One thing you will learn about me is that I love to travel! This year, because of the pandemic, that got somewhat “limited”, but it was also how I came to enjoy more of Portugal.
I tend to leave Portugal in second place, because I am curious about the world, about other cultures, peoples and traditions, and because I assume I will always have more chances to travel closer to home.
But Portugal has magnificent places, and it is constantly singled out where tourism is concerned. Porto is home for me and, as a child of summer, whenever I think about destinations… I think about places that remind me of summer, and for me the Alentejo is that place. So now you know it is my destination of choice in Portugal.
Arraiolos, has anyone been?
It sits in the district of Évora and yes, it is where the Arraiolos rugs come from. It is also in this small town that the Casas Caiadas project was born, founded by Mário Domingues and Paula Cabrito. They are the perfect place to stay in Arraiolos: on the outskirts you will find the Boutique Home, a set of houses that are the perfect retreat for anyone wanting to be out in nature with some social distance, while in the centre there is the Open House, which in my opinion is a piece of Santorini in the heart of the Alentejo.
Casas Caiadas Boutique Home was recognised in 2016 with the design category award from Monocle magazine, and in 2018 by Sunday Times Travel Magazine as one of the “six best retreats in the world”.
Coming from a design background, I have a great appreciation for spaces that say something to me, visually ordered, natural materials, neutral tones. That is where I feel at home and at ease. If you are like me, then I have good news: you will love Casas Caiadas.
Sustainable mobility in the Alentejo
Casas Caiadas gave rise to the RODES project, “a pioneering, sustainable project aimed at the new nomads who look for genuine places and bring mobility, culture and art to them”.
The movement of goods and people transformed the economy, but the environmental crisis is making us rethink mobility. That is one of the reasons new forms of transport suited to new ways of living are appearing, and while e-bikes are not exactly a new form of transport, being able to hire one in the Alentejo is.
E-panther is the brand behind the RODES project, and it is Riese and Müller’s new Experience Store & Cargo Hub. The shop launched on 10/10/2020 and opened officially on the 19th, in the old fire station in Arraiolos. Between those dates, while the shop was not yet open to the public, the electric bikes were available for the local community to enjoy. Mário Domingues says that “the people of Arraiolos are part of the project” and that one of the intentions is to promote and energise local businesses.
Your health and wellbeing are the energy that keeps us moving.
E-panther manifesto
I had the chance to try the bikes first-hand and to become the object of curiosity for the whole town, people would stop and ask: “what is that thing you are riding?”, “what is this Wherever?”… the reactions were many and hilarious. I had never tried one before, but it really is easy and comfortable, and it lets you play tourist from a new perspective!
You can see that the project has been well received by the community, which also saw a chance to interact with people visiting the town and to increase what their businesses earn, by lengthening the average stay of those who visit Arraiolos, feeding the circular economy and raising demand for local goods and services.
To support the community further, E-panther has provided e-parks conceived and designed by Luís Pereira Miguel and the designer Gonçalo Prudêncio. They will be installed at Casas Caiadas, at Casa do Platáno, at the pastry shops O Toucinho and Arroz Doce, and at the restaurants O Alpendre (which is DELICIOUS!), O Parque and República dos Petiscos, among others.
What sets E-panther apart from a bike hire shop is what it sets out to offer: a complete experience. The aim is to plan themed itineraries and special programmes that will explore the Alentejo from another perspective, and perhaps even with a guide.
Bike hire costs €22 a day, or €12 for half a day, and there will also be special rates for couples, families or groups.
Have I convinced you to visit Arraiolos, Casas Caiadas and E-panther?
Just imagine how easy it is to ride up to the castle and get the best view there is, without any effort at all. Take a look:
In partnership with E-Panther & Casas Caiadas
