Quintada da Burra on the Azambuja- Santarem stretch

[aussieannie]

For those pilgrims wishing to break up the long 32km stretch from Azambuja to Santarem, another pilgrim and I stayed last night in the Quinta da Burra with the amazing hostess Paula Castro. Her hospitality was outstanding: we were welcomed with freshly squeezed orange juice and shown over the Quinta which she has been bringing back to life from ruins over the past few years. For twenty euros we had a lovely ensuite room. The evening meal was donativo We were given beautiful soup, fish, potatoes and salad fresh from the garden and her signature dish - a rich and decadent chocolate mousse.
She was generous with her time and her stories, and next day, when my companion left her phone charger behind, Paula drove several kms to return it -and then drove us back to her quinta again to retrieve the adaptor and then returned us along the track. So kind! Breaking the journey yesterday was a good decision for us when faced with the stiff climb into Santarem this morning (I,m an oldie who hates steep hills!) Other pilgrims have written about Paula before, so I just want to endorse their positive comments.

 

[Elle Bieling]

Wow this is fabulous! When we walked by the place looked abandoned! It was actually operational in 2017. Glad to hear it is being restored!

 

[Michael-FL]

I so love the Camino Port

For those pilgrims wishing to break up the long 32km stretch from Azambuja to Santarem, another pilgrim and I stayed last night in the Quinta da Burra with the amazing hostess Paula Castro. Her hospitality was outstanding: we were welcomed with freshly squeezed orange juice and shown over the Quinta which she has been bringing back to life from ruins over the past few years. For twenty euros we had a lovely ensuite room. The evening meal was donativo We were given beautiful soup, fish, potatoes and salad fresh from the garden and her signature dish - a rich and decadent chocolate mousse.
She was generous with her time and her stories, and next day, when my companion left her phone charger behind, Paula drove several kms to return it -and then drove us back to her quinta again to retrieve the adaptor and then returned us along the track. So kind! Breaking the journey yesterday was a good decision for us when faced with the stiff climb into Santarem this morning (I,m an oldie who hates steep hills!) Other pilgrims have written about Paula before, so I just want to endorse their positive comments.

I so love the Camino Portugués- and you just gave one more good reason! Thanks for the review! -Mike

 

[Rex]

Paula is amazing. She welcomed three of us who were eager to escape the 40+ (centigrade) heat wave last August (2018). She is an architect by training and is restoring the old farm into a rustic, but relaxing refuge for pilgrims. Her cooking skills are commendable as well. She made a simple traditional dinner for us (donativo), for which we pilgrims decided to contribute 15-20 euros each, knowing she will be investing in continued improvements to this well placed albergue.

 

[aussieannie]

Wow this is fabulous! When we walked by the place looked abandoned! It was actually operational in 2017. Glad to hear it is being restored!

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Wow! She certainly has made a difference Elle. She has nearly finished converting the old stables into a pilgrim dorm & her skill as an architect has made this a very creative and comfortable space

 

[Meshewszon]

I stayed for a couple of days with Paula and the 'famous Maria'! I was made so welcome and really had to make a resolution to leave otherwise I might have just stopped there. So peaceful.
Got to go again!