Check-in Friday evening to the charm and elegance of the Alentejo rural house Casa do Terreiro do Poço, in Borba, Portugal and after a good night's sleep and a good breakfast you're ready to explore Borba and its history.

If you are into antiques, check the many antique shops in Borba and pay a quick visit to Estremoz where every Saturday morning there is an Antiques Fair in Rossio Marquês of Pombal.

Lunch in Estremoz or in one of the famous Borba Tasquinhas, some of the specialties of the region. We suggest purslane soup, fried river fish, fried or roasted rabbit and if you are not driving, with a good local wine. To finish, try a regional dessert - Azevia.

After lunch, we recommend that you visit Igreja de St. António (Church) which was founded in 1630 by the Brotherhood of St. António. The church had, for it's support, several farms whose yearly profits, went towards it's ornamentation and upkeep.

The Borba Castle was built by King D. Dinis in order to protect the village that would become a strategic point of defense of Alentejo's border. Square-shaped, the thick wall was covered by a large battlement in its entirety. The fence was been absorbed by the houses, which replaced it in large intervals. In the northeast corner stands the massive Castle Keep. Inside you can see the Prison and Clock towers.

The primitive church of Santa Maria was founded in 1260 inside the Castle and delivered by the King Alfonso III to the Military Order of Avis. However, in 1420, D. João Rodrigues de Sequeira had built a new church in its present location and then in 1560, Cardinal D. Henrique had rebuilt the Mother Church.

The Standard of Montes Claros in Rio de Moinhos is a marble column that was built by the Regent Prince D. Pedro who ruled instead of his brother, D. Afonso and that marks the spot where on June 17, 1665, the Battle of Montes Claros took place.

Steps of the Lord are processional Steps in Borba being the largest in the country as were the last in a series to be built in the Alentejo.

You can also visit

- Alvarez Family Palace
- Palace of the Knights Silveira Menezes
- Capela do Senhor Jesus dos Aflitos (Chapel)
- Igreja da Misericórdia (Church)
- Convento das Servas
- Convento de Nossa Senhora da Luz – Rio de Moinhos

Stock up on quality regional products that are the region's wine, cheese, olive oil, spicy smoked pork sausages and bread.

Dine in another Borba Tasquinhas other specialties like fish soup, fish with coriander, lamb stew or pork with migas, with a good wine from Borba and finish with another regional dessert "Encharcada".

Take a walk in the evening through Borba and see the current Town Hall, which was built in the late eighteenth century.

Then after another good night's sleep, Sunday morning, enjoy another dip in the pool or a walk through Borba and roast lamb for lunch with Sericaia with Elvas prunes as dessert.

And now you're ready to face another week.

Come again soon!