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I stayed in the Casa da Encosta with my family for all of July and August 2012. It is perfectly located for a long stay in the Algarve. Far enough from the hustle and bustle of the coastline but close enough to get to the beach every day. I would say that most of the interesting places in the Algarve are only a twenty to thirty minute drive away. Estoi, a charming little town is about a ten minute drive away. We did a lot of cooking on the BBQ and just basically enjoyed the natural setting and the splendid views of the hills and coastline. The interior is freshly decorated with taste and simplicity. A beautiful Casa to come back to after a day of exploring the Algarve.
| Excellent |
Victor Haines
| 9/13/2012 12:34:00 PM |
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I stayed in this lovely apartment for two months (May & June 2012). It’s in the heart of a lively part of Lisbon with little shops, small restaurants, Fado, and markets only steps away. The city center and many other points of interest are within a short walking distance. The apartment is located on a charming little street in a very special and unique neighbourhood. The rooms are spacious and the ceilings are high. I especially enjoyed the view from the living room down to the narrow streets. I would often eat out, but when I felt like cooking something up, I found the kitchen quite convenient. If I’m so lucky that my travels bring me back to Lisbon, this is exactly where I would like to stay.
| Excellent |
Victor Haines
| 9/13/2012 12:12:00 PM |
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We had the opportunity to rent the Lisbon, Portugal, apartment of Dulce Fernandes in December 2011.We had a remarkable time and are pleased to pass on our thoughts and comments about the accommodation. The apartment is located in the Alfama District of Lisbon. This is reason enough alone to rent this unit. Alfama is an historic district of narrow streets, much activity, many restaurants and bars, and a great deal of charm. The apartment is a short (ten minute) walk from the edge of the downtown and is within minutes of many of Lisbon's prime historic sites and cultural attractions.
We spent hours walking the neighbourhood -- the nearby castle is an international treasure -- and lovd the experience. Some of the best restaurants and cafes in the city are within two or three blocks. The area is bustling, a tad boisterous at times, and filled with life. What a remarkable opportunity to be immersed in Portuguese culture and life ways. We stayed in other, more sterile and modern places during our travels in Portugal, but Alfama was by far and away the most attractive.
The Fernandes unit fits in perfectly with the neighbourhood. It is located on a small side street, with convenience stores and cafes very close by. You enter by way of a steep flight of stairs. The apartment is surprisingly large and spacious, with two bedrooms, a fully outfitted kitchen, a living room (two, actually) and a den/extra bedroom. The furnishings are a tad spartan, but that fits nicely with the ambiance of the apartment and the neighbourhood. Everything in the apartment worked extremely well and we had no difficulties whatsoever during our one month stay. We were there in December and had been warned that these buildings were not well-suited to winter temperatures. We found the apartment quite comfortable in terms of heat and occasional use of the space heaters quickly took off any chill. The Internet is fast and reliable, the television connections work very well, and the other services are just fine.
Dulce was a superb host. She provided excellent suggestions about the neighbourhood and responded quickly to all of our inquiries and questions. The rental fee was very appropriate for the city and location.
In summary, if you want a unique and truly fascinating introduction to Lisbon, if you enjoy heritage districts and culturally rich environments, if you are open to experiencing Portugal in an engaging and entertaining way, then this apartment if certainly worth considering very carefully. We would return in a flash, knowing that there is still a great deal left to explore.
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Ken Coates
Professor of History, University of Waterloo
| Excellent |
Ken Coates
| 1/1/2012 9:34:00 AM |
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This is a great place in the heart of Alfama that offers pretty much everything you'll need for a research stay in Lisbon. A stone's throw away from the subway (blue line), buses and trams (the famous Electrico No. 28 is just around the corner), and with a lively restaurant scene in the vicinity (catering to tourists as well as natives).
For the sightseers, there's much to be found and done in the immediate vicinity, with both the inner city and the east of the town within walking distance. You're in for a climb, though.
Alfama is a jostling neighbourhood, but the apartment (which is quite large, BTW) is surprisingly quiet, particularly in the back of the house. We stayed here for three weeks (and are up for another two soon) of collection research, and we can really recommend it.
| Excellent |
Ilja Nieuwland
| 8/22/2011 12:49:00 AM |
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My husband and I lived in this apartment for ten months, from August 2009 to June 2010, while he did a Fulbright and I worked on my dissertation. We have had the most fantastic year here. The apartment is gorgeous. It is a very spacious one-bedroom, with a study that could be a small second bedroom/guestroom. Even when there's noise in the street, the bedroom (which is above a courtyard) is quiet. There's a dining room and a living room in addition the bedroom and the study. The kitchen is large, charming, and well-equipped (including a washing machine), and the bathroom is also great, and has beautiful tiles. Everything works well, including the wireless internet and the cable. There are four sets of floor-to-ceiling french doors throughout the apartment, and two of them open onto a balcony that overlooks the street below. The floors are all wide hardwood, and the rooms are lined with tile. It's a very old building, and none of the rooms are exactly square. It's a really great mix of traditional and modern.
And we can't say enough good things about the location of the apartment. Not only is Alfama the heart and soul of Lisbon, but this apartment is on one of the prettiest streets in Alfama. Get ready for tourists gaping outside your front door....and get ready for the most delicious coffee and wonderful wanderings through tiny streets and up and down staircases, all with marble cobblestones, on your way to and from the cafes.
Dulce is a responsive and responsible landlord.
| Excellent |
Johanna Winant
| 6/19/2010 4:10:00 PM |