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“The excellent infrastructure of the region, with 250 km2 devoted to golf and a luxury hotel supply, led to the consecration of the Algarve as host of this prestigious event,” says the ATA.

According to the organization’s director, Peter Grimster, “Portugal has been at the heart of the golf tourism industry during the last three decades and knew how to consolidate itself as one of Europe’s top destinations.”

About the election of the Algarve to host the event in 2012, Peter Grimster further stated that “the quality of golf courses and ‘resorts’ are exceptional.” “We will have all the necessary logistics to organize a truly amazing event,” he predicted. The president of the Algarve Tourism Association (ATA), António Pina, “to host the IGTM is a pride for Portugal and the Algarve.”

“This event provides a unique opportunity for the region to promote golf as a destination of excellence and mark its position as the scene of major international events,” stressed the head.

Regarded internationally as one of the most prestigious golf destinations in the world, the district receives about 300 thousand golfers annually, attracted by its wide range of excellent fields.

Ingredients:

• 100 grams of peeled shrimps
• 250 grams of fresh or frozen prawns
• 100 grams of frozen crab legs
• 150 grams of fresh clams
• one tin of chopped tomatoes
• one red pepper
• one green pepper
• Olive oil
• 1 glass of white wine
• Paprika
• Chili or hot sauce (optional)
• 2 bay leaves
• Sliced onion
• Coriander
• Crushed garlic
• Salt and pepper

Start by chopping the tomatoes, peppers, onions and garlic. Fry them in the Cataplana (lid closed) with 2 or 3 tablespoons of olive oil for around 7 minutes. Add the white wine, the bay leaves and cook for another 10 minutes. Add the paprika, shrimp, clams and crabs legs and allow them to cook in slow fire for another 10 minutes. Add the prawns, coriander and chili. Season with salt and pepper, and boil for 5 more minutes. Allow 10 minutes before opening the Cataplana at the table. Serve with rice, bread, potatoes and a nice Portuguese green wine. Bom apetite.

“The new luxury and contemporary resort Conrad Algarve will open in September 2011,” said Alessandro Cabella, General Manager of Hilton Worldwide Algarve Cluster.

Hilton Worldwide has signed an agreement with the Portuguese group Imocom, responsible for building the Algarve Conrad, a hotel with a six-star, and the investment amounts to EUR 150 million, said Alessandro Cabella. The general director also said that they are “thrilled” with the perspective of creating 100 job positions at the Conrad Algarve.

“We are thrilled with the perspective of creating jobs and exciting career opportunities for talented and hospitable professionals and we want them to commit to their position in the hospitality industry as a reward and career enhancement,” he said, adding that the Hilton group is currently in the process of engaging the key elements for leadership teams and that recruitment will remain open for the rest of the current year.

According to Alessandro Cabella, since “there’s already some team leaders appointed to the Algarve Conrad,” but they are still looking for the “best candidates” who are passionate about luxury and hospitality, because, he argues, this is the key to the success of the Conrad.

The Mayor of Loulé said that the architecture draft for Conrad Algarve were delivered in the municipality and only missed the “final inspection and the public opening license”, estimating that the project is completed in late summer.

The economic and financial crisis that is affecting Portugal delayed, postponed or rescheduled some tourism projects planned for the Algarve, including the Conrad Algarve Hotel, Quinta do Lago, some of them even classified as PIN. The initial planned opening date was the Conrad was 2009.

The president of the largest hotel association in the Algarve, Elidérico Viegas, laments the lateness of the project, which is explained mainly by the economic crisis, but he also estimates that the Hotel in Quinta do Lago will be ready this year.

The mayor of Loule, Seruca Emidio, believes that this new hotel will be one of the “last great developments built from scratch in the Algarve,” because “in the coming years, the urbanistic policy will move towards rehabilitation and upgrading of existing hotels in the region.”

“the project is being carried on exactly as planned, both in investment and size. There will be an Ikea store and a shopping center” said Ana Teresa Fernandes, from Ikea Portugal public relations.

The Swedish group IKEA estimates to open to the public in 2015, both the store and the Shopping Center Inter IKEA.

The Swedish group bought a large amount of private land where the project will be located, totaling 40000 square meters. The investment is superior to 200 million Euros and it is estimated that to create three thousand jobs directly.

Four associations Algarve want to stop the preparation of the Urban Plan Caliços / Esteval, an area where the Ikea shop will be born, through an injunction against the Board of Loulé. The chosen location, near the junction Loulé / Faro Via do Infante and the Algarve Stadium is criticized by the signatories of the injunction already sent to the Administrative Court of Loulé, defending the Loulé axis / center as the best choice.

The municipality decided in August 2010 to proceed with preparation of the plan. The contract signed in December with the Swedish mogul allows the commercial project in that area which includes an Ikea store, a shopping center and a retail park.

Notes on accommodation

Air conditioning / heating units in lounge/diner, and first floor (bedroom 2).

Amenities/Facilities provided

Outside

Front garden laid to lawn, parking for 2 cars, front patio/sun terrace.
Rear patio garden with private pool, 4 sunloungers, patio table, parasol and 4 chairs.

Coast/Beach

5 minute drive from the unspoilt long sandy beaches of Ancao, with sunbeds and water sports in summer months.

Golf

5 minutes drive from the famous Vale Do Lobo golf courses (Royal and Ocean), 5 minutes drive from Quinta Do Lago golf courses (North and South), 5 minutes drive from Pinheiros Altos golf course and 10 minutes drive from San Lorenzo golf course.
15 minutes drive from Vilamoura and its courses.

Travel

Nearest Airport: Faro, 20 minute drive.
Car hire recommended.

Distances

Almancil village – 10 minute drive
Vilamoura Marina (for boat trips ) – 15 minute drive
Loule market town – 15 minute drive
Faro Town – 20 minute drive
Waterpark – 15 minute drive

Further details

Over 30 first class restaurants and bars within 10 minutes drive. Supermarkets 5 minute drive. We operate a NO SMOKING policy in the Villa.

Vale do Lobo Tennis – 5 mins drive. The Vale do Lobo Tennis Academy has 14 courts, of which ten are all-weather and four synthetic, as well as a mini-tennis and paddle tennis court. This is one of the largest tennis facilities in Portugal, it attracts national and international tennis fixtures.

Notes on accommodation
Heating and air-conditioning. Villa suitable for children. No pets allowed.

Amenities/Facilities provided

Outside

Back garden and terrace with private pool, table and seating, BBQ, 6 sun loungers, pool fence (if required for toddlers).

Coast/Beach

Fantastic golden beach 1.5km from front door of the villa that stretches from Quinta do lago to Vale do Lobo and beyond, fab restaurants and beach huts for food and refreshments

Golf

Fantastic selection of golf course within 5-15 minutes drive. Quinta do Lago, Vale do Lobo and Vilamoura for starters.

Travel

Faro airport 15-20 minutes by car or taxi. Almancil railway station 5-10 minutes drive.

Distances

Almancil c. 5km away, Villamoura 15 mins drive Faro 15 -20 mins drive.

Further details

Fantastic selection of restaurants at varied price levels, supermarkets, banks, chemists, medical centres, theme parks, water parks, tennis and shopping.

Four bedrooms all feature air conditioning (hot & cold). The two ground floor bedrooms share a large bathroom incorporating bath, shower, w.c. and bidet. One bedroom has its own south facing veranda adjacent to the pool and terraces. An additional guest w.c. is accross the hall.

A wide ornate staircase winds up to a gallery giving accesss to two further king size bedrooms, each with an en-suite shower room. Both have double patio doors leading onto a generous balcony overlooking the pool and the sea.

The villa is set in its own gardens, with a large swimming pool equipped with underwater lights for that midnight swim! The pool has the optional benefit of a modern heating system (for a small supplementary charge). There are large terraces with a purpose built barbecue for al fresco dining. There are also poolside loungers and a large patio dining table with chairs. The gardens are automatically illuminated and are cared for by Alfredo.
The villa is ideal for families, its proximity to nearby golf courses also makes it attractive to golfers as well. Albufeira is only 2km away and provides excellent food, beaches and nightlife.

Further details indoors:
First Floor:
Master Bedroom with double bed and en suite
Twin Bedroom with en suite

Ground Floor:
Double Bedroom
Twin Bedroom
Family Bathroom
Lounge
Dining Room
Kitchen
Utility Room
WC

Further details outdoors:
Large Pool (Heated + Lights)
Brick Barbecue
Beautiful private Garden
Terrace
Balcony

Facilities: Internet access, DVD player, Sea view
General: Air conditioning, TV, CD player, Telephone, Satellite TV
Standard: Kettle, Toaster, Iron, Hair dryer
Utilities: Clothes dryer, Dishwasher, Cooker, Microwave, Fridge, Freezer, Washing machine
Rooms: 2 Bedrooms, 2 bathrooms of which 1 family bathroom and 1 shower room, Solarium / Roof terrace
Furniture: Single beds (2), Double beds (1), Dining seating for 6, Lounge seating for 6, Sleeps maximum of 4
Other: Linen and towels provided.
Outdoors: Balcony / Terrace
Access: Wheelchair access, Lift access to property, Secure parking

Further details indoors:
This brand new and large airy apartment is situated near the centre of the Moorish fishing town of Olhao! It’s situated in the sea front and has fabulous views over the sea, park and markets from the terrace. Have a living/dining room with new and comfortable furniture and seats. There is a separate area do see TV with all the satellite English channels and a DVD player. The kitchen has all the modern utilities including a large fridge/freezer, microwave, coffee machine and dishwasher. The dry and washing machine are in a separate room. 2 good sized bedrooms, 1 with a king size bed and the other 2 single beds. Water heated by gas boiler (town gas – no need to get cylinders). Air conditioning in bedrooms and lounge.

Further details outdoors:
There’s 2 balconies with table and chairs, one on the living room and another in the kitchen, these are delightful spots for a nice breakfast al fresco. A large sunny communal roof space were you can enjoy a wonderful view, perfect for relaxing in and drinking sun downers.

Please note, neither the balconies or the roof are suitable for very young children, as the barriers may be low enough for them to climb over or pass under the metal bars.

The Moncarapacho area

The Villa is located outside the small village of Moncarapacho, close to Tavira, Olhao and Estoi. Moncarapacho is a small country town in the middle of an area which is home to orange growing and horticulture. It exudes a calm, unhurried atmosphere of people going about their business in a relaxed and friendly way. The town offers all the basic facilities of banks, post office, internet cafe, supermarkets and other shops, gas station, market, restaurants and plenty of cafés. It even has its own tiny museum. It has a market on the first Saturday of each month. For four days in the summer it comes alive with a big agricultural market, complete with local cuisine, dancing and music, and everything for sale from baskets to tractors. There is also a good ceramic factory shop on the edge of the town.

The villa is within easy distance of Tavira (regarded as the loveliest town in the Algarve), Estoi (with its Rococo palace now being developed into a pousada and Roman ruins), Olhao (fishing port, markets, many fish restaurants and shopping), Vila Real (16th century town on the Spanish border) and much more. Close by you can travel by ferry boat to many offshore beaches.

Seville can be reached within 90 minutes; Lisbon is approximately 2.5 hours away. For those with quieter tastes the nearby Ria Formosa National Park offers excellent walks, extensive beaches and bird watching. This is a truly unspoilt part of the Algarve where eating out on wonderful local fish and wine is still surprisingly inexpensive The surrounding area is unspoilt and known for its extensive citrus groves. There are glorious beaches nearby, the closest being at Fuzeta 15 mins away. There are five golf courses all within 25-30mins

Further details indoors:
Large glass-doors in the living room provide entry to the covered patio and the heated swimming pool. Each of the 4 bedrooms with their own bathroom has large glass sliding- doors which allows entry to the patio and the swimming pool. To keep cool each bedroom also has ceiling fans. For cooler days, floor heating can be provided.

Bed linen and towels are changed weekly. Towels used outside (beach towels) are also provided at no extra charge.

Further details outdoors:
Large terrace equipped for dining al fresco (table and chairs supports 10 people) with sun chairs(8), parasols and large 10m x 5m swimming pool with pool-heating(optional) and pool cover. From the terrace small stairs takes you to the garden. The gardens have extensive trees, bushes, plants and flowers for your enjoyment. This area is professionally maintained. The lighting of the pool and the garden area at night provides an especially tranquil feeling. The Property still retains some old ruins from roman times, and old trees have not been removed providing homes for birds. The terrace is suitable for children, but very young children need supervision as the swimming pool do not have a fence.