Lovingly restored 300 year old, child friendly farmhouse available for holiday let close to the market town of Penela, central Portugal

A painstakingly restored 300 year old farmhouse, which was lovingly restored by the owners, available for holiday let near the central Portugal town of Penela.

The owners have lavished affection on this property and as such visitors are privy to a property which has had every detail contemplated over and is a home rather than just another holiday let though the owners wish for clients to respect and enjoy the property as if it were there own home.

The village of Podentes has old fashioned values and despite the ravishes of time upon the rest of the world, rotavators (road worthy tractors) are still the mode of transport for many within the village.  Podentes is a place where everyone will make you feel welcome and by the end of your stay you will have friends for life, even if you can't understand what they are saying.

If you want to experience a holiday in real Portugal with real people but with English comforts (such as a comfy bed) then this is the house for you.

The property briefly comprises:

Bedrooms: Huge master bedroom with queen size, comfy bed, Sky satellite TV, private balcony with views to mountains.
Bedroom 2, double bed, en-suite, French doors to courtyard.
Bedroom 3, 2 single beds, en-suite, lots of toys and books, TV and PS2.

Bathrooms: En-suite to master bedroom has a double bath, separate shower cubicle, double basin vanity unit, wc and bidet.
Bedroom 2, en-suite has a two person shower, basin and wc.
Bedroom 3, en-suite has a shower, basin and wc.

Kitchen: Our kitchen is so good to cook in, you may not want to go out. We have a SMEG range cooker, SMEG dishwasher, double
butler sink, fridge and separate freezer, microwave, whirlpool washing m/c, tumble dryer, smart cutlery and china, cook books etc!

Living Room: Comfortably lounge has sofas, bean bags, wood burning stove, a 37" plasma TV, Freesat SKY, Nintendo Wii, a quality stereo, CDs, a good selection of DVDs and videos and a piano, albeit a bit out of tune.

Open beamed dining room with galleried landing and stairs leading to lounge on ground floor. We provide freshly laundered towels and a beach towel each. The beds will be made up on your arrival and spare bedding will be available for stays of more than a week. We will be happy to provide a clean through service after a week for a small charge.

The property owners, have tried to make the property as children friendly as possible with the provision of staircase gates and the like if possible for families with young children.

Also available in the house for your use are the following: Concept 2 rowing machine, free weights, sit up bar, a big selection of children's and family board games (including chess, scrabble, monopoly) children's books and toys, a PS2, indoor football table, golf clubs for guest use, step boxes, a really big selection of books with something for everyone, a French boule set and a darts board. We also have two bikes suitable for six years and above, with helmets etc and tricycles for ages two years and above (if you wish to use these, please advise us beforehand and we will make sure they are left out for you.) Situated across the road from the house is a new football pitch which anyone can use.

The entrance hall leads to the main stairs which are wide with a hand rails. The master bedroom and bedroom 3, the kitchen and dining room are all on the first floor. There is also a upper large courtyard. Therefore once upstairs a person with limited mobility would be comfortable. We would say however that the house would not be suitable for a person in a wheelchair.

Outside
We love to be outside and our courtyards reflect this. At the front you will find a full size basket ball hoop and weighted balls for all the family, a boxing bag and gloves, a large table, umbrella and chairs and BBQ. The front balconies overlook the courtyard and out to the mountains so you can relax with a glass of wine or two, enjoy the views or watch the kids playing below you. At the back of the house we also have a large courtyard with table, chairs, BBQ and a full size table tennis table with bats and balls provided.

Coast/Beach
The coast is approx 45 minutes easy and picturesque driving. Figueira da Foz is 45 mins and is the largest resort in the Central region. The beach is 1/4 mile from road to shore and has various cafes and bars halfway between the 2. The resort is really lively in the summer months as the Portuguese holiday here. Nazare is about 1hr drive. You will also find loads of unspoilt villages along the coast. We also have an inland beach at Figueiro dos Vinhos.

Golf
9 hole pitch and putt at Quinta da Lagrimas (Coimbra) about 20 mins away. Cost is very reasonable.
18 hole golf course at Curia just north of Coimbra. Approx 45 mins and 25€ a round.
Other golf to be found on the Lisbon Coast. The Algarve is approximately 4 hours away.

Travel
We are almost halfway between Lisbon (approx 200km) and Oporto airports. We are about 10 minutes off the main A1 motorway which is easily reached from the airports. We will provide you with comprehensive directions on booking.
Ryan Air and TAP fly to Oporto from various European airports and offer great bargains. BA, Easy jet, TAP and KLM are amongst the companies that also fly into Lisbon from various European airports.

Distances
Coimbra, historic and cultural 3rd City of Portugal, 25mins.
Penela, quaint market town with market, banks, post office, cafes, bars, restaurants, indoor swimming pool, cinema (all films are in English with subtitles-cost approx 4€), 10mins.

Condeixa, lovely town with fantastic outdoor pools, Intermarche and Lidl supermarkets, restaurants etc, 10minutes.
Coinimbriga and Rabacal, recognised as some of the best Roman ruins ever discovered, 10 minutes.

The house is situated in the lovely village of Podentes. Three bakery vehicles visit the village daily (except Sunday). A friendly (and cheap) cafe/bar and a little shop for basics. We are very conveniently situated for Penela, Coimbra, Condeixa and Miranda do Corvo. Whilst we do not have a pool there is no shortage of swimming facilities available close by.

Penela has an indoor 50 metre pool and a children's pool. Condeixa has larger outdoor pools and a cafe. Up in the hills above Penela you will find the natural lake at Loucinha which is free to use. There are BBQ and picnic facilities there and a restaurant which is open in the summer months. At Lousa we have another natural lake in the hills with a restaurant recognised as one of the best in the region.

In Pombal (approx 30 minutes) you will find an outdoor water park which will provide all day entertainment for the whole family. This area of Portugal is simply stunning with a wealth of things to do and see, unrivalled anywhere else in the country. What's more, as it is relatively unknown and un-commercial you will find prices for food, drink, ice creams, entertainment, pools etc are very, very reasonable.

 

Rental Period Per Night Per Week Per Month Min. Stay (7 Nights)

4 September 2010 - 11 December 2010 £375

11 December 2010 - 8 January 2011 £475

8 January 2011 - 16 April 2011 £375 

16 April 2011 - 7 May 2011 £475 

7 May 2011 - 4 June 2011 £375 

4 June 2011 - 3 September 2011 £475

Notes on prices
Please note that prices are for the house based on 2 people staying.
For additional guests there will be a £15 supplement per person per week. If you wish to make a longer term booking for the winter months, please do contact us for rates. Central heating is available during the winter months at a small surcharge depending on the cost of gas at the time if staying on a short term basis. For longer rentals clients will be asked to pay for a gas bottle at cost and replace when needed.

Changeover day
We would prefer a changeover day of Saturday, but if at all possible we will try to accommodate you especially out of high season. The house will always be available by 5pm on arrival, and we would ask you vacate the house by 10am at the end of your stay.

Booking notes
Please contact us for availability prior to booking. We would ask for a deposit of 20% and a security bond of £100 at the time of booking. The full balance will be due for payment 6 weeks before your holiday starts. The bond will be returned to you within three weeks of the holiday finishing, assuming all is in order. We are not worried about the odd glass or plate being broken, but please do let us know. My parents live locally and we will give you a contact number for them during your stay.

 

Stephen and Natasha Jefferey

Tel: 00 44 (0)7828 161719

Email: casadapaz@yahoo.co.uk