Location and Activities

On arrival at your accommodation, you will find a ‘welcome’ folder containing maps and lots of information about what to do, great restaurants to eat, places of interest, activity suggestions, etc. etc.

There are five one-man kayaks available for free to the guests of the quinta so you can explore the Mondego by kayak. The granite swimming pool gives you the opportunity to relax, cool down, and soak up the sun and the beautiful scenery. The pool has a separate area for younger children and non-swimmers. On the riverbank is a large meadow where children can safely run and play and, during the school holidays, there are usually other children to play with. There is also a small playground with swings etc.

In high summer, the river can be lower and then it may be more difficult to kayak but bathing is always possible and for children it can be even more fun.

Besides enjoying the valley by swimming, fishing, kayaking, walking, or just sunbathing at one of the river’s sandy beaches, there are lots of other things to do......

Pony riding: our neighbours have 3 small ponies. Parents can lead the animal while the child rides. Lessons are also possible.

Horse riding: another neighbour organises many different kinds of treks on horse for all abilities and can give lessons too. link to www.portugalbyhorse.com There are miles of riverbank and forest tracks to explore on foot or by bike, literally, on your doorstep.

You can visit Midões (5 km), Sevilha (6km), Fiais da Beira (5km ) and many other picturesque villages in the area where you get the impression that time has stood still. Or visit one of the regular local markets where older women sell their own vegetables, fruit, cheese and bread Coïmbra (65 km) is a beautiful city further down the River Mondego and makes for a very enjoyable day out. You can visit the famous 14th century University, the first in Portugal, and afterwards, stroll down the little streets to the centre were you can drink something inside the old church on the Praça de Maio. For the young and young-at-heart amongst us, there is also Portugal dos Pequenitos (Portugal in scale models) on the otherside of the river where typical houses of different regions are built to scale. Great for children to play in!
Visit the mountains: the Serra da Estrela, the Mountain of the Star. The highest point in Portugal, O Torre, is only 1.5 hours away by car where you can explore this amazing, mountain landscape and the stunning vistas. The Buçaco Forest in the Buçaco Mountains contains more than 700 species of trees which were lovingly planted centuries ago by the monks who lived in the monastery.

You can take beautiful walks here where you will encounter many buildings and shrines created by the monks so long ago and, in the middle of the forest, you will find the extraordinarily beautiful and luxurious Palace Hotel where you can drink a cup of tea and take a glimpse of the past. Luso -the Spa of Portugal, is only a few kilometres from the forest and has thermal baths and hot springs.