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::Portugal::Palace
Hotel ::Bussaco::Beira::Mealhada::
The
forest of Bussaco lies to the north of Coimbra near
the Luso Spa, enclosed by a stone wall pierced by
several gates. In a vast clearing in the centre of
the forest
stands the castle-like Bussaco Palace Hotel built
in 1900 to an unusual, yet beautiful design. Once
the property of the Portuguese Royal family, this
palatial hotel certainly lives up to its name. It
is every inch a palace, a pastiche of the classic
Manueline style, built by the Italian architect Luigi
Manini.to 57 BC), the hotel has a central residential
location
The 250-acre forest of Bussaco is Portugal's most
famous and most revered woodland, a monastic domain
throughout the Middle Ages. Benedictine monks established
a hermitage in the midst of it as early as the 6th
century and the area remained in religious hands right
up until the dissolution of the monasteries in 1834.
The forest's great fame and beauty came when the Carmelite
monks took over the monastery in the 17th century.
They built the walls which surround the property as
well as preserving and developing the forest by planting
many new varieties of trees including maples, laurels,
English oaks, Mexican cedars and cypress trees. The
forest now features over 700 species of trees, rare
local and exotic plants (some dating as far back as
the 17th century and still standing), waterfalls,
lakes and gardens. A setting of extraordinary beauty!
Visitors can see the remains of the original 'Mosteiro
dos Carmelitas:. Also on show are famous prints by
Alfonso Mucha together with a famous sequence of azulejos
(painted tiles) depicting the Portuguese conquest
of Ceuta and the Battle of Bussaco, the first serious
reverse suffered by Napoleon in his campaigns across
the Iberian Peninsula.
Offering
romantic balconies looking out into the forest. An
exclusive dining room serves excellent Portuguese
and classic cuisine whilst its wine cellar features
the legendary Bussaco wines, 'mis en bouteille au
chateau', which are not available anywhere else Not
for nothing is this one of the most famous restaurants
in Portugal. Pre- and post-dinner drinks should be
taken on the romantic terrace overlooking the park
or inside in the Lobby Bar with its comprehensive
choice of old, rare wines and exquisite
spirits
One
of the most pleasurable ways to spend a day at the
Bussaco Palace Hotel is simply to stroll through the
woodland, among beautiful gardens, rare birds, sacred
pathways and chapels. Guests can also use, free of
charge, a nearby pool, tennis courts and mini golf
Fishing is available in the Mondego River: Because
of its central location within the country, the Bussaco
Palace Hotel is a perfect base for exploring Coimbra,
Fatima,Viseu, the Douro Valley and the Atlantic coast,
that's if you can bear to tear yourself away from
the beauty that greets you each morning. This is a
magical, peaceful' atmosphere with which you are sure
to fall in love.
Prices are per person and based on two people sharing
a standard double room including buffet breakfast,
flights with British Airways from London Heathrow
to Lisbon and car hire group C for four days.
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