Vidago Palace in Portugal. The gorgeous Mediterranean boasts some of the world’s most popular travel destinations: Rome, Barcelona, and the Greek Islands. However, one of the region’s less visited countries, Portugal, is quickly emerging as one of 2013’s most coveted destinations.
Portugal is known for its expansive seacoast, delicious cuisine and most importantly- its idyllic lifestyle. But, what attracts us most to this Southern European country is its historically inspired, vibrant interior design and architecture. The Vidago Palace is a perfect example of Portuguese design at its best; once an exclusive retreat for royalty at the turn of the century, the hotel has been restored to its original beauty. This spot is full of incredibly intricate Portuguese tile and neo-classical details. The design, however, looks completely updated and fresh- cherry blossom wallpaper and modern sconces give the structure’s classic details a cool, contemporary look. Shop Rue: 1. Villa Extramuros in Arraiolos, Portugal. Designed as if it were owned by a debonair businessman in the 1950s, Villa Extramuros brings modern design to a rural Mediterranean setting. For those who love contemporary architecture with open spaces and cutting edge furniture, this is the ideal countryside retreat.
No dated floral curtains, or dusty chairs, each of the villa’s five rooms comes equipped with not only top-of-the-line amenities (wifi, satellite TV, etc.) but also a design scheme that is both personalized and paired down. Located in Arraiolos, a small town just outside Evora, in the middle of Portugal, Villa Extramuros has all of the best experiences that you would want in the rural areas of Southern Europe: walks through the olive groves, specially prepared picnics and a crisp clear pool to take a dip in.
There’s no better place than this exclusive hotel to unwind while still experiencing the best that cutting edge design and Portuguese culture have to offer. Shop Rue: 1. Sunburst sculpture // 2.