This Charming country home is just outside the town of Vila Real, up a long, tree-lined avenue that shields it from the road. "Casa da Levada" is a welcoming guesthouse overlooking the Corgo River - a lovely spot for those who wish to combine the quiet of country life with easy access to the town.

The farm house and chapel were designed by the famed Portuguese architect Raul Lino in 1922, in the graceful architectural style that was Portugal's answer to French "Art Deco": granite offset by white-washed walls, red-tiled roofs, burgundy windows and doors, stone-walled rooms, and hand-painted tiles ("azulejos").

Inside the house, the rooms are decorated with antique furniture. Comfortable beds, books, magazines, and winter's central heating add to an atmosphere of restfulness and ease.

Breakfast is special at Casa da Levada, complete with homemade breads and jams; it can be served in the terrace in summer or in the dining room, a friendly room that often fosters conversations among guests and family.