Spanish border, a car journey can whisk you away from timeshare touts, and English grub signs, to a tranquil, colourful environment, especially so in early Spring, when the orange and almond blossom make this part of Portugal an exquisite place to visit.
Apart from the unspoilt postcard scenery the other advantage of the area is the cuisine and more delightful the low cost of restaurant meals.
Fresh food from the markets is also delightful, especially seafood, and local produce also along with fruit and vegetables all locally grown such as kiwi fruit, peaches and apricots.