Arcos de Valdevez, Portugal
Thanks to Pedro Ornelas and his recommendation (I`ll get to Pedro later), we were delighted to be able to book this fantastic rural location on the outskirts of the Peneda-Gerês National Park near Arcos de Valdevez.
GETTING GROUNDED
Originally from quite a different background to Ecotourism, João Serodio has successfully and almost single-handedly converted a wild plot of land into a peaceful haven for his guests and those looking to visit this beautiful region of Portugal. Up until a few years ago, João was in the Textile Industry (possibly the reason why he is so good at making beds😉) when he made a wise decision: the realisation, that there is more to life than racing along the stressful FAST LANE in which at the time, he felt encaptured and one of the many reasons why Quinta Lamosa is not your typical holiday location.
The secluded but central position and the personal treatment you receive here make this destination so special. Quinta Lamosa is great for all travellers: whether on your own, your honeymoon, a family of four or a digital nomad looking for a place to work and connect with likeminded human-beings. At Quinta Lamosa you can and will relax.
João personally makes sure you are comfortable, have everything you need and will happily point you in the right direction – be it for sightseeing, walking, swimming or dining. There`s loads of information on his homepage and if you don`t find what you are looking for, all you need to do is ask. He even has a boat which unfortunately whilst we were there, had just done its final flight of the year, but if you show an interest, he will gladly take you out on the high seas of Portugal and beyond – food and wine inclusive.
Bucket-List 2025 – CHECK!
The accommodation itself is a real home from home. With a kitchen, your own lounge, bathroom (in some cases, two) and huge balcony you can really spread out. There`s even a wood burner if you are staying “out of season”. No comparison to those en-suite hotel rooms where you can`t even turn around in the toilet let alone have enough room to put your suitcase down, or a wardrobe in which to empty it.
The same applies for the grounds. Each house, be it a treehouse or a lodge has loads of outdoor space and hence plenty of privacy. We loved the spacious garden area around our treehouse, the calming sound of the stream, nature saying good night in the evening and the birdcall greeting us early mornings. We grounded here, even in the bow of the hammock.
Although João doesn`t run a five-star restaurant on the premises, breakfast and snacks are easily organised and delicious! Our breakfast, ordered in advance for two guests, was delivered to the treehouse daily, punctually and more than ample. There are at least two good restaurants within a ten-minute drive who serve tasty food. Our favourite was Bar do Rio - a lovely setting by the river with entertaining staff.
Immersed in rural charm, Quinta Lamosa is neither naff, nor rustic. Fixtures and fittings are of a high and tasteful quality, a combination of modern comfort and the warmth of natural materials and pricewise, highly competitive. The pool, although not heated, is a welcome bonus whether at the crack of dawn or after a long day out. We loved it here and I am seriously considering spending some off-season writing time there.
João, be warned!
Being a nature-lover you will find plenty of beautiful spots on and off track as we did, and determined to jump into the icy but clear spring waters ourselves, we followed João`s recommendations to visit the nearby waterfalls at Poço Negro.
In order to do so we topped up on energy at a local and very cosy restaurant first. The service and food at Pedro Oliveiras`Restaurante Saber ao Borralho were superb, also notably well priced for both quantity- and quality.
Pedro is uncomplicated, a winemaker himself and very friendly as were his guests, with whom we struck up conversation. They kindly gave us a small insider tip too - one which we unfortunately did not have time to explore - but one I would like to give a mention here, if only for my own future reference.
Soajo Nomadis - specialists for Outdoor- and River-Trekking look like they offer quite exciting experiences, especially if you are of the adventurous sort and well worth trying out next time.
There are lots of picturesque villages, the odd medieval settlement and miles of tracks for hiking of all levels of fitness. If Quinta-Hopping as we were, Quinta Lamosa is an excellent homebase for visiting those too and believe me, there are plenty in the Vinho Verde Wine Region of Portugal.
Dear João, thank you so much for your genuinely warm welcome and for being so accommodating. For more information, please contact João who will answer almost immediately, presuming of course, he isn`t up a mast!
João Serodio
Lugar da Zebra, Gondoriz
4970-182 Arcos de Valdevez
Tel.: +351 914 509 049
Fotocredits: Gail Treuer, Quinta Lamosa