Travel Blog
In this space, I inform the reader about my experiences during my trips and I name many interesting attractions for each place or region, so that the reader could go to the best restaurants, hotels and attractions suggested by me and, of course, at the best price.
Travel Blog
In this space, I inform the reader about my experiences during my trips and I name many interesting attractions for each place or region, so that the reader could go to the best restaurants, hotels and attractions suggested by me and, of course, at the best price.
Travel Blog
In this space, I inform the reader about my experiences during my trips and I name many interesting attractions for each place or region, so that the reader could go to the best restaurants, hotels and attractions suggested by me and, of course, at the best price.
Francisco Ferreira
August 3, 2019 • 10 minutes to read
Monte Falperras: a step away from Alqueva
In the municipality of Mourão, there’s a rural tourism property, located in Monte da Preguiça: Monte Falperras. This accommodation is located 5,5km from Mourão, 21km from Monsaraz and 65km from Évora, a UNESCO World Heritage City. With its whitewashed walls, this typical Alentejo estate is situated on a small hill from which you can see the stunning Alqueva Artificial Lake, which breaks a plethora of plains spread across the border region. The property if a few meters from the municipal road (M517), but this proximity doesn’t pose a threat to the stillness, because it is surrounded by an extensive Mediterranean grove, where you can walk and observe, among the cork oak and holm oak trees, some bashful foxes and, exceptionally, some reckless snakes that had difficulty hiding from a possible “predator”. If you are a golden hour lover, this is the perfect accommodation for you, as you have chance to get great photos here, as well as throughout Alentejo.
Twilight in the property
In the rooms, as well as in the common areas, the cleanliness is remarkable, with no trace of dirt. It’s, however, possible to occasionally find some spiders or other small insects, completely harmless, which proves a strong influence of countryside Nature. The service is qualified, noting the delicacy with which all guests are treated, mainly by Mr. Diogo Jordão – upon arrival, we were invited to try some local attractions, such as restaurants, monuments or even activities, so that we could enjoy the most the stay.
Having been housed in one of the terraced and double bedrooms (with direct acess to the garden), we couldn't get to know the other types of rooms in detail. However, this seems to be the best for travel for two, even because you can see the pool and the lake. Inside the rooms, there are an armchair, a shelf, two bedside tables and an air conditioning system (which, in Summer days, is fundamental to survival) and, in the bathroom, there are towels, an air freshener, a hair dryer, shower gel and shampoo. On the outdoor terrace, there's a divan and two sun loungers, overlooking the magnificent pool and the lake, which may be environmentally friendly alternatives to air conditioning.
Interior of the rooms, terrace and garden
If you want to get along with other people, the architecturally well-made pool, no more than 160cm deep, is a great option, especially during the Summer, when thermometers can even reach 40ºC.
The surrounding landscape is delightful: soft plains, green cork oak trees, refreshing (artificial) lakes and small, quiet villages, where, without many technologies, people still lead a calm lifestyle, heavily depending on agriculture and crops.
Swimming pool throughout the day
Alqueva is able to hold 4150 million liters of water and is the largest artificial lake in Europe. It exists due to the construction of a dam to improve irrigation in Alentejo agriculture (due to the aridity of the soil). After the dam was inaugurated in 2002, the only benefit wasn't only agriculture, but also the clean energy production and tourism in the region. Boat tours and night sky observation events can be enjoyed (in the Summer, you can take part of Dark Sky Alqueva, for example). In addition to Mediterranean Nature activies, there are beautiful villages nearby, like Monsaraz, classified as one of the 7 Wonder Villages of Portugal.
However, because of the river water levels rising, the number of forest and farmlands wasn't small, so their owners were in right to compensation. And it was years later that, in order to recover what little remained of inherited land, Monte Falperras was reconstruted, and it is the same now, so, an amazing property.
Lake Alqueva and Monsaraz
It is the perfect destination for those who are looking to avoid everyday stress, even near children, the price ranges from 70€ to 90€ per night, depending on the type of bedroom, fitting very well into the quality of service and facilities, as well as the traditional cuisine and the exceptional landscape. In and around the rooms, you can access excellent free internet and a great mobile network coverage, over a longer distance.
Landscape and outside the building
The breakfast in the property, available between 9:00am and 11:00am, is plentiful and rich, because of the exquisite and traditional confection by Teodora Gonçalves, and experienced Alentejo cook, born in Estrela: you can enjoy homemade cake and kams, Camembert cheese, butter, arugula and cherry tomato salad, sliced cheese, hams, chorizo, bread and coffee (we can toast the bread in the toaster on the side table). Unlike most hotels, the breakfast room contains only one table, which is quite long, inviting guests to get along with each other.
Breakfast in the property
Although nearby area (and not only) has plenty to visit, if you fit the relaxed tourist group, or even because you don't like to drive, you may not move too far away, because, in addition to the magnificent swimming pool provided, there's a trail which takes you, throught the fragant grove, to the lakeside, where you can watch a great sunset or even, if you are lucky, find some wild animal. And yet, if you aren't a wild animal lover, enjoy the tenderness that the dogs, Monte and Trigo, show toward visitors.
Dog and olive grove in the end of the afternoon
Useful Informations:
• Medium temperature: 15ºC (Winter) and 30ºC (Summer)
• Nearby localities: Mourão, Monsaraz, Moura and Évora
Take a look on my Alentejo Photo Album and on the following video, which shows the contemporary rusticity of this great property.
Images: Francisco Ferreira (PhotosOfEurope)