Robathans Algarve Property

Purchasing Algarve Property

Boyd Robathan — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 06:33:33 +0000

The situation in Portugal is very similar to the UK in that property prices have been reduced due to the economic climate and in some cases there are drastic reductions so there are bargains to be had.

Property has to be a long term investment and for those who have money to invest, this is an exceptionally good time to buy.

Tourism in the Algarve is once again on so in the not too distant future this will again push up property prices so now is the time to grab a bargain whether it be on the coast or a little in land. Properties are now popular with other countries besides the UK and that includes, Germany, Holland, Russia, Norway and Sweden.

The way the market is you can buy something that needs updating but with all services connected for the price of a ruin. Even if you see something out of your price range, as in the UK, you can make a sensible offer.

Many properties are ripe for renting and if you are sensible you could make a reasonable return on your money. Robathans Algarve Properties has a wide range of properties available to purchase that include Dunas Douradas Townhouses, Vale do Lobo Apartments and spacious Quinta do Lago villas.

You could choose a condominium property where everything is done for you, this can be expensive but on the other hand many people say it offers great peace of mind. The school holidays are very popular but you can rent all the year round as the relaxed pace of life and extended summer days that attract people of all ages to the Algarve all year round.

Life in the Algarve is not just for golfers!

Algarve Golf

Boyd Robathan — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 06:31:44 +0000

Portugal has an abundance of golf courses and because of the climate and approximately three hundred days of sunshine every year, it means you can virtually play golf all the year round.

You do not have to be an experienced player to enjoy some of the wonderful courses on offer. Many of the courses have been designed by professional golfers and whilst having been created around natural flora and fauna, they are still challenging for all levels of play. In the East, there are a choice of several courses starting with Colina Verde in Moncarapacho and then moving further East there are Benamor, Quinta de Cima, Quinta da Ria, Monte Rei, Castro Marim and Quinta da Vale. Sir Henry Cotton, Jack Nicklaus and Seve Ballesteros are among the course designers.

In Vale do Lobo there is the Ocean and the Royal Courses, designed again by Sir Henry Cotton. The 11th at the the Ocean has as it name signifies has an ocean backdrop and the 16th at the Royal is a par 3 and you literally drive across the cliffs and this course is said to be the more difficult of the two.

In the same area of the Algarve you also have Quinta do Logo North and South, Laranjal, Pinheiros Altos and San Lorenzo.

In Vilamoura there are six courses and then further West there are another sixteen courses. Here again courses have been designed by professionals including Nick Faldo, Christy O’Connor Junior and once again Sir Henry Cotton.

As you can see there is plenty of choice so come to the Algarve and enjoy.

Algarve New Developments

Boyd Robathan — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 06:49:04 +0000

The Finnish Pontos Group has in its’ development, a plan which has recently been given a building licence. This will consist of a hotel, spa and an 18 hole golf course. There will be approximately four hundred villas and apartments.

It has taken twenty years to reach this stage and although agreed, this 200 million euros investment has not yet begun. Setbacks have been of an environmental nature and complaints were made to the European Commission but eventually approval was given.

The development will cover an area of one hundred and sixty hectares and three hundred people will be employed. The development is in the local authority area of Loulé in the Algarve.

There is a second development in the Algarve which is in the planning stage in the rural area of Benafim. This development will also cost around two hundred million euros and will include a hotel, spa, conference centre and sporting facilities.

It is hoped there will be approximately one thousand seven hundred tourist beds of the highest quality and employment during construction will be over seven thousand people and when completed there will be around one thousand jobs.

This project is only in the development stage and could face problems with environmental issues. It will be known as the Vale do Freixo Golf and Country Estate and is being developed by United Investments Portugal in conjunction with IFA Hotels and Resorts which built the Sheraton Pine Cliffs.

Algarve Property Rental

Boyd Robathan — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 07:26:05 +0000

Are you undecided about renting your apartment, townhouse or villa in the Algarve? Property on the resorts of Quinta do Lago, Dunas Douradas and Vale do Lobo are in demand and so are properties that are close to São Brás de Alportel, Tavira and Alvor.

Visitors can enjoy sandy beaches, excellent weather, a place to enjoy a holiday with their families and enjoy delightful cuisine. As an owner you will be aware of the diversity of tourist attractions so why not have an income from your property and pass on your knowledge to prospective holiday makers.

Having your property occupied has its benefits. You must maintain the property not only for yourselves but for visitors and any issues that arise will be detected and resolved quickly. Renting your property with Robathans Algarve Property lets you choose dates to your convenience which enables you to continue enjoying your first/second home during your own vacations. It’s an alternative to having a traditional contract when sometimes you have to make your property available for 365 days a year.

If you decide to make your property available, you can expect a good return and this could even become a small business investment for you. You could use the money to update your home with eg new televisions, internet etc which in turn helps the rental but also gives you enjoyment. There is nothing to be concerned about. Renting in the Algarve is common place so do not hesitate to contact Robathans Algarve Property to enable you to make the most of your investment.

Ricardo Santos

Boyd Robathan — Sun, 10 Mar 2013 06:42:20 +0000

Have you heard of Ricardo Santos?
He is celebrating by becoming only the 2nd Portuguese player to win on the International Circuit. Daniel Silva was the first twenty years ago and he won the Jersey Open.

Ricardo was born in Faro in the Algarve in 1982 and brought up very close to the Oceanico Victoria Golf Course in Vilamoura. He has slowly been climbing the world rankings and is now 163 in the world.
His earnings have reached more than 200,000 euros with recent success finishing joint seventh in the Dubai Desert Classic and fourth place in Abu Dhabi.

Now he has become the first Portuguese winner of the Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year Award following a win in the Madeira Island Open at Santo da Serra. He had a final round in this event of 63. This was a memorable moment for him as he had played the course many times as a boy and he was being watched by family including brother Hugo who also competed in this event. This has boosted Ricardo’s confidence for 2013 and an ambition to play in his first major.

We wish him well for the future.

Vitacress – Algarve

Boyd Robathan — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 06:55:41 +0000

The company’s roots go back to 1950 when Malcolm J Isaac planted his first fields of watercress in Hampshire. Bowled over by the wonders of the Algarve’s climate on visits to the region the Englishman invested in his first farmland in Almancil in 1981 that is close to the resorts of Quinta do Lago, Vale do Lobo and Dunas Douradas. The rest is history, as they say, and the successful company can be found in Arizona, California,Spain, Kenya and others. Watercress is still one of the producers biggest sellers, whilst competition provided by other products has little effect on its popularity.

Vitacress uses the latest in technology to farm its produce and farming takes place all the year round. The majority of the produce harvested in Portugal is exported to England where it appears on the shelves of food halls such as Marks and Spencer, Waitrose and Sansbury’s. Machinery is used effectively throughout the farms, except when it comes to weeding, which has to be done by hand in fields where pursiane runs wild. The plants are irrigated with drinking water to free them of residues, and all crops are controlled from the moment they are sown to the second they ae packaged.

Mildew build-up in plants is kept to a minimum by watering the plants as early as possible, so that any excess moisture dries throughout the day. In order to safeguard the quality and characteristics of its produce Vitacress uses what it calls “preventative measures”, a system of continuous control, instead of pesticides to protect it against insect damage. The plant remains are then burnt with the surrounding earth stopping infestations dead in their tracks. Harvesting is effected so as to fill orders and nothing more. The picked leaves are then cooled, washed and packaged before being shipped out to the client.

World Travel Awards – Europe

Boyd Robathan — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 19:03:39 +0000

This year [2012], the awards celebrated their nineteenth anniversary. This prestigious event took place at the Conrad Algarve Hotel in Quinta do Lago, the latest exquisite luxury hotel to be built in the Algarve which won the best new luxury resort. Portugal did extremely well, coming top of numerous categories and in particular the Algarve.

In Albufeira the stunning Vila Joya Hotel won the best european boutique hotel for the fourth year running; a truly fantastic achievement. Other awards presented to the Algarve went to the Ria Park Hotel, close to Vale do Lobo for the best European conference hotel and the best family resort to the Sheraton Pine Cliffs. The housing complex award went to the Dunas Douradas Beach Club and the villa resort award to the Martinhal Hotel in Sagres.

The golf club to be awarded the best golf resort was the Le Meridien Penina and it also won Europe’s leading resort. The best European hotel award went to the Vilamoura Hilton whilst the best spa resort award went to to the Porches Blu and Green Vilalara Thalassa Resort.

The Bairro Alto Hotel in Lisbon was the only hotel out of the Algarve to take an award and this was the best boutique hotel. These awards are sometimes called the oscars of the industry and are very prestigious. The Conrad were delighted to house the event and the manager thanked everyone for attending and congratulated all the winners.

Manta Rota.Cacela Velha.Fabrica

Boyd Robathan — Sun, 07 Oct 2012 17:22:38 +0000

If you are spending time on the resorts of Vale do Lobo, Quinta da Lago, Dunas Douradas or Vilamoura and would like either a morning or evening stroll then this walk is ideal.

Travel along the 125 towards Spain, bypass Tavira, Cabanas and then on your left will be a sign to Cacela. Continue along the 125 [main road] for approximately five hundred metres and you will see a sign for Manta Rota to the right. Follow the road through the town and it will take you to a large car park on the beach front. Park to the extreme right in the car park from whence you will start your walk. Sometimes access to this side of the car park is reserved for motor homes but you can park at the other end and walk.

Follow the beach path and you will see in the distance a fortress which is where you are heading to: Cacela Velha. When you reach the fortress there is a small hill climb to your right which will take you up to the village. There is a small cafe here where you can stop for a rest and a drink and toasties if you wish. There are also two restaurants here which need to be tried. Take time to walk around the village as this is amongst one of the prettiest sights in the Algarve.

From here opposite the Church are some steps which will take you along the beach to Fabrica. This is a small fishing place with one restaurant on the beach overlooking the Ria Formosa. If you wanted to make a day out of your walk, a small ferry is available across to the sand bank; here you can spend some time on the beach.

You can make your return journey along the beach passing Cacela Velha on your left and return to Manta Rota. The walk is about six kilometres. You will have to cross a water course at one point so be aware that care needs to be taken while negotiating the stepping stones. On your return there are several restaurants where you can eat or just have a drink. It is not advisable to do this walk in the heat of the day; either start early or during the early evening.

Take your journey back along the 125 to your destination in Vale de Lobo or Quinta da Lago but if you have never been to Tavira then it is worth making a further stop or you could make a visit to Tavira another day.

La Pizzeria – São Brás

Boyd Robathan — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 17:51:47 +0000

São Brás is only a ten minute drive from Loulé. As you enter the town there is a small square, the main building being the Millenium Bank. There is a cafe next to the bank and another on the opposite corner but the place to visit is a quaint and unique pizzeria situated diagonally opposite the bank [with your back to the bank] to your left.

It is a circular hut, with dining for approximately thirty people al fresco. The business is family run by a mother and her two daughters, Julia and Elisa. The family have lived in Portugal for eighteen years but only had the Pizzeria for five years. They brought their expertise with them from Germany as they have a pizza business there.

There is a selction of about twenty pizzas to choose from, small costing two euros, ninety or medium costing four euros fifty; order from the menu or design your own. A Madeira consists of pineapple and banana and a Mexican is made up of spicy black beans and sweet corn. There are also a variety of pasta dishes on offer.

To accompany your freshly made pizza, you can choose delicious salads eg: rucula [rocket] salad with parmesan cheese or just a plain salad or again have a salad made to your requirements. The salads are priced at three euros fifty and are ideal to share.

A selection of drinks including wine, beer, coffee and soft drinks are available. There is also a takeaway food service.

There are clean toilets available to the side of the pizzeria; you just need to ask for the key.

La Pizzeria is open everyday; lunchtime is from 12.30pm until 3.00pm and evenings from 7.00pm – 11.00pm [sometimes later in the Summer] but they do not open Sunday lunchtime.

Everything is freshly made, so be prepared to enjoy a leisurely drink while you wait. Poruguese, English and German are spoken.

If you are spending time on the resorts of Quinta do Lago, Dunas Douradas orVale do Lobo the Pizzeria is only a twenty five minute drive away and is something quite different so well worth a visit.

Fiesa – International Sand Scuplture Exhibition

Boyd Robathan — Sat, 22 Sep 2012 08:12:57 +0000

If you are spending time in the Algarve during the summer months and looking for something fun to do, the Fiesa International Sand Sculpture Exhibition is the perfect attraction to visit.

The exhibition has been held every year ever since 2003. The sculptures are created by extremely talented artists from different countries. Ever since Fiesa started it has always been held in Pera, close to the large city of Albufiera. The 2012 exhibition opened on the 25th of May and closes on the 25th of October. The opening times are:

25th May – 29th June…..10am – 9pm

30th June – 15th September…..10am – midnight

16th September – 25th October…..10am – 8pm

Our advice is not to visit during the middle of the day as there is no shade when looking at the individual scupltures. There is a cafe where food, drinks and ice creams can be bought; here there is a shaded area with tables and chairs. I recommend visiting in the evening as the scupltures come to life when they are lit up.

Each year the sculpturs decide on a different theme to produce fantastic sculptures and for 2012 the theme is idols. They have sculpted heroes from the very famous music artists of the world such as Micheal Jackson to wonderful art of the extreme actors and actresses like Marilyn Monroe; idols from fashion, sports and religion have been created. It is a wonderful exhibition of art and of culture. Fiesa is fifteen thousand square metres and there is thirty five thousand tons of sand.

If you are spending time in the resorts of Quinta do Lago, Vale do Lobo, Dunas Douradas or Vilamoura the exhibition is easily found and is well worth a visit.

For any inspired children there is a shaded sand area for them to try sand scuplting for themselves. There are buckets and spades to help them get creative and there is a small shaded children’s play area that has table and chairs.