Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(
www.cnema.pt
;
)
Famous nationwide for its merriment, horse races, bullfights and night-
time bull-running. It lasts 10 days in the first half of June and mostly takes place 2km
west of the town centre. There are lots of associated children's events.
FOOD
Festival Nacional de Gastronomia
(
www.festivalnacionaldegastronomia.com
)
Held over a fortnight in October/November at the Casa
do Campino, the Festival Nacional de Gastronomia encourages you to eat as much tradi-
tional Portuguese fare as you can.
WINES OF RIBATEJO
For years, Ribatejo wines were considered good, honest jug stuff, while the really good vintages came from Alen-
tejo. However, the 21st century has seen winemakers pursuing more experimental techniques and exploiting more
labour-intensive, higher-quality terrains on the stony hillsides. In 2000 the region, now called simply Tejo, won
DOC (Denominação de Origem Controlada; the best wine certification in Portugal) status. For information about
vineyards and suggested do-it-yourself itineraries, head to
www.winesofportugal.info
, or pick up one of ViniPor-
tugal's free wine-route maps, available at tourist offices.
Sleeping
Hotel Vitória
GUESTHOUSE
€
( 243 309 130; hotelvitoriasantarem@gmail.com; Rua Segundo Visconde de Santarém 21; s/d €35/50; )
This night-at-your-great-aunt's-type place is run by Dona Vitória, assisted by various eld-
erly hangers-on. It has clean and well-kept rooms with old-fashioned amenities.
Hotel Umu
( 243 377 240;
www.umu.pt
; Av Bernardo Santareno 38; s/d/ste €42/52/90; )
This place is un-
dergoing modernization, so the smallish rooms with decent services will offer value once
they are renovated. The location in a high-rise district 2km north of the centre leaves a lot
to be desired.
HOTEL
€
Pensão José Rodrigues
( 962 837 909; Travessa do Froes 14; r per person not incl breakfast €15-20)
On a quiet cobbled alley
between Santarém's two pedestrianised thoroughfares, Dona Arminda rents out a few
GUESTHOUSE
€
