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CASA
LAGARES – RUSTIC CHARM
WITH ALL CREATURE COMFORTS
Casa Lagares
Rua de Lagares No 13
Travanca do Mondego
3360-313 Penacova
Beira Litoral
Portugal
Casa
Lagares is a pretty 2-bedroomed rustic house
built in traditional Portuguese style with
a red-tiled roof, external staircase, wooden
shutters, shady courtyard and garden. It
is secluded but not isolated - set among
fields, woods and olive groves on the edge
of the hamlet of Lagares. The name Lagares
means ‘olive presses’ and this
is a traditional olive and fruit growing
area where people working on their smallholdings
are never too busy to exchange a friendly
greeting.
Every
room of Casa Lagares boasts spectacular
uninterrupted views across fields and woods
to the mountains of the Serra de Estrela
beyond. The Barragem de Agueira lake for
picnicking and an impromptu swim is within
walking distance. River beaches with sunbathing
and canoeing facilities are only a 15 minute
drive away.
The
house has been recently and sympathetically
renovated and includes:
*A
light, airy, open plan sitting room/dining
area/ modern kitchen (originally used to
house the wine presses) occupying the whole
downstairs level with wooden floors and
central wooden staircase leading up to the
bedrooms.
* Modern, fully equipped, tiled kitchen
Adjacent, comfortable dining area seats
six. Leads directly through French windows
to the patio for sunbathing, relaxing or
eating ‘al fresco’.
* The sitting room area has a wood-burning
stove, cosy sofas, satellite television, DVD/CD
player and radio. From here more French
windows lead out into the large terraced
garden with pond and fruit trees. The main
door leads to the courtyard and modern downstairs
bathroom with shower and bidet.
* Upstairs are two attractively furnished
bedrooms sleeping 4/5 – the larger
with twin beds and a sofa bed, the second
with a double bed. Both bedrooms are wonderfully
light with wooden beamed ceilings, French
windows and private verandas with mountain
views.
* Modern upstairs bathroom with shower,
bidet.
* Shady porch at the top of the external
staircase provides a tranquil corner.
*Year-round comfort. The house has fans
and plenty of shade to provide a cool retreat
in summer. The powerful wood-burning stove
has a modern flue system designed to heat
the whole house in winter and fuel is provided
free. Supplementary electric heating in
all rooms.
* Wooden
floors throughout
* Fully equipped with electric cooker, hob,
fridge, microwave, washing machine
* Ample parking space inside and outside
courtyard.
* Pets welcome
Lunch at the house
Orientation
The
hamlet of Lagares is a tiny community, just
eight minutes by car from the modern IP3
road but in a peaceful world of its own.
The local baker calls in his van to deliver
bread to your door. The villages of Travanca
do Mondego and Silveirinho with their mini-supermarkets,
cafés, restaurants, gym and cycle
shop are within walking distance.
The
nearest local beauty spot is the Barragem
de Agueira lake, islands and dam and there are lovely country walks
from the door.
The
nearest small town with shops, banks and
restaurants is Penacova. Tilted prettily
on pine-covered slopes above the majestic
Mondego river, (15 minutes’ drive).
Penacova has river beaches, a municipal
swimming pool, old winding streets, craft
shops and a museum. A tasty two-course lunch
can cost as little as £4 (6 euros)
a head or full dinner with wine a modest
£10 (15 euros).
The nearby lake
The
nearest supermarket plus banks, cafes, shops,
restaurants, churches and a theatres can
be found on the way to the mountains in
the attractive market town of Mortagua, about 12
minutes’ drive away.
The nearest city is historic Coimbra on
the river Mondego with its ancient university,
winding streets, elegant shops, river boats,
entertainment plus pretty nature reserve
for walking and horse-riding.
| PRICES
- November-February
inclusive: £270 (344 euros)
per week
- March-April
inclusive and
September-October inclusive: £300
(382 euros) per
week
- May-August
inclusive: £370 (470 euros)
per week
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