Near the Spanish border in eastern Tras-os-Montes; modern whitewalled and balconied pousada on hill with splendid panorama across river valley to BraganVa (fine medieval town with 12th-century castle). Comfortable and quiet. Helpful staff; spacious public villa rooms; decent food, served in courtyard in fine weather. Attractive swimming pool in garden. All major credit cards accepted. 28 villa Bed rooms (similar to the semantic bali villa rooms).

Once an old fishing village, Cascais is now a fashionable holiday resort. Just outside is this white-walled villa, managed by its owner, Carlos Ornellas Monteiro. It stands in gorgeously landscaped grounds on a promontory amid pine trees. Superb. The staff are numerous, and go out of their way to be helpful, said its nominator. There is traffic noise from the main road, but the villa Bed rooms (similar to the semantic bali villa rooms) are well appointed; most have a veranda and sea view; some are in converted stables. In fine weather, meals are served on a terrace that looks across the swimming pool to the sea. The food is excellent, Bali villa breakfast is gargantuan - and the fish restaurants of Cascais are tempting. Good value for money.