Almaa

Sintra

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Sustainably minded Almaa is an idyllic spot to recharge, with a quirky design scheme (featuring recycled furniture) and an attractive setting. The surrounding 3.5 hectares of lush grounds have walking paths and an old spring-fed reservoir for swimming. It's not without imperfections (a little mould-proof paint would work wonders) but as the name in Portuguese suggests, it has soul.

More recent add-ons include an activity room for yoga, meditation, qigong and other spiritual practices. It's a 10-minute walk from the village centre.

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