February in Portugal - Evora Surprise

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It was Carnival in Portugal, and despite the fact that I hate everything about carnival, I did get a 4 day weekend and I have so many, but so many things to get onto the blog that I thought I would just go ahead and do two posts.
Firstly I am dying to write about Evora in Alentejo, Portugal which I was told (keep in mind I don’t take any of this information from history books or travel guides so its not quite official, but it’s the local take on things) that Evora can be considered the capital of Alentejo - Portugal´s central region between Lisbon and the Algarve and stretching all the way from the coast where I am told are the most beautiful deserted beaches, all the way inland to Spain. It is only about an hour and a half away from Lisbon (if you drive within the legal speed limit) but because the event was a big ol’ birthday bash my lovely hosts felt it was better to spend the night.
Though the hotel offer in Evora is rich (Evora Hotel, Convento do Espinheiro, and many more) my hosts selected a gorgeous little hostel smack in the centre of the town, Reisdencial Riviera (Check out their website, it has some great photos and information on Evora). The room had a very local and “vintagy” feel to it, and that is NOT code for shabby. It was large, the decoration was very classical and tasteful, the beds were delicious, the bathroom was not modern, but it was the best shower I have had in a while and everything was nothing less than spotless. Because it’s in the centre of Evora you get a real sense for the liveliness of this University town (one of the oldest in Portugal) and you get to walk everywhere.
If you are one of those people who thrive on history, convents, churches and monuments in general then there will be no stopping you! There is so much to see, do and learn there. There is the MUST SEE of the town – Templo de Diana (A Roman Temple), the cathedral, the Chapel of Bones (takes its name from the fact that its inside is lined with real people’s bones) as well as the University and the city’s main square – Praça do Giraldes. There is just no shortage of all sorts of really interesting things discover.
If on the other hand you just like to hang out and get a feel for the spirit of places feel out the local scenes well than that’s where Evora was a real surprise to me. It is extremely lively and you could even say cosmopolitan. The University apparently has one of the best ballet programs in the country so there are lots of dancers out and about which give Evora a really bohemian feel as well. If you take to walking up and down the little cobbled lanes – which you really must - you will find all sorts of trendy restaurants, bars and clubs.
Did I mention that the centre of town is within its castle walls.....