Discover the Pousadas of Portugal

Stay in unique and historical locations on a tailor-made, fly-drive holiday with Sunvil from just £530 pp per week –

For those looking for truly unique places to stay, in extraordinary locations, there’s nowhere quite like the Pousadas of Portugal, a network of hotels throughout the mainland which offer a rich variety of choice and include historic castles, former monasteries, palaces and modern buildings. The Pousadas are always in idyllic locations, whether it be historic cities or rural areas of outstanding natural beauty.

Sunvil offers a selection of carefully-curated fly-drive holidays with overnight stays at some of Portugal’s finest Pousadas, with well-planned itineraries offering plenty of both exploration and relaxation on the way. Here are four new ideas for 2018 – travel before 30 April 2018 and enjoy a complimentary bottle of wine (per party) with the first meal taken at each Pousada.

Explore Portugal – from the Algarve to the Centro
On this seven-night fly-drive holiday, guests will explore the diverse landscape, local gastronomy and fascinating historic cities of Portugal. From the golden shores of the Algarve, across the Alentejo plains to the undulating hills of the north, the trip includes stays in three unique Pousadas. The first stop is at the Pousada de Sagres, positioned on a cliff-top on the Algarve, within walking distance of the fishing town of Sagres and boasting impressive views over the fortress of Sagres. The next stop brings guests to the city of Beja in the Alentejo, to stay in the city centre at the impressive Pousada de Beja, which dates back to the 13th century when it was a Franciscan convent. The holiday ends at the Pousada de Viseu in Viseu, central Portugal, a little-known but vibrant city in the heart of the wine region. This is an excellent base for exploring some of the lesser-known parts of the country, including the Serra da Estrela Nature Reserve, the highest mountain range in Portugal and Capo de Sao Vicente, the westernmost point of Europe.

The seven-night holiday* costs from £530 pp (two sharing) and includes flights (London), eight days’ car hire, two nights at the Pousada de Sagres, three nights at the Pousada Convento de Beja and two nights at the Pousada de Viseu, all on a B&B basis.

The Pousadas of the Alentejo and the Algarve
This immersive and experiential seven-night fly-drive holiday gives guests the opportunity to tour wine estates, explore medieval walled towns and to take pleasure in walking, cycling and seeing areas of unspoiled natural beauty. Visitors will drive through the rural landscape of Portugal, stretching inland from the coast to the hills of the Spanish border, where they can visit the natural attractions of the Serra de Estrela mountains and the Guadiana Natural Park. Exploring the gastronomic heart of Portugal and touring the historic towns of Monsaraz, Crato and the walled city of Évora, an UNESCO World Heritage Site – all at your own pace – is a joy. Guests will stay at the Pousada de Beja, the Pousada de Viseu and the Pousada de Marvão, situated in a village in the Alentejo which sits at an altitude of 860 metres and offers fantastic views of Spain and the Alentejo plains.

The seven-night holiday* costs from £530 pp (two sharing) and includes flights (London), eight days’ car hire, two nights at the Pousada de Beja, three nights at the Pousada de Marvão and two nights at the Pousada de Viseu, all on a B&B basis.

Journey to the heart of Portugal
Undulating hills, river valleys lined with vineyards, natural parks and historic cities are just some of the attractions on offer on this seven-night Pousada fly-drive holiday to the heart of Portugal. Guests will have plenty of time to discover Viseu in the Centro region of Portugal and the fascinating city of Coimbra, a former capital of Portugal and home to one of the oldest universities in Europe, dating back to 1290. Guests can also visit Amares, a small 16th century town and a gateway to the Peneda-Gerês National Park, within the Vinho Verde wine region. The characterful Pousadas on this trip include the Pousada Mosteiro de Amares, a 12th century Cistercian Monastery, remodelled in 1989 by renowned Portuguese architect Eduardo Souto de Moura and located in the centre of Santa Maria do Bouro, on the outskirts of the Peneda-Gerês National Park, Portugal’s only National Park. The Pousada Caniçada-Gerês, located in a gorgeous mountain chalet, offers panoramic views of the Cançada Dam and sits high in the mountains between forests, translucent waterfalls and unforgettable scenery.

The seven-night holiday* costs from £530 pp (two sharing) and includes flights (London), eight days’ car hire, three nights at the Pousada de Viseu, two nights at the Pousada Mosteiro de Amares and two nights at the Pousada Caniçada-Gerês, all on a B&B basis.

Discover the Alentejo
On this fly-drive trip, guests can explore the vast landscape and captivating culture of the Alentejo, Portugal’s largest region and known as the gastronomic soul of the country. Along the route of rolling hills and cork and olive trees, take in the historic city of Beja and its local wineries and walking routes, plus the Alqueva reservoir, the largest man-made lake in Europe, and Évora, the capital of the Alentejo and a must-see for any visitor to the region. The trip includes an overnight stay in the magnificent Pousada Convento de Vila Viçosa in the Alto Alentejo, a converted 500 year-old convent steeped in history and one of the most opulent in Portugal. Guests will also stay in the Pousada Mosteiro do Crato, in the village of Flor da Rosa in Alto Alentejo, with its three distinct buildings: the Gothic-style church-fort, the Gothic castellated palace with alterations from the 1500s, and the rest of the monastery grounds, in Moorish and Renaissance styles. This holiday allows for plenty of independent exploration, including day trips to Cáceres in neighbouring Extremadura, Spain, and hiking in the Serra de São Mamede Natural Park.

The seven-night holiday* costs from £530 pp (two sharing) and includes flights (London), eight days’ car hire, two nights at the Pousada de Beja, two nights at the Pousada de Marvão, two nights at the Pousada Mosteiro do Crato and one night at the Pousada Convento de Vila Viçosa, all on a B&B basis.

SPECIAL OFFER: Travel before 30 April 2018 and enjoy a complimentary bottle of wine (per party) with the first meal taken at each Pousada.

All prices valid for stays until and including 30th April 2018, excluding Easter

To book, or to talk to an expert at Sunvil, please call 020 8758 4722 or visit www.sunvil.co.uk/portugal.