Meca Retreat is a beautiful, fully renovated property split over 2 levels with stunning views across the valley to the River Minho. The cottage is set in a peaceful village with Paredes de Coura just a short drive away, enabling you to purchase all your holiday essentials and try the local specialities, including wine, cheese, beer, fish, goat or wild boar, as well as a huge range of vegetable produce.  It is close to a variety of historical sites and towns - all of which are well worth a visit. Many local towns have weekly markets to provide you with some retail therapy, and you can then return via the beach or river to cool off, or just relax around the plunge pool at the cottage for the day, enjoying the fantastic views - also ideal if you love painting  or photography. For the more sporty guests, golf, fishing, horseback riding, cycling, canoeing and walking/hiking are all activities that are available locally. In addition, Meca Retreat is set in a dark sky area, so you can enjoy the amazing night skies from both terraces, while tucking into a locally-procured churrasco, if you are not inclined to prepare your own BBQ.Visit in early July for all things Lusitano at the Ponte de Lima Feira do Cavalo, while also enjoying the summer-long Garden Festival running from May to October. Visit Paredes de Coura in the middle of August for the International Music Festival - an opportunity to hear the many genres of Portuguese music, but also featuring an international programme. Later in August, another music festival takes place in Vilar de Mouros on the lower reaches of the River Coura, and this is only a 45-minute drive away from Meca.We are dog-friendly, subject to a maximum of 2 large hounds at any one time.