Not even two months have passed since my 'escape' to Tróia but that's my charm for the Alentejo and I came back to celebrate a special date.

This time the target was the Sobreiras Alentejo Country Hotel, a rural lodging a few minutes from Grândola composed of several 'villas' with small balconies and a swimming pool in which you dive into the tranquility of the environment.

The decor is rustic yet modern, perfect for relaxing in a comfortable way before or after strolling through nature without having to leave the hotel's gates.

My mistake was to go out to dinner at Grândola. Don't get me wrong, I love going to try the restaurants in the area where I am, the point is that I went to a Sunday, the day 99% of the restaurants here are closed! After several attempts, and with the help of the friendly and attentive Liliana, who welcomed us in Sobreiras, I went to try one of the only open restaurants. Appetizer: eggs with farinheira, nothing to say, all right, even if the scena was not what I imagined for a romantic dinner. But then came the main course... ordered a steak mustard, a dish that I quite like when it's well done and not when the sauce is simply a heated mustard package... At least the Alentejo wine never disappoints.

The next day, before my morning outdoor walk, Sobreiras's cozy, relaxed and tasty breakfast made me recharge and forget about the less-than-good dining experience of the previous night.

I left for Vila Nova de Milfontes with the desire to return to what became one of my district election retreats. One thing you can be sure: I will return to Alentejo and sooner than you think.