Casa de Retiro e Repouso Balsamão

Don't they say "location, location and location". In way, they could be referring to Balsamão. The Convento de Balsamão lies on top of a view overlooking the surrounding valleys. The closest village, Chacim, is still a short drive away, though it is not far from Macedo de Cavaleiros and the highway. When we got there, after driving the "mountain pass" style road, we found total darkness. Well almost, in fact we could see the stars, and I mean all of them, the constellations, the milky way, so clear as I don't remember seeing them before. With some flash-lights we got the things out of the car and found our room. We were greeted with surprising friendliness, and found our cozy room. And I mean cozy as in comfortable, but also in the absence of luxuries, and not the largest room you have slept in either. The same overall friendliness we found at breakfast, which is served somehow as a "buffet" style, but almost as if you were at home. Lots of home-made compotes and jams, cut your own bread and make some toasts. Summing up, no luxuries, friendliness, all the stars in universe, and a unique location.