São Lourenço do Barrocal reopens

Credit: Ash James Rustic Portuguese farmstead hotel, winery and spa, São Lourenço do Barrocal, reopens its doors with new nature-based pursuits for couples looking for the ultimate romantic honeymoon destination...

Ideally located on a 780-hectare family estate in Portugal's wild and unspoilt Alentejo region, São Lourenço do Barrocal has reopened its doors to welcome back guests old and new. With a traditional open-air village feel and 40 spacious farm rooms and cottages scattered across a landscape of winding olive groves, ancient holm oaks and vineyards, São Lourenço do Barrocal is a natural haven for those in search of a private countryside escape.

Al fresco feasting
Ensuring guests receive the utmost space and privacy during their stay, São Lourenço do Barrocal has introduced an array of new private dining experiences in accordance with distancing guidelines. A new dedicated picnic menu allows guests to select their favourite Barrocal dishes to be packed into a wicker basket and enjoyed at a private area of the estate of their choosing; whilst those who opt to stay in a cottage can select a hamper of locally sourced produce to prepare their own picnic to enjoy in the comfort of their very own terrace. A larger number of private al fresco dining options are on offer, from the organic garden, apiary and terraces of the estate's two farm-to-table restaurants, to more historic points across the estate including the old bullfighting arena and ancient bread oven. The addition of handcrafted wooden trestle tables to the outdoor space of every room means guests can now opt to have their meals in the comfort of their own room, terrace or courtyard.

Nature-based nurturing
Encouraging guests to embrace the healing powers of nature, this summer São Lourenço do Barrocal will launch a new Natural Wellness offering. The programme will allow guests rejuvenate in the estate's breathtaking natural surroundings over four days, beginning each morning with a daily changing schedule of outdoor Tai Chi, Chi Kung, Yoga or Pilates. Drawing on the suggested meditative powers of animal interaction, guests can opt to join resident ornithologist Nuno Guégués on a three-hour birding tour through the estate, looking out for the 75 species of resident birdlife; or alternatively explore the estate and surrounding 'montado' landscape on one of Barrocal's sweet-natured Lusitano horses. On subsequent days guests can choose to join Nuno on a gentle ethnobotanical hike, discovering local medicinal, aromatic and edible plants; visit the Alqueva Lake for a bracing wild swim; or grab a traditional Portuguese bicycle to explore the estate's numerous cycling trails. Guests looking for more pampering can visit the Susanne Kaufmann Spa, where a range of results-driven treatments use local botanicals to ease and rejuvinate aching muscles.

To book: The Natural Wellness experience starts from 2,814 for two people including four nights' accommodation on a half board basis, daily outdoor Tai Chi, Chi Kung, Yoga and Pilates, one massage per person, daily cycle use, and a choice of three of the following: three-hour birding tour, horseback ride, ethnobotanical hike, or wild swimming.

Credit: Nelson Garrido Coast to country
Covering one third of Portugal's land mass yet home to only 5% of the population, the Alentejo is home to an extraordinarily diverse and undiscovered landscape, from white sand beaches to rolling rural estates. Allowing guests to make the most of this varied natural environment, São Lourenço do Barrocal has introduced a four-night Travel the Alentejo package in partnership with boutique coastal property, Sublime Comporta. Guests will begin with two nights at Sublime surrounded by 60-km of white sand beaches, vineyards and undulating sand dunes, where they'll spend days horseback riding on the beach and exploring the Sado Estuary Natural Reserve. Guests will then head one hour inland to spend their remaining days at São Lourenço do Barrocal. A bounty of countryside pursuits awaits, including hiking, cycling, horseback riding and tasting the estate's exclusive wines with resident oenologist.

To book: The Travel the Alentejo package starts from 1,950 for two people including two nights at each property on a bed and breakfast basis; one dinner for two at each property; a beach horse ride at Sublime Comporta and wine tasting at São Lourenço do Barrocal. For more information visit www.barrocal.pt