3 posts tagged “ourem”

We stayed at 3 properties of the Pousadas during our week-long trip to Portugal. "Pousada" is supposed to mean an upmarket inn. The Pousadas de Portugal is a chain of upmarket hotels which can be found all over Portugal. I believe they are at least partially, if not wholly, state-owned and definitely have a couple of competitive advantages over the others - ubiquity and splendid locations among others. The Portuguese countryside is dotted with tastefully done Pousadas - many of them in castles, former palaces and other such charming and historic locations. 

Outdoor area at the Pousada

There is a swimming pool and tennis courts and a couple of bikes are available for the use of guests. The restaurant has a somewhat formal feel to it. We got our introduction to the custom of 'couvert' over here - basically the waiter will bring bread, cheese, olives and other goodies to the table immediately after seating you. You later realize that these are not 'free' even though the waiter seems to have brought it on his own accord. Apparently, at least as per our lonely planet guide, it is not offensive to ask the waiter not to bring it or ask what the charge will be. 

The Pousada at Ourem was on a steeper hill - the last couple of curves when driving up being almost unnerving. Like Viana, there is a swimming pool on the edge of the hill with impressive views

The pool at Ourem

The Pousada at Queluz

From Viana Do Castelo, we went to Ourem, to our Pousada which nestles on top of the hill next to the castelo (castle). The drive from the motorway exit near Fatima to Ourem is a winding one on a good two lane road. The town of Ourem is a small one with really one main street which has municipal offices, a voluntary fire-station, a Lidl supermarket, and a few shops, restaurants and cafes. The walled part of the town on the hill is an interesting, all cobblestone affair with incredibly steep and narrow streets which the locals seem to be at ease with. 

A street in the walled part of Ourem

While cobblestone tends to be symbolic of a bygone era, we realized that it presents some practical difficulties – such as in maneuvering a kid in a stroller. The castle is right on top with a fair part of it still standing, manicured lawns in the garden and lovely views of the surrounding villages full of red-tile roofed cottages.

View from the Ourem Castle

 Fatima, as can be expected, is an intensely religious place. The basilica and the praca (square) in front are very impressive. 

The basilica in Fatima and the praca

We walked in when mass was in progress and it was packed with standing only room (even though it was a week day). We briefly immersed ourselves in the piety and devotion of the moment, which the wonderful acoustics inside helped bring alive. Elsewhere in the praca, we could see people lighting candles, making offerings or shuffling on their knees in penitence or prayer.                       

This blog is entering blogsphere courtesy of the free WiFi hotspot provided by the municipality of the town of Ourem in Portugal. That is where yours truly is vacationing at the moment. So far, it has been a smooth and most enjoyable vacation. Have covered Viana Do Castelo, Conimbriga and Ourem so far. Landed in Porto but never went into the city. We're headed next to Queluz on the outskirts of Lisbon. Our AVIS provided VW Golf Wagon with manual transmission is getting us around and their TomTom GPS is our reliable navigator. Detailed reports will follow - time and internet access allowing.