Quinta de Parada do Vez

The retreat pairs two adjoining villas: The Luxury Manor, seven bedrooms each with a private bathroom, a fireplace living room with a piano, a dining room and a full kitchen; and The Nature Princess, two bright bedrooms with its own jacuzzi, sauna and pool. Together they hold nine bedrooms, ten bathrooms and space for up to 23 guests, linked by shared gardens.

Set in Alto Minho, the estate is ringed by mountains and valleys near the Vez River. Arcos de Valdevez's historic centre, with its restaurants and shops, is minutes away, and the Passadiços das Lagoas do Vez, Peneda-Gerês National Park and riverside beaches are all close by.

Mornings suit a swim in the private pool or coffee in the garden before the day's plans. Evenings gather at the piano by the fireplace, or in the sauna and jacuzzi, with a barbecue to close things out.