Host: Valerie Thille

Guestrooms: 4 + 1 loft self catering.

Address: Estrada de Seleiros cx. 314. Bouça - 4970-130 Couto (Viana do Castelo), Portugal

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Telephone: +351 258 526078,
Mobile: +351 934064577,
Mobile: +351 936351503

Activities/Attractions: Viana do Castelo is a 13th century town (founded in 1258), but it also has pre-roman evidence of human occupation. The city is still kept reasonably busy with its fishing industry and the new phenomena of tourism. A main feature of the city is the attractive main square that features both a 1553 water fountain and the Miseriacórdia house that was constructed in 1598. Close by is its 15th Century Cathedral that has a fortress-like feeling and graced with Gothic carved relief's of the apostles. In the square of São Domingos is the 16th Century church of the same name.

The City Museum housed in a small Palace of Barbosa Maciel is also in the main square. It holds a variety of interesting fine items such as rare ceramics, furniture, paintings and archaeological finds from the area. In the northwest part of the City the 18th Century Chapel Nossa Senhora da Agonia plays an important part in its annual celebrations. A three-day festival drawing thousands of visitors is held in August each year to honour this image. Activities and further points of interest include:

• Fishing (trout)
  
• Pleasant nature walks
  
• Driving small roads alongside beautiful natural scenery
  
• Archaeology
  
• Soajo Mountain
  
• National Park Peneda-Gerês
  
• Amarela Mountain, Serra Mountain
  
• Lindoso Lake, Touvedo Lake, Caniçada Lake
  
• Corno do Bico Preserved Forest
  
• Wild horses in their natural habitat, megalitics formations, brandas
  
• Historic Towns of Arcos de Valdevez, Ponte da Barca, Ponte de Lima,  Monção, Valença, Melgaço, Braga, Barcelos, Viana do Castelo, Tuy, Vigo
  
• Rivers: Vez; Azere, Coura, Cávado, Lima, Minho
  
• Golf at 20km (Ponte de Lima)
  
• Beach at 40km (45 minutes)
  

A ferry or the bridge takes visitors across the river to the beautiful sweeping sandy beach of Praia Cabedelo that stretches as far south as the popular holiday resort of Esposende.

To the north is another holiday resort by the name of Vila Praia de Âncora with its 17th Century Fort. On this coastal road just to the north of Viana do Castelo is Areosa with a 16th Century chapel and a 17th Century fort. An interesting 13th Century chapel can also be found to the northeast of this town at a small hamlet named São Pedro de Varais.

"After 10 years of searching around Portugal, we can say that we have found in the House Of the River Time our “house” to always come back to."

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General Information: Welcome to Casa do Rio Vez Bed and Breakfast ... a spacious, charming, restored house with old granite walls and surrounded by nature at the foot of Soajo Mountain and Peneda-Gerês National Park in northern Portugal. Nature is what you certainly get at the Casa do Rio Vez, offering an utterly beautiful experience, which is more akin to Switzerland than for a country known for its sandy beaches and warm climate.

Yet if you desire the excitement of urban life, then you are only 2km from Arcos de Valdevez and its only a little bit further to one of northern Portugal’s loveliest cities - Viana do Castelo, right on the Atlantic Ocean. The Casa do Rio Vez is adorable - an old 19th century olive mill located alongside the banks of the River Vez and set within 5000 square metres of gardens. Olive trees, oak trees and lawns abound and even though Rio Vez has its own swimming pool, a dip in natural water of the local river is an utterly bracing experience, given the beautiful nature that surrounds it.

Built in 1886, but a totally renovated in 2004, generous contemporary spaces have been added to go with the granite walls and history of the place. The main house has two new levels, with the mezzanines (for the loft) and lounges all beautifully decorated in modern comfortable tones.

• 4 twin bedded rooms
  
• All with private bathroom and river view
  
• Central eating and fire places
  
• Comfortable and contemporary
  
• A self catering loft with kitchenette, mezzanine, private bathroom, TV, private entrance, windows overlooking the river
  
• 10,000²m garden
  
• Swimming-pool
  
• Nearby natural swimming pools
  

Payment Accepted: Visa, MasterCard.

Rates: (Prices quoted in Euros).

€55-120/night

Continental breakfast included with guestrooms, not self catering.

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"What an experience. Excellent furnishings - beautifully conceived and decorated, the River running through the property with the sound of cascades, the swimming pool, the well treated forest and the superior hospitality of Aníbal and Valérie."

"This is the ideal place for any nature lover to spend the night. Tasteful decoration, tranquil, delicious lunches and caring hosts. A small farm where to come back to."

"I stayed at "The House of the River Time" and adored it! How wonderful! The small farm is pretty, with nature in its backyard. The house is enchanting, reconstructed with all the comforts. I will definitely come back!"

"Ideal to get to know the region or to only rest. The house and its excellent location are instantly likeable and we had a fantastic stay."

"We had the most wonderful holiday here this summer, everything was perfect, the house, the room, the location (couldn't have been to better), the tranquility, the hosts (thank you will be the inspiring conversations) ... Absolutely amazing! We cannot recommend it lives, this place is very special and you will leave very relaxed, but with heavy heart and hoping you be back again soon!"