Ricokiwi
New Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Walked the Camino Portuguese July - Aug 2017 (Lisbon to Santiago)
A logical place to start any accommodation review is with the building and the amenities it provides but with Quinta da Burra I have to start with the owner Paula, who is the heart and soul of this establishment. For without her it would be a nice place to rest your head after a long day of walking but with Paula involved it becomes a home away from home, which is of great comfort to a weary traveller.
We had been recommended this Quinta by our fellow Camino walkers (our young Austrian friends) who were a day ahead of us & sang its praises. We turned up to a chorus of barking dogs behind a large wall and wooden door that wouldn't have looked out of place at the entrance to a small castle.
We rang the bell with a little trepidation given the commotion we were registering on the other side but that soon fell away when Paula led us inside and told us how she had taken in 18 stray dogs over the years (most of them in kennels) to save them from the streets. On that note you will also notice a large array of cats sunning themselves on the roof! But neither were a nuisance and they mainly kept to themselves anyway.
The main house is very big and as an interior designer by trade Paula has made some unique touches to furnishing it. Very rustic chic, which blends well with the rural setting. The Quinta is in a constant upgrade as various buildings and rooms are being renovated. We had a lovely big room upstairs with exposed beam work and a decent sized bathroom.
On arrival Paula offered us refreshments and loads of fresh watermelon on the terrace. We then wandered around the property, which was having one of the disused farm stables renovated to sleep 10-12 people. There's a cute little chapel and also a pool area that was part of the next project. She also has a separate one bedroom unit under way. The only downside is that the wifi only works in one area of the house but hey first world problems eh.
As there isn't much in the way of amenities in the area Paula offers to cook dinner for a donation. It started with soup as do all Portuguese meals and was followed by a lovely fish stew, with fresh bread and wine. This was followed by ice cream and some cherry liquor. All in all very filling and tasty but the best part was Paula's company and her interesting life stories. She set the table for only two (we were the only guests that night) as to not assume we wanted company but when we asked her and her husband to join us she kindly obliged.
The room was €40 for a double, which included a large breakfast and we paid €20 for the previous nights meal, which I think Paula was surprised to receive (in a good way) but we thought was definitely worth that much.
At this point it was a great overnight stay but what really makes this place so special is the extra mile Paula went to the next day and of which we will forever be grateful for. After two days of hard walking in the hot sun my wife's feet were plagued with severe blisters. On noting this Paula offered to drive Jude 15kms to the next stop while I walked it. After much deliberation the next morning this offer was gratefully accepted. Not only did Paula drive Jude there but also took her for a coffee in the local plaza until I arrived. She then took us to the hostel we were staying at and waited to ensure that we were checked in and settled. To top it off Paula then drove us to the city look out point so that Jude did not have to walk there!
And that is what makes Quinta de Burra such a special place to stay. We hope to return and spend more time here to soak up the tranquillity (albeit when the dogs aren't barking at the rare passer-by) but mainly to spend more time with a beautiful soul that is Paula.
We had been recommended this Quinta by our fellow Camino walkers (our young Austrian friends) who were a day ahead of us & sang its praises. We turned up to a chorus of barking dogs behind a large wall and wooden door that wouldn't have looked out of place at the entrance to a small castle.
We rang the bell with a little trepidation given the commotion we were registering on the other side but that soon fell away when Paula led us inside and told us how she had taken in 18 stray dogs over the years (most of them in kennels) to save them from the streets. On that note you will also notice a large array of cats sunning themselves on the roof! But neither were a nuisance and they mainly kept to themselves anyway.
The main house is very big and as an interior designer by trade Paula has made some unique touches to furnishing it. Very rustic chic, which blends well with the rural setting. The Quinta is in a constant upgrade as various buildings and rooms are being renovated. We had a lovely big room upstairs with exposed beam work and a decent sized bathroom.
On arrival Paula offered us refreshments and loads of fresh watermelon on the terrace. We then wandered around the property, which was having one of the disused farm stables renovated to sleep 10-12 people. There's a cute little chapel and also a pool area that was part of the next project. She also has a separate one bedroom unit under way. The only downside is that the wifi only works in one area of the house but hey first world problems eh.
As there isn't much in the way of amenities in the area Paula offers to cook dinner for a donation. It started with soup as do all Portuguese meals and was followed by a lovely fish stew, with fresh bread and wine. This was followed by ice cream and some cherry liquor. All in all very filling and tasty but the best part was Paula's company and her interesting life stories. She set the table for only two (we were the only guests that night) as to not assume we wanted company but when we asked her and her husband to join us she kindly obliged.
The room was €40 for a double, which included a large breakfast and we paid €20 for the previous nights meal, which I think Paula was surprised to receive (in a good way) but we thought was definitely worth that much.
At this point it was a great overnight stay but what really makes this place so special is the extra mile Paula went to the next day and of which we will forever be grateful for. After two days of hard walking in the hot sun my wife's feet were plagued with severe blisters. On noting this Paula offered to drive Jude 15kms to the next stop while I walked it. After much deliberation the next morning this offer was gratefully accepted. Not only did Paula drive Jude there but also took her for a coffee in the local plaza until I arrived. She then took us to the hostel we were staying at and waited to ensure that we were checked in and settled. To top it off Paula then drove us to the city look out point so that Jude did not have to walk there!
And that is what makes Quinta de Burra such a special place to stay. We hope to return and spend more time here to soak up the tranquillity (albeit when the dogs aren't barking at the rare passer-by) but mainly to spend more time with a beautiful soul that is Paula.
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