Casa Afife Portugal
Holiday Home Rental Description
The magnificent Casa Afife is a gorgeous countryside sanctuary, located on the outskirts of the quiet coastal village of Afife, just fifteen minutes north of the jewel of the Costa Verde, Viana do Castelo. Afife enjoys a fabulous micro-climate and is the perfect beach location. If you are looking to tantalise your taste buds, delicious local delicacies and local wines are available in the village. With panoramic sea views, fresh country air and just minutes in the car to the 3 km of silver sands of Afife, the location of Casa Afife could not be better. The captivating town of Viana do Castelo is blessed with an attractive riverfront, gorgeous beaches, an attractive medieval centre rich in narrow lanes lines lined with ancient churches, monasteries, monumental fountains and water features as well as leafy boulevards brimming with Manueline manors and Rococo palaces embellished with coats of arms. Guests staying at Casa Afife enjoy wonderful days on the beach, trips to beautiful towns and cities, river adventures on the Lima River estuary and countryside jaunts in the Lima valley.
Casa Afife is a phenomenal property with gorgeous entertaining spaces, six bedrooms, six bathrooms, a relaxation annexe which provides the perfect social spot, a fabulous swimming pool and beautiful gardens. As you approach this Minho wonder you are immediately welcomed by flourishing, colourful bougainvillea and towering pine and cypress trees which set the tone for your idyllic escape. Casa Afife was formally a baker’s house and the annexe was formally the old distillery. Both have been lovingly restored to create a magical blend of modern luxury and a traditional farmhouse feel. The old distillery, with its original bread and pizza oven, has been converted into two rooms and now offers a superb games room with table tennis and a large, nine foot pool table together with a large sitting room. It is fantastic for some fun and healthy competition and relaxation. From the living area, there is a superb wooden decked terrace with uninterrupted sea views. It is often called the G&T evening spot!
A charming cottage, adjacent to the villa, boasts one gorgeous bedroom and bathroom together with a mezzanine level which can sleep two children or an extra adult. It is a haven of peace and tranquility for guests looking for a little extra privacy. Doors from the cottage open to a beautiful stone terrace partially covered by vibrant bougainvillea, a very pretty sight.
The main house features characterful stone-clad walls, beautiful beamed ceilings and large shuttered windows. It offers five additional bedrooms, sleeping up to ten guests, and beautiful contemporary living spaces, all filled with stunning, trendy furnishings. Each of the bedrooms at Casa Afife boasts its own ensuite bathroom, all of which enjoy their own unique and colourful, contemporary floor tiling, adding a touch of personality. With the shutters open, the countryside and fresh air pours in and guests enjoy the most amazing landscapes of rolling hills, verdant forests and the deep blue sea.
The ground floor of Casa Afife is home to the open plan kitchen and dining area, the living room, a guest toilet and luggage room and a delightful twin bedroom that is suitable for anyone with mobility issues. The chef’s dream of a kitchen features gorgeous, contemporary cabinetry, giant state-of-the-art appliances and gorgeous marble worktops and splashbacks. The dining area seats up to twelve guests, offering a large country style dining table. Sun pours in through the large windows, drowning this heart of the house with natural light. Doors open onto a terrace for alfresco dining under the vineyard. The living room is a gorgeous contemporary space with comfy sofas and chairs, a television and DVD player and a modern log burning stove. The twin bedroom is calm and peaceful with an ensuite with a walk-in shower and doors opening to a fabulous shaded terrace overlooking the pool and lawn.
Upstairs you will discover the master bedroom suite and the remaining three bedrooms. The master boasts an enchanting vaulted ceiling, a sumptuous bed beautifully dressed in luxury linens and a sensational bathroom with a stylish freestanding bath and a walk-in shower. Two bedrooms enjoy comfy twin beds, trendy minimalist styling, immaculate ensuite shower rooms and sea views. The final bedroom is a delightful double which also boasts a pristine, beautifully tiled ensuite and a sea view.
Casa Afife is surrounded by gorgeous terraces, generous mature gardens with lush lawns and beautiful plants and trees and beautiful panorama. There are many alfresco lounge areas where you can put your feet up, pour a glass of your favourite tipple and enjoy the superb vistas. The alfresco dining area is just fabulous, a gorgeous spot where you can dine under the stars after cooking a delicious barbecue. The 12m x 5.5m swimming pool is the perfect place to cool down and enjoy some family fun. Elegant loungers surround the pool where you can relax, bask in the Portuguese sun and enjoy your holiday books. When you have had enough, you can disappear to the relaxation annexe for a friendly game of pool or table tennis.
Just a word of warning, you may find it very hard to leave Casa Afife!Casa Afife is located in a magical spot on the outskirts of Afife which is just over one kilometre away. Afife offers a good array of cafes, shops and restaurants as well as a stunning 3 km stretch of sparkling sand. The beach is absolutely fabulous but you can also hike to amazing waterfalls and trek along the mountains. It is a wonderful area for those that love the outdoors. You can ride horses on the beach or in the mountains.
Just south of the villa is the captivating, historic city of Viana do Castelo, a city offering a wealth of heritage definitely worth visiting. The pearly white, neo-Byzantine Santa Luzia Church presides over the city, sitting high on the hilltop in all its majesty. You can reach the basilica by climbing the steps, taking the car or riding the funicular. From the top, visitors delight in a gob-smacking view over the town, rated the world’s third most beautiful panorama by the National Geographic Magazine. Viana do Castelo’s compact historic centre boasts extravagant religious buildings including St Mary the Great’s Cathedral built in the fifteenth century, charming cafes, elegant plazas, incredible mansions and narrow shopping streets which open onto the banks of the Lima River. As well as offering architectural grandeur, Viana do Castelo also offers seaside charm. A little ferry takes you to the magnificent Cabadelo Beach where you can kite surf, bask in the Portuguese sunshine and wander along the wooden promenade.
Casa Afife is surrounded by nature in the glorious Minho region which offers wonderful activities including the Ecovia cycling route, kayaking along the Lima River, river bathing in Labruja, mountain biking or hiking in the Serra D’Arga and birdwatching in the Lagoas de Bertiandos. Along with Viana do Castelo, there are some other phenomenal towns to visit.
Ponte de Lima is one of Portugal’s oldest towns which enjoys an atmospheric ambience and offers a wonderful cultural experience. The Ponte de Lima Bridge is 277 metres long, stretching over the beautiful Lima River. The Romans built the first five arches and it was then fortified and extended by fifteen arches during the medieval period. Ponte de Lima boasts two magnificent churches, Igreja da Misericordia and Igreja de Santo Antonio which sits across the river with its baroque styling. Largo de Camoes Plaza is the town’s bustling square with wonderful views of the Lima River and a good array of cafes, bars and restaurants. Ponte de Lima is the home of the famous vinho verde wine so you will certainly enjoy this in the square. Torre da Cadeia Velha is a tower which is part of the old Ponte de Lima wall. It is used for exhibitions and tourist shops. Ponte de Lima sits in glorious countryside with fabulous viewpoints. These include Miradouro of Saint Catarina which offers views of the river, Miradouro of Magdalene which enjoys views over the town and surrounding landscape and Miradouro of Bola da Pena which enjoys 360-degree views of the entire area. The gastronomy in the town is amazing with excellent local Portuguese dishes. Some restaurants enjoy gorgeous riverside settings. The town is surrounded by magical green landscapes and is a stop on the famous Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage route.
The gorgeous town of Caminha, sitting at the mouth of the Minho River, boasts the ancient Torre do Relogio de Caminha, the clock tower which forms part of the old city walls built in the 12th century and is a national monument. You can climb to the top of the tower to enjoy fabulous views of the town. The Rua Direita or Ricardo Joaquim de Sousa Street is the cobbled main street in the historic centre. Another historic monument is the Igreja Matriz de Caminha where you can admire tiles from the 17th century. Visitors can take a ferry over to Galicia from Caminha.At Excellence Luxury Villas we pride ourselves on going that little bit further for our guests. From private chefs to babysitters we can help you arrange those little extras that make it a truly memorable holiday. Simply fill in the
concierge request form or contact Excellence Luxury Villas Concierge Team who will be happy to help. We can typically help you arrange any of the following:
– Maid service/extra cleaning- Private chef/cook/catering- Welcome hamper/pre-stocked fridge- Local day-trips or tours- Airport transfers- Babysitting/childcare services
Simply fill in the concierge request form or contact Excellence Luxury Villas Concierge Team.
Please note that all extras are subject to availability and must be requested in advance of the holiday (prices on request). Due to some rural/remote locations, not all services will be available at all properties. However, we will always do our best to fulfil your requests!