Für Reisende, die auf der Suche nach einer familienfreundlichen Flucht aus der Hektik des urbanen Lebens sind, ist dies die richtige Wahl! Das Paradies in Portugal - oder Quinta do Barranco da Estrada - bietet eine ruhige, am See gelegene Auszeit in Zentralportugal. Das Boutique-Hotel liegt in der unberührten Landschaft des Alentejo und bietet seinen Gästen die Möglichkeit, in die vielfältige Tierwelt der Region einzutauchen, indem es Schwimmen, Segeln, Kanufahren, Angeln und Vogelbeobachtung anbietet. Ihr Engagement für die Natur geht über das Öko-Abenteuer hinaus: Die Anlagen werden zu 90% mit Solarenergie betrieben, so dass die Gäste den modernen Komfort von Warmwasser und drahtlosem Internet genießen können, ohne auf Nachhaltigkeit verzichten zu müssen. Das Paradies in Portugal unterstützt die lokale Wirtschaft, indem es lokale Arbeitskräfte einstellt und regionale Bio-Lebensmittel und -Weine beschafft, wann immer dies möglich ist, sowie die Erhaltung und Wiederaufforstung der Korkwälder im Süden Portugals unterstützt.

Just north of the Algarve, in some of the most remote and unspoiled countryside in Europe, lies Quinta do Barranco da Estrada, also known as “Paradise in Portugal,” a beautiful, family-run, unpretentious lodge on the shores of a vast, clean, freshwater lake. The Quinta is run completely off the sun, but you'd never guess. Good WiFi, solar-heated hot water, excellent food, and an extensive wine list; it's great for individuals, couples or groups, and all out of earshot of any neighbours! The Quinta was built from scratch by the present owners over the last thirty years, and from its inception has always taken a green approach. Electricity is supplied by solar panels, water is pumped, cleaned, and heated by the sun, waste kept to a minimum and recycled. We live with nature, not against it. Additionally, we are involved in conservation efforts throughout southern Portugal as well as local and international education efforts, principally concerning the preservation and re-introduction of sustainable Cork Forests. We support local businesses and the local population in general, offering students the opportunity to work with us and learn how we run our organization. Our staff is vibrant and knowledgeable, always able to answer questions or show you around. There is a professional chef on site at all times, and breakfast, lunch, and dinner are available for guests. Much of the excellent home-made food is fresh from our organic garden; we source honey from the hives on the hillside, free-range eggs from our local chickens, bread baked daily with flour from the local mill and, of course, fish from the lake.

The bedrooms are airy, cool, and comfortable, and the en-suite bathrooms are spacious. Decoration is a gentle mix of Portuguese and English and the overall feeling is simple and welcoming. All 10 rooms have a small terrace with a wonderful view of the water. Guests have is direct access to the shore through a verdant tropical garden, with secluded nooks and crannies, lawns, and sunbathing areas where the loudest sounds are the trills of song-birds. It’s a great place for swimming, fishing and boating as the water is crystal clear with an average temperature of 82ºF, (28ºC), throughout the summer.

We are located in the middle of nature where you can really relax. You can be as active or as laid back as you'd like. No nearby traffic, no noisy planes or trains, just total peace and quiet with the loudest sounds coming from the birds and bees. Swimming, sailing, canoeing, and fishing are available for children, beginners and experienced enthusiasts alike. A vast, sparsely-populated countryside dotted with small Alentejan “montes” awaits all walkers; we’ll even provide the dogs if you want some company!

The Quinta can be easily accessed by car and there are regular trains from Lisbon or Faro, both of which are serviced by scheduled or charter flights from most major airports. Guests can arrange their own car hire or they can be collected from the airport (Faro or Beja are 1 ½ hours drive away, Lisbon about 2 ½ hours). The Quinta is happy to arrange road transfers between any of the airports or the local railway station. The GPS co-ordinates for the start of our track are 37º33'04.5N / 8º25'03.0W