Facilities
meet & greet the locals
meet & greet the locals
We organise several field trips, hikings, group holidays and workshops led by or co-organised by local friends who will happily take you on ´a strawl through rural life´
wolf territory
wolf territory
Wolves were rarely spotted in this area, but over the past few years, their population in the Geres and the Serra da Cabreira has grown, and wolves have become a real threat to live stock these days. We ourselves have lost our strong male donkey, others in the village have lost garrano horses, calves and goats of the past year. A downside for livestock and farmers, an upside for you as you may actually spot a wild wolf on your holiday. This picture for example was taken by one of our 2017 summer guests.
And don’t worry, you won’t see them on Quinta Rural grounds: they’re not into us humans. Whenever they can avoid contact they will. During summer, with full occupancy at Quinta Rural, our donkeys and horses can finally sleep under the stars without being in danger – just because you all live and sleep on the nearby camping grounds. Just too much human for those wolves.
tourist guide
detailed tourist guide
“Not all who wander are lost”. We wanted to make sure you’d get to the best places, without having to go through heaps of brochures and figuring out whats where. So we wrote a guide for our guests, with detailed information on what to do, where to find it, how to get there, what to combine it with, best suited for.. All you need to do is to arrive, relax, have a drink and browse through the guide. And you’re set for the next 2-3 weeks, at least.
outdoor adventure
outdoor adventure
Being located at 865 m in Portugal and surrounded by nature, Quinta Rural is ideally set for outdoor adventure activities. Think paragliding, geocaching, mountainbiking, horseback riding, canyoning, gorge walking, 4×4, climbing, abseiling and adventure parcs. Think Serra da Cabreira, natural parc the Alvao, national parc Peneda-Geres.
Hiking trails & field trips
Hiking trails & field trips
Several adventurous and/or beautiful hikes start at Quinta Rural. But there are many more; here in the Serra da Cabreira, but also in the nearby nature parks such as the Alvao and the Geres.
In summer we organise several group hiking activities and field trips you can join. During off season we have a more exclusive offer, on request only, such as a 4×4 trips to see the wild garrano horses in the mountains, or a day full hike, spending the night (quite uncomfortably, I must say) in the Geres, spotting wolves. Or helping in the wine harvest.
mountain bikes
Mountain biking
we have a couple of mountain bikes for rent. Great trails in the area, yet hard on the calves! For trained die-hards only.
natural refreshment
and your morning coffee
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birdwatching
bird watching
May & June are thé months for bird lovers. Make sure to check out our ‘birds page’ to find out what special species you will surely see during your stay.
guided family hikes
guided family hikes
During school holidays we invite you and your kids to walk with us. No better motivation to go the extra mile than good company, adventurous trails and the reward of a refreshing swim at the end.
off season
off season
Off season has some pretty awesome advantages: even more space, privacy and peace due to less guests. And what about the off season discount rates for your accommodation as well as plane tickets and car rental. On the other hand, there will also be less services available – e.g. we still service breakfast, but it’s impossible to organize an elaborated barbecue just for 2. And we can still offer guided walking, but being a private instead of a group activity, different rates apply – Most travelers are aware, but we thought we’d just give you a heads up. If you do wish for full service, you might want to take a look at our organised small group holidays on our ‘Packages & Deals’ page.
breakfast basket
bread & breakfast ( & coffee!)
You can order a well filled ´breakfast basket´. In July and August, we serve a continental breakfast with lots of choice. Several kinds of bread, jam, chocolate butter, cheese, ham, salami. Egg, fruit, cereals, yogurt. Milk, juices, coffee & tea.
honesty Bar(n)
the door is open, feel at home
Our historical bar(-n), dating back to 1673 is a lust for the eye and one of the main reasons I fell in love with this property. After some serious renovating -ever ongoing- whilst maintaining the authentic elements, the ‘Celeiro’ -hay & crop barn- is now your place to be for about everything. Bar, bread, breakfast, barbecues, books, reception and information.
HONESTY BAR
Having to take care of a maximum of 70 guests, 11 lodgings, 5 hectares of land in total, 11 animals, 3 guided walks and 1 toddler, there’s a chance that just when you think about getting a cold one, the bar isn’t staffed. No worries: just grab it and mark it on your personal bar list. Whenever possible, we serve good wine and licor – local and national, juices, soda, milk, coffee, thee, the regular. Breakfast, smoothies, healthy sandwiches, and evening meals on fixed days
good wine
local & national
It goes without saying that Portugal has some pretty good wine.
We’ve ‘tasted’ quite some of them and have found some pretty ‘good ones’ from local vinho verde’ till regional ‘maduro’.
summer barbecues
evening mails & barbercues
EVENING MEALS HIGH SEASON
In July and August, you can join us at the dinner table some 4 times a week. Traditional feast meals with local fresh ingredients, a true fest for everyone´s taste buds. Straight from our ow kitchen. Vegetarian and special diets possible if notified in advance. As we do our shopping separately for each dinner, reservation is required 1 day ahead. Dinner is served at 19.00 o´clock at the ´long tables´. Along with the fine meals comes the good wine and the even better conversation. Often, after clearing the tables, we will start a small fire.
EVENING MEALS OFF SEASON
During off season, we will gladly recommend some typical Portuguese restaurants in the area. We will happily cook for you as long as you let us know 1 day before and don’t mind having an off menu surprise.
seating areas
seating areas
Come rain, come sun. We keep creating more seating areas. From a sturdy family picknick table under the trees, to a hammock, sun bathing spots at the bio pool or between the olive trees. In the shade of the terras roof, cozy around the fire circle. Even inside, in the Bar(n): big tables to read, small ones to play a game of cards or chess, a comfy chair in front of the fire place, or right at the bar, having a drink. Choose your seat.
rural life
local & national
It goes without saying that Portugal has some pretty good wine.
We’ve ‘tasted’ quite some of them and have found some pretty ‘good ones’ from local vinho verde’ till regional ‘maduro’.
books & games
Books & games
A complete wall filled with books, from fiction to non-fiction. We started out with only Dutch books, yet our collection of English, German, French and Portuguese books is growing steadily.
car free
car free
Traffic-free camping: nicer view, no dust, peaceful and safe without all those cars on site. Only loading/unloading. Free parking at the front of the farm.
biological plunge pool
biological plunge pool
Not your average (chemical) pool, but a big watertank (7×4 m) filled with nothing than constant streaming fresh mountain spring water. A bit fresh in the beginning, but 100% natural.
Comes with a stunning view – only after building did we find out there was a name for this: ” infinity pools”.
free donkey hugging
donkey walking & hugging
We’re part of a national breeding program to avoid extinction of the Burro Mirandes, the national donkey breed. The donkeys have a confined land of their own, but regularly come and visit you on the Quinta Rural grounds, some may even spend the night. Come spring, we’ll start the training of the young ones. Whenever possible, you can join us on a donkey trail into the mountains.
Children (0-99 yrs) are always welcome to groom and help out in the stable.
Funny enough, we’ve experienced that these kind strong animals tend to calm down even the stressiest and worry fullest of people. Mindfulness in an ancient fluffy jacket. Therefore: all day every day: free donkey hugging!
the view
amazing view & starry nights
An amazing view is ensured, no matter what accommodation or camping pit you choose. The never-ending change of light never bores. Wake up early and find yourself literally ‘above the clouds’ or even ‘with your head in the clouds’. Enjoy the golden hour at night. Or see the mist rolling in like in a Hitchcock movie. Make sure to reserve some time to enjoy the sun set. And don’t forget to gaze at the stars at night.
childfriendly
child friendly
we’re child friendly, in a ‘free range outdoor kids’ kind of way. At Quinta Rural, we almost always see children (and adults) disconnect from their tablets, cell phones and social media and start connecting again with nature, animals & peers.
Plenty of space for them to roam and discover, pets and farm animals for them to cuddle and groom, books, toys and games to play (with).
Make sure to check out our adventurous hikes with swimming and plunging in the natural streams and near small waterfalls.
the little ones
the little ones
our 2015 son Tiago has taught us all about babies and toddlers needs, and the hassle of packing for holiday. We have rental packages for the little ones (ask for the detailed list – all you have to do is pack your babies clothes and some diapers), a small diaper changing room, lots of toys, books, several strowlers and back carriers, inflatable mini pools etc. Our animals have also been ´instructed´ by Tiago on how to behave in a child friendly manner.
Still, don´t forget: Quinta Rural is best suited for adventurous kids and their parents: sparkly eyes, messy hair, dirty feet and barefoot as a result.
massage
massage & reiki
An acknowledged & experienced massage therapist is ‘ours’ one day of the week. Massage and reiki sessions can only be booked upfront.
pet friendly
pet friendly
We’re pet friendly if your pet is friendly. Pets are allowed if well behaved, child (and animal) friendly, clean (walk them far outside camping grounds), and they don’t disturb other guest (e.g. by barking). Please contact us about the possibilities.
We do want to inform you: in Portugal dogs aren’t allowed in restaurants, bars, musea, public places. Public transport only if muzzled. And you can’t leave the dog in the car whilst going for a bite, because it can quickly turn too hot. Think well before bringing your dog. Only if you’re dedicated to having a holiday full of hiking, swimming natural water, and playing or relaxing on the camping ground, will your holiday be fun for you ánd your dog.