At Home :
Always very popular with honeymooners and families with children who enjoy the opportunity to spend days at home by the pool and exploring the garden It is home to us and our children, so there are boxes of toys and books. There is a dining area outside the kitchen with a granite table and barbeque. The swimming pool and garden at the side of the house reached by a level path. This is particularly useful for people with small children as access to the area can be more easily monitored
Around the pool area are wooden sunbeds with mattresses, chairs and an umbrella. The pool is 5m x 10m, there are wide steps for easy access. The rest of the property is terraced with a variety of olive trees, fruit trees and wild flowers. There are stunning views from the higher terrace to the foothills and coast. You are welcome to help yourself from our allotment and fruit from the trees.
Our nearest restaurant (our favourite) is 15min walk across the valley, a magical walk home by moonlight.
Real Portugal:
This is authentic Portugal .Monchique is a small working town. There are few tourists those who visit come, for lunch and gaze at the view. It has a good number of restaurants and bars, banks, food shops and a market. Produce has travelled metres rather than miles. Vegetarians ,vegans and omnivores are all delighted. There is an attractive square, a park and indoor swimming pool and craft shops. Staying in Monchique is a very different experience from life on the coast. The pace is slow and you will feel you have stepped back in time. Walking the footpaths around the town you will see a forgotten culture. You will always be included in whatever festivities are taking place, be it an event at the church, a pig roast or music in the square. There is a weekly and a monthly market and a horse fair. It is possible to use the house as part of a larger groups and the owner can make arrangements for other houses in the area. Special interest holidays can also be arranged by the owner.
Christmas, New Year and Easter:
Chance to refresh your spirit. Christmas in Monchique is very simple. Festivities only begin a few days before. Celebrations take place at home. and at the church. Christmas trees are in all the restaurants and houses.
If you wish to have a simple Christmas Quinta da Relva is perfect. You can cut your own fir tree from the grounds and decorate the house with orange branches, light an enormous log fire and enjoy the smell of eucalyptus. and woodsmoke. The weather can be bright and sunny and warm in the day but cold at night So bring warm clothes. At New year it is possible to go to the coast for the celebrations, or sit on the terrace and watch the firework display, then a New Years Day walk on the west beaches. Easter in Monchique is celebrated at the church and with a procession in the town, flowers decorate the pavements. This is the best time for walking in the forests, mountains and coast. Wild flowers are everywhere. The weather can do anything however, so come prepared.
Golf:
The nearest golf courses are Penina and Alto Golf which are 45 min drive and Morgardo, 25 min drive.
There are several more within 1 hours drive.
Other Activities:
Health Spa in house massage. Special Interest holidays by arrangement, by owners training company
