The country of Portugal is a land of opportunities and of prosperity and over the years the country has turned into a preferred location for tourists because of the exquisite beauty of its various towns and cities. This is especially prevalent in the north western part of the country which is not only rich in terms of culture but also presents a variety of historical relics and remains. These factors along with the scenic beauty have facilitated the growth and building of country houses and cottages in this part.

North western Portugal is a haven for historical enthusiasts and the entire area is infested with various relics and remnants of ancient times mostly in the form of monuments and also smaller artifacts. It is known that in the ancient past, several centuries predating the birth of Christ, Portugal was incorporated as part of the Roman Empire and it remained subjugated under the Romans for a considerable period of time and was known as Lusitania in those times. Therefore, much of Portuguese culture and ways of life have been greatly influenced by the Romans and many of the Portuguese towns and villages possess various remnants of roman influence.

One such beautiful town is the town of Ponte de Lima located in the north western part of Portugal and the name is derived from the bridge which has to be crossed in order to venture into the picturesque town area. It is significant to note in this case that this bridge is comprised of a total of 24 arches of which four on the southern side are constructions which date back down to the early roman times. The Ponte de Lima is a popular location for country houses and cottages and a lot of facilities like hand gliding and adventure sports, nautical sports are encouraged in the area thus making it a popular destination.