Barretos accommodation from NZ$123

Estubo todo muy bien

Good hotel

Jose and Clara were consummate hosts for whom nothing was too much trouble. The azenha was a home from home, comfortable and with everything one could need. The setting is idyllic, surrounded by trees and with streams flowing past the mill, on the smaller of which Jose has constructed an island of cemented stones, reached by a small wooden bridge. Watching the dragonflies and damselflies hawking up and down the stream was a delight, as were the clouds of white butterflies, including the handsome Iberian Marbled White. There are numerous tracks through the forests, some of which are signposted hiking trails. There are very large supermarkets in Portalegre, but we tended to use Pingo Doce in Castelo de Vide, which is our favourite Portuguese town! The mill (azenha) has been beautifully renovated and has all mod. cons. The bed is comfortable and there is a more than adequate supply of towels and high quality bed linen. If you love nature, it is paradise. On the first morning, at about 09:00, I stepped out onto the patio outside the front door and a pine marten trotted along the length of the dwarf wall which encloses the patio. We stayed for four weeks and were reluctant to leave, but I have my 1,500 photographs! Thank you Clara and Jose.