In a calm village at the island's center, you will enjoy a stunning scenery from the spacious balcony, blending the mountains, the Atlantic & the volcanic sand + a fully equipped barbecue.
Restaurants, waterfall, mill & riverside also down the street (5 minutes walk). A trail that leads to the ancient thermal pools is at 1 minute from your front door.
Out of the city rush but close to everything else, this shall be your base for exploring & relax with the sea music & birds singing at sunrise.
The space
It's an open space between living room, kitchen and circulation areas to balcony and upstairs.
The ambience is practical and airy, with some details like raw woods, fresh colors and old furniture freshened up.
Open the balcony doors and feel the breeze on the curtains and the sun giving the space a vibrant light. You can also rearrange the living area's central seat pieces accordingly to your taste and use of the space.
Kitchen is fully equipped (don't forget to taste enjoy a good cup of coffee with the coffee machine!).
Enjoy the balcony with its stunning view. After a day at the beach or exploring the island, it's much relaxing to have some local fresh fish (or meat) using the fully equipped barbecue and seizing the sunset with its fresh breeze.
When it's a stormy weather the ambience is also quite enjoyable when watching the rain or the rough sea from the balcony. Furthermore, there's a transparent awning in case the wind direction is towards there.
Interaction with guests
Although i recommend you to have a car, i'll gladly pick you up at the airport to drive or assist you to the house. I can also shop some groceries at your personal taste so you would have it fresh and prepared for your arrival.
All info about guided tours, sightseeing, bird watching, whale watching, hiking trails, dining places, and other activities will be available at the house ready for you.
I will also be reachable by phone at any time of your stay and help you in everything i can.
The neighborhood
The village of Moinhos belongs to the parish of Porto Formoso (which means “Beautiful harbor”), located in the city of Ribeira Grande.
In the old times it was a parish mostly known for its natives being fishermen and farmers. By having a great coast for fish species, secluded harbor and useful water mills, almost all the farmers from the NorthEast coast used it as a meeting point for exchanging goods and processing crops by using the mills. Therefrom, the name given to the village: “Moinhos” (translated as “mills”). The Tea plantations – the only 2 in Europe - were a great booster for the predominance of country life as well, back in 1750.
Along the years some families settled there until today, where they still keep the identity of the parish.
Nowadays, this small village of Porto Formoso – Moinhos - is inhabited by natives or people from nearby cities that have chosen to move to a place of privacy and quietness in the nature, centered in the island while out of the city rush but, at the same time, in a short driving distance to everything else.
Now, for some remarkable historical data (after the beginning of the Tea), such as in the year of 1831 when the Portuguese civil war was taking place.
The absolutist regime led by Dom Miguel fought his own brother Dom Pedro the IV who was leading the liberals. This specific battle was the last in the Azores, of crucial importance for the fall of the mornaquic regime all over Portugal, and a legend was born:
It is said that an old lady spotted a ship with an army inside docking in the bay (which is the beach today). So, being a supporter for the liberals, she took advantage of her higher position and great inclination of the roads by moving severall stones down the street. As a result, the army turned unwilling to climb all the way up fearing that after that large amount of stones there would probably be a huge liberal army ready to defeat them. All the previous predictions, added to the weariness that the rise would cause, were more than strategically enough to set the retreat decision in that precise moment.
Today, the street name is “Ladeira da Velha” (“Old lady's slope”).
And it's your street!
Getting around
Besides the nearby points of interest (by foot) mentioned in the listing's header you can also drive to other close places always in the same village streets such as:
:: 5 mins to Viewpoint “Miradouro de Santa Iria”, just up the street (a delightfull viewpoint of the shore and one of the most impressive of the island.
:: 10 mins to other Restaurants (2 of the most known for their fresh fish and seafood such as “Cantinho do Cais”)
:: 5 mins to the harbor (nice fresh “grouper” to grill at home or try a local experience with the company “HáMar” to spend a morning fishing in the sea with them)
:: 7 mins to the 2 unique Tea plantations in all Europe (great to start the day at “Gorreana” factory tasting diferent types of harvests among some local delicacies and a walk between the tea fields)
:: 12 mins to the tobacco and spices museum at the “Maia” parish
:: 12 mins to a nice family business Pizzeria “O Forno” - also in “Maia” parish
:: 15 mins to “Calhau d' Areia” a place for the lovers of fishing by the sea shore
Regarding all the other “Must see” points of the island:
:: 20 mins to “Lagoa do Fogo” view (lagoon, crater, “Caldeia Velha” hot springs, geothermal central)
:: 20 mins to “Lagoa” city (natural sea pools, parish of “Caloura” hills with harbor, beach & seafood restaurant by the sea)
:: 20 mins to “Furnas” (lagoon, fumaroles, hot springs and botanical gardens)
:: 28 mins to “Água D'Alto” (2 southern beaches and views over caloura)
:: 35 mins to “Vila Franca” (chapel “Nossa Senhora da Paz”, aka “Our Lady of Peace” with a great view over the city and the islet, and the marina where you get the boat to visit the islet during summer season)
:: 35 mins to “Nordeste” council (NorthEast)
:: 55 mins to “Sete Cidades” lagoon (SouthWest)
:: Either of those last 2 with some more after to get to the “edges” of the island
:: Ponta Delgada city center is at a 25 minutes driving range, such as the airport.
Other things to note
It is advisable to have a car because the area does not have public transport with short intervals of time. In this hilly area, it will also be a useful resource to head to the supermarkets (5, 7 and 10 minutes respectively) as well as explore the island independently.