Classy villa with lovely views to the hills over serene meadowlands

CLASSIC VILLA IN SERENE MEADOWLANDS AT FOOT OF SERRA WITH PRIVATE POOL AND WIFI

Emerging from the long tree-lined entrance drive into this little hamlet, you might feel you have stepped into an old sepia photograph. An ox and cart would seem less incongruous than a car. The forested Serra da Lousã wells up over the verdant arcadia like a giant green tsunami, forever frozen in time. Likely the only sound to greet you will be the gentle rush of the breeze; unusually for Portugal, there are no barking dogs nearby to disturb the peace.

You can immerse yourself in this bucolic Eden without foregoing 21st-century comforts. This modern villa, built in 2006, has them all, including private swimming pool, barbecue, free wifi, smart satellite TV,, under-floor heating, wood-burning stove, reclining sofas and a fully equipped and fitted kitchen.

The master bedroom with en-suite shower and doors opening onto the garden terrace is on one wing of the villa; the other two bedrooms (one double, also with doors onto the garden terrace, the other a twin) share a bathroom in the other wing, so parents can distance themselves a little from the children. All bedrooms have fitted wardrobes.

Between the two wings is the good-size sitting/dining room, with glazed doors opening onto an exceptionally large and pleasant terrace, with stylish lounge and dining furniture for the outdoor lifestyle which is so much part of the holiday experience. Facing east, it is a wonderful spot to take breakfast, with easy-on-the-eye views towards the hills. A couple of steps take you to the swimming pool, exclusively yours, which catches the sun most of the day.

For all the delightful solitude, the villa is barely five minutes by car from the little market town of Miranda do Corvo, which has three supermarkets, several restaurants, shops etc, plus the Quinta da Paiva complex, which has a good restaurant, riding stables, zoo, craft shop, large lido and hotel with indoor pool and small gym.

Barely 30 mins takes you to the medieval university city of Coimbra, Portugal’s third city. The Roman ruins of Conimbriga are even closer and World Heritage Tomar, with its castle and convent, is c. 45 mins. The vast golden beaches of the Silver Coast are about an hour way, but there is much warmer and safer bathing to be had in the clear rivers and lakes around the Serra.

Within walking distance from the villa is a little café and mini-mercado. And you are right at the foot of the gorgeous Serra da Lousã, with its ‘lost’ mountain villages. There are some jaw-dropping views and exhilirating fresh air to be had. Discover its hidden treasures and quirky little restaurants in the middle of nowhere.

If you want an overcrowded rip-off tourist ghetto, this is not the place for you. Mass tourism has not left its ugly footprint here (yet English is widely spoken). If you love nature and long for a slower pace of life, you will find this lovely region in the REAL Portugal hard to better.