The town of Evora, in Portugal’s south-central Alentejo region, known for its magnificent olive groves and traditional villages, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its wealth of historic architecture and archaeological sites. These include the ruins of an ancient Roman temple dating from around 1000 BC, the medieval University of Evora, founded in the 16th century, and several beautiful old churches. The oldest of these is the amazing Neolithic site at Almendres Cromlech, which dates back 8000 years and has been in use for three millennia.

One of the most intriguing and macabre religious sites is the Capela dos Ossos – the Chapel of Bones – which has interior walls encrusted with bones and skulls. Gourmands will delight in the mouth-watering local dishes, most notably the incredible range of delicious traditional desserts.