The village of Tarrastal is a historical village of only about 30 Xisto stone cottages, with a couple still in ruins. The village is on a mountainside and is uninhabited, the owners of the other cottages only visiting for vacations. There is a communal barbeque space and the guests also get their own key to the shared community hall with pool table and bar, so you can join any other guests who might be staying there should you wish. It's your chance to escape to nature and be part of a unique historical village experience in Portugal. Although we have no TV service installed, we have a PC with preloaded 10 Euro internet/wi-fi data and a projector with big screen, so you could load extra data and livestream movies or add your NetFlix login to watch movies on the big screen. Alternatively enjoy a fireside game of cards or kids games. The property has been fully renovated and is in excellent condition. For cold winter nights we have a wood fireplace as well as a sauna, which when not in use can also double as a small extra bedroom. Nearby villages are only minutes away and you can eat out or shop at the local nearby market for your own meals.

This is a family chalet owned by Dave and his children Kate and Mark and their families, so if it's not booked out we will be visiting Tarrastal to enjoy the tranquil mountain life of Portugal. We love hiking, mountain bike riding and visiting the quaint little villages around the area, especially on market days. In summer the Ciera River has several beaches and popular swimming spots. Whilst we have internet, it's a perfect place to relax, catch up on work if you needed quiet space to do this, read a book or sit by the fireside if it's cold, or enjoy the property's private sauna.

The nearby villages are only a few miles/kms away and the river Ceira runs nearby and through Gois, with safe swimming beaches and spots along the river. There is an annual car rally, motor bike rally and cycle race that passes close by and an annual spring picnic in the village that sees a crowd coming to Tarrastal. Shopping is by supermarket in Gois, or the fish, vegetables and bread trucks that visit Gois on different days.