Discover Lisbon’s Top Road Trips: Explore Vineyards, Beaches, and Historic Castles

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L’And is a unique retreat that beautifully marries contemporary architecture with the natural world, featuring 22 suites equipped with private terraces. Notably, some bedrooms boast retractable roofs, offering an enchanting experience of sleeping beneath the stars. Guests can also enjoy an outdoor saline pool, a tennis court, a library, and a wine club, where personalized wine-tasting sessions are conducted by the winemaker. The on-site spa provides a range of treatments, utilizing local ingredients like grape extracts, olive oil, honey, and herbs, along with vinotherapy options aimed at revitalizing the skin. Dining at Mapa Restaurant enhances the experience, presenting dishes inspired by various locales; for example, a Mozambique-inspired dish featuring Algarve shrimp is served with unique accompaniments such as matapa, peanuts, and coconut.

Approximately an hour’s drive from the hotel lies Évora, a UNESCO World Heritage Site rich in Alentejo’s historical and cultural heritage. Visitors can explore the well-preserved Roman temple, the Gothic cathedral, winding Moorish alleys, and Renaissance palaces that enrich the medieval city walls. A must-see is the Chapel of Bones, adorned with human skulls and bones, along with the Museum of Évora, which displays a diverse array of paintings, sculptures, and archaeological treasures. For those eager to indulge in local cuisine, numerous restaurants offer hearty traditional dishes like açorda (bread soup), migas (fried breadcrumbs), and porco preto (black pork). For a more relaxed meal, Lombardo is a delightful establishment serving Mediterranean-style dishes designed for sharing.

Artistic Coastal Charm: Melides

Your journey begins at The Ivens, Autograph Collection, situated in the vibrant Chiado district of Lisbon. This hotel is a tribute to the Portuguese explorer Roberto Ivens, known for his extensive travels across Africa and Asia in the 19th century, with décor featuring exotic prints, historical maps, and globes. The rooms are spacious and filled with natural light, featuring luxurious bedding, Marshall Bluetooth speakers, and Jo Malone amenities featured in the elegant black and white tiled bathrooms. Guests can dine at the lively Rocco, which specializes in contemporary Italian cuisine.

After soaking up the sights in Lisbon, take a leisurely 90-minute drive south to Melides, a quaint village along the Atlantic Coast that exudes charm and a relaxed atmosphere. Visitors can discover handcrafted ceramics at Vida Dura and savor delicious fried cuttlefish at the family-run eatery O Fadista. Additionally, the region is renowned for its stunning beaches, perfect for swimming, paddling, or surfing, along with scenic walks through golden dunes or explorations in the nearby pine forests.

On the outskirts of Melides, the hotel Pa.te.os stands out with its spacious accommodations that honor the local countryside aesthetics. Constructed from concrete and thoughtfully oriented to capture picturesque views of the surrounding landscape and sky, each home comes with modern amenities like a floating fireplace and a state-of-the-art kitchen. Guests can unwind in the shared saline infinity pool, designed to harmonize with the natural environment around them — home to around 350 species of flora and fauna. Although the hotel does not feature a full-service restaurant, it offers a delightful breakfast spread and a menu of experiences such as private yoga classes, massages, and gourmet meals delivered in wicker baskets to guests’ tables, further enriching the stay with beautiful linen settings.

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www.cntraveler.com