This is a quiet 3-bedroom-2bathroom ground floor Villa with a stunning view over the Douro River and easy access to Porto city which features a large living room, 2 double bedrooms and 1 bedroom with two single beds, a fully equipped kitchen, free WIFI, cable TV (MEO) and an overall 1000m2 outdoor space with fruit trees, plants and an outdoor swimming pool, patio and barbecue, surrounded by beautiful places to visit: river beach, waterfalls and great traditional gastronomy. This spacious, countryside style 3 bedroom ground floor Villa ideal for a quiet retreat has just finished its renovation and benefits from a delightful view over the Douro River and the traditional and well known Portuguese shale’s villages, combined with an easy access to Porto city, Douro Valley and River and many other places of interest. Warm hospitality and knowledge of the area are our pride. Featuring a private outdoors swimming pool and a magnificent setting, it is ideal for large families or groups who are looking to enjoy a holiday in a quiet location with privacy, plenty of natural lighting. This special charming villa combines simultaneously the modern vibes of home decor with authentic, traditional structure and national materials of where its located, providing a holiday that benefits from peaceful and quiet surroundings with beautiful views and an overall comfortable familiar and cosy home-feeling within short drives to the village or even further. With 3-bedrooms (high quality mattress) and 2 bathrooms, the Villa has a spacious living room with a large L-shaped sofa that converts to a guest bed, dining area and ample kitchen newly renovated and fully equipped with dishwasher, washing machine, gas hob, oven, fridge, freezer and all appliances and utensils. You will find everything you need for a meal on the go (like preparing a picnic before driving through the Douro Valley and the surrounding villages) or a full course sit down dinner after a day exploring the amazing and historic local area. The villa includes free WIFI Internet, cable TV (MEO) and Universal Multi Plug Adapter (US / AUS / UK to EU) sockets along many other commodities. The outdoor area features a private swimming pool (please note this is an unguarded swimming pool, so children benefiting from it must be accompanied by an adult at all times), private free car parking, barbecue, gated front porch and grassed area for leisure. A MAGIC PLACE Marco’s Villa is located in the small village of Gondarem, parish of Raiva, municipality of Castelo de Paiva, Aveiro district/Porto area. Gondarem is a small village of shale - in portuguese one of the popular ‘Aldeias de Xisto’ - a very picturesque place and recommended to visit, situated on a slope facing the Douro River with a rustic feeling and traditional architecture that flank the streets and alleys of the village creating a landscape of great beauty and history. Being Gondarem also part of an old mining region, the produce of the land, fishing and the mines of Terramonte were once the sustain of the families who lived here. The beauty, calm and peaceful environment of this place, as well as the breathtaking landscape surrounding Douro have been growing an interest and attention of visitors who are eager to combine cultural holidays with relaxing views, quiet surroundings with also exciting and perfect spots for hikers and adventurers. With excellent roads and highway access, it’s a quick 40 min drive away from Porto city and it’s part of the emerging concept of modern rural tourism in Portugal. FAQs: - Bed arrangements: double bed for 2 guests in master bedroom with en-suite, double bed for 2 guests in second bedroom, 2 single beds on third bedroom, king-size sofa-bed in living room for 2 guests, plus an inflatable extra double bed for extra guests wanting individual bed. - A baby crib and high chair can be offered as well. - All beddings, sheets, and towels are provided, included. - Standar check in and check out are at 3:00pm and 10:00am. We can welcome you at any time, however arrival and departure outside those time will incur extra fees. - Checkout cleaning and laundry are included as well. -There is NO need for you to go to an office to pick up the villa’s keys. Our friendly guest manager will be waiting for you at the property. We will provide you with 2 sets of keys and all information you will need for and during your stay. - This villa is managed by a professional support team who is consistently providing outstanding customer care. The multi-lingual team speaks English, Italian, French, Portuguese and Spanish. - We have the best housekeeping and maintenance team to ensure that the villa will be polished upon arrival for your stay with us. Our green housekeeping team is eco-friendly, using only environmentally safe cleaning products. - You can find the pictures and video to match the description and read reviews from our previous guests here. Feel free to book right away or email to ask any questions. THE AREA Marco’s Villa is located in the small village of Gondarem, parish of Raiva, municipality of Castelo de Paiva, Aveiro district/Porto area. Gondarem is a small village of shale - in portuguese one of the popular ‘Aldeias de Xisto’ - a very picturesque place and recommended to visit, situated on a slope facing the Douro River with a rustic feeling and traditional architecture that flank the streets and alleys of the village creating a landscape of great beauty and history. Being Gondarem also part of an old mining region, the produce of the land, fishing and the mines of Terramonte were once the sustain of the families who lived here. The beauty, calm and peaceful environment of this place, as well as the breathtaking landscape surrounding Douro have been growing an interest and attention of visitors who are eager to combine cultural holidays with relaxing views, quiet surroundings with also exciting and perfect spots for hikers and adventurers. With excellent roads and highway access, it’s a quick 40 min drive away from Porto city and it’s part of the emerging concept of modern rural tourism in Portugal. Rental car is highly recommended for short trips to local restaurants, supermarkets and local markets, ATMs or tourist trips as there are many excellent day trips opportunities in the North of Portugal, such as the Pejao Mines, shale village of Midoes, Oliveira do Arda and Castelo de Paiva or even further around the Douro River, Porto, Vila Nova de Gaia and Espinho, near the coast and facing the Atlantic Ocean. ACTIVITIES: River beach, waterfalls Fishing Tennis court Rafting Hikes Visit to historical sites Once you book with us we will send out a tourist guide listing in detail all the activities. We look forward to welcoming you in the magnificent Douro Valley! Other things to note: Please note for early and late arrivals, the following charges apply: For early arrivals between 10.30am and 2.45pm, there is an early check in fee of £25. For arrivals between 7pm and 11:00pm there is a late check in fee of £30. Our housekeeping team maintain our flats in an immaculate condition and welcomes you after 7pm; they forgo their dinner, their family time so this small fee is to compensate them for working outside their normal hours. Between 11:00pm and midnight the late check-in fee is of £50 to pay for their taxi back home - after such long hours we do not want our staff to risk missing their last trains. After midnight the late check in fee goes up to £100. This is to pay their taxi to the flat and back home. Our staff will be waiting for our guest till 2/3am in the morning! If you re not comfortable with that fee we kindly ask you to collect the keys before 7pm, free of charge. Please remember that there is no 24/7 reception so we have a person specially waiting for you at the flat. If you are running late without giving any notice to your greeter we may have to charge you £15 per hour. This fee is also applied if any delays obliged the greeter to wait for more than 2 hours (even with notice). Both fees are payable to our representative prior to your arrival. Extra laundry will incur an extra charge.