Overlooking a beautiful valley in the very heart of Portugal’s Vicentine Coast, the Monte the Vilarinha is a hilltop refuge, simple rural retreat, a place at ease with nature and modern comfortable lodging all rolled into one. Plenty of little goodies abound in and around the Monte da Vilarinha, not least of which is the location near some of Portugal's most scenic beaches, nestled as they are against a backdrop of high black cliffs and wild coves.

You can almost taste the sea - simply superb.

But you can just as easily relax on the Monte’s terrace overlooking the valley and taking in the aroma of the countryside and smell of the land. The house itself is divided into three distinct areas: the Casa do Forno (Oven House), Casa da Ribeira (Riverside House) and Casa de Cima (House on the top). All the names are pretty self-explanatory and all constructed using local materials, such as slate and wood, with cane ceilings and lath and plaster walls.

Here’s a quick rundown of what the three houses have to offer:

Casa do Forno: Located on the slope, provides views over the Vilarinha Valley. It may be rented as a whole (three-bedroom house) or separately. Bedrooms with double bed; television and radio with CD player; private bathroom with bath tub (Room 1) or a shower (rooms 2 and 3) and hairdryer; central heating; private terrace. Communal lounge with fireplace; television and radio with CD player; dining area; equipped kitchen (stove, dishwasher, washing machine, fridge, microwave, toaster, coffee machine, orange squeezer and crockery); central heating; private terrace.

Casas da Ribeira: 4 studio houses, located in the lower parts of the hilltop property, next to the Stream and swimming pool (hence the name, of course). Bedroom with double bed. Bathroom with shower and hairdryer. Lounge with television and radio with CD player. Dining area. Kitchenette equipped with stove, fridge, microwave, toaster, coffee machine, orange squeezer and crockery. Central heating. Private terrace.

Casas de Cima: 3 one-bedroom houses, in the highest part of the hilltop property, offering views over the Vilarinha Valley