Became a member in: 2021
Renewal Date: 23/Oct/2021
We are a foursome: James (67) is British; Heidi (51) is Belgian and we live near Coimbra in Portugal; daughter Elly (22) studies art in Antwerp; daughter Pauline (12) attends boarding school in Norfolk, England.
We are particularly interested in house-swaps during school half term holidays, as we would like to show Pauline more of the UK. At other times we need to visit Antwerp.
James and Heidi are property developers and have three stylish riverside villas, each with its own pool. We live in one and rent out the other two to tourists. It is one of these that we offer as a swap, so we are not committed to simultaneous exchanges.
We love to explore, both cities and the countryside. We are very quiet and our daughters are demure and very well behaved. We appreciate respect from our guests and equally respect other people's property.
Additional languages spoken
Dutch, Portuguese, French
Affinities
Hiking,
Wine Lovers,
Foodies
Non-simultaneous Home Exchange
Simultaneous Home Exchange
Smoking Not Allowed
Children Welcome
Use of Personal Car is not possible
Open to all dates | London, UK | United Kingdom |
Open to all dates | United Kingdom | North East, England, UK | Malvern Hills, Malvern, UK |
Open to all dates | Belgium | Italy | Norway |
Open to all dates | Open to all destinations |
Description of the home we are offering for exchange
The villa at River Island Portugal has just been stylishly restored without cutting corners, to make a roomy home of uncommon charm and elegance. Hot water from solar panels. Oil-fired or wood-stove central heating and double glazing throughout.
Type
House - 2 or more floors/ Second home
Amenities
Entertainment
Extras
Setting
Description of our neighbourhood and surrounding area
This is an area for individualists. If you cannot bear to be more than two metres from another tourist, if you enjoy lager louts, noisy bars, tacky shops, rip-off restaurants, burger gases, traffic jams and impossible parking, then this is not for you.
But why be stampeded into an overcrowded tourist ghetto? Instead, treat yourself to a dreamy slice of a watery Eden, Europe's 'forgotten' paradise. Look around you and you might find it hard to believe you are in Europe, never mind just a two-hour flight from grey skies and rain-soaked streets. Try wild swimming in the tree-lined river. We have a 600-mtr stretch of calm water, about 1.3 mtrs deep, not as warm as the pool but still very pleasant, and full of little fish. If you stay still they will come and nibble at your skin – a recognised spa therapy! You might spot a kingfisher or even an otter while swimming downstream to the river bar (open May – Oct).
The town of Lousã, which has several supermarkets, restaurants and one of Portugal's best beauty spots (at Arouce Castle), is less than 10 mins by car, in the Serra da Lousã. The medieval university city of Coimbra is barely half an hour. Also within easy reach are the vast golden beaches of the Silver Coast, gorgeous mountain scenery, warm rivers and lakes.
Perfect for walking, trailrunning and mountainbiking (professional teams stay in our houses during international Downhill competitions).
Perfect Internet.
Outdoor Activities
Leisure
Cultural Activities
Transport Nearby
Neighbourhood Services
Our home exchange - places to go and things to do while staying in our home
The town of Lousã, which has several supermarkets, restaurants and one of Portugal's best beauty spots (at Arouce Castle), is less than 10 mins by car, in the Serra da Lousã. The medieval university city of Coimbra is barely half an hour. Also within easy reach are the vast golden beaches of the Silver Coast, gorgeous mountain scenery, warm rivers and lakes (far warmer and safer than the ocean).
OTHER THINGS TO DO
*Kayaks on the river;
*Lovely walks and drives through the hills and the 'lost' mountain villages;
*'Portugal Pequinitos' - a fantasy model village with Portugal's great buildings in miniature, but still large enough to walk through, plus humbler houses accessible only to children;
*Conimbriga - the ancient Roman capital with some of the best mosaics in Europe;
* World Heritage Tomar, a lovely old town with Knights Templar castle and convent;
*The vast golden beaches at Figueira da Foz, the west coast's largest seaside resort.
*Horse-riding;
*Open-air zoo plus farm zoo;
*Gondola rides on the canals of Aveiro;
*The Holy Shrine at Fatima and nearby beautifully lit caves;
*The medieval university city of Coimbra with its big shopping malls;
*Tree adventure park;
*Strange limestone caves at Casmilo;
*Nazaré seaside resort with celebrated seafood restaurant and cable car to 'hidden' town above.
The infrastructure is excellent, English widely spoken and restaurants amazingly cheap. This is the real Portugal, not a tourist ghetto rip-off.
Our favourite restaurants
Leisure and cultural activities
Walks or jogging paths
Our home exchange - here are our Preferences and House Rules
Please leave the house as you find it. We will leave it very clean for you so that you can immediately enjoy a fabulous holiday.
Please note that as this is a holiday rental villa, we are unlikely to be able to offer swaps at certain times of the year, especially from mid-June to mid-September.
Conditions
Use of Personal Car
Home Exchange Type
Became a member in: 2021
Renewal Date: 23/Oct/2021
We are a foursome: James (67) is British; Heidi (51) is Belgian and we live near Coimbra in Portugal; daughter Elly (22) studies art in Antwerp; daughter Pauline (12) attends boarding school in Norfolk, England.
We are particularly interested in house-swaps during school half term holidays, as we would like to show Pauline more of the UK. At other times we need to visit Antwerp.
James and Heidi are property developers and have three stylish riverside villas, each with its own pool. We live in one and rent out the other two to tourists. It is one of these that we offer as a swap, so we are not committed to simultaneous exchanges.
We love to explore, both cities and the countryside. We are very quiet and our daughters are demure and very well behaved. We appreciate respect from our guests and equally respect other people's property.
Additional languages spoken
Dutch, Portuguese, French
Affinities
Hiking,
Wine Lovers,
Foodies
Over 70 years of home exchange experience
Local home swap representatives around the world to assist you
Travel, save and feel at home around the world!