A retreat house in the idyllic rural parish of Altares, Terceira Island, Azores

We are a family of three: Marta, Gonçalo, and Guilherme, and Four Winds House is our refuge. The house was built in 2009, and, in 2016, for professional reasons, we moved to Washington DC (USA), where we spend most of the year. We return to the house in July and August, and at Christmas, to host family and friends. In 2024, the doors of our wonderful house will be open to visitors from all over the world who want to experience the unique beauty the Azores offer. Together with our cousin Luísa, who oversees the house during our absence, we aim to provide a personalized, welcoming, and sophisticated atmosphere for families and groups of friends who are looking for a modern, comfortable house nestling in an idyllic and peaceful rural setting, free from the hustle and bustle of the city and everyday work. We hope that our guests will find in Four Winds House a peaceful atmosphere conducive to rest and relaxation, happy times, and fond memories.

Four Winds House is located in the scenic parish of Altares, in the northwest of Terceira Island. Altares is one of nineteen civil parishes of Angra do Heroísmo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983. (The history and architecture of Angra is fascinating.) The quickest route to this house from Angra is 17 km (20 min. by car) along a road that crosses the island's interior, with lush pastures, vegetation and landscapes. The trip from Praia da Vitória (the island’s second town) is about 28 km (30 min. by car) and can be made through the island's interior or along the coast, where you can see houses with typical Ramo Grande architecture. One of the main attractions of Four Winds House is its proximity to the natural bathing pools of Biscoitos, which are 5 km away (8 min. by car). Another place of interest is Mata da Serreta, a recreational forest reserve with a picnic area, 8 km away from the house (11 min. by car). Altares, with around 900 inhabitants, relies on agriculture, particularly dairy farming. There are also several carpentry and joinery workshops. The Altares Ethnographic Museum, located in Largo da Igreja, has a collection of artefacts related to agriculture and other traditional activities of Azorean rural life. This civil parish has essential services for the local population and its visitors. The Caneta restaurant is known for its typical regional food and for producing its own meat. Altares also has several cafés, such as Bar do Ficher, and two small grocery stores. The Peak of Matias Simão, which stands at the center of the panorama seen from Four Winds House, was a whaling lookout point between 1950 and 1960, when whales were caught in the port of Biscoitos. This peak offers a fantastic view of the sea and the parish.

Four Winds House is characterized by its modern architecture and the traditional features of Azorean houses: stone base, roof edges, yellow walls, and coat of arms on the facade. The house, which sits on a small hill, boasts a magnificent panorama, which includes agricultural fields, the Peak of Matias Simão, and the sea. This extraordinary natural landscape can be enjoyed from various rooms in the house, which is designed to combine indoor comfort and outdoor beauty. The living and dining rooms have direct access to a delightful porch and garden to the rear. The kitchen, with a breakfast area, has two windows with views to both sides of the house. The house can accommodate up to six people comfortably in three bedrooms. The first bedroom has an en-suite bathroom and a dressing room. The second has two twin beds, and the third a queen-sized bed. The second and third bedrooms each have built-in closets and share a separate bathroom. There is also a powder room and a laundry room. The decoration includes unique objects from the owners' private collection, from countries such as Turkey, Brazil, the USA, Angola, Mozambique, Cape Verde, as well as engravings of the Azores. The artwork reflects the link between the Azores and the world: the island enjoyed a geostrategic location and historically acted as an important staging post for those sailing between the old and new worlds. This house reflects an ethic of environmental sustainability through its energy efficiency. It includes a thermodynamic panel water heating system, a fireplace with heat distribution to the bedrooms, A-rated energy appliances, and low-consumption light bulbs. It also has a recycling system and a composter for plant-based food.