Villa rental in Alvor, Portugal - Lovely 4 bedroom villa in peaceful luxury resort by the sea - Property 84272

Extra photos (see all photos)

Other interesting things to do/places to go:: SAGRES FORTRESS: crowning the cape of Sagres and its steep cliffs, the visitors enjoy a magnificent view of the ocean and the coastline, including Cape S.Vicente (Europe's southwestern corner). Constantly hit by the wind, the Fortress was built there for its location. In the 1st half of the 14th cent. Sagres was at the heart of the Portuguese maritime expansion, receiving students and navigators of many nationalities, gathered around the Prince Infante D. Henrique. The area was later raided by Sir Francis Drake. SERRA DE MONCHIQUE (902m high- the highest point in the Algarve) has a sub-tropical humid climate, with rich vegetation and some rare species. It also has some hot baths, in Caldas de Monchique, surrounded by a park where you'll find Europe's largest magnolia tree. ALGARVE'S WEST COAST (north of S.Vicente) has some magnificent wild beaches (Carrapateira, Arrifana) away from the crowds and frequented mainly by surfists, with magnificent landscapes - well worth an excursion!

Golfing in the Algarve: The Algarve, a mere two to three hours flight from most European capitals, has been a magnet to many discerning golfers for almost three decades. Portugal’s southernmost province is justly famous for its spectacular scenery along a fabulous coastline. The main golf season is from late autumn to late spring. Winters are mild and golfers from northern European countries can enjoy warm, sunny days and keep their swings smooth at a time when their home courses are unplayable. Golf courses in the area (less than 30mn drive): Parque da Floresta (Budens - Vila do Bispo) Palmares (Meia Praia - Lagos) Quinta da Boavista (Lagos) Penina (Portimão) Alto Golf (Alvor - Portimão) Morgado do Reguengo (Portimão) Vale da Pinta (Carvoeiro - Lagoa) Quinta do Gramacho - (Carvoeiro - Lagoa) Vale do Milho (Carvoeiro - Lagoa) Salgados (Galé - Albufeira) Pine Cliffs (Falésia - Albufeira) Old Course (Vilamoura)

Nearest golf courses: PALMARES an interesting course, is best known for its breathtaking scenery. The setting is idyllic, with the majority of the holes on gentle slopes above the extensive beach stretching from the new Lagos marina to the mouth of the Alvor River. Course architect Frank Pennink took full advantage of the magnificent site and, in passing, threw in a sequence of five pure links holes between the railway and the beach, evoking memories of famous British layouts. The upper holes wind through groves of almond and fig trees and the course is renowned for its annual Almond Blossom tournament week in February

Golf: PENINA: the Championship course is the late Sir Henry Cottons masterpiece and the course by which he wished to be remembered. He was the first to foresee the high potential for golf in the Algarve. Unlike the vast majority of Algarve courses, Penina is a flat, parkland type course, having been built on former rice paddies and scrubland. Most of the drainage ditches in the paddies were retained and partially modified into tricky water hazards, but the dramatic change of terrain was helped by the planting of 250,000 trees which now line most of the fairways .A few refinements have been made to Cottons original championship layout and the course has benefited considerably from the improved drainage installed. Subtle landscaping features have also been introduced to enhance the visual aspect of the course, and some of the water hazards have been extended

Other Activities: sea kayak

• Extra photos