Herdade dos Alfanges is an attractive and peaceful property recently converted to combine the best of stylish modern living while keeping many traditional and period features. It is set within a working farm with 90 hectares of grazing land, planted with cork oaks and olive trees. It offers spacious accommodation for up to 10 adults and 5 children, with great outdoor areas, making it ideally suited for family holidays. The property is only 20 minutes drive from the UNESCO Heritage Site of Évora, which has a historical past dating back to the Romans. The Alentejo is a province rich with ancient traditions; arts and crafts including carpets and pottery, and many gastronomic delights, including delicious wine which can be ordered in advance to await your arrival at the property (at cost price). Locally produced goats' cheese, jam and honey, as well as fresh vegetables grown at the farm, are available free to clients.
The manor house bedrooms and bathrooms are on the first floor, with several communal open-plan areas on the ground floor, including a covered summer sitting room (with table tennis and table football) and an outdoor decked dining terrace with awning, both leading onto the lawned garden framed by roses and lavender. The barn is a separate building with a large central games room (with table tennis and darts)on the ground floor, then further bedroom wings on the first floor.
At a level down from the garden and totally safe for children as it is accessed through a gate, the large black mosaic and slate swimming pool (8 x 15 meters with steps) is surrounded by an equally large decked sun terrace (total 400 sq metres). The pool suite includes a twin bedroom, a changing room, WC plus shower whilst on the other side of the swimming pool is a covered bar with dining/sitting areas - all benefitting from the peaceful countryside views. Within the garden there is also a tree house, a trampoline and some swings. Horse riding can be arranged nearby, as well as water skiing or 'banana' rides on the Alqueva dam.
Typical of the local architecture, the original thick stone walls dating back from the 1800’s, keep the property cool in the summer, while large fireplaces warm it up in the winter months. Many of the rooms have wood panelled floors and ceilings and the property is equipped with central heating/air conditioning (double bedrooms, kitchen and the barn suite - the other rooms have ceiling fans). All the bedrooms in the manor house and the barn suite have one window fitted with mosquito netting, so that it can be left open all night long. Cable TV is available in the sitting room, while the TVs in the two double bedrooms in the manor house and in the barn suite have Portuguese channels only. Internet connection is available in the farm office by special arrangement. There is a baby cot and high chair available, and also covered parking at the property. Minimum rental period at this property is 3 nights and there are flexible changeover days.
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| Accommodation Details |
Manor House
Ground Floor
Entrance through summer sitting room with large doors to garden. Hallway with WC leading to sitting room (with fire place, TV, video and DVD/CD players with cinema surround sound). Dining room with open fire place. Very spacious kitchen (with central breakfast table, gas hob/oven, microwave, kettle, coffee machine, toaster, dishwasher),service door and terrace to one side and a separate sitting area (lower level) to the other side, then opening onto an outdoor decked dining terrace with awning. Larder and laundry rooms (with washing machine, dryer and fridge freezer).
First Floor
Hallway, shared by a children’s bedroom with bunks plus one extra single bed, and a double bedroom with en-suite shower room. Master bedroom suite, accessed through the en-suite bathroom (with separate shower) and with private sun terrace.
The Barn
Ground Floor
Central games room.
First Floor
Right Wing: 2 double/twin bedrooms, each with private bathroom. Small balcony.
Left Wing: Open-plan double bedroom/sitting room with sofa-bed (pulling out into 2 single beds), kitchenette (microwave, double electric plates, fridge and dining table). Bathroom (with sunken bath and hand-held shower).
The Pool Suite
Twin bedroom, shower room, separate WC and dressing room. |
| Staff |
Pool and Garden maintenance included. Maid Service included 5 hours a day x 7 days a week Welcome “Portuguese” dinner with local wine is included. Thereafter the cook service is on request and payable locally. Babysitting on request. |
| Distances |
Nearest Supermarket/Restaurants 10 minutes drive
Nearest Villages (Alvito; Vila Nova da Baronia; Viana do Alentejo) 5 to 10 minutes drive
Alqueva Dam (lake wth marina, a few restaurants and water skiing) 15 minutes drive
Évora (UNESCO world heritage site with Roman Temple, Cathedral, Shopping, Restaurants, Concerts etc) 20 minutes drive
Arraiolos (restaurants and famous carpets) 50 minutes drive
Esporão (wine producers and restaurant) 45 minutes drive
Lisbon Airport 2 hours drive
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