Casa da Cisterna

Rooms

There are 4 rooms in the main house, a handful in an adjacent building (Uphill House) and the 3-bedroom Villa Mikwéh, which records suggest was once a Jewish bathhouse. Wood-burners and central heating keep things snug in winter - Beira Alta can get very cold - whilst thick, granite walls ensure the houses are cool in summer.

Ana decorated the rooms in a way that feels both understated and stylish, choosing eye-catching fabrics for cushions, throws and bed bases, which are contrasted by white walls, bedcovers and sections of unrendered granite. All bedrooms come with a TV, DVD player and WiFi.

In Casa da Cisterna, 2 bedrooms lead off from the dining room: Pisco (robin) is a twin with a shower room whilst Rabirruivo (redstart) is a smallish double with a bath rather than shower. Two other rooms look onto the small garden to the rear of the house: Andorinhao (swift) is a double-bedded room with a shower bathroom and private terrace, which is given decorative zest by its collection of hats, whilst Noitibó (nightjar) would be our top choice. This is a mezzanine-style suite with a double bed, larger bathroom with shower/tub, an airy sitting room with a sofabed and a fireplace, plus a stretch of garden for lazing in a hammock.

Villa Mikwéh (sleeps 4-6) is a great option for a family or group of friends. It has 3 double bedrooms (one of which can be a twin), each with private ensuite bathrooms. Our favourite of these rooms is Chapim (great tit), a double with a tub bathroom and a window overlooking the street. Downstairs, an open-plan living room centres around a fireplace, and at the back there's a fully equipped kitchen.

More recently, Uphill House was added to the collection. We haven't seen it yet, but here you'll find a loft-floor suite and 3 Deluxe Rooms, all sleek and modern, and some with mezzanine reading areas.

Features include:

• Air conditioning
• Bathrobes
• Central heating
• Cots available
• DVD player
• TV
• WiFi

Eating

Ana's immaculately presented cuisine is a celebration of the region's best produce. She's often given a hand by her grandmother who has handed down several of her recipes for cakes, confits and desserts.

At breakfast, guests eat at one table in the main house: it's a great opportunity to make new Portuguese friends (who make up the majority of Cisterna guests). Everything that graced our table looked good and tasted the same. After being given a glass with local honey topped with creamy yoghurt, and another of freshly squeezed orange juice, we helped ourselves to an enticing buffet of oven-fresh bread, homemade cake (a different one every day), cereals, olive oil, local ricotta-style cheeses, smoked ham and homemade jams. The coffee couldn't have been better and there was a huge selection of teas as well as 9 different sugars! It felt spoiling and fun.

Lunches, dinners and picnic lunches are available on request: the veggies come fresh from local producers or are gathered from the countryside; herbs are from Ana's organic garden. In summer, set meals follow a lighter, 'tapas' style formula and might include dips, loose-leaf salads, summer soups or marinated fish with a regional wine matched to each course. Winter meals are heartier creations with a higher meat content, and prepared with the same TLC: everything is homemade. These meals are served at individual tables in the dining room or on the balcony. If you prefer the idea of heading out for supper, Casa da Irene in Malpartida is about 20 minutes away by car: it is known for the excellence of its regional cuisine.

Sometimes, guests staying in Mikwéh self-cater a few meals. The kitchen is well set up for this with an oven, stove, microwave, dishwasher, toaster, kettle and fridge freezer. You can shop for groceries in the village.

Features include:

• Breakfast
• Dinner by arrangement
• Kids' meals
• Lunch by arrangement
• Meal delivery service
• Vegetarian options

Activities

• Visit the rock art of the Côa valley in the company of Ana: the drawings are best seen at night when their millenia-old incisions can be highlighted by torchlight. The Côa Archaeological museum is worth a visit, too
  
• Hike in the hills of the Douro National Park: we followed one of Cisterna's recommended walking trails and had an unforgettable day out
  
• Almeida is close; another historical village whose defensive walls take the shape of a 12-point star. There's a great thermal spa , so take your swimmers
  
• Grab a pair of binoculars and a bird guide and head out for some serious twitching along the tributaries of the Douro
  
• Ride out from Castelo Rodrigo on one of Cisterna's mountain bikes, and enjoy amazing mountain views
  
• Drive up to the Douro and take a boat trip along the river or visit a few wineries for tastings
  
• Wander up to the castle for sunset then shop for local goodies at the wonderful Casa do Chá (jams, wine and fantastic olive oil)
  
• Book a half-day jeep excursion with Ana and let her show you the best of Beira Alta
  
• There's a tennis court in the village
  
• Kids will love riding Ana and Antonio's donkeys; they can arrange horse riding, too

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Birdwatching
• Boat trips
• Hiking
• Historical sites
• Horse riding
• Mountain biking
• Museums / galleries
• Private guided tours
• Shopping / markets
• Tennis
• Wine tasting

Kids

The ethic of Casa da Cisterna is resolutely child-friendly and extra beds, cots, highchairs, toys and baby gear are all available. The owners have 2 small children themselves.

The only drawbacks we can see are the drive from the airport (2.5 hours) and the lack of babysitting, which limits your evening activities.

Best for:

Children (4-12 years)

Family friendly accommodation:

Sobreiro and Noitibó Suites, are the biggest rooms, and best for an extra bed; we felt the others were too small to fit one comfortably, although there's space for at least 1 baby cot in any room. If you are travelling with 2 kids or friends, Villa Mikwéh is best; it has a full kitchen for self-catering and 3 ensuite double bedrooms (one can be set up as a twin). Andorinhao, Chapim and Noitibó have bathtubs.

Cots Available, Extra Beds Available

Distances:

• Airport: 2.5 hours
• Hospital: 5 minutes
• Shops: 5 minutes

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Casa da Cisterna is set in the beautiful fortified village of Castelo Rodrigo, in the mountains of Northern Portugal, close to the eastern border with Spain. It's 270km from Porto (Oporto), 60km from Guarda, and 20km from Almeida, and 380km from Madrid.

By Air
Porto is the closest airport. Click on the links below for a list of airlines serving this airport.

From the Airport
Although the owners can arrange a transfer from Porto airport - see Rates - we'd definitely recommend hiring a car to get here, to give you independence once you've arrived.

By Car
See our car rental recommendations.

By Train
From Lisbon, take the train to Guarda (changing at Vilar Formoso), then take a taxi. From Porto, take the train to Pocinho (through the beautiful Douro Valley), then take taxi. From Henday, Burgos, Valladolid and Salamanca take the train to Vilar Formoso then take a taxi.

By Bus
From Lisbon or Coimbra take the bus to Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo (2km from Castelo Rodrigo) then take a taxi or walk.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.

More on getting to Portugal and getting around