Quality 4-bed family villa with gated pool and gardens, Catalonia
One of the best villas for families we have come across in Catalonia. Gardens, safe pool, games room and excursions to interest all ages. Sleeps 6 to 8.
See all: Villas in Catalonia <Villas in Spain
Rustical´s review See prices
In the vineyards of the Penedes, one hour west of Barcelona, the same distance from another airport at Reus, and just 45 minutes inland from the fashionable seaside resort of Sitges, is an inviting stone-built holiday villa with garden and pool.
Adults and children alike will appreciate the house and swimming pool and enjoy exploring places like Montblanc (one of Hugh Palmer’s “Most Beautiful Villages of Spain”), where local legend has it that patron Saint Jordi (St George) killed the dragon. Every year the villagers dress up in medieval costume to reenact the event during a week’s feasting and merry-making to mark St George’s Day (23 April). Tradition here runs to an excellent culinary culture, so those who prefer to eat out will have every reason to congratulate themselves on their choice.
There are other historical villages to discover amongst the pretty forested hills just beyond the wine-growing land, still practising traditions such as Vilafranca’s famous “human castles,” to complete which a child climbs to form the peak of a wobbly structure formed by men standing on each others’ shoulders.
But let’s start with the villa. Although perfectly independent, to the rear it flanks a large patio along with the main farmhouse where the friendly, cultured, Catalan owners stay occasionally. They are hospitable by nature yet careful not to impinge on guests’ privacy. The swimming pool, which the owners only use when guests at the villa are absent for the day, is a great spot. The pool is reached by crossing the quiet lane running beside the property.
At the front of the attractive villa, a totally private entrance passes through large, completely private and beautifully lawned gardens with flower beds where children can play and adults can relax on sunbeds with cocktails or tend the barbecue without being overlooked. Trees lend natural shade here and there and a low (one-metre high) wall runs around the garden, which looks out over vineyards.
The house has plenty of traditional character and strikes just the right balance between rusticity and modern comfort. Antiques and quality furniture are arranged in an unfussy manner whose overall impression is of a welcoming and well cared-for home. It comes equipped with dishwasher, WiFi internet, DVD and central heating.
Our favourite room was the generous country kitchen with its grand dining table and direct access to the gardens and barbecue area.
Next to it is a comfortable lounge with a fireplace, and then comes a hallway leading to a games room with table football which also has a door out to the gardens. There’s a downstairs wc and a utility room.
Upstairs from here are two twin-bedded rooms sharing a shower room, and a Master bedroom with King-size double bed, en suite bathroom and balcony. From the upstairs landing laddered steps (not suitable for young children) go up to a twin-bedded attic room.
The Penedes area is a prestigious wine-making area, particularly renowned for its sparkling cava and brandies, but producing some very good wines, also. A visit to one of the local cellars, which often present their wares in conjunction with well-balanced meals offered by professional restauranteurs, is always interesting. And cultural tourism in Penedes extends beyond gastronomy: castles, hermitages and ancient sanctuaries in the region complement their natural settings in which you will find cycling routes, waterfalls, grottos and gentle escarpments.
For seaside trips to beaches at Sitges, the drive is a very attractive one, passing from vineyards through Mediterranean pine forest. On the drive back, you see Montserrat mountain in the distance.
Montserrat is considered to be the most important and beautiful of mountains in Catalonia. Its formidable massif has Natural Park status and its Benedictine monastery is home to the oldest choristers’ conservatory in Europe, not to mention an important library of some 300,000 volumes. Montserrat is just 40 minutes away from the villa.
Closer by (8 minutes away), both Pla de Manlleu and Pontons provide shopping facilities and (at 20 minutes), the larger and delightful Vilafranca del Penedes with its ancient fortress represents an interesting place to watch and get a feel for local life. There are good restaurants here where you might like to sample local specialities such as pan tumaca, canaloni, duck, coq au vin, accompanied perhaps by good Penedes wines.
While the relative proximity of the coast makes this holiday home a good option for those who don’t wish to be far from the sea, the area around the villa is an invitation to explore some inspiring Catalonian countryside. We recommend hiking or biking your preferred stages of the excellent “Cistercian Route”, which links three Benedictine monasteries through natural landscapes along the well-signposted GR175 pathway. The whole circular route is 105 km but you can simply take your pick of its satisfying links.
Distribution
On two floors
Ground floor: private entrance from gardens to open-plan kitchen/diner; living room; hallway to games’ room (table football) with doors to shaded garden area; wc; utility room (washing machine).
First floor: landing to two twin-bedded rooms; shower room; Master double-bedded room with en suite bathroom (with bathtub). Ladder to:
Attic room with two single beds.
Exterior: low-walled, lawned gardens; rear patio, shared with owners; outhouse with children’s toys. Swimming pool a few metres away across a barely used lane.
Notes:
-The attic bedroom is not suitable for young children as it is reached by a ladder instead of regular stairs.
-Pets may be allowed (on request).
Location and Distances
In open countryside, adjoining the owners’ own holiday farmhouse, but with its own entrance and privacy.
Rustical´s review See prices
In the vineyards of the Penedes, one hour west of Barcelona, the same distance from another airport at Reus, and just 45 minutes inland from the fashionable seaside resort of Sitges, is an inviting stone-built holiday villa with garden and pool.
Adults and children alike will appreciate the house and swimming pool and enjoy exploring places like Montblanc (one of Hugh Palmer’s “Most Beautiful Villages of Spain”), where local legend has it that patron Saint Jordi (St George) killed the dragon. Every year the villagers dress up in medieval costume to reenact the event during a week’s feasting and merry-making to mark St George’s Day (23 April). Tradition here runs to an excellent culinary culture, so those who prefer to eat out will have every reason to congratulate themselves on their choice.
There are other historical villages to discover amongst the pretty forested hills just beyond the wine-growing land, still practising traditions such as Vilafranca’s famous “human castles,” to complete which a child climbs to form the peak of a wobbly structure formed by men standing on each others’ shoulders.
But let’s start with the villa. Although perfectly independent, to the rear it flanks a large patio along with the main farmhouse where the friendly, cultured, Catalan owners stay occasionally. They are hospitable by nature yet careful not to impinge on guests’ privacy. The swimming pool, which the owners only use when guests at the villa are absent for the day, is a great spot. The pool is reached by crossing the quiet lane running beside the property.
At the front of the attractive villa, a totally private entrance passes through large, completely private and beautifully lawned gardens with flower beds where children can play and adults can relax on sunbeds with cocktails or tend the barbecue without being overlooked. Trees lend natural shade here and there and a low (one-metre high) wall runs around the garden, which looks out over vineyards.
The house has plenty of traditional character and strikes just the right balance between rusticity and modern comfort. Antiques and quality furniture are arranged in an unfussy manner whose overall impression is of a welcoming and well cared-for home. It comes equipped with dishwasher, WiFi internet, DVD and central heating.
Our favourite room was the generous country kitchen with its grand dining table and direct access to the gardens and barbecue area.
Next to it is a comfortable lounge with a fireplace, and then comes a hallway leading to a games room with table football which also has a door out to the gardens. There’s a downstairs wc and a utility room.
Upstairs from here are two twin-bedded rooms sharing a shower room, and a Master bedroom with King-size double bed, en suite bathroom and balcony. From the upstairs landing laddered steps (not suitable for young children) go up to a twin-bedded attic room.
The Penedes area is a prestigious wine-making area, particularly renowned for its sparkling cava and brandies, but producing some very good wines, also. A visit to one of the local cellars, which often present their wares in conjunction with well-balanced meals offered by professional restauranteurs, is always interesting. And cultural tourism in Penedes extends beyond gastronomy: castles, hermitages and ancient sanctuaries in the region complement their natural settings in which you will find cycling routes, waterfalls, grottos and gentle escarpments.
For seaside trips to beaches at Sitges, the drive is a very attractive one, passing from vineyards through Mediterranean pine forest. On the drive back, you see Montserrat mountain in the distance.
Montserrat is considered to be the most important and beautiful of mountains in Catalonia. Its formidable massif has Natural Park status and its Benedictine monastery is home to the oldest choristers’ conservatory in Europe, not to mention an important library of some 300,000 volumes. Montserrat is just 40 minutes away from the villa.
Closer by (8 minutes away), both Pla de Manlleu and Pontons provide shopping facilities and (at 20 minutes), the larger and delightful Vilafranca del Penedes with its ancient fortress represents an interesting place to watch and get a feel for local life. There are good restaurants here where you might like to sample local specialities such as pan tumaca, canaloni, duck, coq au vin, accompanied perhaps by good Penedes wines.
While the relative proximity of the coast makes this holiday home a good option for those who don’t wish to be far from the sea, the area around the villa is an invitation to explore some inspiring Catalonian countryside. We recommend hiking or biking your preferred stages of the excellent “Cistercian Route”, which links three Benedictine monasteries through natural landscapes along the well-signposted GR175 pathway. The whole circular route is 105 km but you can simply take your pick of its satisfying links.
Where else to go in Catalonia?
Read about Girona and the Garrotxa, where volcanic woodlands are a mecca for truffle hunters
Read about Girona and the Garrotxa, where volcanic woodlands are a mecca for truffle hunters
Facilities
Gated swimming pool (8 m x 4 m, 1.5 m deep), chlorine-free, occasionally used by owners when in residence; large private & fenced (1-metre high) lawned gardens with sundecks and barbecue; WiFi internet; open fireplace; central heating; dishwasher; TV/DVD; cot; games & books; toys for children (on request); all linen provided.
Distribution
On two floors
Ground floor: private entrance from gardens to open-plan kitchen/diner; living room; hallway to games’ room (table football) with doors to shaded garden area; wc; utility room (washing machine).
First floor: landing to two twin-bedded rooms; shower room; Master double-bedded room with en suite bathroom (with bathtub). Ladder to:
Attic room with two single beds.
Exterior: low-walled, lawned gardens; rear patio, shared with owners; outhouse with children’s toys. Swimming pool a few metres away across a barely used lane.
Notes:
-The attic bedroom is not suitable for young children as it is reached by a ladder instead of regular stairs.
-Pets may be allowed (on request).
Location and Distances
In open countryside, adjoining the owners’ own holiday farmhouse, but with its own entrance and privacy.
| Pontons (all basic shopping needs) | 8 mins |
| Pla de Manlleu village (bar/restaurant, butcher/delicatessen, bakery) | 10 mins |
| Vilafranca del Penedés (lively town, all services) | 20 mins |
| Montserrat mountains | 40 mins |
| Sitges (seaside town, beaches) | 45 mins |
| Barcelona Airport | 1 hr |
| Reus (Tarragona) Airport | 1 hr |
NOTES ON AVAILABILITY FOR THIS PROPERTY:
Although the pool is maintained throughout the year, the normal swimming season is from late April until late September.Property Ref: CA15
Price Range:
1,540 € - 2,100 €/ week
1,540 € - 2,100 €/ week
Click image for ALL photos
Region: Catalonia
Property Ref: CA15
Price Range: 1,540 € - 2,100 €/ week
Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 3
Sleeps: 8
Type: Country villa
Setting: Countryside with vineyards
Pool: Private
Interest:
Nearest City: Barcelona
Property Ref: CA15
Price Range: 1,540 € - 2,100 €/ week
Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 3
Sleeps: 8
Type: Country villa
Setting: Countryside with vineyards
Pool: Private
Interest:
- Pool holidays
- Garden
Nearest City: Barcelona
