Portugal Manor House Tour

This is a tour that takes in 12 nights staying in country houses and Palaces - the tour can start in Oporto and allows dropping the hired car off to return from Lisbon or visa versa. For a supplement, we can add a three night city stay in either city. In Oporto we also can add a 3 nights deal which includes 2 days golf. See details Oporto Golf and beach deal at the bottom of these pages. The tour EXCLUDES Flights, which are available from London with TAP from £108 upwards.

However sticking with this rather unique 12 - night tour of Northern and central Portugal allows a leisurely tour that offers staying in properties that are loaded with antiques and located amidst beautiful well - attended gardens - all with a swimming pool and often only a few minutes drive from restaurants and other attractions.

We give below our choice of four wonderful properties but we can offer others throughout the country.

Days 1 - 4

Casa de Campo

Casa de Campo

On arrival at Oporto and after collecting your hired car you will head into the hills (we supply maps - no worries) and after a drive of about 55 miles you will have your first experience of staying in an historical manor - the Casa de Campo. As you drive through the gateway of the gothic style manor you will soon be aware of the floral scents drifting towards you from the prize winning gardens that surround this impressive property - some claim that the oldest Camelias in Portugal which are contoured into graceful designs are found here. There is even a Renaissance style chapel in the grounds, which holds a weekly mass.

Located just 4km from the villages of Celorico de Basto and Fermel which offers several restaurants between them but the attraction staying here is the National Park of Peneda Geres to explore and the historical and fascinating towns of Guimares and Braga are so close .The Manor contains 8 bedrooms all with en suite bathroom and breakfast is included. If all that seems to much then just relax besides the pool (unheated).

Days 4 - 7

Your fourth day starts with a drive south(80 miles) to the country town of Viseu and some 15 miles further south is the sleepy village of Canas de Senhorim and in the centre is the 18th century Manor – Solar Abreu Maderia with its impeccable interior and adorned entrance hall having a dignified stone stair case that leads to the first floor bedrooms. The owners can offer an evening meal on request at breakfast time as well as offering wine tasting from their own Dao wines. There is a Games room with billiard table and table tennis and also gardens that contain an unheated swimming pool. Lovely walks lead directly from the manor.

Solar Abreu Madeira

Days 7 - 10

Caso do Castello

A day to move in the direction of the coast close to the fishing port of Peniche and its Atlantic beaches. The next three nights will be spent in a typical 17th century “cubist” style Manor house – Casa do Castelo, which as its names suggest is built next to the walls of a Moorish castle and is just 5km drive from the coast and beaches. From here you are able to visit the castle of Obidos and explore the cobbled streets untouched by time and make your choice from the various restaurants that are available here

Days 10 - 13

A choice of two properties – one the Palace de Rio Frio is a lovely property in the centre of a wine estate some 7 miles from the village of Montijo and around 25 miles from Lisbon and Setubal both fascinating points of interest of course!However at the Palace there are some well attended gardens with a swimming pool and horse riding is available on request. Evening meals are also available - just make your intentions clear at breakfast time when a menu will be offered. Despite its size there are only four bedrooms available – all with antique furnishings and en - suite bathrooms. There is a supplement to pay if the Palacio is chosen of £11 per person per night.

Inside the Palace de Rio Frio

Quinta de Vale Mourelos

Another option is the Quinta de Vale Mourelos which although the original building dates back to the 18th century it has been remodelled in the 1990s to be able to offer some eight bedrooms and an apartment. Located in lawned gardens complete with a swimming pool to relax by the property is well located to visit both Lisbon (just 8 miles) and Setubal and Sesimbra some 20 miles south east.

This former wine estate is located on the banks of the River Tejo and just near to the coastline at Caparica just two miles distant where there are restaurants and bars.

Day 13

Time to depart for Lisbon airport and hand back the keys to your car and head back to the UK. We can offer an option of adding 2 nights to the tour by staying at the very traditional Hotel Veneza located in the very epicentre of Lisbon at a cost of £89 per person based on a shared double room with breakfast.

All Year (2006) Prices (per person) in £ sterling

	12 nights including car hire	Extra nights (car included)
Each of 2
Each of 3
Each of 4
Rates are inclusive of breakfast and all taxes.

The above prices include:

1.	Prices are based on 1 twin/double room for 2 persons; 1 twin/double and one single room based on 3 persons; 2 Twin rooms based on four persons.
2.	A child under 12 years sharing parents room has extra bed cost of 18 euros/ (circa £13)
3.	All rooms with en suite bathroom
4.	Breakfast included
5.	Prices include VW Polo with air conditioning and NO excess insurance cover (i.e. NO extra costs if damaged) Larger cars available on request

Lounge in Quinta Vale Mourelos

Comfort in Style

A bedroom in Solar Abreu Madeira

SELF CATERING IN PORTUGAL

Click Houses in Northern Portugal to view self catering accommodation in this region