Alentejo is a geographical, historical, and cultural region of south-central and southern Portugal. In Portuguese, its name means “beyond (além) the Tagus river” (Tejo).

Alentejo includes the regions of Alto Alentejo and Baixo Alentejo. It corresponds to the districts of Beja, Évora, Portalegre, and Alentejo Litoral. Its main cities are Évora, Beja, Sines, Serpa, Estremoz, Elvas, and Portalegre. It has borders with Beira Baixa in the north, with Spain (Andalucia and Extremadura) in the east, Algarve in the south, and the Atlantic Ocean, Ribatejo, and Estremadura in the west.

Alentejo is a region known for its wine and olive oil production. The area is commonly known as the “breadbasket” of Portugal, a region of vast open countryside with undulating plains and rich fertile soil. With very few exceptions, all the major towns are mainly reliant on agriculture, livestock, and forestry. There are several types of traditional cheeses, wines, and smoked hams and sausages made in the Alentejo region, including Queijo Serpa, Queijo de Évora, and Queijo de Nisa (PDO cheeses); Vinho do Alentejo and Vinho do Redondo (wines); and presunto (smoked ham). Marble, cork, olive oil, and mining industries are other important activities in the region, and tourism is expected to have growth potential.  (Wikipedia: Alentejo). Wine Tourism is gaining more recognition every year. 

*A special thank you to  Visit Portugal for this inspiring video and check out the link below for their Official Travel Site.