Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
well-decorated. Staff are helpful, and there's a warm, hospitable feel to the place. It also
has an elegant little cafe and shop. Some street noise at weekends.
Quinta dos Três Rios
RURAL INN
€€
( 232 959 189;
www.minola.co.uk
; Rua Francisco de Oliveira 239, Parada de Gonta; 2-/4-person apt from €100/
150; )
At this remarkable getaway 10km southwest of Viseu, every room is a suite
with 5m-high ceilings and 4m French doors opening onto a symphony of frogs and night-
ingales by night, and vistas of the surrounding olive trees, vineyards and river by day. The
hosts make fabulous dinners with homemade olive oil and wine.
They also lead impromptu tours of the surrounding area that encompass everything
from wineries to traditional fishing and barrel-making to grape stomping during the har-
vest season. When you get to Parada de Gonta, go through the village and down the hill
towards the river - you'll see the
quinta
on your right.
Palácio dos Melos
BOUTIQUE HOTEL
€€
( 232 439 290;
www.hotelpalaciodosmelos.pt
; Rua Chão Mestre 4; s/d €80/90, ste €125-145; )
This very central hotel enjoys a remarkable location, in a renovated mansion built right in-
to the town walls. Rooms incorporate all the modern comforts you'd expect from a five-
star place, but the most atmospheric rooms in the original older building also have grand
high ceilings, carpets and chandeliers that speak of a different time.
Guests have access to a small grassy yard where drinks are served, reached by a cat-
walk across the top of the old town gate. Look for money-saving packages online, includ-
ing meals in the hotel's gourmet restaurant.
Hotel Avenida
HOTEL
€€
( 232 423 432;
www.hotelavenida.com.pt
; Av Alberto Sampaio 1; s/d €50/70; )
Proudly proclaiming
its presence with a vintage neon sign visible from the Rossio, this friendly, modestly eleg-
ant hotel has a grand spiral staircase, stately common areas and darkish, plush old rooms
decorated in regal colours.
Hotel Grão Vasco
HOTEL
€€
