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Holiday Retreat in Miranda-do-Corvo
- REF6135 -
- €40
- « Back Enquire »
Location: Miranda-do-Corvo
CASA D’OURO B&B
A well appointed and relaxed holiday retreat deep in the peace and quiet of ruralCentral Portugal.
Nestling in stunning countryside with fantastic views, well away from over-developed tourist locations, we cater exclusively for people who wish to enjoy time away from the stresses of daily life.
You can explore the rustic charm of central Portugaland appreciate delicious food, great local wine and excellent conversation in well-appointed surroundings or just relax in the gardens and enjoy a dip in the large pool.
We have two double en-suite bedrooms with tea/coffee making facilities & satellite TV included.
Also included is breakfast of your choice, cooked or continental.
Extras included:
Daily cleaning & towel change
Wi-fi
Private & quite location
Off road parking
Swimming pool
Stunning views
Beautiful walks
RATES per double en-suite room per night
| Period | Per Night | Breakfast Included |
| November-March | €35.00 | Yes |
| April-May | €40.00 | Yes |
| June-July | €45.00 | Yes |
| August | €50.00 | Yes |
| September | €45.00 | Yes |
| October | €40.00 | Yes |
| ***ALL BOOKINGS SHOULD BE CONFIRMED VIA
EMAIL OR TELEPHONE*** |
The Area:
The property is situated midway between the market towns of Penela and Miranda do Corvo and 25 minutes from the University City and former capital of Portugal, Coimbra.
PENELA: This sleepy medieval town with its 11th century castle is located approx. 10 mins from the property. The Castle of Penela is a Listed Monument and its construction started in the 11th century, although what you can see of the Castle these days only goes back to the 14th and 15th centuries. Inside is the Church of St Michael, which was originally built in the 12th century. Penela has all amenities including banks, supermarket, library, health centre, indoor swimming pool, restaurants/cafés and a farmers market selling local produce on Thursdays.
MIRANDA DO CORVO literally means “View over the Corvo River.” Framed by densely wooded mountains, the small town of Miranda do Corvo has a remote history, although its ancient castle, conquered by the Moors in 1116, has almost completely disappeared and only the bell tower and cistern still remain. The town has a beautiful church situated on a hill overlooking the area. A large “Rio de Janeiro”-type statue of Jesus also looks out over the town. There is a weekly market selling fresh local produce on Wednesdays. The traditional speciality of Miranda do Corvo is chanfana (a sort of goat stew), which is thought to have been created at the monastery of Semide. Local handicrafts include works in lace, a tradition also born at the monastery, and the “Almalaguês weaving”, woven and embroidered cotton fabric which is used to make tapestries and bedspreads.
The nearest airport isPorto, which is approximately 1 hour 30 minutes drive.Lisbon airport is approximately 1 hour 40 minutes south.
LOCAL PRODUCE
HONEY
WINE
WALNUTS
OLIVES
FIGS
ORANGES
LEMONS
PLACES OF INTEREST
CONIMBRIGA
Ruins ofRomanCity. Worth seeing even if you are not a history buff. Well preserved mosaics. Very exposed, not recommended for a hot afternoon. Price also includes admission into the museum.
GONDRAMAZ
One of the best preserved mountain villages for which this region is celebrated. Wonderful views. Turning back from Gondramaz, follow a little track up to your left and you will find yourself in an eerie abandoned village, completely lost and forgotten in a large hollow in the mountains. Old schoolhouse and church still quite well preserved. Do the last stretch on foot.
ALDEIAS SERRANAS
The road leads up from the outskirts of Lousa to a series of “lost” mountain villages. You can observe German hippies in their natural habitat in Caterredor, see the psychedelic VW caravanned and there is even a Bier Keller. Road not always surfaced, but most of it possible by normal car. Breath taking views. Enchanting day out.
AROUCE CASTLE, LOUSA
One of the most magical places inPortugal, Deep gorge, ruined castle (not open to the public) lovely walks. A giant bowl of yellow when mimosa in bloom (feb/mar). Sluice gates are closed in summer to make a swimming pool, very poplar after school hours. Good restaurant, also café beside the river.
THE SERRA DA LOUSA
Take the same road out of Lousa town that leads to the castle but instead of turning right to the castle, keep heading up. Breathtaking, especially in the spring. Short diversion takes you to Trevim, at 51,200 mts, the highest point on the Serra. Then drop down the other side to Castanheira de Pero or Pedrogao Grande.
GOIS/ARGANIL
Gois is one of the prettiest villages in the area. In summer it has two river beaches, one of them on a small island in the middle of the river. Café on stilts over the river is a lovely place to watch the trout glide under your feet. Open only June to Sept. Beaches busy out of school hours. On to Arganil for dramatic scenery. The drive from Gois to thevillageofFajaois recommended. Its a little Shangri-la, lost in the rugged Serra do Acor, with a surprisingly good restaurant, O Juiz. From there it is not far to the famous touristy mountainvillageofPiodao.
PENA
Extraordinary village in dramatic, craggy gorge in the Serra da Lousa. Will remind you of the foothills of theHimalayas. Not far from Gois.
FRAGAS DE SAO SIMAO
MiniGrand Canyon, waterfalls, great views from up top. Anywhere else inWestern Europeit would be a tourist trap, but the Portuguese don’t even bother to signpost it properly. You might have it all to yourself.
“INLAND SEA” AT CASTANHEIRA DE PERA
Man made lake with wave machine. Café/restaurant. Entry fee roughly 2.50 Euro. Gets packed in high summer.
PEDROGAO GRANDE
Pleasant little town with large lake formed by dam. On the near side is a good restaurant Lago Verde on a promontory overlooking the lake. The other side of the lake is probably best for swimming. At weekends there are one or two jet skis.
TOMAR
An easy drive south from Penela. Head for the old part of Tomar, alongside the river. One ofPortugal’s most beautiful and historic towns. Above the town is an old convent and castle of the Knights of Christ, worth a visit. Very busy in the summer. Large car park to the right just before the bridge.
FATAMI
Portugal’s answer to Lourdes. Has a grandly impressive shrine with a great open space in the front for the faithful. Busy 13th of each month, impossible on May 13th or at Easter.
BATALHA
A very imposing Gothic edifice, well worth a visit. Unforgettable when lit up at night. Precinct with shops, cafes and restaurants.
OBIDOS
One ofPortugal’s most picturesque towns entirely located within fortress walls. A labyrinth of streets. It is on the tourist beat, so expect prices to be significantly higher. Also in this area is Alcobaca, which has a famous abbey and monastery, and Caldas da rainha, an old spa town with interesting buildings.
FIGUERA DA FOZ
Largest resort on this stretch of coast. Enormous beach of golden sand. Small café/restaurant perched on the beach serves good food. Traffic can be a bit of a headache at weekends as everyone fromCoimbraheads there.
MONTEMOR O VELHO
You pass this on the way to Figuera, but it’s worth a visit in its own right. Well preserved fortress town. Impressive castle open to visitors. Good restaurant (A Grelha) at foot of village.
COIMBRA
Regional capital andPortugal’s third city, the ancient capital. The original university is lovely, it has an amazing library and great views upriver. The historic riverside city centre is lovely to stroll about.
BUCACO IMPERIAL PALACE
A fantasy building, with obvious Moorish influence, part of which is now a hotel with restaurant. The palace is surrounded by an enchanted forest with hundreds of species of flora. On the road up to the palace are two ponds, worth seeing in spring for the camellias and arum lilies. There are also exotic tree ferns. Just a kilometer of two from the palace is the small spa town ofLuso, where there are thermal baths and a casino. The central square has a natural font covered by glass, so you can watch as the water bubbles up through the stones.
AVEIRO
The town is bordered by wetlands on one side, the sea on the other. It also has a good shopping centre. Just south of the town you will find huge golden beaches, and the little resort of Costa Nova, celebrated for its candy striped houses.
RABACAL
VeryMediterraneanwith olive groves and peasants herding goats and sheep. Famous for its cheese. Roman villa and museum.