Quinta do Lago Villas

By Roger Wakefield

The Algarve region of Portugal is famous for the quality of its golf courses and those renting villas in the Algarve region for a holiday will want to take advantage of these superb facilities. There aren’t many places where you can spend part of the day playing golf and the other sightseeing or sunbathing on some of the finest beaches in the world. Sun, sea and golf - what more can you want from your holiday in Portugal?

Here are some of the best courses in the Albufeira for those who have holiday accommodation in that area of the Algarve :-

Salgados - This 18 hole golf course is between Albufeira and Armacao de Pera. With its many water obstacles, it is a real test of golfing skills. It is a well balanced course with each half having three par 3 holes of 170+ metres and two par five holes of about 500 metres. The course par is 72.

Pine Cliffs - This 9 hole golf course is located in a pine wood situated on the edge of a cliff. The first two holes are quite easy but the course gets more challenging after that. The hole known as “The Devil’s Parlou” is a particular challenge because you have to play over a ravine. Par is 33.

Balaia Golf Village - Located on the road between Albufeira and Vilamoura, this is a 9 hole course which is ideal for beginners. All holes are par 3 and are based around a loop. The course is also perfect for those wanting to practise and perfect their distance control. Par is 27.

Alto Golf - This 18 hole golf course was designed by Sir Henry Cotton, three times winner of the British Open golf championship. This course really does test a golfer. It has dog legs, cleverly placed bunkers and many trees and shrubs to negotiate your way around but has spectacular scenery to enjoy as it makes its way through two valleys with the Monchique mountains in the background. The course is par 72.

Ocean Golf Course - This golf course can be found in Vale do Lobo and is a Par 70 course. Another Sir Henry Cotton course, this is an 18 hole clifftop course with wonderful views

Pinheiros Altos - On the edge of the Ria Formosa Natural Park is this 18 hole golf course in the Quinta do Lago estate in Almancil. The course is a challenging one because the second nine holes are set between hills dotted with water hazards and the green of the seventeenth hole is on an island. The course has become popular with top professional golfers for pre season practice sessions. The par of this course is 72.

Quinta do Lago South - This par 72, 18 hole golf course has hosted the Portuguese Open eight times. The course can be played in a variety of ways because of its two anti-clockwise loops and is a great course for all standards of players.

Quinta do Lago North (Rio Formosa) - This par 72, 18 hole golf course can be a bit of a challenge. There are sometimes windy conditions on the par 3 holes, there are dog legs on the par 4 holes, water hazards on holes 13 and 18 and the par 5 holes require both accuracy and power from the golfer.

San Lorenzo, Quinta do Lago - Ranked second in Europe, this 18 hole golf course is a challenging course with various water hazards and a few holes going through a pine forest. The 18th hole, which is situated on a half island green, is said to be one of the best finishing holes in the world. There are wonderful views over the sea and over the lakes of the Natural Park that the course is set in. The Par is 72.

Roger Wakefield is a copywriter for Villa Retreats, (http://www.villaretreats.com) who have a wide range of beautiful villas in the Algarve, Portugal, the Balearic Islands and other sun swept resorts.

In previous years there have been problems at Parque Atlantico caused by jet noise overhead.  Planes leaving Faro airport are supposed to head out to sea, run parallel to the coast and then turn in after passing Vale do Lobo, but many were not doing so: pilots who were in a hurry, running late and working for airlines who wanted to save fuel would start turning inland over the top of Park Atlantico.  After many complaints to the airport it seems that the problem is finally being addressed and is now nothing like as bad this year as last year or years before.

Why do no agents publish availability?  I started writing a post about what is still available in August, went to trawl and found only Palmer and Parker with a post about 3 villas in Quinta do Lago with availability for under £5000 per week (and live availability).  Apart from that, Holida-Lettings.co.uk filters availability and offers these:

http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/rentals/vale-do-lobo/29212

http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/rentals/vale-do-lobo/57961

http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/rentals/vale-do-lobo/18081 

But why is nobody showing availability?  What is the problem? Is it hard to know availability or what? How is anybody to know which villas are available for their dates? Or do most people still deal on the phone?   So many questions.

Mrs Lopes makes various comments and suggestions on this post - the main argument being why book with an agent at home when you can book with a Portuguese company and save money.  If the company is protected by eg ABTA bonding and can still go bust then how does that help you anyway?

This misses the point.  These trade organisations are for the protection of the travelling public.  If an ABTA bonded company gets into trouble then customers are protected: that is, they will not be stranded abroad and if their holiday has not happened yet then  they will either get their money back or be assured that their holiday will happen.  ABTA enforces minimum standards on its members relating to the way promises are made to customers and the way companies deal with them.  That is for the protection of the customers.  Here are ABTA resources for consumers.

In addition, until the European Small Claims procedure comes into force (at least a couple of years away) the only redress a consumer has with a foreign firm or company after a bad holiday is to sue the company involved across borders which is a very expensive undertaking.  Therefore it makes sense to deal with a company in one’s home country: if that is the UK then ABTA provides an arbitration scheme and the small claims track in the county court is a simple and inexpensive alternative.

She asks how that helps suppliers: the answer is that ABTA or ABTOT membership imposes a code of conduct on members that governs the way they trade, but the argument here is that it is in the CUSTOMER’S interest to deal at home.
The advantage of dealing with a company in your home country is accountability.  So yes, of course it is in the customer’s interest to book at home with an ABTA/ABTOT company!

Just my opinion…

A very nice villa and exceptional value, offered by

• Villa Retreats: £7074 in peak
• The Villa Agency: £6223 in peak
• Palmer and Parker, £6320 in peak

If you are visiting the Algarve you will want to search for the best way to see as much of this beautiful coastal region as possible. So, whether you’re planning to spend the majority of your holiday indulging in Albufeira’s lively nightlife, or you’re more keen to put in some quality hours on the golf course in Quinta do Lago, you’ll find that there’s one mode of transport in the Algarve that reigns above all else - car hire.

If you choose to hire a car in the Algarve, you’ll be able to drive along this spectacular Portuguese coastal region and appreciate all its wonders, instead of concentrating on just one city or area. For instance, drive your hired car along the Algarve coast and you’ll be able to see a range of landmarks and monuments that represent the region’s long maritime history. The Moorish occupation of Iberia, for instance, resulted in a range of forts being built along the Algarve Coast, and these can be seen in almost all the town and village settlements by the sea.

What’s more, if you’ve planned a summer trip to Albufeira or Portimao, the chances are you’ll be planning to spend a lot of time in the Algarve’s best bars and nightclubs. However, it’s also possible that night after night of partying could take its toll! So why not hire a car and drive to some of the Algarve’s more peaceful locations, and give yourself a break from club-land? Visit Tavira, a secluded beach in the Algarve, where you’ll be able to put in plenty of hours in the sunshine without the temptation of a club nearby. You’ll also be able to take some time in the Algarve’s small fishing villages, like Cabanas and Luz de Tavira, both of which are tourist-friendly and in which you’ll be able to taste some of the Algarve’s best seafood.

Opt for car hire in the Algarve and you’ll also be able to take some time out at one of the region’s many world-class golf courses. There are several golf courses scattered all over the Algarve - so whether you’re planning to spend your holiday in Portugal by winding down in Faro, appreciating the Moorish architecture of Lagos or taking in the stunning scenery of Vila Real Santo Antonio, there’s sure to be a golf course nearby.

Additionally, hire a car in the Algarve and drive to the well-known spa town of Caldas de Monchique, a town in the Algarve’s Monchique mountain range which has been famous for the hydrotherapeutic quality of its waters since Roman times. But whatever activity you decide to occupy yourself with in the Algarve, you can rest assured that car hire will provide you with the most effective form of transport in the region. So why wait? If you’re planning a holiday in the Algarve, you can secure your hired car online and make sure that you’re not stuck for a mode of transport on your trip.

Adam Singleton is an online, freelance journalist and keen amateur photographer. His portfolio, called Capquest Photography is available to view online.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Adam_Singleton

What Makes Portugal a Hot Investment Destination? Portugal’s major selling point is its sporting history and culture. Golf is a major draw with literally hundreds of top-quality golf courses including many championship-quality ones.

Part of the success of golf in Portugal comes from the fact that the Algarve is a great retirement destination. People with a lot of  time on their hands perfect their golf, and the younger generation benefits by picking up the skills required to play the game from their seniors.  Portugal attracts large-scale investment from golfing enthusiasts who are looking for an ideal outlet to satisfy their golfing enthusiasm.

Besides sports, Portugal is also a hot investment destination due to its long coastline full of pristine sandy beaches and the offering of a relaxed coastal lifestyle. The coastal towns boast of luxurious holiday homes and resorts, including the infamous golf resorts.

Weather is another major factor that prompts investors from UK and other colder northern countries to flock to Portugal. Thanks to its pleasant climate, Portugal is now the third favourite second-home destination for the British, after Spain and France.

Portugal is very well connected with regular flights to and from the capital city of Lisbon. Major airlines have increased the frequency of flights due to tremendous demand from frequent as well as potential property buyers.

Portugal is a modern country with a rich heritage. The warm and friendly people signify the importance to hospitality, so much valued by the Portuguese.

Hottest Investment Destinations in Portugal

When it comes to property investment hotspots in Portugal, the southern coastal region of the Algarve wins hands down. Though the capital Lisbon remains a much sought after destination due to its cosmopolitan culture, the availability of property here is diminishing with an upward pricing structure and demand for property outstripping the supply in most major Portuguese cities.

Again, Algarve also owes its popularity to the golf enthusiasts, as it is their efforts that have borne fruit in the form of the prestigious ‘golden triangle’ of luxurious golf resorts like - Quinta do Lago, Vale do Lobo and Vila Sol. This pampered region of Portugal attracts investors galore in the £1-million-plus villas segment. Many rich and famous have bought prime properties in the region, including the celebrity DJ Chris Evans who boasts of a £2-million property here. If you are a small investor, there are apartments available on the Algarve with prices ranging from £50,000 - £70,000.

The Silver Coast in Central Portugal is a fast emerging property destination and is alluring the property investor from all over Europe. Since it is an emerging tourist destination, it makes a lot of sense in investing here, as the prices have not yet reached their peak. Situated between Lisbon and Porto, the Silver Coast region (or Lisbon Coast, as it is popularly called) has some gorgeous beaches and unspoilt countryside, and the authorities here are drawing up elaborate plans to develop this part of Portugal into the next decade.

Portugal also has tremendous opportunities for the budding DIY investors looking for renovation properties to develop as holiday homes. The old towns of Obidos, Leiria and Coimbra offer some great bargains on renovation properties, where you can strike a deal from as little as £20,000. The luxurious villas in these historic towns can be yours for anywhere between £100,000 and £150,000.

Some of the other places worth exploring for property investment purposes include resorts like Nazare and Figueira da Foz, Sao Martinho do Porto beach, and the stretch of coast running north from Porto to the Spanish border, known as the Green Coast.

The time to invest in Portugal real estate property is now as prices have witnessed a sharp increase since 2000, and experts have predicated stiff competition among Portuguese investors in the near future, as demand will gradually outstrip the supply of land.

Property Abroad’s directory Les Calvert writes interesting and useful articles on all subjects dealing with overseas property and buying property abroad. With over 400 company websites selling and renting property in almost every country around the world Les is well placed to offer advice on existing and emerging property locations. Visit the Portugal section of their main website for more details on buying property in Portugal or indeed their overseas investment property website for a full listing of investment locations worldwide.

Different rental companies try to pull the wool over your eyes by giving the villas they offer funky names so that you can’t just google the name and get the cheapest deal. So let’s unravel that a bit! Follow the links and compare latest prices.

The first comparison is Atlantico 93:

Palmer and Parker offer it here as Atlantico 93

Algarve Direkt offer it under the name Villa Sunshine Sea Spectacular view

Sun-hat here 

Light Blue Travel are offering this 9 bed house with tennis court - I can’t find it on any other websites.  Not sure where it is, but I think it must be in the Beira Lago area (just East of the Lake). Tennis court is what makes this special: tennis courts are already in short supply for this summer in Quinta do Lago.