Casa do Fornelo:
With two bedrooms, a living / dining room and kitchen on the top floor, the property offers a unique view over the River Douro, with the additional luxury of tasteful decoration throughout that respects the traditional architectural design of the property. In the alcove above the fireplace, Santa Bárbara - Patron Saint of Miners - benignly looks down on all the beauty around her.
Each corner of the house has a history and deserves some attention and reflection. Each experience invites you back again and even looking at the ceiling is an invitation to reflect on beauty.
On the ground floor, there are two further bedrooms and another living room that can be used for reading, for board games or just for relaxing! The property is surrounded by trees, flowers and all kinds of plants announcing the changing seasons. There are pathways that offer excellent walks and of course there is always the river calling you. To relax your soul.
Casa da Oliveira (Guest House):
A few metres from Casa do Fornelo is Casa de Oliveira. Two bedrooms, a large kitchen and a lounge with a very large fireplace and a wonderful view over the River Douro. Smaller than Casa do Fornelo, Casa da Oliveira can boast even more cosiness and tranquility and an olive tree at the front door. And there are many more trees surrounding this property. There is no shortage of nature anywhere here!
What to be seen and the surroundings:
Places to visit:Tours of port wine caves in Gaia, Douro river cruises,futeball, São Domingos Hill, Gallery and Sculptures, Island of Lovers-in the middle of the river, St Adrião Hill, Arouca Monastery, da Freita mountain range and surrounding area.
Local calendar and sporting activities: 24th of June, around the time of the Festival of Saint John, Festival of Our Lady of Amoras–7th and 8th of September, Saint Domingos Festival–4th de August, Vinho Verde (local wine) Fair–30th June, 1st and 2nd of July, Water Sports Rafting on the River Paiva, Canoeing, Fishing, Hunting
Local Arts: internationally famous copper and bronze work, rug-making, and basket-weaving, small houses built in schist and hand-painted tiles
Gastronomy: lamprey rice, roasted shad, Portuguese codfish (roasted and fried), roasted kid, veal escalopes and local steak, Soup Seca, Pão-de-Ló and honey. All of this can be accompanied by the best local white and red wine. Good restaurants serving traditional food nearby.
