Ourique holiday apartment rental, Monte Da Estrada with walking, beach/lake nearby, log fire, rural retreat, DVD

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O Ninho (apartment)

Home description

Welcome to our Monte. It is the ideal place to have some 'me' time. Get away from the pressures of modern life and step back 30 years.

The self catering apartment forms part of the Monte which had been sympathetically restored with beams and feather board ceilings; thick walls that insulate, having a cooling effect in the summer whilst retaining the heat when the log burner is stoked up in the colder months.

The triple paned french doors completely open up and the other rooms have stable doors looking over the large olive tree where the storks nest. The house is set in 5 acres and although there is a private garden area at the back, you are welcome to wander. There is a well and an old garden at the bottom of the field with vines, damsons, prickly pears. The surrounding garden area has been landscaped with Mediterranean plants that flourish here.

The Monte has lovely views over the rolling plains with the cork trees; the sound of the farm animals and wildlife; the beautiful sunsets, and the blue skies.

O Ninho	The Apartment
The Lounge Area	The Back of the Apartment

To see more photos please visit http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/61882

The Southern Plains/Alentejo region

The following description is not my creation but that of Gary Lakin a photogrpaher. I thought it was perfect to describe this area and although I never asked him I'm sure by quoting his web site he might forgive me for my plagiarism - it's www.garylakinphotography.com

"The Alentejo area is commonly known as the "bread basket" of Portugal. A fitting title for this vast open countryside with undulating plains and rich fertile soil. With very few exceptions all the major towns are mainly reliant on agriculture, livestock and wood. Typical products from this area are grain, sunflower, carthame, fruit, vegetables, olives, wines, cork, eucalyptus, lamb, pigs, kid, granite, schist and marble. Vast golden wheat fields undulate, cork oaks and olive trees pop up in the golden landscape. Bushes of eucalyptus and pine trees invite you for long walks in the beautiful countryside. All sorts of flowers bloom throughout the year, but abundantly in spring when they carpet the vast plains and wild flowers fill the ditches and cover the fallow land. Storks build their nests on roof tops and church spires (and in winter) and shepherds cradle new born lambs, providing visitors with a vivid impression of the real Portugal.

Huge palm trees that have withstood the ravages of time show that you’re in the right climate. All sorts of birds have settled here. This is a region for nature lovers; the quiet Alentejo landscape has its influence on the march of time. Time passes slowly, the Alentejo follows the rhythm of the land itself. On your walk the only passerby would be a shepherd with sheep or goats and you will be surrounded by a cachophony of bird song. The smell of eucalyptus, pine, mimosa, herbs and flowers will surround you all the time. It will make you forget about city life, your stresses will drop away and somehow will give you the feeling: "This is what life is meant to be like". "

- and he's right, this is exactly what it is like!

Ourique / Monte Da Estrada area

Ourique is a small town with cafes, banks, hospital, pharmacy, schools. It's a friendly place where there's time for all the pleasantries which have been lost in the modern world.

The town looks like a big hill with the miradoura (view point) at the top which was the site of a castle. The Battle of Ourique is quite famous in history.

The festivals very much depend on the time of year but, for example, in March there was a few days celebrating the 'Porco Alentejo' which is the speciality in this area - the pig. There was a 'Pig Parade' with little piggies all dressed up; various tastings; cooking demonstrations, dances (and the older Portuguese are pretty swift on the dance floor); and a fantastic pop band called Toy playing into the wee hours of the morning.

Also whilst visiting the town one day they had shut off the main street (a very steep hill lined with orange trees) and put tyre chicanes on the road. The children (well teenagers+) had made their own go carts and were racing down the hill. All very well organised and supported by the local police, the locals, and the very proud parents.
There are also the street markets or 'feiras' which are held in surrounding towns different days of the months.

All the councils have web sites some have a translate option but they are most probably the best way to find out what is on; plus there is usually bill boards everywhere just before events.

How to get there

- nearest airport is Faro which is about 90 kms
- www. easyjet.com & www.thomsonfly.com and many more offer cheap flights
- for car hire try www.economycarhire.com
- choose Faro / Lisbon motorway or parallel IC1 for journey; both good roads
- roads very quiet in this area
- new airport due to open in Beja 2009 (60kms)

Activities near Ourique

Facilities

Further details indoors:
- Combination microwave / two gas ring hob / slow cooker
- Washing machine, freezer space, are all in an external utility room
- A separate dining room
- Fans for the hotter times
- Log burner, gas heater and electric heaters for the cooler times
- The bedroom and the dining room have pleated retractable flyscreens on the doors

Further details outdoors:
- Own garden area at back
- Monte is set in 5 acres which has its very own stork family living in the large olive tree

Conditions

- Smokers welcome to smoke outside of property
- Being in an ecological area we have no pool but the nearby municipal pool includes an outdoors pool which is very clean and surrounded by grass, and was only €1.50 for the day last time I went.

Rental rates

Period	From	To	Weekly	Nightly rate		Minimum  stay
				Weekday	Weekend
2009	18 Sep 09	1 Jan 10	200£ 200	3030	3030	Flexible
2010	1 Jan 10	31 Dec 10	230£ 230	3535	3535	Flexible

The property's weekend rates apply to: Saturday and Sunday nights

NB: Prices may be subject to change at the advertiser's discretion.

Availability

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To contact this advertiser please visit: http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/61882

Contact details for the advertiser of home 61882
Name:	Jan Hams
Tel:	+351 286 518033
Mobile:	+351 969883937
Be aware of time-zones Please mention Holiday Lettings when contacting this advertiser
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Advertiser joined: Jun 2008