Holiday Farm Cottage in Monchique, Algarve, Portugal
Farm Cottage in 4 Acres with Private Pool
Stunning, Tranquil Location, 10 mins Drive to Town, Walking Distance to Restaurant/Bar
Sleeps 6 (3 Bedrooms)
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All through woodland, nestling in a valley with stunning views of foothills and coast, the house is bursting with charm. Retaining many of its original features. Carefully restored and enjoyed by the owners over 25 years. The house is surrounded by farmland; 3 kms from the small town of Monchique with shops, restaurants, bars and market. There is free internet access in the square. South coast beaches, water sports, golf and tennis, are within 35 minutes drive, while the 45 minute drive to the west coast offers an exciting alternative with its rugged wild coastline and national park. The famous spa at Caldas de Monchique is 20 minutes away, for health and beauty treatments - or we can arrange for a masseuse to come to the house. There is everything here for the complete healthy holiday; organic food almost impossible to avoid, water from our underground spring. No light at night in the valley apart from the moon and the stars, and no sound but the wildlife.
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| Rental periods | |
| 4 - 25 September 2008 | £560 |
| 25 September - 18 December 2008 | £465 |
| 18 December 2008 - 1 January 2009 | £620 |
| 1 January - 8 April 2009 | £465 |
| 9 - 22 April 2009 | £620 |
| 23 April - 14 May 2009 | £465 |
| 14 May - 25 June 2009 | £560 |
| 25 June - 16 July 2009 | £740 |
| 16 July - 3 September 2009 | £970 |
| 3 - 24 September 2009 | £560 |
| 24 September 2008 - 17 December 2009 | £465 |
Notes on prices
Prices are for the property per week in UK Pounds.
Long lets are at reduced prices by arrangement. There is a deposit of 20% required at the time of booking.
Changeover day
We prefer Thursday as a changeover day, but this is negotiable.
Accommodation
| Bedrooms: | Bedroom 1 beamed ceiling, with double bed. 2 chests of drawers, wardrobe; opening onto roof terrace. Bedroom 2 beamed ceiling, with twin beds, wardrobe, chest of drawers. Bedroom 3 with twin beds or arraged as study/snug with desk and chest of drawers. |
| Bathrooms: | Bathroom next to bedroom 1 with full sized bath/shower, handbasin, wc, bidet, heated towel rail. Shower room ground floor with screened shower, handbasin and wc. Both are in traditinal syle, white tiles and suites. |
| Kitchen: | Traditional style handmade fitted kitchen with chestnut cupboards and marble tops. Cooker, fridge/freezer, kettle, toaster, blender. Dining area, locally made table and chairs. Door to utility room and shower room. Window and door onto shaded terrace. |
| Utility Room: | Washing machine. Ironing board and iron. Storage shelves and baskets. Coat pegs. |
| Living Rooms: | Large chestnut settle made by local craftsmen with cushions. 4 wicker chairs, large antique chest and cupboard and side tables. Open fire, log baskets, telephone table, internet connection, CD/cassette player. Door and large shuttered windows to garden. |
| Other: | Gallery with floor level lounging area and books. Next to the kitchen there is wood shed, where garden furniture, gardening equipment is stored. |
| Cleaning/towels/ linen/maid service: |
Towels and linen for the house are provided and changed once a week by maid who cleans and arranges flowers and waters and tidies the garden. Amalia has worked with us for 14 years and is very thoughful and helpful. The pool is cleaned once a week. |
Notes on accommodation
The house is ideal for those wanting peace and quiet, it has always been very popular for honeymooners. The house is unfussy and comfortable. Families with children enjoy the opportunity to spend days at home by the pool, climbing trees, making dens and picking wild flowers. The house has been home to us and our children, so there are boxes of toys children's tapes and books. The house is cosy and fairly indistructable. There is a gallery with a lounging area with books. You are very welcome to bring a pet. There are 4 acres to explore and no busy roads. The property is in an area of outstanding natural beauty, crisscrossed with footpaths through forests filled with flowers and birds. At the back of the mountain there are breathtaking views, and eagles circling overhead. At Christmas you can cut a Christmas tree from the grounds and light an enormous fire. Monchique has a very simple traditional Christmas. Electric heaters and electric fans are in the house. TV arranged on request.
- hob/stove,
- oven,
- fridge/freezer,
- washing machine,
- iron/ironing board,
- telephone,
- internet access,
- room fans,
- cot,
- barbecue,
- private pool (for sole use of guests),
- pets accepted
Accessibility
Access to the house is from a gravel drive, on one level. There are no steps on the ground floor of the house. The front door of the house is wide enough for a wheelchair providing access to sitting room and kitchen and dining area. The doors to the shower room and downstairs bedroom is not suitable for wheelchair access.
Outside
The house is situated in 4 acres. There is a dining area outside the kitchen with a granite table and barbeque. The swimming pool and garden is 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 4 wooden sunbeds with matresses, wrought iron table and 4 chairs and an umbrella. There are pool toys in the woodshed. The pool is 5m x 10m, 2metres at the deep end and 1.2m at the shallow end where 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. Amalia tidies the garden when she comes. If you enjoy the garden and feel like some deadheading, or putting your washing up, watering the pots, that is very welcome.
Coast/Beach
The west coast (40 mins drive) has an unspoilt rugged coastline, with surfing beaches and cliff walks through national parkland of outstanding natural beauty. The south coast (30 mins drive)has gentle sloping beaches, watersports and beach bars.
Golf
The nearest golf courses are Penina and Alto Golf which are 45 mins drive and Morgardo, 25 mins drive.
Special interest holidays
The Quinta is idea for those keen on walking, painting and birdwatching or holidaying, children and dogs. There are no busy roads. Footpaths stretch for miles from the property into the hills with stunnning views and flora and fauna. 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 who runs a training company. Teachers can be provided for a range of topics, painting, personal change management and management development.
Travel
The nearest airport is Faro. Approx 1.25 drive. Lisbon takes 3.5 hours. The house is 10 mins drive from Monchique. A car is essential.
Distances
Monchique is 10 mins drive. The nearest restaurant/bar is 15 mins walk. The moorish town of Aljezur is 30 min close to rugged coastline surfing beaches and national unspoilt park.
Further details
The house is managed by Turifoia who have an office in the town Ana and Jean's (English/French)family have been in Monchique for 40 years so there isn't a lot they don't know or can't do. They are on hand to make sure you have everything you want Monchique is a quiet unspoilt mountain town. This is the real Portugal, it is not a resort and their are few tourists. Those who do visit tend to come for lunch and to look at the view. There is little accommodation. It has a small shops, cafes and restaurants, an attractive square where there is free internet access. There are two art galleries, local craft shops, public gardens with a swimming pool, a daily fruit and fish market and a monthly market, general market and a monthly horse fair.
In the house there is a folder containing detailed information about places to eat, walk and shop. We can recommend horse riding and mountain biking as well as guided walks. Within an hours drive there are small sleepy towns further into the mountains, small moorish towns in the country and on the coast to the south and west. Busy nightlife and shopping on the south coast, boat trips to watch dolphins and explore the caves and grotos. A Rocha is a conservation centre near Portimao. South of Monchique is a small and interesting conservation zoo and a museum and garden.
Caldas da Monchique is 20 min from the house. There is a hosiptal for hydrotherapy treatment and a health spa. You can also arrange for a masseuse to come to the house. Remember at Quinta da Relva you will be swimming in spring water and it comes out of the taps. It is almost impossible to avoid organic food. There is no light in the valley except from the moon and no sound but the wildlife.
Booking notes
We will respond to email or telephone enquiries within 24 hours. We are happy to talk with you about your requirements. We will reserve a property for 48 hours. Bookings are secured with a 20% deposit. The remainder is to be paid 2 weeks before the booked date. The house is fully insured.
Guest comments
'Fabulous setting, idyllic surroundings. Definitely died and gone to heaven' Laura and David Mackay. Edinburgh.
'This has got to be the most beautiful place we have ever stayed. We had wanted to find somewhere as special as this for our honeymoon and we have not been dissapointed.' Ann and David Hoon. London.
'A lifetime treat for all of us. Received 19 out of 10 from our children' The Wales Family, Sussex.
'Our 10th visit! Is this some kind of record?' Ron and Linda Chamberlain. Kent.
House swap
House swap.
For booking and further information
Diana Hudson
Tel: (UK) + 44 (0)1306 882 635
Mob: (UK) + 44 (0)7939 062 487
Email: Click here
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This advertiser joined Owners Direct in June 2007,
and has advertised this property with us since June 2007.
Property Ref P3889
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