Monte da Casa do João

A Plantation Surrounded by Fruit Trees in the Hills of Alentejo

Surrounded by Indian fig trees, purple passion fruit orchards, and Alentejo cork oaks, the 13-hectare setting is a playground for kids of any age, including adults. “Monte” for the Portuguese is a plantation in Alentejo where the land is cultivated and animals are raised, and here there are even four-legged farm friends roaming the grounds that you can feed and interact with.

The “live like a local” ethos is also steeped into the food, as typical dishes here include fresh ingredients from the farm’s plentiful gardens. And it’s a wonderful opportunity to live in harmony with the environment, as all the energy is produced comes from renewable sources and the water from the earth’s veins.

If you ever have the desire to leave, you are situated near the beaches of Melides and Lagoa de Santo André and the cities of Grândola and Santiago.

André and Carla feel privileged to have experienced this life, and like to say that if “sunshine, freedom and flowered fields equal happiness, this is definitely the right place for you.”

This 400 sqm luxury villa in Alentejo has four bedrooms and four bathrooms, and was created to be enjoyed by friends and families, up to 14 guests.

You can see that intention in the large living room with a fireplace, that shares no walls with the fully-equipped kitchen, and a dining room table that seats 14. Outside, the lounging, entertaining and connecting opportunities are abundant, with a barbecue, salt pool and children’s playground.

LIVE LIKE A LOCAL IN THE ALENTEJO

The owners recommend learning about the history and customs of Alentejo by visiting the Santiago do Cacém Municipal Museum, set in an old prison, Santiago do Cacém Castle (originally Moorish, but now demonstrating Romanesque and Gothic architectural styles) and the spectacular Roman ruins of Mirobriga (all are about 12 km away).

For the curious minds of children, there is the Badoca Safari Park (13.3 km away), a 90-hectare wonderland for 600 kinds of exotic animals, and the nature reserve of Lagoa de Santo Andre offers a myriad of ways to explore, hiking, canoeing and windsurfing are just a few.

Alentejo bread is delicious and always on the table, so buy a loaf at a local padara or visit a former ruin and what used to be José Mateus Vilhena Grinding Mill, now the Flour Museum, at 17.5 km away. Other ways to satiate can be found in the local restaurants Solar dos Leitões and Restaurant Ti Lena, favorites of the owners. To procure provisions, the Supermarket Mercearia D. Fatinha is 4 km away, and the Market Mercado Santo André is 15 km away.

And finally, there is always the Costa Vicentina stretch of Atlantic coastline, revered for its wild beauty (14 km away).