VILLAS IN ALGARVE

INTRODUCTION

The Algarve is Portugal’s best known holiday region, famous for its year-round championship golf courses, lively social scene and beaches that range from broad swathes of golden sand to small, sheltered coves. The relatively recent tourist development has done little to change the region's intrinsic character. You will still find little inland villages where time seems to have stood still and unspoilt fishing villages modestly fortified against any future Moorish invasion, where local restaurateurs queue at the quay to select the menu for the evening ahead.

Our luxury Algarve villas range from three to nine bedroomed independent family villas to the convenience of resort villas with restaurants, bars, shops and a range of activities.

Quinta da Caiada, for example, is a three bedroomed villa with lots to keep a family busy – with a private tennis court, golf nets, table tennis, swimming pool and bicycles. Quinta da Alegria is a larger Algarve villa sleeping up to 12 guests in air conditioned bedrooms and boasting a championship sized tennis court, with beaches and golf courses close by. Casa da Infanta, meanwhile, is an impressive private villa on the Algarve sleeping up to 19, situated on the coast with fine sea views.

Our resort luxury Algarve villas are located at the famous Monte da Quinta Club within the Quinta do Lago resort. The resort offers a range of facilities such as golf courses, horse riding, tennis courts, watersports, restaurants and beach bars. The Club offers a range of accommodations, including townhouses and villas.

There is much to see in the Algarve if you can bear to leave your villa or the beach. Portugal is noted as the birthplace of exploration and indeed Henry the Navigator is said to have established a school of navigation at Sagres on the most south-westerly point. For modern day explorers, the region is dotted with villages and towns which invite discovery. Lagos was the region’s capital from 1576 to 1756 following its growth as a naval port inspired by the great explorers. Following the earthquake of 1755 much of the town was destroyed and the pretty buildings you see today date from the 18^th and 19^th century. Further east, Albufeira is one of the most popular of Algarve resort towns. The pretty whitewashed buildings give way to sandy beaches and a profusion of bars and restaurants tempt visitors. Often overlooked, Faro, the region's capital since 1756, is worthy of exploration. Originally a prehistoric fishing village, Faro became a Roman port and was later captured from Moorish occupation in 1249 by Alfonso III. Like much of southern Portugal, much of the town was destroyed by the earthquake of 1755 and rebuilt during the following two centuries, though some of its Moorish heritage remains in the Old City. Further east, the pretty town of Tavira welcomes visitors. Since the silting up of the harbour and the decline of the fishing industry, the town now thrives on tourism, yet retains its Moorish charm without compromise.

Fanned by warm sea and air currents from northern Africa, the Algarve enjoys year-round mild, pleasant weather, making it an excellent out of season destination.

EVENTS

Enhance your villa holiday in the Algarve with a visit to one of the local Portuguese festivals and events of the region. See below for ideas.

February

• Loule Carnival. With the theme of Love, Peace and Affection, the event sees parades, floats, parties and fancy dress occasions throughout the town.

April

• Rally of Portugal. Part of the International Automobile Federation World Rally Championship, the world’s best rally drivers compete along 1000 km of stages across the Algarve.

May

• Fiesa. May sees the start of ‘Fiesa’ in Armacao de Pera, which takes place until October. This international sand sculpture festival sees masterpieces built in the sand and is an unusual visitor attraction, complemented by night-time multi-arts entertainment.
• Algarve International Film Festival. A short film competition held in Portimao, this is Portugal’s oldest film festival, begun in 1972. Various other Algarve towns usually participate, including Tavira, Silves, Olhao, Loule and Faro.

June

• Festival Med. Held in Loule, this vibrant arts festival welcomes music stars from Mediterranean countries. The event is accompanied by street theatre, dance exhibitions and handicraft fetes. The local restaurants serve traditional cuisine from the participating nations.

July

• Feira Presunto. Celebrating the ham of the ‘porco preto’ (black pig), this Monchique festival also sees live music and entertainment.
• Moorish Nights. The town of Cacela Velha celebrates it’s Moorish heritage with a traditional souk, folkloric music and dance and traditional gastronomy.

August

• Festival do Marisco (seafood festival). One of the most important gastronomic festivals is held in Olhao. The stalls in the Jardin do Pescador Olhanese provide a perfect opportunity to experience the culture and gastronomy of the Algarve.