Vale da Cegonha offers country living of the highest standards in 2 beautifully presented country houses.
The houses are adjoining, yet totally self contained. Each has its own front door and private barbeque terrace.
There is also a large swimming pool with both a sun terrace and shady pergola beside, which is shared between all guests. There is ample room around the pool area for all guests to enjoy their own space. The pool itself measures 10x5 metres and is 1.2m at the shallow end and 2m at the deep end.
Both of the houses and all the terraces enjoy spectacular uninterrupted views across the valley toward the distant hills.
Casa Coruja has an exceptionally large open plan lounge/kitchen/diner. Within the lounge area is a full size sofa bed which will accommodate 2 adults, plus further comfortable seating. The dining area includes an extending table and 4 chairs. Two further folding chairs are also available, if required. The kitchen is fully fitted and has solid wood units with granite worktops. It includes a hob, oven, microwave, fridge freezer, toaster and electric hand blender.
A further dining table and chairs is outside on the barbeque terrace.
Both bedrooms have zip and link beds which can be made up as either a large double or 2 singles, whichever you would prefer. A small childs bed or cot can be added to either bedroom.
Both bedrooms also have spacious 'wetroom' style shower rooms ensuite, which include an adjustable height shower, washbasin and WC.
What makes Casa Coruja so special is that when we designed it we wanted to ensure that it was not only spacious and elegant, but also completely wheelchair friendly. To this end, subtle features were included - wider doors, level thresholds, no steps to negotiate. There is ample space to turn around in all rooms including the shower rooms. These also have open spaces under the washbasins, 1m spaces beside the WC's and grabrails beside the WC's and in the shower areas. The kitchen is also wheelchair friendly as it includes an extra lowered work surface and hob both with spaces beneath plus a further space beneath the sink. Most crockery, cutlery and cooking utensils are kept in large pull out drawers with space to the side. The oven is set at 50cm from the floor.
We can either provide or hire a number of mobility aids if required.
All areas around both the house and the pool terraces are fully wheelchair accessible.
Paths lead around the grounds from where fabulous views of the Monte da Rocha lake can be enjoyed.
Vale da Cegonha is located in an area of outstanding natural beauty. There is simply nothing better than sitting on the terrace in the evening, with family or friends, sharing good food and a glass of excellent local wine, as the sun sets over the hills and valley. Afterwards you will be treated to a dazzling display of starlight, thanks to our clean, clear air.
It is truly magical and an experience that we'd like to invite you to share.
Round and About Vale da Cegonha:
Beside the pool we have our own 'beach' which is an ideal place for young children to play or for a game of boules. We have 2 sets available.
There are also many old cartways crossing the landscape giving endless opportunities to birdwatchers, botanists, artists and photographers as well as those who just love the outdoors. Whether you are on foot, or maybe horseback there is always something to enliven the senses- the smell of wild mint, rosemary and eucalyptus; watching 2 hares chasing round a field or brightly coloured birds such as bee-eaters, hoopoes and blue magpies, while majestic birds of prey and elegant storks soar high over head. A meeting with a local shepherd quietly tending his sheep is reminiscent of life in a bygone age, as is a visit to a local bar where everyone seems to have time for a friendly chat.
Ourique is a typical Alentejo whitewashed town perched on the top of a hill, with lovely views over the local countryside. As the county town it has supermarkets, shops, restaurants, cafes and bars as well as banks, a cinema, library and a health centre, 2 chemists and a fuel station, which provide for all daily needs. Many local restaurants have their speciality dishes -if it is chicken you fancy then head for the local lakeside bar/restaurant. For the best local pork head for the Adega Velha restaurant in Ourique. If it is steak that you fancy, so tender that you can cut it with a fork, yes a fork!, then there is a restaurant just outside Ourique where you can find that too.
Typical local fairs and festivals occur throughout the year beginning with Carnival on Shrove Tuesday and ending with the festival of Sao Martinho on 12 November where chestnuts are roasted and the new wine flows freely. All promise a truly Portuguese experience.
The Algarve, Lisbon and beautiful west coast are also within easy reach.
We are resident proprietors. Our cottage is also located within the grounds of Vale da Cegonha. As such we are here if you need us for help, advice or just a chat, but in the background, if you don't.
Vale da Cegonha is a fully registered tourism business within the category of 'Alojamento Local' Our licence number is 3346/AL.
