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The Zororo Retreat, Portugal

Welcome to Zororo (which means 'rest' in Zulu). A relaxing and rejuvenating haven set in the heart of central Portugal's Beira region, frequently described as the most attractive and undeveloped corner of this special country.

We are located on the borders of a traditional village in the Serra Lousa hills with the Ceira River a short walk down the valley side, just 5 minutes from the beautiful town of Gois.

We offer luxury accommodation exclusively to adults who would benefit from time away from the stresses of everyday life (and children!) in the company of others appreciative of delicious food, great local wines and stimulating conversation in well-appointed surroundings.

Our 5-ensuite double bedrooms are air-conditioned, centrally heated and generously sized and each has a balcony with views across the valley or forest.

There is a large guest lounge and dining room, with contemporary furniture over marble flooring, linked by a double spiral staircase in wrought iron and chestnut. Downstairs there is a huge games room with a pool table, table football and large LCD TV, DVDs, board games, a selection of books etc.

Outside in the gardens is our 11 metre swimming pool with a hand laid mosaic sun terrace, hard surface tennis court, vineyard and orange, lemon, plum, walnut and kiwi trees. There is a large BBQ stand and a shaded outdoor seating and dining area. Around the vineyard we grow most of our own vegetables (maize, onions, chou-chou, lettuce, melons, corvo, etc) using organic methods.

Your stay includes breakfast and you have the option of an appetising home prepared evening meal using regional recipes and seasonal local ingredients with aperitifs, wine (including our own reds), coffees and liquors, all taken in the company of your hosts, Kevin and Tanaka, and fellow guests.

The area around Zororo provides a wide variety of country activities, including horse riding, organised hill walking, nature watching, canoeing, cycling, etc, as well as a unique opportunity to see and experience the 'real' Portugal, little altered for centuries, in the farming communities, markets, villages and small towns of the region.

Only slightly further a field is Portugal's old capital and university city of Coimbra, with the often deserted sand dune backed beaches of the Silver Coast beyond. The Knights Templar last European stronghold at Tomar and the Roman ruins in Conimbriga are easily reached, as is the Serra Estrella ('mountains of the stars') National Park, the highest mountains in Portugal.