The following information has been added
by the owner of this property:
Santa Catarina Centre is 2km and is a typical rural village of the region. It contains a mixture of tavernas, cafés, mini markets, a post office and a bank. There is also a small daily fruit and vegetable market. Santa Catarina also hosts a traditional portuguese Sunday market once a month, where you can find everything from goats, to leatherwork and local culinary specialities to T-shirts.
Tavira
Casa da Tranquilidade is approx. 15km from the ancient and picturesque town of Tavira in the eastern Algarve. Tavira offers something for all. Historical churches, a castle and a museum, a colourful market, excellent shopping facilities and numerous bars and restaurants.
Golf
The closest golf course to Casa da Tranquilidade is a 9-hole golf course in Maragota (with its own putting green and chipping area) near Moncarapacho about 7km away.
About 3km east of Tavira you find the Benamor golf course, lying opposite the new developed residential area of Conceicao which is situated in quiet surroundings neighbouring the fishing village Cabanas.
Further toward Cacela Velha you find two premium Golf courses, Quinta da Cima and Quinta da Ria. For those we can offer a special greenfee of Euro 350 for 5 days for example. Two additional 5 Star Golf Courses Monte Rei and Quinta do Vale have been opend in the east alagarve. Driving about 30km to the west you find the well established golf courses of Vilamoura and Quinta do Largo.
Within a radius of 40km there are all in all sixteen golf courses to choose from.
Superb sandy beaches are within easy reach, about 8 miles away, all have EEC Blue Flag for cleanliness and pollution free water.
The part of the coast by Tavira belongs to Parque Natural da Ria Formosa. It is consisting of dunes and a lagoon complex, which is known as Ilha da Tavira and runs along the coast. It is a paradise for bird watching.
Tavira Island Beach can be reached by a short ferry ride. On the beach there are cafés, bars and restaurants, serving anything from sandwiches to regional dishes and shellfish delicacies.
Facilities include sailing, windsurfing, pedaloes and parasols. Even in August the beach is relatively uncrowded.
Barril Beach – children love the miniature railway that shuttles back and forth across a nature reserve to the beach of Barril. Thee is a good self service restaurant and bar on the beach as well as attractive cafés. Beach, BBQs and dancing once a week. Facilities include tennis, windsurfing, beach volleyball, pedaloes. A few minutes to either direction you will find miles of beautiful, peaceful, dune fringed beaches.
The average time to reach other beaches is about 20 minutes by car.. Ilha da Armona of Olhao, Praia Verde, Praia Cabeca, Manta Rota and Monte Gordo are also popular family beaches with white sand and good facilities.
Further details
With easy access to the A22 motorway and the EN125 all amenities can be easily reached. As well as a choice of Blue Flag beaches in the Parque Natural da Ria Formosa (Nature Reserve) and top quality golf courses, places of interest include local Algarve villages and small towns, such as Sto Estevao, Olhao, Estoi, Sao Bras, Cachopo, Vial Real or further a field, Lisbon or even in Spain Seville(2 hours drive away). There are ferries to and from the islands across the the Rio Formosa) boat trips on the River Guardiano. On a wet day the Forum Algarve Center in Faro offers 9 modern cinemas, shopping in tastefully decorated shops or just dining out in one of the numerous restaurants.
For family outings there are two water parks within an easy drive – “The Big One” and “Slide and Splash”, and “Zoomarine” with a full programme of marine-life shows.
Historic Information
Separated from the rest of Portugal by rolling hills, Algarve, the southernmost province seduced the ancient Phoenicians with its abundance of sardines and tuna, which they salt cured for export almost 3,000 years ago. Four centuries later, around 600 BC, the Carthaginians and Celts arrived, followed in turn by the Romans, who adopted the Phoenician practice of curing and exporting fish – the precursor of Portugal’s large tinned sardine industry. They built roads, bridges and spas, such as that in Milreu.
But Algrave really blossomed under Moorish rule, which began in the early 8th century. The province’s name comes from the Moorish AL-Gharb meaning “The West”. The Moorish period was one of vivacious culture and great scientific advances. Moorish poets sang of the beauty of Silves, while the more practical settlers introduced orange crops, and perfected the technique of extracting olive oil, which is still an important Portuguese product. The blossoming almond trees in February are one of the most beautiful sights of Algarve.
King Alfonso Henriques led the Portuguese conquest southward in the 12th century, and late his son Sancho I, with the help of a band of crusaders, was to spearhead the siege of Silves ans its estimated population of 20,000 people. It took 49 days before the Moors of Silves surrendered. But in 1192 they reconquered the city and remained there for another 47 years. It was Sancho II, supported by military-religious orders under Paio Peres Correia, who finally crushed them. The last major city to fall was Faro in January 1249.
But the Arabic influence is visible even today: in many town names, in words beginning with the “al” prefix, in the so called “North African blue” used in trimming the whitewashed houses, in the roof terraces used for drying of fruit, and the white-domed buildings still popular in many towns. The Algarvian sweets made of figs, almonds, eggs and sugar called morgados of Dom Rodrigos are yet another reminder of the area’s ancient heritage.
For centuries almond, fig, olive and carob trees represented a major part of the Algarve’s agriculture, as they are suited to dry inland areas. The carob, whose beans are now fed to cattle but also produce a variety of oil, are said to have sustained the British troops in Portugal during the Peninsular War. Thanks to the gentle climate Algarve also produces pears, apples, quinces, loquats, damask plums, pomegranates, tomatoes, melons, strawberries, avocado and grapes.
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Property Description
Moorish arches drenched in sunshine and spectacular coves of golden sand: Algarve offers a touch of the exotic which attracts visitors again and again. If one region of Portugal stands alone it is the Algarve. Its history under long Moorish control, its climate –more typically Mediterranean and its abundance of fine sandy beaches endow Algarve with a character so different it could easily be taken as a separate country.
Casa da Tranquilidade –with it’s tranquile and magnificient setting in the countryside it provides a place where you can get away from it all. It’s a delightful Villa with pool built in a traditional algarvian style. The Villa is set in three acres in the hills, overlooking a valley with breathtaking spectacular views. An abundance of exotic wild flowers, from orchids to common daisies, grow beneath the ancient olive and carob trees, which clad the hills. It is a naturalistic paradise and an artist’s delight. It’s peaceful surroundings invite you for either long walks or just a peaceful rest. The Villa is 2km away from the centre of Santa Catarina, which is a typical rural village of the region.
Notes on price:
Final cleaning is being charged with Euro 55.
Rentals longer than 3 weeks between November to March receive a discount.
Reduced green fees can be offered for the Golf Courses Quinta da Ria and Quinta da Cime. Special offer: Late Deal Specials available:
20 September to 31 October 2008 for only 450 Euro per week!!!
Accommodation
V
Type
Description
Bedrooms:
Both twin – bedded bedrooms have en-suite bathrooms, one with bath , the other one with shower. They rooms are charmingly furnished in cottage style. The master bedroom has French windows opening on to the patio area with stairs leading to the pool, which has a large sunbathing area with built in barbecue. It is also possible to put up if 5th bed in that room. If wished for a baby cot can be supplied.
Bathrooms:
1 En-suite bathroom to bedroom 1with shower, washbsin and wc
1 Separate bathroom with bath/shower, bidet and washbasin, adjacent to bedroom 2
Kitchen:
A fully fitted new kitchen with granite top, freezer, fridge, microwave, coffeemachine, gaz and electric cooker, oven and ample storage place
Living Rooms:
The Villa is comfortably furnished throughout and has a lounge, with Satellite Television, Radio/CD Player, a traditional stone fireplace also heating the bedrooms if so desired and a dining area with French windows opening to a patio with wonderful views. From here stairs are leading to the roof sun terrace or down to the pool area.
For the cooler months of the year, in addition to the fireplace, the Villa has the benefit of individual marble heaters in each room as well as double glazed windows and doors.
Cleaning/towels/linen/maid Service:
Prices are in Euro and include the occupancy of four people per week, as well as Electricity (heating), Water, Gaz. A final cleaning will be charged with Euro 55 per booking.
Bed linen and towels are provided and changed once a week. Please bring your own towels for use at the pool and beach.
A welcome food and drink pack can be provided on your arrival upon request, consisting of: fresh vegetable, bread, butter, milk, cheese, eggs, sweets nuts and some wine.
Utility room:
Utility room has vaccumcleaner, ironboard and iron as well as a mop fpr the cleaning the floor
Sleeping capacity:
The Villa sleeps up to 5 people
Notes on accommodation: The Villa with it's safe sourroundings is well suited for children
Property Catering:
Self Catering
Ammenities/Facilities provided
Tennis Court
Free Parking Facility
Towels Provided
Ironing Facilities
Garden
Fireplace
pets accepted
private pool (sole use of)
barbecue
cot
room fans
iron/ironing board
microwave
games/books
fridge/freezer
television
cd player
satellite
electric heater
freeview
radio
oven
hairdryer
hob/stove
Etc.
Travel
Car hire is recommended to get the best out of the unspoilt eastern Algarve.
Arrangements with a reasonable priced car hire company can be made with your booking. Arrangements are then made to collect your car on arrival at Faro Airport, whatever the time of day or night. It is necessary to pay the full rental fee in Euro when you pick up the car.
Distances
Tavira - 15km
Spanish border and Ayamonte - 32km
Faro Town - 25km
Faro Airport - 29km
Golf with a choice of 14 courses within radius of 40km
Seville - 1½ hours
Lisbon - 3 hours
Further details
Nearby in Santa Catarina:
Local restaurants, bars, cafés, minimarkets, essential shopping, market, bank, post office etc.
With easy access to the A22 motorway and the EN125 all amenities can be easily reached. As well as a choice of Blue Flag beaches in the Parque Natural da Ria Formosa (Nature Reserve) and top quality golf courses, places of interest include local Algarve villages and small towns, such as Sto Estevao, Olhao, Estoi, Sao Bras, Cachopo, Vial Real or further a field, Lisbon or even in Spain Seville(2 hours drive away). There are ferries to and from the islands across the the Rio Formosa) boat trips on the River Guardiano. On a wet day the Forum Algarve Center in Faro offers 9 modern cinemas, shopping in tastefully decorated shops or just dining out in one of the numerous restaurants.
For family outings there are two water parks within an easy drive – “The Big One” and “Slide and Splash”, and “Zoomarine” with a full programme of marine-life shows.
Booking notes
Prices are given in Euros per week for max. 4 people. A fith bed can be supplied and will be charged extra according to season. A babycot can be supplied for Euro 30 per week.
Final cleaning is being charged with Euro 55 per booking.
Prices include Electricitx (heating), Water, Gaz and weekly change of towels and bedlinen.
A downpayment of 30% is requested in order to secure a reservation, the balance is due 6 weeks prior to the hoilday. All Instructions will be supplied after first payment is being made.
Changeover day
Changeover day is prefably Saturday, other arrangements can be made upon request.
It is possible to enter the Villa at 15h on arrival day and to leave the villa by 10h on departure day.
Golf
Golf
About 2 miles east of Tavira you find the Benamour Golf Course, lying opposite the new developed residential area of Conceicao in quiet surroundings neighbouring the fishing village Cabanas.
Another 9 hole golf course (with it’s own putting green and chipping area) lies in Maragota near Moncarapacho about 7km away from Tavira.
Further toward Cacela Velha, approx. 12 km from the Apartment Rioi you find two premium Golf courses, Quinta da Cima and Quinta da Ria. For those we can offer a special reduced greenfee of Euro 350 for 5 days for example. Another two 5 Star Golf Courses of Monte Rei and Quinta do Vale have been opened recently.
Within a radius of 40km there are all in all fourteen golf courses to choose from.
Fishing
Fishing is possible by the sea
Scuba Diving
Courses for Scuba Diving are given along the coast of the Algarve
Beach
Superb sandy beaches are within easy reach, all have EEC Blue Flag for cleanliness and pollution free water.
The part of coast by Tavira belongs to the Parque Natural da Ria Formosa. It is consisting of dunes and a lagoon complex, which is known as Ilha da Tavira and runs along the coast. It is a paradise for bird watching.
Tavira Island Beach on the Ilha da Tavira, can be reached by a short ferry ride which leaves 5 minutes (by foot through the historic town centre) away from the apartment. On the beach there are cafés, bars and restaurants, serving anything from sandwiches to regional dishes and shellfish delicacies.
Facilities include sailing, windsurfing, pedaloes and parasols. Even in August this magnificient beach is relatively uncrowded.
Barril Beach – children love the miniature railway that shuttles back and forth across the nature reserve to the beach of Barril. Thee is a good self service restaurant and bar on the beach as well as attractive cafés. Beach, BBQs and dancing once a week. Facilities include tennis, windsurfing, beach volleyball, pedaloes. A few minutes to either direction you will find miles of beautiful, peaceful, dune fringed beaches.
Wine Tasting
Portugal offers a selection of wines!
Accessibility
The Villa is built only on the droundfloor. Only a few stairs are leading to the poolarea.
Outside
Exterior:
Ample car parking area
Roof sun terrace
Swimming pool and surrounding sun terrace
Permanent B-B-Q
Sun umbrellas and recliners are provided
Car hire and reduced golf green fees can be arranged through the owners
