Pristine Example of Portuguese Architecture and Country Life

Charming, Spacious and Accommodating The Villa and Grounds The villa itself was charming and spacious, accommodating our 26 family members (12 children) very well. Located in the midst of vineyards and surrounded by rolling hills, it offers beautiful views of distant small villages nestled in the hills; the structures are visible during the day and twinkling lights dotted the hillsides at night. The grounds around the villa, with grapevines, fruit trees and a tailored lawn provided lovely places to walk and for our youngsters to play. The renovated villa itself was a delight, with four large salons, each with its own distinctive flair. There was even a chapel! The furnishings were tasteful with large oil paintings, antique tapestries, antiquities and memorabilia decorating the large common areas. The villa is owned by one of the noblest families in Portugal, which still uses it for family gatherings. The Owner and Staff We were greeted upon our arrival by the owner, Maria. She is a warm and gracious hostess who treated us as family. Maria helped us plan our days, highlighting the attractions of the nearby towns. She was very familiar with restaurants, sightseeing areas and shopping places. A very capable staff who lives on location 24/7 (residing in a separate wing) kept the villa in order and our rooms neat and clean. Maria visited us every day to make sure that everything was top-notch. Around 6 p.m. daily, we were treated with local wines from the vineyards of the villa (these were truly excellent) and an array of cheeses, breads and snacks. This was a tasty and restful way to prepare for dinner. The Meals Because we were such a large group, we chose to eat at the villa for breakfast and dinner. Breakfasts were expansive – fresh breads, croissants, cheeses, breakfast meats, eggs, vegetables, fruits, and Portuguese pastries. We left the table fully ready to face the day! Dinners were lovely. We had a choice of menu items from which we selected every morning. The chef was very flexible and accommodated our occasionally quirky demands. The food was delicious and plentiful. It was nice to get such well-balanced meals without the hassle of eating in restaurants. We all left wanting the recipes for the delicious soups which soon appeared in our mailboxes after our return to the States!