Source: Exploring Centuries of Tradition in Portugal (Plus Recipes for Passover and Easter)

The last military regiment left Elvas over ten years ago, but that warlike memory of a city that for centuries was considered the key to the kingdom is still felt with every step.

Source: Elvas, robust and imposing: here the art of fortification was exhausted – Galus Australis

Lucy Daltroff explores the unspoilt region of Alentejo, with its abundant natural beauty and medieval Jewish history…

Source: The jewel in Portugal’s crown

Portugal – Garrison Border Town of Elvas and its Fortifications

The town of Elvas dominate the plains of southern Alentejo region near the border to Spain. But despite being declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2012, Elvas receives few visitors. How to change this?

To try to change this, Portugal’s second largest hotel group, Vila Gale, is spending around five million euros ($6.0 million) to convert a former convent into a luxury hotel. Dozens of builders are working on the 17th-century whitewashed building, last used as a military court, to transform it into an 80-room, four-star hotel that is set to open next year. “We are convinced that with a quality hotel, tourists will stay in Elvas,” said Jorge Rebelo de Almeida, the president of Vila Gale, which was awarded a 40-year lease to operate the state-owned building.

Most tourists head to the Algarve, the capital Lisbon and the Porto region

Tourism has become a key driver of Portugal’s economy since 2014 when the country exited a three-year 78-billion-euro international bailout that imposed harsh austerity measures on its citizens.

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Portugal – Garrison Border Town of Elvas and its Fortifications

ELVAS (AFP) – The star-shaped walls of the hilltop town of Elvas dominate the plains of Portugal’s southern Alentejo region near the border with Spain.

But despite being declared a Unesco World Heritage site in 2012, Elvas receives few visitors aside from the occasional Spanish day-tripper.

To try to change this, Portugal’s second largest hotel group, Vila Gale, is spending around five million euros ($6.0 million) to convert a former convent into a luxury hotel.

Dozens of builders are working on the 17th-century whitewashed building, last used as a military court, to transform it into an 80-room, four-star hotel that is set to open next year.

“We are convinced that with a quality hotel, tourists will stay in Elvas,” said Jorge Rebelo de Almeida, the president of Vila Gale, which was awarded a 40-year lease to operate the state-owned building.

Tourism has become a key driver of Portugal’s economy since 2014 when the country exited a three-year 78-billion-euro international bailout that imposed harsh austerity measures on its citizens.

Source: Portugal leases empty monasteries to boost tourism – Khmer Times

Photo: Alberto Mayer

IVF tourism, ‘shop-overs’ (stopovers in the world’s best shopping cities), and a film festival to get you planning your next big adventure…

Source: Travel news round-up: from a life-long gap year to cycling, the new rock’n’roll