Casa Modesta
Our secret: a family house opening its doors to tourism in an almost unknown land, facing the sea and in the heart of the Ria Formosa Nature Park, considered one of Portugal's seven wonders.
What is the story behind Quinta da Eira?
The story with Quinta da Eira began with our deep love for this unique region. We already own a beautiful beach house nearby, which was designed by Frederico Valsassina – the same architect who later worked on the renovation of Quinta da Eira. The Ria Formosa, one of the 'Seven Natural Wonders of Portugal,' captivated us with its unparalleled beauty and the ever-changing hues of its wetlands.
Together we have five children, and the thought crossed our minds that maybe one day, when they have families of their own, our beach house might be too small to host everyone. When we stumbled upon this charming 19th-century farm, we instantly fell in love and began dreaming of a place where each of our five children could have their own space – there are five unique houses on the property.
What started as a simple idea quickly turned into a passionate project. Initially, we never planned to rent out Quinta da Eira, let alone host retreats. But the more time we spent here, the stronger our desire grew to share this special place with others.
After leaving my career as a member of the editor board of a Dutch newspaper, where I worked for 30 years, I suddenly found myself organizing all sorts of retreats. Meanwhile, my husband had just sold his company and was heading a new chapter in his life. The farm became our mutual source of joy.
Last summer, we invited friends and family to "test" the property for us, and it was so much fun to share it with them. They were enamoured with the aesthetics, the tranquillity, and sense of history that permeates the Quinta. The life here turned out exactly as we had envisioned.
We’ve noticed that guests often arrive with many plans, but most end up staying at the property, just reading, relaxing, and soaking up the atmosphere. Quinta da Eira feels like your very own 19th-century village, with its small alleyways, rooftop terraces, and secret nooks.
This summer 2024 we are officially open to welcome guests, offering the option to rent individual houses or the entire property.
How would you describe the atmosphere and the interior design?
Our vision for Quinta da Eira was brought to life with the invaluable help of interior architect Marta Valsassina, who works alongside her father, Frederico. Marta has great expertise in preserving and renovating the traditional style of the Algarve. And she has a keen eye for detail. The result is a blend of authentic charm and understated luxury, using high-end materials and equipment. Guests absolutely rave about the beds!
When we acquired the property, it was fully furnished with a treasure trove of collectables from the previous owner — it felt like stepping into a museum. The barn was filled with vintage agricultural tools, and what is now our gym housed a collection of antique toys. We preserved much of the original furniture, integrating these pieces throughout the houses, which adds a unique atmosphere and a palpable sense of history to each casa.
To you personally, what is so special about the farm?
There is something truly magical about being at the heart of the Ria Formosa where the colors shift with each passing hour. It reminds me of those old-fashioned jawbreaker candies that constantly change colour as you savour them. The Ria is like that — ever-changing, ever-enchanting. To us, it is pure magic.
