Empty promise: Portugal's Alentejo region

This article appeared on p10 of the Travel section of the Guardian on Saturday 21 May 2011. It was published on guardian.co.uk at 00.05 BST on Saturday 21 May 2011. It was last modified at 00.09 BST on Saturday 21 May 2011.

Portugal's Alentejo region is poor, uncrowded, wildly beautiful – and now linked by direct flights to Heathrow

Gavin McOwan

The Guardian, Saturday 21 May 2011

In these environment-conscious times the opening of a new airport is not normally cause for celebration. But I think the world will forgive tiny Beja airport for putting up the bunting and letting the band strike up tomorrow to celebrate the inaugural landing of flight BD1234 from Heathrow.

Horse-riding in Portugal: Along the coast at a canter

Report written by Alexandra Ferguson for http://www.telegraph.co.uk/

By Alexandra Ferguson 1:34PM BST 24 Sep 2009

Alexandra Ferguson enjoys a riding holiday among the cork forests and beaches of south-west Portugal.

'Form a line,” Miguel shouts, as we plunge into the dunes and the horses pull at the reins, eager and excited. The beach is deserted; virgin sand stretches north and south, and Atlantic rollers crash on the steep shore. As we descend to the water’s edge, the hiss and roar of the surf is deafening and spray flies on the breeze. The horses brave the surge: chasing the retreating waves, shying from the advancing breakers and we fight to hold them as Miguel raises his arm. “Everyone ready?” he cries. Then we are off, galloping along the sand: the horses slick with salt and sweat, the warm wind on our faces.

Cape Sardão

Among Almograve and Zambujeira do Mar is the westernmost point of the Alentejo coast. Saved by um lighthouse, Cape Sardão Sentinel, this is a complete reconciliation with the land and seascape.

We can not stay indifferent to the towering steep cliffs carved to sink towards the sea at the same time powerful and serene, or confronted with a horizon of endless plains, covered by lush vegetation and.