Minho & Costa Verde holiday cottage: Paredes de Coura

My 7-months pregnant wife and I came over for a pre-baby week of relaxation and quality time, and the Casita fitted the bill perfectly. Casa da Fonte is a perfect combination of traditional buildings and gardens with modern levels of equipment, comfort and convenience. Everything is in excellent condition. The casita consists of one very large room for sleeping, living and eating, plus a seperate shower room off to the side, with access to the private courtyard - a perfect amount of space for a couple and maybe 1 or 2 small children. The spacious pool area looks out over the terraced garden and vines, into the valley below.

The local hills and valleys are great for exploring, with ancient lanes and pathways, abandoned water mills and ruins, local smallholders with their traditional tools, waterfalls and abundant wildlife. These are best explored on foot or by mountain bike. Mike was an excellent guide on 2 wheels, taking me down some challenging and scenic trails while giving me the benefit of his detailed local knowledge!

Getting into the car, there are plenty of good days out within easy driving distance - I particularly liked visiting Ponte de Lima for the Roman bridge and exploring the interesting back streets and the Gil Eannes hospital ship in Viana do Castelo (we were going to go to the beach, but never quite made it!); also the fortress in Valenca, looking across the Minho river to Spain. My wife enjoyed a day in the spa at Moncao, which is fed with warm spring water from the nearby hills.

Other highlights were: the wood-burning stove; drinking Alvarinho in the sunny courtyard with a good book (if you run out, the games room has a good stock, of books that is); entering the 'Draftzone' mountain bike event at Melgaco; eating local salt cod dishes; travelling on the scenic and almost deserted local roads.

I'd recommend the Casita to any couple looking for a relaxing getaway in tranquil surroundings that are great fun to explore.