Villa Kaete is located one hour north of Lisbon and 5-8 km away from Portugal’s west coast beaches, in between Ericeira and Santa Cruz, which are famous for surfing. You can take a walk through the winery along the river Sizando, relax in the garden & refresh in the biological pool.

The owner came from Germany, via Spain, she’s made Portugal her home and transformed one of the few remaining old village houses from 1899 into an easy-going, stylish place to stay. You walk in to fresh white walls, terracotta and patterned tiles, modern, vintage and antique pieces, candles, potted plants and happily informal flower arrangements. Steep stairs lead to small attractive bedrooms with super-comfortable beds; two rooms overlooking the garden, another the quiet road with morning sun. Guests share an inviting sitting room with plenty of books and an open fire, and the burgeoning garden with its reed-filtered natural pool, veg patch, shady hammock and covered outdoor terrace – for breakfasts of local cheeses, eggs, jams and bread. The owner loves gardening, teaches Yoga a qualified Reiki practitioner and a dog-lover too. If you’re missing yours you may take her bouncy Bernese Mountain Dog Bella for a walk. Some of the best surfing beaches in the world – Ericeira, Santa Cruz – are just down the road…