Holiday home Maybe October

Maybe October suggests the eponymous holiday home in the hills of the Costa Vicentina for a getaway by the Atlantic. Or any other month, as the nature reserve on Portugal’s west coast offers a fascinating, unspoilt landscape at any season, ranging from mountain ranges and remote valleys to dunes, lagoons, salt marshes and spectacular cliffs, with a mild climate all year round.

Just a short walk from Aljezur and eight minutes by car from Praia da Amoreira, this former farmhouse is surrounded by fields and weathered cork oaks. Built in 1920, it has been repeatedly extended over the decades – which explains the mix of materials and the elongated, stepped shape of the single-storey building. It has been transformed into a holiday home by the current owners together with architect Veronika Weiss.

Rather than hiding the history of the house, the intention was to deliberately leave its traces visible: from the stepped roof and construction stages that follow the natural slope, to the thick walls of clay and quarrystone, to the integration of an olive tree that has grown out of a collapsed roof. Instead of removing it, a new space was dedicated to it – a wind-protected patio for both secluded and communal moments. Besides two bedrooms and a spacious bathroom, there is an open-plan kitchen with an acacia wood cooking island and a bright living room. A brick bench with a pergola and a view of the green expanse awaits guests outside the door.

The project blends traditional construction methods with modern design. Like the repaired masonry and clay walls coated with lime plaster, the beams made of eucalyptus wood or the handmade windows and doors. The floors alternate in the colours of nature between light pine, smoothed concrete and original Santa Catarina tiles in the dining room. Combined with simple, high-quality furniture that gives the rooms a warm, light atmosphere. Thanks to underfloor heating, the holiday home is habitable all year round – from October to September, maybe…

What to do

Surfing and swimming (at the house beach Amoreira, in Arrifana, Monte Clerigo and all the other beautiful beaches), walks through the hills, hiking (the house is located directly on the Way of St James and the Fisherman's Trail), excursions to the small villages in the area, horse riding, yoga, fishing tours & tide pool safaris or whale watching (from Sagres).

Why we like this house

A house with traditional roots, a balanced history and its own olive tree in the centre of the living areas.

This house is great for

Families, couples, surfers, those seeking peace and quiet and nature lovers

Sustainability

For the conversion, mainly local and natural materials were used, photovoltaics, due to the return of grey water to nature, biodegradable shower and hair washing products are provided, public transport: bus stop in Aljezur (15 min walk to the house), there is also a Flixbus to Aljezur

Owner

Babs and Felix Rubach are passionate about surfing, love architecture and Portugal, attach great importance to sustainability and are always on the lookout for exciting renovation projects that meet their demands for regionality and quality. Like their holiday home Maybe October, where they regularly find peace and inspiration with their children.

Details

Availability calendar

The calendar shows the current availability of the accommodation. On days with white background the accommodation is still available. On days with dark gray background the accommodation is not available.

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