Porto area Vacation Rental villa: Marco de Canavezes

Any one looking for a real get away from it all holiday and real culture, should head for this villa. The owners met us and were the only English speakers we met all week-make sure you pack your phrase book! This traditional villa is nestled amoung a few others but is very private and lovingly restored by the present owners. The other houses are occupied by locals-not tourists. In fact by the end of the week we had spotted a few tumble down homes on the opposite side of the river that we had planned and restored to perfection at the bottom of every bottle of vino verde we drank. This is a place waiting to be discovered-but I hope that know one will. The villa was well equipped to cook for the six of us -however it could accomodate a further two people in put-ups on the ground floor. The pool was the highlight for the four teens coming with us-very clean but only five loungers.There are steps and a slope up to the villa so not suitable for wheel chair users or young children. The house has four dining areas-two in two out. In fact we choose to eat at a different one every night. The table on the veranda over looking the river is the most beautiful, the veranda extends to overlook your neighbour-I spend many an idle moment watching them tend to their vines and baking bread in an outside oven. Yes it is a touch of the real Portugal. Every morning a van carrying the fresh fish beeps the horn in the street above your head-outside your back door-believe me you can get fresh sardines/squid/ bream or bass(still not sure which but tasted delicious) for quarter of the price at home. In the afternoon if you hang your bread bag out-the bread lady brings the best bread next to the French I have ever tasted.
Locally you will find a small shop (about one mile up-hill-not suitable to walk) and lots of local cafe/bars. However there is a large supermarket about six miles away in Marcedos which has a good supply of local and international goods. There are plenty of things to do and see-and a golf course near a pretty village about 8 miles away ( I managed to find it to take my two teens there).
My top tips are-if there are more than four of you-1. Hire two cars-not one mini bus. The roads and drivers are dangerous! 2. Take some cards/games-for after dinner-there is a t.v. and sky-but who wants to do that on holiday! 3. Find a good road map before you go-My rough guide had a poor map and I bought a Michelin which was a little better. 3. Be prepared for the odd firework