Casa del Ingles

A wonderful hamlet villa hidden away in a green valley with a mild microclimate. Special feature: a heated, chlorine-free swimming pool. Sleeps 8.

The villa was superbly restored from ruins dating back from the 1830’s and sits in a genuine, rural hamlet location that is walking distance from a simple but good, welcoming bar-restaurant in a fairly remote location but within easy driving to many points of interest. It's an excellent choice for a family holiday or a long weekend break for walkers and cyclists and the beautiful valley has plenty to discover.

Inland from Vigo on the Galicia coast and not far from the border with northern Portugal, the valley's microclimate ensures warmer temperatures and a dryer climate than Galicia’s north. The views are marvellous and the house built of light grey granite is very attractive.

One of the major attractions of the villa is the heated, chlorine free pool, a rare luxury in the north of Spain: it reaches a balmy 28⁰C, making the summer swimming season a bit longer. If you roll on the thermal pool cover when you retire for the night, warm swims can be possible before breakfast. That's not all, the pool and patio lighting system make for a great night’s swim under the stars. The environmentally friendly anti-bacterial filter system means that there is no need for chlorine and no sore eyes after swimming.

There is plenty of space on the poolside for sunbathing and a separate terrace area for dining with views and night time illumination where you can enjoy al fresco meals. It connects directly to the kitchen, which is convenient for al fresco dining.

From the lounge balcony there is another interior tiled terrace which is sheltered.

A spacious well equipped country kitchen provides a cheerful focal point for the house with plenty of natural light from windows and skylights in a vaulted pine ceiling, into which halogen lights are neatly recessed. It's a smart kitchen with a stainless steel double oven and hob, large fridge-freezer and long wooden dining table.

The kitchen connects to a very pleasant, comfy lounge with a log fire for winter nights in. It gets plenty of natural light coming through the

French windows that go out to a balcony with views.

A further bright sitting room has preserved overlapping stone slabs once used to dry root vegetables and fruit. It has a fabulous picture window with beautiful views across the valley and steps go down to the patio outside.

The house has two double bedrooms and two twin bedrooms, all of them en suite and with shuttered and double-glazed windows. One of the twin bedrooms has a socio-historic feature: a small stone ledge by the window originally intended as a seat where women would gaze out while sewing –you can see it was even purposefully positioned for right-handed needle movement– enjoying a wonderful view of the valley.

If you are travelling with kids, there is a games room with a pool table, full size table tennis and darts, board games, shelves full of books and music and film dvd’s

The valley and surrounding natural areas have so much to offer, from walks to fantastic river beaches, picnic and barbecue spots, including a number of good restaurants and bars for sampling the delights of traditional Galician food. From the house you can embark on several walks snaking you along the river or climbing the hills behind, encountering almost nobody along the way.

You’ll find a draw full of interest walking and cycling routes to suit all abilities (some wine walking routes!)

Your stay will be characterized by all manner of delicious culinary options in the area: you’re in Galicia now! There is a local gastronomic fair at a local town every Saturday –and in Galicia food is a high point of any holiday stay– and twice a month a cheese fair in A Cañiza, where you will also find municipal tennis courts and an indoor pool. If you want to try fairground octopus, cooked with art to tasty tenderness– it’s considered a profession in itself– we'll tell you where and when to be in order to try it.

Facilities

Self-catering
5-ring hob; Double oven; Dishwasher; Extractor fan; Kettle; Coffee machine; Toaster; Fridge-freezer, microwave

Practicalities
Washing machine; Tumble dryer; Iron & board; Central heating (included); Open fireplace (firewood provided and included); Double-glazing throughout; Cot (on request); Pool shower; Night illumination on main upper terrace and outdoor patio speakers for the pool; Terrace dining furniture; All bedding and towels provided, including pool towels; private parking.

Enjoyment
Satellite TV (limited channels only); DVD; VCR; CD player; Games (pool, table tennis, darts, board games); Private, heated swimming pool (7 m x 3 m; 1.55 m deep at deepest end) with chlorine-free salt filter and night-lighting; Sunshades and sunloungers; Barbecue.

Notes on Facilities
The pool heating is not available during the coldest months: November to April (unless pre-agreed)

Distribution

Upper floor
Large kitchen/diner; Living room with open fireplace and French windows to balcony; Reading room with access to patio; Living room; Utility room; Bedroom 1: Twin bed with shower room (shower over half bathtub)/WC.

Ground floor
Bedroom 2: Large double-bedded room with shower room (walk-in shower)/WC and direct access to patio; Bedroom 3: Double bed with shower room (shower over half bathtub)/WC and direct access to patio; Bedroom 4: Twin beds with shower room (shower over half bathtub)/WC; Games room.

Exterior
Two patios with views and garden/dining furniture; Swimming pool; Parking.