A new home for Sawday's Special Self-Catering Places in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Eire, France, Italy, Spain and Portugal

A lush garden and rustic artistic décor at this family house immersed in old Portugal. Pool for summer, logs for winter, Tejo views all year

Bliss to laze on the roof terrace and gaze on the Tejo Valley, in the lush countryside of the Alto Alentejo. You are immersed in old Portugal here, on the edge of a village set in time; this charming house, a barn and farm cottage combined, is the restoration of owners Lise and Udo who live nearby and entertain in their wine cellar. Step in to find old beams, rough-rendered walls, a magnificent chestnut table with hand-carved chairs, sofas with throws and a friendly log fire. At the top of hand-painted terracotta stairs is the roof terrace, accessible from a galleried double bedroom in the old fruit loft. The second bedroom, a spacious twin, has a balcony over a garden pretty with vines, fruit trees, an ancient olive – and views. Through the pergola, the final treat: a walled courtyard with a barbecue and pool. The area, 'Portugal's Provence', is loved by artists, walkers and nature lovers; waterfalls and river beaches abound and the bird life is amazing. The gentle climate makes this a sweet spot for an out of season stay – if you come in November you can watch the olives being harvested.