Quinta Quinze

Swing in the hammock between the palms, take a dip in the saltwater pool. It’s all about the outdoors here. Your charming Swiss hosts (ex chefs) serve beautiful breakfasts on the terraces, and encourage you to pick the garden’s fruits: oranges, pomegranates, figs.

They live in the farmhouse, you stay in a separate building, the former barns. Every pool-facing room has its own piece of veranda, while the apartment with the sofabed, suitable for a family, has an idyllic garden terrace with views of the hills. Get sociable by the self-service bar; enjoy a gentle game of petanque.

The fishing village of Olhos de Água, a six-minute drive, has kept its charm, and if you love seafood, Restaurante Calheiros is perfect. The beach is beautiful but does get busy; if so, try the bigger beach at Falésia.  Then home, to sunsets, sundowners and sleep.