Very spacious ground floor farmhouse apartment, set in a small vineyard, overlooking mountains and valleys. The pool is at the end of the orchard - it measures 6mx6m and is tiled blue. Access is via a short ladder, with 4 steps down. The floor of the pool is flat, and the water depth measures 1m45. This pool is private to those staying in the apartment. Surrounding the pool is a terraced area, with tables and chairs and sun loungers. There is a pergola for shade. All around the pool are fruit trees (apple, plum, peach, walnuts, kiwis, figs, passion fruit etc), and guests can eat the fruit when ripe.
The apartment has 2 double bedrooms and one twin bedroom - all large.
Just outside the apartment is a patio, complete with table and chairs, and a BBQ a few feet away.
The apartment's sitting/dining room and kitchen have granite walls which keep the room cool in the summer and warm in the winter. There is CH throughout and a wood burner in the living room. The kitchen has an island with an induction cooker, a washing machine, dish washer, all mod cons and all the powders and capsules are provided free of charge by the hosts.
The 2 bathrooms are large, with showers, WC, wash-hand basins, one with a bidet and the owners provide toiletries, such as shampoo, bath gel, soap, toothpaste - as well as a hair dryer.
Recently the owners converted the wine house at the end of the house into an extra sitting room with Netflix/Events Room/Exercise room.
The owners, who live at the farmhouse, have a separate entrance to guests (at a different side of the house).
The farmhouse is set in the heart of the country, but is close to everything - the historic towns of Braga and Guimarães are only 15 minutes away. The nearest village is Santa Cristina de Longos with 3 cafés and 3 restaurants. Taipas, 5 minutes by car, is a spa town with thermal baths. It has an indoor and outdoor pool, offers facial treatments, a Turkish bath, steam room, massage etc.
The area is rich in history, with various Celtic settlements - Citânia de Briteiros, Castro Sabroso, Póvoa de Lanhoso - which take us back to the days of Christ.
From the house it's possible to walk for half an hour, through a eucalyptus forest and arrive at the famous Sanctuaries of Sameiro and Bom Jesus, with their landscaped gardens, lakes, fountains and...restaurants and cafés!
The beach at Esposende is only 30 mins away, the town itself is worth a visit - it began as a fishing village and although it has grown the centre is still very pretty, with good shops and plenty of good places to eat at a modest price.
Porto is only 1 hour away and it's also possible to visit the Douro valley and be back home by the afternoon.
There is a lot to do and see in the area but most people are happiest sitting outside,in the garden or by the pool, listening to the chime of the church bells, admiring the scenery and enjoying a glass of wine, with the BBQ on the go.