Description Cork & Gold: Melides

Perched on a private nineteen-acre estate above rolling Alentejo countryside, this villa is built around the pleasure of doing very little, very well. The wide pool sits beneath open skies, the covered terraces are made for long lunches as golden light moves across the fields, and the main living room – fireplace lit, windows open to the garden – makes it easy to lose track of time entirely. When you're ready to venture out, Melides Lagoon is a twenty-minute drive, and the Atlantic's wild dunes are closer still.

Home truths:
* The villa is set in open countryside, around 9 km from the nearest town centre and shops, and 12 km from the beach – you'll want to hire a car to make the most of your stay.
* A restaurant and cafe are just 300 metres away – handy for a low-key evening out without getting in the car.
* There are more sleeping spaces than the maximum guest capacity, so not all beds may be used at full occupancy.
* While not all bedrooms and bathrooms are photographed, expect the style and quality to be consistent with the rest of the home.
* The swimming pool isn't fenced.