/REVIEWS

CASA POENTE

Very recommendable houses, quietly located

We were one week in july in Casa Sul and one week in Casa Poente.
We liked everything a lot, for example the attentive hosts, the equipment of the houses, the quiet location of the property, the markets, the many beaches nearby, the fishermen?s trail, among so many others.
The region is ideal if you want to relax away from the big touristic spots.

We'll repeat gladly!

We appreciated the time in july in the holiday house of the Mader family a lot. The apartment is furnished with taste, the high ceilings give you air to breathe and the conservatory is probably worth a lot in the colder times of the year (in Summer we were mostly on the terrace). To cook yourself there is everything that most holiday houses don't have. Also there are a lot of books, if you get bored. Who wants to can also watch dvd's or listen to cd's (which have to be brought).
Considering the nice surroundings it probably won't be necessary.
The house is situated immersed in green, away from big streets, which is great when you want your kids to be able to play unsupervised. Our children entertained themselves for long hours playing with the house-cat Jamie, the donkey Bobo and the several chickens that belong to the property.
Considering the remote location, you should definitely have a rental car. You can do several hikes in the area nearby, but apart from that, you can't go far without a car (there are only a few bus connections in the next village Carrascalinho). Also to go shopping in Aljezur (or Rogil) you'll need a car (or bike), since it's at a distance of several kilometers.
The "house-beach" Praia do Vale dos Homens is one of the most beautiful in the area and reachable in a 10 minute drive. There are so many beautiful beaches that we didn't manage to visit every single one of them. With kids we recommend Praia da Amoreira (Aljezur), Praia de Odeceixe and Praia da Bordeira, since they are next to a river, which allows you to bathe in spite of the big waves that are typical to the west coast.
It was a great vacation-experience and we highly recommend it!

Vacation in paradise

We spent our Autumn-vacation with our two sons of 16 and 17 in Casa Poente. First of all: anytime again!
It was a wonderful vacation, the house is magical, really cosy and simply a dream. Heike and Klaus are really nice and helpful hosts, we felt very welcome. The surroundings are amazing, there are a lot of possibilities for activities, the location is very idyllic and quiet, even though you can be in town or at the beach in a few minutes. We had our best vacations in several years and will definitely come back. Thank you so much!

An amazing holiday

Evaluation: 5 of 5
July
Spending your vacation at the Maders\' - a nice family - is a special experience. I (10 years old) really enjoyed our stay. There are: a donkey, chickens and a cat. If you accompany the owners in the morning, you are allowed to feed the animals. And everything there is very cosy! All in all, it is simply amazing!

A very lovely holiday

July  
We (a married couple with a 14 year old daughter) spent 16 wonderful days in Casa Poente. The holiday house is lovingly furnished, very comfortable and clean. The owners are super friendly and helpful. A stay here is pure rest and relaxation. In spite of being here in the high season, the beaches were not crowded. There is also a wonderful landscape to admire. From our point of view, it deserves a “highly recommendable”. We were guests by Heike and Claudio Mader for the second time and will come again gladly.

Paternity leave

March/April
With the knowledge of how beautiful Heikes\' an Klaus\' property is, we decided to also spend our second paternity leave (9 weeks, from March until the beginning of May)in Casa Poente. In the Spring, the region around Aljezur is, for us, the most beautiful in Portugal. Dark green trees, the smell of pinetrees and orangetrees in and around the house, and fields of purple, yellow and white flowers alternating with the bright sunshine of the beach and ocean. Storks on de fields, donkeys and horses on the side of the road, dolphins \"almost\" on the surfboard, these are a few of our impressions that make this region so magical. When we didn\'t waste our days on the sunterrace, we went surfing on one of the many beaches, which are all so different, that it is hard to decide which one is the most beautiful. Our two girls (6 months and 3) were digging, bathing, brushed the donkey Bobo, fed the chicken and read books from the german library in Aljezur.An unforgettable time! 

Algarve and Alentejo, where the orangetrees flower

Evaluation: 5 of 5
February
After the birth of our first child, we spent 3 months at casa poente. It was a choice we didn’t regret! The house has the typical country-house style of the Algarve and Alentejo and is surrounded by a beautiful garden. The nature starts right when you step out of the door, after the sunny terrace. As we are surfers, we visited many of the beautiful beaches in the area - they are all beautiful. At Saturdays we used to go swimming at the public indoor pool with our babe, afterwards we went to buy fresh groceries at the local farmers market. The owners, which also live at vale do guizo, were very helpful and kind, we really felt like at home.

Beautiful silent and cosy.

Evaluation: 5 of 5
Dec
We spent our christmas holidays and new years eve at casa poente. The terrace allowed us to relax and enjoy the sun during the hole day. We made a lot of barbecues outside, which were followed by long reading sessions next to the fireplace. The location is very calm and the beautiful nature, which starts right when you step out the door, allows long walks. Still, the next town with supermarkets, banks, and everything you need, as well as the closest beach are reachable within about 10 minutes. It’s a perfect location for holidays at the western Algarve.

Perfect holidays!

Evaluation: 5 of 5
June
We spent some great holidays at casa Poente. The open, cosy house is equipped with tastefull furniture and all equipment you could need. Our friends rented a house next door which allowed us to spend holidays together, nevertheless keeping our own family-space.
We spent the colder evenings in the wintergarden, relaxing with a glass of wine and a good book. The owners are very helpful, whenever you need it.

CASA NASCENTE

Great!

We were here at the beginning of November to escape the ugly weather in Germany. The weather was mild-warm with sunshine and good enough to go swimming. The accommodation was very nice and spacious. The kitchen with a gas-oven was well equipped; there was a barbecue, a little terrace and a nice small bathroom. There was also a parking spot near the house and if you really wanted to watch (german) news, there is a big tv. The Mader family is really nice and we felt very welcome. The previous communication was very good, so we were able to find the way to the house easily. All the good and helpful insider-tips for our stay were present in an elaborate folder. The house is located 800m from a street where stops a "bread-truck", which is really pleasant. In Aljezur (a 5 min drive away) you can find a big supermarket and a market with a good selection of fresh vegetables, fruits, herbs and fish (if requested it is prepared in a manner so it is ready to be cooked. The process is impressive and almost worthy of being filmed). If you follow the street you'll find the post office where you can buy stamps. It is easy to provide for yourself, but you can also choose from a variety of restaurants. There are a lot of easily reachable beaches (you could go to a different one every day) and in half an hour you can arrive in Lagos. We will definitely come back! Thank you for a beautiful and relaxing stay, Silvia and Florian.
Evaluation saved on: 16th November 2016
Period of vacation: November 2016

Everything perfect

Everything perfect in october. There was nothing missing. Great location. Easy to find. Very attentive hosts.

Relaxation, even during high season

We (a couple with two daughters) spent 12 very lovely days in Casa Nascente in august. The apartment is lovingly and comfortably furnished and clean. The owners are super friendly and helpful. A stay here is pure relaxation. Even though we were around in the high season, the beaches aren't overcrowded. I strongly advise to take a rental car, to also discover the beautiful surroundings and beaches. From our point of view the evaluation "strongly recommended". We have been guests of Heike and Claudio Mader for the 4th time and have already stayed in every house... there is a risk of repetition ;-)

3 months - from November to February - that was the time I could be in Casa Nascente. 

With being I mean: slowing down, enjoying the cosiness of the house, inhaling the silence and the sun in the morning, making a trip or simply relaxing on the terrace, cooking something, drinkink a glass of wine, at some point going to bed, surrounded again by the silence that fill this place and this region, and falling asleep. Furthermore, as if this wasn't already enough, you spoiled me with little surprises and your open, caring and natural hospitality. This is all pure luxury. Nowadays, where are you able to find quietness, beauty and loving people in one? I always felt very much at home.   

I think being at Heike and Klaus is fantastic because of the donkey and chicken. I'm allowed to feed the animals and groom the donkey. The house is beautiful because it's so cosy. The outside is always very green, a fantastic nature with many views into the green. The area is amazing. You can be at many wonderful beaches really fast. I like the Atlantic because you can bodyboard. The boards are lent to me by you. I think you are nice. No matter what I ask or wish for, you always have a nice answer. In the mean time we even come here twice a year - in spring and in autumn. I'm already looking forward to the next time!
Lucy, 10 years, Hamburg

A perfect holiday

Evaluation: 5 of 5
OctoberWe had the opportunity to relax in this comfortable house surrounded by a beautiful landscape for a week. We received a lot of precious advice for our long walks and visits from the friendly and well-informed owners. The gastronomic recommendations were always very good. 
I was in Portugal for the first time and came back to Germany with a lot of positive impressions, experiences and memories about the nice people and this beautiful country.

A perfect holiday

Evaluation: 5 of 5
OctoberWe had the opportunity to relax in this comfortable house surrounded by a beautiful landscape for a week. We received a lot of precious advice for our long walks and visits from the friendly and well-informed owners. The gastronomic recommendations were always very good. 
I was in Portugal for the first time and came back to Germany with a lot of positive impressions, experiences and memories about the nice people and this beautiful country.

Great vacation week in Casa Nascente

Evaluation: 5 of 5
AprilFor our first vacation in Portugal we previously chose this holiday house on FeWo-direkt. We instantly liked the description and the pictures, which were confirmed in reality. The previous contact with the owners was personal and the organization functioned really well. In spite of being beside the house of the owners, you have all the privacy you need with a small terrace and other possibilities on the property. The owners were helpful when needed and gave us ideas and advices, which resulted in several trips. The property is located very calmly and secluded, even so, Aljezur, a very cute village, is just a few minutes away. Nearby, there are several beaches, but in April we didn’t have, as expected, the conditions to swim in the ocean. Even so, the westcoast, with its rock formations and sandy beaches, is definitely absolutely worth seeing. For us, April was a great month to visit this place, because the nature is in full bloom. We would definitely recommend Casa Nascente and want to thank the owners, Heike and Klaus.  

Total well-being

February
The three weeks by family Mader in Casa Nascente were, with one word: “great”. The owners were very friendly and caring from the beginning, without being intrusive. The holiday house was furnished with good taste and in a practical manner. Heating the house with a wood furnace functioned really well and was really cozy. It’s ideal for two people. The huge bed is even ideal for a tall person like me, I rarely slept so well. Imbedded in a green, blooming paradise, the property is absolutely peacefully located.  We discovered the surroundings with E-Bikes. There are several good and cheap restaurants nearby. Many picturesque bays with sandy beaches, without being too crowded. An absolute vacation recommendation! We will be back. 

Hiking, surfing, swimming - doing nothing

Evaluation: 5 of 5
September
We are persistent - since 2005 we always return to one of the three houses in Vale do Guizo. Also our children, now adults, still keep coming back. Nature and silence, sun and a mild climate, but also the many possibilities to spend your leisure time at the Atlantic cliffs (Arrifana and Monte Clérigo) or in the mountains, provide an optimal framework for relaxing holidays - allone or with your family. The tasteful decorated houses, in which we always felt very comfortable, contributed to this feeling.

Insiders Tipp

Evaluation: 5 of 5
Feb
Who wants to get to know the country and the people of the Costa Vicentina, can't make a better choice then the Casa Nascente in Vale do Guizo. In February we were surrounded by a blossoming Nature and silence, just interrupted by the calls of the donkey Borboleta. In the morning the furnace warmed us, and by noon the sun was warm enough to make us sufficiently brave to jump into the Atlantic, which waves are strong, but agreeable. A special experience is going food-shopping in Aljezur. In the market and several small shops you can buy everything a cook can desire: fish, meat, spices, fruits, vegetables, bread and wine. Doing this you will automatically get in touch with other people and share new ideas for cooking - for which Casa Nascente is optimallý equiped. You can leave your kids toys at home, in the surroundings of Casa Nascente they will encounter endless ideas to inspire them. We just had to open the door and they were entertained. In short: if I wouldn't describe it on the internet, I would say: it's an insiders tipp.

Quiet residence far from masstourism

Evaluation: 5 of 5
Sep 2011
If you are looking for a charmfull house, away from the mass-tourism spots, Casa nascente might be a good choice! The house was very clean, spacefull and equipped with nice but simple furniture. The sunny terrace which is surrounded by a big garden, allows having the breakfast outside, even at colder days in the winter. The starry heaven is amazing, especially when you come from a city, where you never get to see it.
Overall it was a great vacation!

CASA SUL

Lovely house

The house is really beautiful and equipped with all you need.
The location is really nice and quiet. It is ideal for someone who enjoys vacations at the beach/countryside and in nature.
The hosts are really nice and attentive. They respect your privacy and try to improve your well-being during your stay. We are returning already 8 years every summer.

The sound of silence

If you're searching for a place where you can rest your mind and enjoy what nature has to offer, than this is the place for you.
We spend 2 weeks in "Casa Sul" and we had a great time. Everything was great, from the peaceful and natural landscape where the hills touch the sky, to the kind offers of fresh vegetables and eggs by the owners, the cool breeze and starry sky, all makes it a unique experience. Our 2 year old child also loved it and didn't want to leave.
Thank you for everything and see you next year.

Perfektes hideaway

Late summer in Casa Sul.
Fantastic weather, a marvelous house that doesn't leave anything to wish for.
A nice terrace to relax.
Super nice hosts, which were always present and helfpful.
Short distances to dream beaches and nice restaurants. Everything great!
We'll come back gladly!

Pure relaxation

We were allowed to run away from cold Germany in late Autumn and spent our first vacation with our 5 month old daughter in the wonderful Casa Sul. Quickly after our arrival, we felt totally relaxed, a feeling which remained during our entire stay. The house was furnished with attention to detail and quality, so it was instantly possible to feel comfortable and at home. Partially it was really hard to leave the sunny terrace and, after a visit to the market, to spend the day at a wonderful beach, already thinking about the fresh grilled fish and a pleasant evening in front of the fireplace. Heike and Klaus are loving people, which look after the well being of their guests. Actually, we interrupted our stay in another part of Portugal, to come back to the Vale do Guizo. Even now we dream of this place and this won't be our last visit.

I think being at Heike and Klaus is fantastic because of the donkey and chicken. I'm allowed to feed the animals and groom the donkey. The house is beautiful because it's so cosy. The outside is always very green, a fantastic nature with many views into the green. The area is amazing. You can be at many wonderful beaches really fast. I like the Atlantic because you can bodyboard. The boards are lent to me by you. I think you are nice. No matter what I ask or wish for, you always have a nice answer. In the mean time we even come here twice a year - in spring and in autumn. I'm already looking forward to the next time!
Lucy, 10 years, Hamburg

We will return gladly

Evaluation: 5 of 5
MayTogether with a couple of friends, which already had been guests of Heike and Klaus Mader, we spent our holidays at Vale do Guizo for the first time. And we are sure, that we will come back again. Form the first reception to the last night we felt really welcomed by family Mader. Our children (2 and 2,5 years old) found a much loved, loyal and patient companion in Jamie the cat. And the morning visits to the donkey were a fix part in our daily routine. 
The landscape around is amazing and the wild and diversified Atlantic coast is nearby. The south of Portugal is also easily reached by car. 
The apartment and the exterior area are very well equipped and it is easy to find the rest you seek in your holidays. We will come again gladly.

Recharge with summer

Evaluation: 5 of 5
March/AprilYou arrive from a winterly Germany, leave the airplane and enjoy the first warm sunrays. That is already the first pleasure. Then you arrive at the holiday house and are welcome by Heike, with a bottle of wine and, because your stomach aches, also with breakfast, then your holiday starts. For what and why book a hotel? We were in Casa Sul for one week and it went by in the blink of an eye. Maybe because Heike can put herself so well in the mind of the “german traveler”, there was everything present in the house that makes a vacation so pleasant and relaxing. There are several details that support this thesis, like a thermos flask that keeps the coffee warm in the mornings on the terrace, the furnace, especially cozy in the evenings, and a warm blanket and not a sheet to cover you in bed… Certainly these are not really necessary things when you visit another country, but they make you enjoy your vacation as twice as much. Thank you for that! Furthermore, Casa Sul is surrounded by nature – being awakened by the singing of the birds has something – and even so you can reach the beaches and other places rapidly. The country with its rugged rocks, wild waves and golden beaches is worth another visit.

We always come back!

Evaluation: 5 of 5
March/OctoberIt is always like coming home: Hamburg – Lisbon – Vale do Guizo! The baggage and the firt grocerys are in the car, on the way it is dark and then... a friendly light in Casa Sul, the furnace is on, a bottle of green wine in the fridge and flowers on the table. The holidays start immediately. The house is clean and comfortable. For the children (6 and 9) it is always great to be in the middle of nature, with the chickens and the donkey Bobo. As a family we are always welcomed very friendly. Towels, blankets, an extra mattress for the children, fresh eggs, tips for the surroundings, etc., nothing is a problem. The next beach is 10 minutes away. We discuss everyday which amazing beach we should visit. This place is perfect for who loves the unspoiled nature. Of course we already booked our vacation for this year! We are looking forward to seeing it all again. 

An experience to repeat!

Evaluation: 5 of 5
October
A holiday house that leaves nothing to wish for. The descriptions on the internet are accurate, in real life all the beauty of this place is revealed, a beauty that is hard to describe with words.
The nearest and farther surroundings allow several trips and offer many sight-seeing-spots, as well as wonderful beaches and a dreamlike nature.
The hospitality of Heike and Klaus completed our wonderful impressions.
We'll return any time!

Between the mountains and the sea

Evaluation: 5 of 5
August
We love making holidays at Vale do Guizo. We already know all of the three houses, this time we were in Casa Sul - an inviting house with a terrace surrounded by flowering plants. The location is ideal for those who love the peace and quiet of a rural atmosphere, who love to read, to make long walks, to see the stars at night and, for sure, the wonderful beaches of the Costa Vicentina. It is ideal for a couple or a family with one or two children.

Excelent House and Location

Evaluation: 5 of 5
July
We loved the house, near the beaches Vale Figueira and Vale dos Homens, embedded in a quiet rural environment and just remote enough.
It had all the conveniences, without losing its rustic and cosy character.
Very nice, we will defenitely return!