Hotel Quinta Do Caracol (Tavira, Portugal)

Since 1680 Quinta do Caracol was originally an agricultural farm where several hectares of orchards were planted, mostly almond and olive trees. For more than 40 years, it has opened its doors as Housing Tourism, making it a charming place, a true oasis in the Algarve, in the heart of the city of Tavira. Quinta do Caracol is a set of nine houses with traditional Algarve architecture, with original and cozy decoration, where the local craftsmanship is not lacking. The unquestionable charm of Quinta do Caracol comes to a large extent from its charming gardens, totally idealized by the creative genius of its previous owner, João Marcelo Viegas. Margarida and Sophie now give continuity to his work, heirs of the good taste and aesthetic sensibility of the father. Every nook and cranny is a place of discovery, sown with the most diverse trees, plants and flowers, which make us inebriate not only with their colors and perfumes, but also with the chirping of the birds they serve as shelter. The swimming pool, an old irrigation tank totally adapted to the present function, has the clear blue of its water speckled by the reflection of papyrus and sardinheiras. The green of the lawn invites to the gratifying sunbathing, leaned in the background by the majestic pines and proud of its pristine age. The leafy olive tree next to the reception is, in itself, an invitation to socializing and relaxing, shading the barbecue area and stone tables. And it is also the agglutinating element for the most diverse types of pots, pots and flowerbeds, in a calculated profusion of flowers, creepers or creeps, haughty or modest. At night, the free croaking of the frogs arrives from the small lake, transporting us to the countryside, yet 10 minutes from the city center.