Quinta do Rio Vez

A lovely place to unwind among the vineyards and rivers. We enjoyed ending the day on the balcony with a glass of vinho verde as the sun set behind the mountains. It’s a great base for taking in the scenery along the banks of the Vez and Lima rivers and enjoying the local food. The host was very kind and pointed us toward the region’s best places to visit.

We stayed in the one-bedroom cottage at Quinta del Rio Vez, a complex with two cottages, one with one bedroom and the other with two, on a large estate that has several other cottages. The valley and vineyards are beautiful and completely peaceful. The house itself is old. The staff, Justo and Silvina, who live next door, were incredibly friendly and helpful. There’s also a small pool with views of Ponte da Barca, shared by all the cottages and about 500 meters away. We got lost trying to find it, so make sure you know the route. Getting to the house can be confusing too. Google Maps sends you along the Rio Vez, where there’s no entrance, and there are no signs. The easiest way is via the street with the Alto da Proba restaurant. Continue about 200 meters to an open gate on the left, go through it, then follow the road to the right for 300 meters to the houses. The kitchen is cramped, and the sofa bed was uncomfortable. There was no microwave when we arrived, despite it being advertised on the website, but one was promptly brought to us. There’s no internet, and the television only gets the four national channels. It’s decent, clean tourist accommodation, but not especially comfortable. The location is excellent for walking to Ponte da Barca and visiting Arcos de Valdevez and the start of the Gerês region. It works well as a base to explore, though perhaps not for living there permanently. The price may be a little high compared with similar places for what’s offered.

A beautiful spot for a few peaceful days!

A nice place to rest and unwind.