Villa Calheiros

The villa

Nestled amidst the serene beauty of the Lima Valley, this beautifully renovated villa boasts breathtaking panoramic views that stretch far and wide. Perfectly positioned in a tranquil setting, it offers a serene escape into the Portuguese countryside.

This splendid villa offers ample space both indoors and outdoors, making it an ideal choice for families with children or anyone seeking a private and peaceful retreat. The expansive garden, adorned with lush green lawns, provides a haven of relaxation. The private pool, set against a picturesque backdrop, invites you to while away your days in blissful tranquillity. For those seeking a bit more activity, there's a table tennis setup, a volleyball net, a sauna for relaxation, and a cosy cinema room for entertainment or respite from the sun.

The villa's interior is equally captivating, featuring an impressive open - plan living area with beautifully beamed ceilings that bathe the space in natural light. The modern, tastefully designed kitchen seamlessly merges with the living area. Here, a breakfast bar is thoughtfully positioned in front of a picture window, allowing you to savour your morning tea or coffee while taking in the stunning views. The lounge area opens onto a spacious covered terrace with a rustic wooden farmhouse table, perfect for enjoying al fresco dining while overlooking the pool area.

Each of the four spacious bedrooms, adorned with attractive hardwood floors, offers the luxury of a private bathroom. Each bedroom also has its own patio doors that lead to a balcony or the garden. The villa is conveniently located just a 15 - minute drive from the historic town of Ponte de Lima, known as one of Portugal's oldest towns, with charming streets lined with restaurants and shops. It's famous for its picturesque bridge of Lima. Combining this proximity to town with the villa's breathtaking views and serene ambience creates the perfect blend of relaxation and exploration.

Villa Calheiros sits peacefully, high on the hills above the stunning Lima valley, just fifteen minutes drive from Ponte de Lima. Ponte de Lima is one of Portugal’s oldest towns. It offers an atmospheric ambience and a wonderful cultural experience. It is the home of the famous vinho verde wine. The Ponte de Lima Bridge is 277 metres long, stretching over the beautiful Lima River. The Romans built the first five arches and it was then fortified and extended by fifteen arches during the medieval period. Ponte de Lima boasts two magnificent churches, Igreja da Misericordia and Igreja de Santo Antonio which sits across the river with its baroque styling. Largo de Camoes Plaza is the town’s bustling square with wonderful views of the Lima River and a good array of cafes, bars and restaurants. Torre da Cadeia Velha is a tower which is part of the old Ponte de Lima wall. It is used for exhibitions and tourist shops. Ponte de Lima sits in glorious countryside with fabulous viewpoints. These include Miradouro of Saint Catarina which offers views of the river, Miradouro of Magdalene which enjoys views over the town and surrounding landscape and Miradouro of Bola da Pena which enjoys 360 - degree views of the entire area. The gastronomy in the town is amazing with excellent local Portuguese dishes. Some restaurants enjoy gorgeous riverside settings. Ponte de Lima is an excellent centre for adventure activities such as the Ecovia cycling route, kayaking along the Lima River, river bathing in Labruja, mountain biking or hiking in the Serra D’Arga or birdwatching in the Lagoas de Bertiandos.

Visitors enjoy kayaking and rafting on the Minho rivers. The beach is equally exciting with thrilling Atlantic waves. Caminha’s Foz do Minho Beach next to the River Minho is a wonderful area of great natural beauty, Vila Praia de Ancora is an excellent beach loved by families, Praia de Moledo is a true wonder and Praia do Cabedelo is another favourite.

The gorgeous town of Caminha boasts the ancient Torre do Relogio de Caminha, the clock tower which forms part of the old city walls built in the 12th century and is a national monument. You can climb to the top of the tower to enjoy fabulous views of the town. The Rua Direita or Ricardo Joaquim de Sousa Street is the cobbled main street in the historic centre. Another historic monument is the Igreja Matriz de Caminha where you can admire tiles from the 17th century. Visitors can take a ferry over to Galicia from Caminha.

It is very easy to pop over the Minho River into Galicia. The Spanish town of Tui boasts a beautiful historic centre and an excellent range of gourmet dining as well as excellent shops. Tui is located south of the Pontevedra province and sits on the edge of the Minho River, opposite the Portuguese town of Valenca. The towns are connected by a nineteenth century bridge. Valenca do Minho is located on the hillside overlooking the left bank of the Minho and on the main road that links the Spanish Santiago de Compostela with Porto. Tourists flock to the town to buy embroidered tablecloths and sheets, the speciality of the town.

You should also consider a visit to the historical Viana do Castelo. Its compact historic centre boasts extravagant religious buildings, delightful cafes, elegant plazas and narrow shopping streets which open onto the banks of the Lima River. The pearly white, neo - Byzantine Santa Luzia Church presides over the city, sitting high on the hilltop. Ponte de Lima is 52 miles from Porto so you could also consider a day trip there.