Villa Casal da Cana (near Lisbon)

The Buddha Eden gardens (at ± 26 km from the villa) cover an area of no less than 35 hectares. The gardens were designed and landscaped by Comendador José Berardo. This sculpture garden is truly a feast for the eyes. In addition to the large golden Buddha, you will also find 700 life-size terracotta soldiers here. Very impressive to walk around here!

A visit to Lisbon (± 60 km from the villa) is a must! Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, is also known as the city of fado. This special singing art originated in the poor neighborhoods of the city. The beautiful city is loved not only by tourists, but also by its inhabitants. In Lisbon you will find a lively combination of history & modernity with many unique sights. Some tips for your visit to Lisbon: * Tram line 28: A tour with tram line 28, through the narrow, steep streets of the city center; The tram passes almost all major sights in Lisbon. * Torre de Belém: A defense tower on the banks of the Tagus, with a wide view over the Tagus river. Mosteiro dos Jerónimos (Jerome Monastery). It is one of the most prominent buildings in Lisbon. A Manuel style building, with tombs of kings and of Vasco da Gama (Portuguese explorer). Ponte 25 de Abril: This is the famous bridge over the Tagus; * The Docas Santo Amaro, the entertainment center on the Tagus, under the Ponte 25 de Abril. Old warehouses here have been converted into restaurants and cafes; You can eat here with a picturesque view. * Jardim Zoológico de Lisboa: A zoo that is definitely worth a visit for the whole family. * Parque das Nacoes: This district was built on the occasion of Expo 98. It is a beautiful area to walk around and you will also find the Oceanarium, one of the largest aquariums in the world. * Monumento Cristo Rei. A 100 meter high Christ monument. It stands on a high hill on the south bank of the Tagus. It is possible to climb the statue, from the terrace you have a fantastic view over Lisbon. * In Lisbon, don't forget to look at the ground. The pavement is regularly a feast for the eyes.

JUNE 2019
We have had a wonderful week in your fantastic casa! We regularly spent our vacations in Italy, but have had such a great time in Casal da Cana that we are now convinced that there is more than just Italy. This is also an unsurpassed house, so much light, space, comfort, luxury, facilities ... on the site it already looks great, the reality was still superlative. It already started with your quick response and service, tips and information in advance. A nice route description and a lovely lady who waited for us on the spot and despite the language barrier showed us the way around the huge grounds and in the house. Despite 2 days of rain (enough entertainment and covered places in and at the house) and the short period (one week) we have come to relax and we enjoyed it immensely. Wide choice from the many seating furniture, also outside, something for everyone. Excellent beds, spacious rooms with plenty of cupboard space and wooden floors, luxury bathrooms, good barbecue, table tennis, spacious kitchen equipment / appliances, everything neat and clean ... and of course plenty to do in the area, within an hour in Lisbon, beautiful coast in a westerly direction etc. It will not be a surprise: we will gladly come back again and then we will stay two weeks! Kind regards, Anne and Frank

MAY / JUNE 2019
It took some searching from the airport in Lisbon, but especially the last part of the route from the supermarket in Merceana. A challenging treasure hunt by the way through the playful route description with photos that we had been given. And that effort is amply rewarded by the surprising picture that you can already see from a distance: the sight of the beautiful villa “Casal da Cana”, lying in the middle of the vineyards in a beautiful hilly landscape. And that is only part of the surprise. Once on the path to the villa, the building stands out more and more clearly: much larger than expected. It is clear that a lot of renovation and modernization has been done here recently: a large, modernly furnished room, comfortably furnished and with doors opening onto the terrace, from where you have a wonderful view of the rolling landscape. It is a dream to wake up in the morning and be able to walk out of your bed onto the terrace: enjoying the wonderful fresh air, the distant view, the bird sounds and the warm sun on your skin. In front of you, two steps below, is the swimming pool, inviting you to a refreshing morning dive. This is really a vacation spot as you imagine it at home in your wildest dreams ... .. Everything in the house is comfortable and above all: spacious. With four people (like us), but also with six, you have plenty of room not to walk too far together: the room is large, as well as the terrace, the kitchen, the bedrooms, two of which have a bathroom, a laundry room ( with washing machine) and a space to play table tennis. Around the house a garden with many fruit trees: oranges, mandarins, lemons, peaches, etc. And ... in this paradise you can pick it !! Overall a fantastic place. We can only heartily recommend this house to bon vivants and sun worshipers. Kor and Froukje Venema

MAY 2019
After a long lookout for our vacation it was 11 May. We, two friends, had arranged a good flight and a car in the Netherlands that was ready at the airport. After following the route that we had received from Wietse and Peter, we turned right and saw the villa on the left. Amielia the lady who takes care of the house was already waiting for us. After a short tour we selected our rooms. Neat neat bedrooms, good beds. Air conditioning present but not needed. Neat clean new bathroom. Many windows in the house. Allowing a nice view of the pool. Spacious kitchen with everything you need. Spacious dining table for cozy dining or playing a game. cozy living room. TV present with possibly netflix but believe me the TV will not turn you on much. Outside it is delicious !!! Enough places to sit. Sun or shade. BBQ available and also made use of and neatly left behind. The swimming pool is wonderful. The view over the grounds gives you a zen feeling. you hear the birds and you see the lizards walking. The wind through the trees in a word lovely. You can also view nice places. We have been to a number of places. Such as: Lisbon, Torres Vedras, Peniche, Santa Cruz. (See photos) And been out for dinner a number of times. On our last day, before we had to fly, at 6:25 pm, we went to the Colombo shopping malls near the airport. With 340 stores. a mecca for the ladies who enjoy shopping. But also many eateries. There is something for everyone.

Sintra is a picturesque place surrounded by hills. It was once a haven for Portugal's elite. They built numerous palaces, mansions and decorative gardens. The variety of these beautiful buildings and the beautiful surroundings make it more than worth a visit. Don't forget to walk through the beautiful gardens near the palaces. The Palácio Nacional da Pena is again one of the Seven Wonders of Portugal. Sintra can be combined with a visit to Cascais, although you can easily enjoy a whole day in Sintra. Our favorite place in Sintra is Quinta da Regaleira. You can easily walk here from the center (parking near the train station). It really is fairytale like. On the grounds you will find, for example, the famous well where you can walk down via a spiral staircase.

Foz do Alrelho Foz do Alrelho (± 56 km from the villa) has wide sandy beaches with fine sand and there are plenty of cafes and restaurants for a cool drink or delicious refreshments. Free parking is available at the beach. However, Foz do Alrelho is known for the natural lagoon. The large beach at the lagoon is shielded from the wind, so you can take advantage of calmer waters and less high waves than the rest of the Portuguese coastal towns. Ideal for families with small children. If you prefer to enjoy the waves, there are plenty of opportunities outside the lagoon. Santa Cruz Santa Cruz (± 32 km from the villa) is the nearest beach from the villa. You will find beautiful wide sandy beaches and high cliffs. Its location makes it an excellent spot for surfing and often less crowded than some other beach resorts. There are sufficient facilities for a wonderful day of relaxation. Nazaré Nazaré (± 81 km away from the villa) is a fascinating place and is known as the place for surfers. Surfing championships are held regularly. In 2013, an American set a new world record by overcoming a 30-meter wave! You can take the cable car from Nazaré to the elevated Sítio. From this impressive, 110 meter high cliff you have a beautiful view over the town and the beach.

A visit to the old fortified town of Obidos (at ± 45 km from the villa) is highly recommended. Obidos is located on a hill and a short distance from the coast. A visit can easily be combined with a day at the beach at Foz do Alrelho, because Obidos is on the route to it. Within the city walls is a well-preserved castle nestled between a labyrinth of narrow streets and charming whitewashed houses. The colorful fortified town has been beautifully restored. It's like walking around in an open-air museum. You will find numerous shops with handicrafts, art, regional products and souvenirs. The Castle of Obidos is one of the Seven Wonders of Portugal. The list of seven national monuments was commissioned by the Portuguese Ministry of Culture. Together they visualize the history of Portuguese architecture.

• Fruta Kores in Merceana (±3 km): cozy lunchroom for hamburgers and bread, among other things; Opposite is a top butcher.
• Restaurante Páteo Velho in Ventosa (±4 km): local and international cuisine; Slightly more expensive, but very worthwhile.
• O Churrasco da Glórinha (±3 km): known for delicious grilled meats; Takeaway is also possible.

The Monastery of Batalha, is a monastery in the place Batalha (83 km from the villa). The Monastery of Batalha is one of the Seven Wonders of Portugal and is both an important historical and tourist destination in Portugal. It was built in honor of the Portuguese victory over the Castilians in 1385. The building is one great work of art and contains many elements of the Portuguese late Gothic style, the Manueline style. Since 1983, the Monastery of Batalha is on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

It is a bit leguber, but nevertheless very impressive: The Chapel of the Bones in Évora, or: Capela dos Ossos (158 km from the villa). The chapel owes this name to the finish of the ceiling and walls with human bones. Built in the 16th century by a single Franciscan monk, the Bone Chapel was intended to remind the residents of Evora that everyone will end up the same in the end. He decorated the walls and ceiling of his chapel with over 5,000 skulls and bones, set in cement.

Highly recommended is a visit to the caves of Mira de Aire (± 95 km from the villa). You descend about 600 meters in these slate caves via a well-maintained staircase. The cave is really beautifully lit. At the end you go up again with an elevator. There are several caves in the area. We only visited the cave of Mira de Aire ourselves. For families with children, this tour can be combined with a visit to the pool near the caves. Ticket sales at the box office of the cave.

Porto is a bit further away (± 280 km away from the villa), but if you have the time, we definitely recommend discovering this beautiful city. The port city of Porto is located in northwestern Portugal and is located on the north bank of the Douro River. It is the second largest city in Portugal. Porto is mainly known for its port houses and the historic Ribeira district.

Walking through the green hills, through vineyards over extensive beaches. In the vicinity of the villa there are plenty of opportunities for a lovely walk in nature. Highly recommended is a hike at the Montejunto mountain. From the villa you have a view of this mountain. On the mountain you have a panoramic view of the area and in clear weather you can see the beaches / sea in the distance. Another recommendation is a walking tour at Santuário do Cabo Espichel near Lisbon. From this 15th century pilgrimage site, you can take a walk along dinosaur tracks.

Berlengas consists of a group of small islands in the Atlantic Ocean and is located 10 to 15 kilometers off the Portuguese coast, west of Peniche (Peniche is 62 km from the villa). From Peniche there is a boat connection with the islands (within an hour you are over). The largest island is Berlenga Grande. Here is the São João Baptista fortress, built in 1502 in the Manueline style. The fortress is connected to the island by a narrow bridge. You can also take a boat trip from the island to view the impressive caves near the island. Unfortunately we have not yet visited the islands ourselves and therefore do not have a photo on the site yet. However, several tenants have indicated that this is definitely worth a visit.

Portugal is a country that is very rich in archaeological material. Dinosaur tracks are numerous and extensive. The largest and oldest railway in the world is open to visitors near Fatima. It contains more than 1,000 footprints and is estimated to be about 175 million years old.
The footprints can be admired in an old quarry. We think it's an impressive pale, where it was also very quiet when we were there (we were the only visitors!). Nice to combine with a visit to Fatima.

Located in the once-unknown Cova da Iria, the Sanctuary of Fátima has become one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the world. Here, where the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to three simple shepherd children in 1917, thousands of pilgrims gather every year, driven by deep faith and devotion. Fátima is a place of intense spirituality, where the magic of the candle procession on May 12 and the emotional Farewell Procession on May 13 provide unforgettable moments. Whether you are religious or not, the special atmosphere and rich symbolism of Fátima will leave no one unmoved.

The Mosteiro de Alcobaça is an impressive 12th-century monastery and UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Gothic church with high vaults exudes peace and simplicity. The highlight is the tombs of King Pedro I and Inês de Castro, with their tragic love story. Also explore the cloisters, refectory and old kitchen – a special journey back in time.

The Convent of Christ and the Templar Castle in Tomar (111 km) are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Once the headquarters of the Knights Templar, with highlights such as the octagonal Charola and the Manueline chapter window. The castle (1160) played a role in the reconquest. A fascinating mix of styles; Combines well with dinosaur footprints.

A stone's throw from Sintra and Lisbon is the National Palace of Queluz with its enchanting gardens: a harmony of landscape and regal architecture. Here you can relive court life (18th–19th centuries) and the style development from baroque and rococo to neoclassicism. Behind the modest façade lies a world of splendour, completed by the impressive gardens.

Quinta da Regaleira is a fairytale estate full of mysticism and symbolism. Palace, gardens, caves and the famous Initiation Well form a world of secrets and esotericism. Here you will walk through romantic landscapes where nature and architecture merge into an enchanting experience.