Bellini1

Hello All. My husband an I are in the early throes of planning another trip to Europe. We have tickets, together with German friends, to Oberammergau Passion Play on September 11, 2010. Plan to spend about a week with our friends in Germany, then on to Italy to visit relatives in Torino and Caserta.
Toward end of September we hope to fly from Rome to Valencia to meet up with a friend. With this friend and in her car, we want to drive to Portugal, arriving somewhere around the beginning of October.
Now comes the question. The three of us would prefer to rent a self catering cabin, apartment or whatever in the Alentejo region of Portugal for a stay of about one week. Does anyone have a suggestion of a nice, but not too expensive, place for us. We would have the car and want to do some exploring of ruins, interesting architecture and generally get to know the feel of Portugal not so influenced by tourism. I would dearly appreciate any and all suggestions.
Many thanks, Leslie

lreynold1

Hi, Leslie,

I think www.toprural.com is a good site for rentals in Portugal. Others have used vrbo as well. For whatever reason, in Portugal there seem to be fewer house rentals than in other European countries; many of the rentals you find in Portugal are for apartments. The toprural site does list more than 20 possibilities in the Alentejo and they range from in-town to out in the boonies with a beautiful view and babbling brooks. A fair number seem to be little cabins or apartments on a larger estate, but some are individual houses.

I have never used this site in Portugal but I have used toprural on numerous occasions in Spain and have always been completely satisfied. Many of the people whose opinion I respect on this forum (especially Maribel) recommend toprural enthusiastically. They usually have lots of pictures and a fair number of rankings.

Many of us here have travelled around the Alentejo extensively, so if you come up with a place you like, even if we haven't stayed there, someone is likely to be able to tell you about the area.

Laurie

Bellini1

Hi Laurie,

I took your advice and looked through toprural. I was able to narrow the search down to a couple, although many of the places they listed were for rooms only.

Thanks so much for your help. I'm still looking and any other advice would be greatly appreciated.

Leslie

Sher

This property is listed in toprural, but I do not think it was at the time we were considering it.
We quite often rent self catering accomodations and last year and this we did in Portugal. We tried to reserve with them last year but they were booked.
It is a small village with self catering cottages of different sizes.
Aldeia de Sao Gregorio.
It is pretty much close to much of the Alentejo. I contacted them by email and they were very prompt with replies, as I remember.
Good Luck.

Sher

Bellini1.
I just noticed when I tried to access the website from toprural, that I could not.
I don't know if this property is no longer listed or what the problem is.
I do have the email address still in my in file from my inquiry and if you have difficulty reaching them I will send it to you.
I know that it is 10 small self catering cottages of one and two bedrooms.

lreynold1

Hi, Leslie,

I just asked a friend who has rented places in Portugal and she used Home Away. They have a number of places in the Alentejo: http://www.homeaway.com/Portugal-vil...on-Rentals.htm

Hope this helps -- Laurie

Bellini1

Hi Laurie,

Thanks for the tip about Home Away. I found several interesting places there with good reviews. Now to choose!!!

Leslie

Bellini1

Hi Sher,

I did find Aldeia de Sao Gregorio in Portugese on Toprural.It looks good and I have it on my list. I really like the location.

Thanks for your help. Leslie