Specialist in small-scale holidays for 20 years - Customer rating 9,1 - Member ABTA and SGR
'There is always plenty of room for your imagination to run wild here', Filomena said with a casual look in her eyes. The stuff of dreams indeed, you realise as soon as you stroll onto the terrain of the stunning architect’s home.
Filomena and I sat in the garden of her guesthouse Papagaio Verde, overlooking the sea. I was reminded of the night we first met, in a theatre performance nearby. At the backdrop of the sunset, surrounded by locals and the stage, we had struck up a conversation. Wow, what a warm and remarkable person, I had thought. As the evening came to an end, she invited me over to her place. ‘You'll feel right at home’, she had said. And as soon we arrived, I understood what she had meant. In fact, it was like coming home to something special. This place triggers the imagination like nothing I’d ever seen before. It almost seems like you're in the most soothing floating house on the ocean. Beautiful balconies everywhere to daydream with a view of the sea, seats in a blossoming garden with the best panoramic views of the capital, Funchal, and the endless azure blue water. And so much blossoming goodness around you to enjoy with your feet in the grass. ‘How could you keep this to yourself!’ She barely resisted taking a bow for her pride and joy.
Filomena had lived in this house with her husband and family for years. But the kids grew up and her husband had to cross to the mainland for work a lot. ‘I longed for the feeling of people, hustle and bustle and fun flowing through these walls.’ So what do you do? You convert this gorgeous house into comfortable and homey accommodations. The mornings wake you up in a sunny room with plenty of windows to gaze out from. After a dip in the swimming pool, you enjoy some delicious breakfast with a newspaper in the sitting room, accompanied by two cats and dogs peacefully asleep on the porch. ‘The dogs have to stay outside’, she said, only the cats are allowed in. What a great philosophy: everyone is welcome, the more the merrier.
As the sun set into the sea, Filomena and I concluded my first day here. Once again, I found myself dreaming away while staring at the horizon. Before long, I said goodbye to the starry sky and took a bow. I felt like an actress leaving the stage with a smile, on her way to her bed in the house of her imagination...
It's possible at the time of booking due to Covid-19, services and facilities are different than when your holiday begins. As the services and facilities mentioned are subject to change, no rights can be derived from this.
Are you booking a flight holiday? Then a rental car of the lowest category (Small Class) is selected as standard for your trip and you have the option of upgrading the rental car. You can pick up the rental car at the airport and drive to your accommodation yourself.
Are you booking a holiday with own transportation? Then the rental car is not included in your trip and you can (at some destinations) book the rental car if you are interested. When you book your rental car, you can pick it up at your destination and drive to your accommodation yourself. The transport to the pick-up point of the rental car is arranged by you.
Tip: If you are travelling with 4 or more people, it is advisable to book an upgrade or an extra car. You can select the car upgrade in the booking steps. Do you want to book an extra car? Please contact us.