Glamping

Quinta do Cascalhal sits on a hectare and a half of old vineyard, bordered by olive and fruit trees, about 45 minutes from Porto airport in Portugal's Norte region. The stay is built around fully equipped safari tents, each with its own garden and private pool looking out over the vines and surrounding countryside; a larger vacation apartment is also available for bigger groups.

Each tent comes with a full kitchen, so cooking for yourself is straightforward, and a hearty breakfast is served daily between 8:00 and 9:30, with orange juice, Portuguese bread, cheese, cold cuts, eggs and fruit. Lunch or dinner can be arranged on request using local and seasonal produce, with vegetarian or specific diets noted in advance. The property is pet friendly and laid out for privacy, with no direct sightlines between accommodations.

Outside the tents, there's direct access to forest and vineyard paths, and the Tamega River is a five-minute walk away, good for fishing or a riverside stroll. The village of Arco de Baúlhe, with shops and a pharmacy, is five minutes by car, and the Cabeceiras de Basto market is ten minutes away. Peneda-Gerês National Park is about an hour's drive, and the Douro Valley, Guimarães, Braga and the Bom Jesus do Monte sanctuary are all within range for a day trip. Kids have access to a games tent with billiards, pinball, table football and arcade machines.

Booking and questions go through the Glamping Cascalhal website or by phone, and reception hours run roughly 9:00 to 22:30 on weekdays and Sunday, with a later close on Saturdays.