Portugal’s new airport in the heart of the Alentejo, serious wine country

Last month I was invited on the inaugural flight to a new civil airport in Beja, Alentejo, which operates on a weekly basis from Heathrow on Sundays, 22 May – 9 Oct.   I couldn’t make it but I’m pretty sure I’ll be availing myself of it another time.

You see Beja is a bit of a hot spot for cutting edge wineries like Herdade de Malhadinha Nova,  Herdade dos Grous and Herdade do Rocim.  It’s also the location for ViniPax, an annual wine and olive oil fair.  Check out my report here  for my low down on recent winery visits (and Malhadinha’s guest house, pictured – still quite the nicest place I’ve ever stayed).  Food and wine lovers will also find lots to like on the local wine association’s website here , which covers wine routes/tourism and gastronomy.

For tourists who, as opposed to wine writers and wine geeks, would actually like to get out and about and see the region (!), The Guardian featured an article on the region a couple of weeks back (click here), describing it as “uncrowded, wildly beautiful.”  It’s worth checking out for the low down on package deals to Beja, sight-seeing, where to eat etc.  

To find out about/book flights, click here.