To fully enjoy the Minho region a car is essential but if the nominated driver(s) need a break and more than one glass of wine there are plenty of taxi companies to choose from.
We would recommend a local Ponte de Lima company, Taxis Limarenses, because of the courteous and punctual 24-hour service. Benjamin Silva, the owner of the company, speaks excellent English and also knows the location of Quinta de Agriboa. Benjamin has several taxis and small mini buses. Benjamin can be contacted on +351 964 071 499 or +351 258 743 700. Bookings can also be made by email: geral@taxislimarenses.com
There are two companies providing a regular bus services into Ponte de Lima. The nearest bus stop is across the road from Café Concerto. Approximate timings:
Barrio to Ponte de Lima: 07.00, 07.30, 08.30, 12.45, 14.30, 17.45.
Ponte de Lima to Barrio: 07.30, 11.00, 13.30, 15.30, 16.45,18.30.
A 450 Euro refundable breakages deposit will be taken at the time of check-in and returned on departure.
In common with most houses in the region, the electricity system in the villa has a safety device to switch off the power during electrical storms. When this happens push up the switch beside the blue button in the two fuse boxes, upstairs and downstairs, to restore the power.
In rural areas in Portugal the electricity supply can fluctuate occasionally causing the lights to flicker. There is no cause for concern.
The fire in the sitting room burns logs which can be bought locally. Most shops sell firelighters. Empty the ash tray regularly. To clean the window on the fire use a wet cloth, dip it in the ash and rub the soot off the glass.
There is a library of about 150 DVDs on the shelf beside the fire in the sitting room. They are for the use of all guests and we would ask for them to be returned to the shelf after viewing. The television has been programmed to show hundreds of channels from all over Europe.
The books in the hallway are also for the enjoyment of guests. If you have not finished a book before the end of your holiday please feel free to take it with you as long as another one is left in its place.
There are several travel/guide books, several maps, a dictionary and phrase book on the shelves. Please do not take them away. They are for the benefit of all guests.
This is one of the great joys for those who enjoy cooking. At local markets, vegetables, meat, hams, bread and cheeses can be bought direct from locals who produce them on their own quintas.
There are several excellent butchers in Ponte de Lima near the car park beside the river. The town has 2 supermarkets, situated on the way to the golf course, and both are well stocked with impressive fish and shellfish counters.
For the really fresh fish it is worth visiting small coastal towns like Ancora where the fishermen’s daily catch is sold from tables beside the harbour where the boats tie up.
Shopping for wine is a delight in Portugal. In the supermarket, you will see shelves of regional wines you will never have heard off. Fear not, in the interest of research, we have tasted many of them.
White: Good white wines will cost about €5. We would recommend Loureiro and Alvarinho. For €10 it is possible to buy excellent whites. We would recommend Melgaco from the north of the Minho region.
Red: Most of the recognisable red wines come from the Douro region but we have also enjoyed tasting wines from the lesser known Alentejo region. Borba and Esporao can be purchased for less than €7. Our most memorable find was Capote at less than €5.
