Monte da Fornalha

200-year-old farmhouse surrounded by vines and olive groves, with gorgeous gardens and elegant pool; 6 rooms or a self-catering let for 12

This is another of those stylish country retreats the Portuguese do so well: a whitewashed house with smart interiors standing in four acres of blissful silence. Best of all is the succulent courtyard jungle that Orlanda has coaxed from the dry soil. Palms soar, an old oak throws out its shade, wisteria, ivy and bougainvillea all roam the walls. There’s a small fountain in a water trough, deck chairs scattered about the terrace. Forage further and find a glistening pool flanked by sun loungers and two terraces – one for the sun, one for the shade. Raid the honesty bar, then fall asleep to the sound of goats’ bells floating over the walls from the surrounding vineyards.

The house dates to the late 1700s. Breakfast is served in an exceedingly pretty open-plan sitting room/dining room. Bedrooms are scattered about the garden; expect terracotta-tiled floors, colour-washed walls, pretty furniture, some with a terrace. There are bikes to borrow, vineyards to visit, the gorgeous Alentejo towns to discover (Vila Viçoca is on the doorstep) and horse riding in the hills.

Highs

• Utterly peaceful and beautiful - a perfect place to unwind
• Great value for money, considering the big rooms and excellent breakfast
• Wandering through the garden from your room to the pool - a tough commute
• The glorious Alentejo. It’s on the doorstep and is one of Portugal’s prettiest regions

Lows

• Dinner is not available so you'll have to drive to Borba, Estremoz or further afield
• Only 2 rooms have air con, but thick walls and shutters keep them all cool, and we didn't actually use ours