Charming granite cottage in beautiful surroundings

Discover the untouched surroundings of the northern Portuguese countryside. Our "quinta" is located in a non-touristic area with lots of possibilities for tracking and hiking. It’s perfect for discovering the local atmosphere of authentic villages and surrounding areas. Despite our rural location, basic services such as a good restaurant and a mini market are within walking distance. The country house has 3 guest facilities (cottage, apartment, double bedroom) with a total capacity of 8 people. The cottage is, in fact, a complete house with 3 rooms (bedroom, living room/kitchen, bathroom) and is fully equipped (fridge, pots and pans, cooking hob and so on). It has a view over the garden, ideal for relaxing outside and inside. The bedroom is equipped with 2 single beds. The living room has a sofa bed and a fire place. Facilities for guests Outside a covered parking place is available (1 car). There is a common swimming pool. Please note that the swimming pool is shared between all guests with a maximum of 8 people. In addition, guests may wander through the garden, orchard, vineyard and use the outdoor kitchen. The latter contains a wood oven, hobs, barbecue, table for 14 people and all kitchen utensils one may wish for. Access and contact Guests will receive their own keys for the accommodation and gate. The accommodation is separate from the main building. If there are questions we are always nearby to help. We speak several languages: English, Portuguese, French, German, Dutch and some Spanish Places of interest In the village where we are located there are some cafes, a mini market and a restaurant within walking distance. The restaurant has excellent traditional cuisine for very reasonable prices. Within a few kilometers, there are many good restaurants in towns in the area, about which the landlady is happy to advise you. Supermarkets can be found in Penalva (7 km) and Mangualde (10 km), several shopping centers and major shopping malls can be found in Viseu (18 km). Markets can be visited in Penalvo (Fridays) and Viseu (Tuesdays). Viseu is the largest city in the immediate area, with attractions such as museums, churches and theaters. Driving around in the nearby nature is breathtaking. The more adventurous driver is served with a trip to the Serra da Estrela. After about 75 km, partly winding roads, one reaches the top, where the snow remains until the middle seasons. Transport The accommodation is situated near the A25. Exit 22 "Mangualde/Penalva do Castelo". Public transport is limited, visiting by own/rental car is preferable. From Porto Airport, the estate can be reached within 2 hours by rental car. Enjoy a sustainable environment Ideal place for nature lovers. Perfect place to experience the silence and beauty of Portuguese countryside. The management of the vineyard and the cultivation of plants and vegetables takes place in an ecologically responsible manner. The lawn at the swimming pool is a perfect place for yoga and relaxation. When springtime knocks on the door the valley turns green, the birds no longer hide from the cold and the sun shines modestly. In the garden, the landlady's origin is recognisable, tulips and daffodils give a colourful Dutch experience. During the day the temperature can be pleasant but the wind can sometimes be a bit chilly. It’s a good idea to bring a jumper and shorts at the same time. In the summer the garden is magnificent. Flowers, plants and vegetables come to full bloom and give the environment a paradisiacal appearance. The temperatures reach their highest value during this season, relaxing by the pool can provide the necessary cooling. Until late in the evening it stays comfortable outside and it is an ideal time for the barbeque. Finally, when the night falls you can admire the beautiful star filled sky. Autumn is the time of the year when the surroundings of the country-house are buzzing with activity. Mid-September the grape harvest begins. Everyone prepares themselves for what is coming and there is plenty of work around. The surroundings are even more beautiful than usual because of the autumn colours that enhance the breath-taking scenery. The neighbour runs his boilers at full speed to produce the typical "agua ardente", comparable to brandy. The sweet scent of this traditional distilling procedure can be smelled throughout the valley. In mutual agreement we can offer excursions to experience the surroundings in autumn with its typical scents and lovely colours. Next to this, for those who'd like an active holiday, we can arrange a day of grape picking, part of the wine making tradition. In gratitude of the helping hands we offer a typical countryside workers’ lunch. In short: don't miss this chance to visit the country house in its peak of traditional vigour! Hope to see you all soon.