Satelite View

Everything inside the red line is part of the property. As you can see we are surrounded by nature, which provides great views from the house and garden. On the bottom right is a eucalyptus forest and on the otherside of it is the center of town (Vila Nova de Poiares).

Location

Attached is a map of Portugal to give you an idea of where our Bed and Breakfast will be located.

We are very close (20 minute drive to the city center) to Coimbra, which is one of the oldest university cities in Europe.

The distance to Lisbon is approximately 230km, and the distance to Porto is approx. 130km. Both of these cities have airports that are easily accessible.

The closest city by the coast is Figueira da Foz which is a 50 minute drive (70kms).

The Beginning

Project Portugal all originated last January (2009), in the form of a business plan for a Bed and Breakfast. After several months of defining what we really wanted, we started a property search in Portugal and fell in love with this house. In July 2009 we visited it for the first time, and right from the start we knew we could easily live here. After several months of negotiation and finalizing contracts, in September 2009 the house was finally ours. (All of this of course could not have happened without the help of family and friends, thank you!)

We spent our very first New Years at the house this winter, together with Laurens (my brother), Alex and Ellen. Our very first visitors! Working in the garden, visiting nearby cities and spending genuine time with close friends was a great way to spend our holidays. We were sad to leave the house when the holidays were over, but knowing we would be returning soon gave us new energy.

Late last month we gave up our lease on the apartment here in Brussels, and we gave up our jobs. May 2010 will be the start of a new life…