Quinta do Colmeal

My family stayed at Quinta do Colmeal for five nights, and it was the highlight of our European trip. The Quinta sits alone in a gentle range of hills, with an undisturbed view of the valley beyond the pool. The pool is reached by walking down a path lined with orange trees -- we made fresh-squeezed orange juice each morning. The pool is deep and refreshing, formed out of the cistern that used to store water for the Quinta and its work. There are several carved stones around the pool and the garden; at least one of them apparently dates from Roman times. We stayed in the largest of the three houses, and enjoyed sunset cocktails on the second-floor terrace and candle-lit dinners in the downstairs dining room. Rounding out the stay was a ping-pong table, shelves full of books and local maps, a stereo system and CD collection that filled the house with the sound of Portuguese "fado" ballads, and artwork from Asia and elsewhere that the owner has collected over the years. The owner and his assistant were gracious and helpful hosts, teaching us about the history of the Quinta and the town and treating us to a cocktail hour of wine and cheese. I hope to return to Quinta do Colmeal and the wonderful Vila Vicosa area in the future. Lots of exploring to do there, but also lots of relaxing and recharging the spirit.