Villa Anaclara Portugal

A delightful blend of traditional architecture with contemporary luxury and designs, Villa Anaclara offers exclusive access to a 17th century castle with a sublime modern make-over, amidst exquisite views across the nearby mountains!
On the ground floor there is a cosy living room, with old timber beams stretching across the ceiling and stone interior walls, as well as a simple fireplace on one wall. There is one bedroom with ensuite and a second bathroom on this floor. The fully-equipped kitchen is found on the first-floor, alongside a fantastically formal dining room that offers guests the opportunity to dine like royalty, among the banners and antique furniture of years past, under the classical chandelier and wood-panelled ceiling! This fabulous room has direct access to the first-floor balcony which provides a breath-taking vantage point for the magnificent mountains, exquisite gardens and fabulous private pool that surround the villa.
Each of the eight bedrooms holds a unique and arresting charm – from the extravagant gothic bedframes to the stone archways and internal window frames, the character of this 17th century castle is wonderfully apparent in every room! Half of the rooms enjoy access to either the delightful gardens or else a beautiful balcony overlooking the flourishing grounds below, complete with plenty of small tables and chairs for enjoying your fresh coffee in the morning sun, while all bar one has a fantastic ensuite bathroom. There are eight bathrooms in total, and all of them demonstrate the same level of care and attention to detail.
With all this splendour within, it’s hard to imagine a garden that can match this level of beauty. But the 15 acres of mature forest and manicured lawns that envelop the castle and are exclusively yours to enjoy. Water features, quaint terraces and even tennis courts are enveloped in meadows of wild flowers, meaning you might find them even more romantic than the home itself! The enticing private pool sits directly in front of the house and is surrounded by an array of sun loungers that invite you to spend an hour or two lazing in the Iberian sunshine.
If at any point you want to seek out civilisation, just 10 minutes away is the photogenic town of Ponte de Lima. Nestled in the fabulous rural landscape of Minho, yet so near to so many thriving towns, Villa Anaclara is in the ideal spot to explore both the fascinating history and sublime landscape of the region. Ponte de Lima, one of Portugal’s oldest and most historic towns with a delightful range of shops, bars and restaurants among the ornate squares and cobbled alleyways, and a huge market on the river bank every other Monday, is less than 10 minutes away. The country’s only National Park, the mountainous nature reserve of Peneda Geres National Park is only 25-30 minutes away, and hosts prehistoric remains, walking trails and rugged hills as well as deer, wolves and golden eagles!
The delightful market town of Barcelos is just a 40-minute drive away, while the stunning historical centre of Viana do Castelo is just 25 minutes away, where there are even sandy beaches! While the town of Braga, the capital of the district, is only around half an hour away and hosts many relics of the region’s diverse history. With so much on your doorstep, you can visit a new historical and beautiful town every day!  Minho is a fantastic, largely rural region on the northernmost Atlantic tip of Portugal, bordering the Spanish region of Galiza, with which it shares many attributes. Minho is perhaps most famous as the home of the Vinho Verde, a crisp, dry white wine (although as the name suggests, it is in fact green!) best enjoyed with a local fish dish.
Portugal itself is a small, fascinating country at the most Western point of mainland Europe. The capital, Lisbon, is known for its lively nightlife, with endless bars and clubs full of fun-loving locals and tourists alike, but also has plenty of fascinating history (check out Belém, jam-packed with monuments!) and undulating terrain, famously termed the ‘city of the seven hills’. From Lisbon, it is very quick to travel by the domestic high-speed train line to the city of Braga, which will connect you fairly quickly to Villa Anaclara.
With a vast coastline with the powerful Atlantic Ocean, Portugal is a true paradise for the keen surfer, or indeed even those looking to try if for the first time. And for those less keen on surfing, the beaches of Portugal are still well worth a visit for their beautifully clear waters and fine sands.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. 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 pick-up/drop-off- 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!