A former Convent this Pousada
is located in Vila Pouca da Beira, a small village in Portugal with less
than 400 inhabitants.
The region is notable for its
tasty cheese, which is still made by hand and highly prized for its rich
flavour.
Serra da Estrela Natural Park, being the largest mountain range and the highest peak in continental
Portugal at just under 2000 metres, is a short drive away from the village.
In winter there is skiing
on the upper slopes. It is also the only area where a rare species of mountain
lizard is found.
The small and remote village
of Belmonte is 40 kilometres away. The village is of considerable interest
and overlooked by a restored 13th Century castle. This castle was the birthplace
and family residence of the Discoverer, Pedro Alvares Cabral, who first
found Brazil.
Some reports suggest that
he was going around the Cape of Good Hope on his way from Portugal to the
far east. A fierce Atlantic storm blew him off course and the famous discovery
was made by accident.
The Convent was built on
the orders of the Bishop Count D. Francisco de Lemos de Faria Pereira Coutinho
in 1780 and the construction works finished about 20 years later. About
one hundred years later, when the last nun living in the Convent died,
the building was converted into a Military Hospital.
It has been extensively and
carefully restored by the Bissaya Barreto Foundation with great attention
being paid to detail.
It was opened in August 2002
as a luxury hotel offering very high standard accommodation in superb surroundings.
The Pousada has 20 standard bedrooms
and 4 superior rooms all with en-suite bathroom, hair dryer, bathing gowns, air conditioning, Cable television, telephone, locker and minibar.
Facilities at the Pousada
include air conditioning, lift, restaurant, bar, terrace, facilities for disabled persons, games room, swimming pool, tennis court,
children's playground and parking.
There are elegant lounges
with very comfortable seating and a restaurant with doors leading out to
a terrace with beautiful views over the pine trees.
This Pousada also has conference
facilities.
As in all Pousadas, the restaurant
offers a variety of dishes including a selection of local and regional
specialities.
The shaded convent cloister
and formal gardens are an oasis of calm, perfect for relaxing out of the
heat of the day.
The swimming pool is set
in the lawned gardens, next to the tennis court and children's playground.
The area has wonderful conditions
for activities such as canoeing, climbing, mountaineering and excellent
picnic sites.
The international airport
at Porto (Oporto) is approximately 177 kilometers from this Pousada of
Portugal.
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