AltaVista

The house is a great choice for a quiet holiday, away from the bustle, with mountain views to wake up to every day. Although we had some rainy days and low temperatures, the owner even asked whether I'd like the pool cleaned. The owners were very kind and thoughtful: they brought us two baskets full of breakfast items that lasted the week for all six adults, then surprised us with a sweet treat midweek. We had plenty of room to spend time together in the shared areas. The fireplace serves both the dining room and the sofa area, so it warms both rooms. All the bedrooms are suites, which meant nobody had to share a bathroom. There is also a huge outdoor area where we could enjoy the fresh mountain air, peace, and rest. Pets are welcome, and there's lots of space for them to play and run. If they need more room, the trails above the house have no car traffic and are great for walks with or without dogs. It's away from the city commotion, but the local supermarket is only a 7-8 minute drive away and has everything needed for a good holiday, including a fish counter, butcher, bakery, grill, fruit, and all the usual groceries. Five stars!

Dona Dores was so kind and helpful, and gave us a basket of traditional Christmas sweets along with a bottle of wine from the region. The house is comfortable and nicely decorated, with a striking view across the valley that stretches for 40 km. On New Year's Eve, we could clearly see Braga, its pretty night lights, and dozens of fireworks from a higher viewpoint. It was magical. I highly recommend getting up early to watch the sun rise above the clouds and mist from that altitude. In the evening, we loved relaxing on the sofa by the lit fireplace. The house is in a little, picturesque cluster of about 12 homes, 2 km from the village centre, with good access to supermarkets, restaurants, and cafes. We walked the hills around the house and saw little streams, mills, sheep, goats, rabbits, kites, and even around 12 horses grazing freely, with the sea and Rio Lima in the distance. It was an extraordinary experience, and we'll repeat the stay.

Walking around the house was the best part for us. We were lucky enough to spot wild horses, and we're already looking forward to coming back to this magical little place. The house is comfortable, with large bedrooms, central heating, fast internet, and a 50-inch TV. We sometimes watched Netflix, but sitting by the fireplace beside the glass window and enjoying the view was an experience in itself. We stayed with family and loved the big garden, with all its little corners, flowers, and trees. Being able to pick fresh fruit was fantastic, and there was even a herb garden near the kitchen. The drive up is beautiful, with the view getting better as you approach. The road near the house is new, and the small, picturesque village has friendly neighbours who even gave us oranges.

The bright red pool is so unusual, and I highly recommend this place. Surrounded by nature, the property is incredible inside and out, with a view that's hard to describe. It gave us such a deep sense of peace, as though we were far from real life, while still feeling as comfortable as at home. Perfect for relaxing and enjoying good moments.