After all that relaxing, one needs a little exercise. Or so says my husband. Sigh. I had no idea there were so many mountains in Portugal. Really huge ones. Or so I say.

If one is to cycle, then the Rio Guardian is the place to do it. Beautiful scenery at every turn and basically zero traffic for kilometers. One is rewarded at the end of the way there by the picturesque village of Alcoutim and it's deevine restaurant Nicola. What can I say, exercise needs to be rewarded with food!

According to Wikipedia, Alcoutim is the least densley populated municipality in Portugal which is one of the many reasons I love it. This considered, it has several restaurants, cafes and pubs and is a lively little town. There is also a 14th century Moorish castle and beautiful church.

You can also take a ferry across the river to Sanlucar de Guadiana in Spain. The Guadiana River forms the border between Spain and Portugal and is beautiful from start to finish. I shall tell you more about it and villages to visit as the weeks go by.

Ooh yes, if you're feeling peckish in Alcoutim, try the grilled chicken at Nicola's restaurant. It is deevine. Next time I'm going to try the prawns as they looked and smelled deevine too.