Hans and Lucy's house is situated in a pictoral village named Vale da Carvalha.

Its privileged location makes of it an excellent departure point in Portugal, only 30 km from Coimbra the Museum town, 15 km from Coimbra the Museum town, 15 km to Buçaco, 140 km from Porto's airport and 250 km from the airport of Lisbon.

Pines, olive and eucalyptus trees offer their shade at Vale da Carvalha, little hamlet of 30 inhabitants, where the perfume of lavender, rosemary and citronella invade the houses in the host summer evenings of centre Portugal, you will appreciate a long drink in front of the swimming-pool.

The spacious and well-illuminated rooms have each of them a private bathroom, and central heating. In the cosy living-room facing the pool, you can have a lavish breakfast in the quietness of the morning, only broken by the twittering of birds.

In Europe's oldest forest the Buçaco, a stroll in the thermal resorts of Curia and Luso, or a visit to Coimbra's old University as well as the nearby Monastery of Lorvão. The Aguieira and Coiço dams have the liquid element so much sought after in Summer: Water, also tennis, canoeing, fishing, jogging, golfer, cycling, karting, even a guided visit to one of the cellars of the famous "Espumante", and why not try a typical little market of the region, where cheese and the golden honey are sold by the farmers.

Physical fitness can be restored practising tennis (at about 10 km from the house), swimming or fishing the Mondego (a river abounding with fish where several world championships have taken place). You can go in for boating down the river from Penacova to Coimbra (25 km), from my personal experience an absolute must. We are also expecting shortly the opening of Mealhada's golf club.

Gastronomy hasn't been forgotten, at Mealhada you can enjoy the crispy suckling pig, which is served with the regional red Bairrada wine.
In Penacova, the succulent lamprey is the local speciality.

The house owners are Belgium, speaking English, Dutch, French, German and Portuguese, they will be happy to assist and advice you in whatever way they can, to make your holiday a cherished memory.