Self-catering cottage Alentejo

THE PLUNGE POOL AND GARDEN PROGRESS FEBURARY 2009
The plunge pool and garden at 'Casa do Brasão' Marvão should be finished by the end of March.
It will be ready to rent for holidays from the 30th of May.

WALKING IN MARVÃO

A great walk in Marvão, Alto Alentejo, Portugal with fantastic panoramic views, wonderful countryside and interesting historical sites.
This walk is 7.38 km and is easy to moderate. The map/guide we bought earlier from the tourist office in Marvão, and the start is from Portagem near the public swimming pool.
The four of us, two adults and two children aged 12 and 14, set off from the 16 century bridge and tower in Portagem. The guide informs you to follow the trail by posts with green markers and we realised after a few kilometres there are none. Instead follow the normal markers of a red and yellow rectangles.
This walk took us about two and a half hours with regular stops to see the sights such as:
The 16 century bridge and tower next to the river Sever.
The mediaeval cobbled road, possibly of Roman origin.
Views of the imposing town and castle of Marvão, the mountain range of Serra de São Mamede and the granite plains of the Alentejo countryside.
The Convent and Church of the Lady of the Star (Igreja do Convento de Nossa Senhora da Estrela).
Typical small Alentejo hamlets.
The 16 century derelict chapel and mediaeval tombs cut into the rock at Fonte Souto.
Oak, Walnut, Olive,Chestnut and Horse-Chestnut trees.
Plenty of farm animals and the wonderful fauna and flora of this region.
At the end of the walk why not have lunch at O Sever restaurant at Portagem for a hearty typical Alentejo lunch washed down with a bottle of Conventual Red wine.
This is a perfect day out in this great region of Portugal.

The start of the plunge pool and garden

We met Franscisco the builder to check on the depth of our plunge pool and the progress of the wall and garden. In the next 2 weeks the structure of the pool and the wall will be finished and then he will be able to start the cobbled terrace and the rustic wooden gates and fencing. He assures me that everything will be finished by Easter.
At home I also have been busy preparing the web site, see:
http://www.casabrasao.com/
When the work is finished I will be taking more photos of the garden and pool to add to the site.
Casa do Brasão a self-catering cootage near Marvão will be ready to rent out for holidays from the 30th of May.

Marvão self-catering cottage

See the real Portugal.
A stylish restored self-catering cottage near Marvão and Castelo de Vide, North Alentejo. Ready to rent in the summer of 2009.
The cottage:
• Situated on the edge of the small, peaceful Alentejo village of Barretos.
• Overlooking an olive grove with fantastic views of the historic towns of Marvão and Castelo de Vide.
• The region of Marvão and the Serra da São Mamede, a protected nature reserve, is a wonderful place for walking
• Marvão is an imposing and peaceful town on the highest crest of the 'Serra de São Mamede' Natural park.
• A restored 3 bedroom cottage with a rich blend of Moorish, Alentejo and contemporary styles.
• Surrounded by a garden with huge granite boulders, cork oak trees for shade, sun terrace, a small plunge pool and ample parking for 2 cars.
• Price: 575 euros per week from 30th May to 3rd October.
Contact: +351 219 209 364 (night and weekends)
+351 937 980 013 (day)
http://www.casabrasao.com/
mailto:lookgofind@sapo.pt

MARVÃO MAP

Only 2 hours and 37 minutes from Lisbon airport to Casa do Brasão, Barretos, Marvão.

Marvão walks: The region of Marvão and the Serra da São Mamede, a protected nature reserve, is a wonderful place for walking. A mountain range with the highest point of 1025 meters, is a treasure of rich and diversified flora and fauna. A micro-climate with thick vegetation, megalithic stones, ancient roman roads and pathways, and is full of wildlife including rare birds of prey such as the vulture, kite or Bonelli eagle. And with a some luck you might see wild boar or deer.

Near Marvão, the village of Barretos

• The real Portugal - a small typical Alentejo village untouched by time.

• Cobbled streets surrounded by beautiful olive groves, cork oak trees and ancient pathways.

• Set in the Natural park of Serra de São Mamede and 10 minutes from the historical towns of Marvão and Castelo de Vide.

• Bull festival in the village, held every second week in August (Festa Largada de Touros) where the brave men of the village entice the bulls to charge. This is followed by music and dancing well into the night.

• A number of small cafés and a small village shop for a few essentials. For a wider choice there is a large supermarket (Pingodoce) in Castelo de Vide - 9 km, and a mini market in Santo António das Areias - 2.5 km.

The medieval town of Marvão

• An imposing and peaceful town on the highest crest of the Serra de São Mamede Natural park.

• Was used as a place of refuge by Ibn Marúan, a Moorish warrior, during the 9th century.The Arab domination ended with the military campaign of the Christian forces led by D. Afonso Henriques, the first king of Portugal.

• Picturesque walled town of of white houses, narrow cobbled streets, Gothic arches, Manueline windows and the magnificent castle, with panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.

• Municipal Museum in the church of Santa Maria and nearby there is a tourist office for more information.

• Chesnut festival held at the begining of November with the streets lined with stalls selling genuine Portuguese handcrafts, artists demonstrating their traditional skills, various street artists and folk music. And of course chestnuts and delicious chestnut cakes.