Quinta da Fornalha

We couldn’t walk to places from the site, but that was fine since beaches, restaurants and everything else were within a 10-minute drive. We’d never tried this kind of holiday before, and we’ll definitely do it again or come back. Our cabin in the glamping area was a hit. It was so quiet, with plenty of spots to relax under fairy lights. We spent ages by the pool, looking out across the farm and surrounding area, and cuddling the animals. There are lots of cats and dogs on the farm, all really friendly. Cats often gathered around the glamping area, and sometimes one would be waiting outside our cabin when we left. The staff were wonderful, too, so welcoming and helpful.

The animals were a lot of fun for the kids, and having a porch with a BBQ was a real plus. The farm had little growing apart from figs that were drying, perhaps because of the season, so there wasn’t much to look at. There were also many dogs and a constant presence of sick cats, which was off-putting. The place has an interesting idea behind it, but needs serious upkeep. Our house had the basics, though more comfort would have helped. The pool needed a proper clean, and the view of the containers was a letdown. It was an okay stay, with room to be much better.

We stayed in the blue house. It was very quiet at night, though we could hear mosquitoes buzzing constantly and cats fighting. I won’t come back after what happened with the black cat we nicknamed "ganziñas". It seemed completely wired and clawed the back of my hand without warning while I was petting another cat. Maybe it was jealous. I had to rush to the hospital. The owner didn’t answer the phone until two hours later, after I’d been admitted to the health care center. The pool was very windy and not clean. The trampoline at our house had a broken net that could be a safety hazard. There weren’t any hygiene supplies, and the emergency kit didn’t have enough to stop my bleeding, not even rubbing alcohol. The dogs were mostly friendly with people and children, but many didn’t get along with other dogs. Some cats weren’t friendly either, and I hope nobody else gets clawed by that black cat. I can only hope the stray cats were vaccinated and didn’t have diseases, but I’m pretty sure they weren’t. Why would an animal sanctuary not vaccinate its animals? It’s not a good experience unless all you care about is sleep, and even then, bring plenty of bug spray.

A peaceful spot for a quiet break. The self-catering cottages are great, and you can use whatever the farm grows.