Casa de Anquião

My favourite stay of our recent 10-day trip to Northern Portugal. Staying at this casa was akin to becoming a character in a fairytale: I felt like Alice in Wonderland, discovering through every new doorway an exciting new and exotic adventure: all the fabulous nooks and crannies, stuffed with gorgeous antiques and superb artwork. It smelled divine – as a previous poster said, of wood smoke and balsa. It’s in an absolutely stunning setting in the middle of the golf course - just nature all around and no noise except for the sound of birds enjoying the water features. We were lucky enough to be the only ones there over our two days, so we had it all to ourselves - including the wonderful balmy pool, which we were able to swim in at midnight – although probably not recommended after a bottle or two of Vinho Verde! We were looked after magnificently by the lovely Lourdes, who couldn’t do enough for us. The day we arrived it was raining, although not at all cold, but she still lit the fire in the lounge and brought us some local wine and nibbles. Each morning at breakfast, we had enough delightful fresh produce to sink a battleship, with Lourdes making superb scrambled eggs. I cried when I said goodbye to her – it felt like leaving behind my close family. I can’t recommended Casa de Anquião highly enough, and cannot wait to return. This time, for much longer.