Villa Fabiana

Description

Offering complete privacy and seclusion – as well as some incredible countryside views, Villa Fabiana is a charming property located 5km from Elvas in the east of Portugal. Featuring a private outdoor swimming pool that is 14m long, it's a wonderful base for up to 10 guests to discover this lesser-known part of the country.

Sun loungers line up on the spacious deck area looking out on the pool and to the verdant landscape beyond. An outdoor dining area and barbecue make this an ideal space for getting together with friends, and it would be hard to imagine a more beautiful view to wake up to. At 14m x 4m, the salt-water pool offers step access and a depth of up to 2m.

There is a decidedly rustic feel to Villa Fabiana, and it feels very much in keeping with its natural surroundings. Inside, there is another dining area with room for 12 people around the table, chandelier lighting and an intricate wooden ceiling. A comfortable living area has a fireplace and offers multi-language television with DVD player, while the kitchen is equipped with everything from a dishwasher to a Nespresso machine.

The villa has five bedroom suites, one with a double bed, and the other four with twin beds. Each en-suite bathroom has a walk-in shower, while a comfortable night's sleep is aided by blackout blinds in all the bedrooms.

Located in Portugal's vast Alentejo region, filled with olive groves, vineyards and small villages, Villa Fabiana has a rural location, far from the coast but close to the Spanish border. Around 5km away in Elvas, you will find the nearest amenities like shops and restaurants, as well as the many walls and fortifications which saw off many a neighbourly invasion over the centuries. If you fancy a trip into Spain, Elvas is only 20km from the town of Badajoz, with its Moorish Quarter a highlight. The history-packed Portuguese city of Evora, the largest in the Alentejo, is also around an hour away.

#### Features
The Villa
This property is located in the Alentejo, near the Spanish border, a fantastic place to enjoy the best of the Portuguese and Spanish cultures, all within a short driving distance. There are 5 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms, and it can accommodate up to 10 people.
Interior
- Double bedroom with en-suite bathroom
- Four twin bedroom with en-suite bathrooms
- Toilet
- Living & dining room
- Fully equipped kitchen
- Access to the patio & pool area

Exterior
- Swimming pool (14m x 4m)
- Sun loungers & parasols
- Large patio & garden area
- Outside sitting & dining area
- Covered terrace
- Outside toilette
- BBQ area
- Private parking

#### Location
About as far from the Atlantic as Portugal gets, the intriguing town of Elvas lies right on the country's eastern fringe, about 15km from the border with Spain. While this distances it considerably from the likes of Lisbon and Porto, it does mean the town is something of an undiscovered gem – and it's one with quite a history too.

Part of the Alentejo region, Elvas enjoys a reliably hot and sunny climate. But far from being overrun by tourism and development, it has changed remarkably little since the days when its Santa Luizia fort and lengthy defensive walls were needed to keep invading Spaniards at bay. The walls are quite an impressive sight, arranged in a star pattern which left no part of the town unprotected.

Also notable are the large aqueduct to the south of the town, and the cathedral which takes pride of place on the Praca da Republica. You will find several restaurants dotted around its maze of charming streets, with several terraces on the square in front of the cathedral. There is also a good range of shops and some interesting museums, including those dedicated to contemporary art and photography.

The town's position means it's ideal for excursions to the nearby Spanish town of Badajoz, although you will need to drive as there is no bus service connecting the two. Pretty well fortified itself, the town is another of historical interest, with San Juan Bautista Cathedral and the Archaeology Museum among its popular sights. Be sure also to sample the hearty cuisine and excellent wine produced in the Extremadura region, of which Badajoz is part – tours of the area's vineyards with lunch included are a great way to do both.