Large villa with guest apartment for sale near Albufeira

Villa with separate apartment for sale near Albufeira

Olhos de Água Price: € 725,000 Property Ref: EAV-837      Description Reduced from €850,000! This property has recently been upgraded with modern kitchens, bathrooms and flooring. The villa has been built for two families. One area has 3 bedrooms, two bathrooms, kitchen, living room, and 5 terraces. The second unit has a living room / kitchenette, and two bedrooms sharing one bathroom. All rooms have air conditioning. The various levels of terraces and fruit trees and one additional bathroom and entertainment area, which can easily become a studio apartment. The double garage has automatic gates. The plot is fenced with 3 gated entrances and private parking areas. Beautiful uninterrupted views.   http://www.eavillas.com/property.php?id=3962&title=villa-with-separate-apartment

Modern style villa for sale in St Catharina, Algarve with price lowering

Modern delight for sale in Santa Catarina

Santa Catarina Price: € 1,750,000 Property Ref: EAV-840      Description Reduced from €1,900.000! This stunning, achitectural master piece looks as if it has been here forever, as it blends into the local countyside so perfectly. The villa blends old with new harmoniously. This is the perfect hideaway for those who love luxury and all modern features but who want to chill in the peaceful Algarvian hills. The villa has been designed with two independent halves link by a beautiful, glass topped hallway. To the right the master accommocation and to the left for the guests. Oil fueled underfloor heating and air-con throughout, solar panels for the hot water, alarm system and much more. Must be seen to be fully appreciated. One of the most beautiful homes on the market. http://www.eavillas.com/property.php?id=3995&title=modern-delight-for-sale-in-santa-catarina

Unique and rare beach front property for sale in West Algarve

Beachfront property in the Algarve

Vau Price: € 1,250,000 Property Ref: EAV-1010      Description Situated overlooking of the prettiest beaches in the Algarve, this restored quinta offers comfort and style in a fantastic location and an idyllic spot to enjoy the sun drenched Algarve coastline. The villa has been designed to retain all of its original architectural features whilst being perfectly blended with modern additions to give a contemporary feel. The interior is cool and elegant with inviting shades of white and a hint of colour, giving that perfect beach house feel with five star comforts. The long covered terrace with its Moorish styled arches is accessed any one of the 5 sets of tall double patio doors leading from the lounge and dining areas. Outside the garden and pool terrace enjoy views of the beach and with the colourful grounds hedged for privacy. The open plan fitted kitchen is fully equipped and all rooms are equipped with air conditioning / heating units. Within the main level, there is two ensuite bedrooms, and one studio apartment on the 1st floor with a separate entrance and a terrace with superb sea views. Outside there is a barbecue with sink, decked area and pool shower.   Please note the pictures are from the actual view and not zoomed in or tampered with. JUST A FANTASTIC VIEW ! http://www.eavillas.com/property.php?id=14174&title=beachfront-property-in-the-algarve

http://www.eavillas.com/property.php?id=14174&title=beachfront-property-in-the-algarve

Algarve leading family destination

31/7/2010

Portugal, and more specifically the Algarve, was this week handed a string of accolades from British researchers who found the region to be the most economic to visit. Lisbon was highlighted as the second best city for a short-break, while beaches in the Algarve were voted amongst the top in the world.

The Algarve has this week emerged as the preferred destination for British parent's who can look forward to getting more holiday cash this year than last if they visit the eurozone, thanks to a rise in the value of sterling, Post Office Travel Money's new Family Holiday Report has revealed.

While the report cautions against hefty charges families could face while abroad, it states there is some good news for families holidaying in Europe.

Although 24 per cent of parents complained about meal and drink costs, the Post Office Family Holiday Report reveals that family meals account for the biggest drop in prices this year.

Meal prices in Portugal, rated the best family value destination by the Post Office, have dropped 47 per cent since last July (an average of £27.03 for two adults/two children with drinks).

Almost a quarter of parents also voiced concern about the cost of beach items and, as the Post Office resort research for the Family Holiday Report indicates, they have good cause in most other European destinations, but not in Portugal.

With see-sawing prices across Europe, it found that an hour's ride on a pedalo costs just £5.36 in Portugal's Algarve, but twice as much in Majorca, Brittany or Cyprus.

Sarah Munro, the Post Office Head of Travel Money, said in a statement: "There is plenty families can do to avoid getting stung on holiday. They should check excursion and attraction prices online before they go, to avoid the most expensive ones and they should also pack kids' beach items that could break the holiday budget if bought overseas."

Post Office Travel earlier this year elected Lisbon as the second best city to visit behind Prague for bargain-hunters, with the Portuguese capital beating off Budapest, Istanbul and Warsaw, with the costlier city breaks being grouped together as Dublin, Berlin, Barcelona, Amsterdam and the most expensive being London.

Further recognition of Portugal came on Thursday morning when Kelkoo's beach index, compiled by the Centre for Economics and Business Research and YouGov, revealed the Algarve's beaches to be amongst the best five in the world.

In the study, which was sent to The Portugal News on Thursday morning, it emerged that 85% of Britons state that affordability is their number one holiday clincher, with Portugal's competitive prices a clear winner.

The Kelkoo 'Beach Index' independently ranks the best worldwide beach holiday destinations based on the 10 factors that matter most to UK holidaymakers, which besides affordability, include security (81%), the weather (78%), and good food (77%).

The Algarve was placed fifth behind winners Bulgaria, Tunisia, Turkey and Egypt, but these destinations' geographical locations often allow the Algarve to gain additional visitors.

The top ten is completed by Goa in India, Dubrovnik in Croatia, Larnaca (Cyprus), Crete (Greece) and the Balearic Islands in Spain.

The index also predicts a more positive outlook for the travel sector in 2010, with UK travel expenditure forecast to reach £41.1bn or £669 per person, a modest £1bn increase (+2.4%) on 2009, when travel sales plummeted by £3.7bn (-8.4%).

In a statement sent to The Portugal News, Bruce Fair, Managing Director of Kelkoo UK, explained: "In the current climate, British holidaymakers seem to be more cost-conscious than ever."

In stark contrast to the Algarve, Rio de Janeiro ranks as the most expensive beach destination, scoring just 26 out of 100, with return flights costing £760 on average, and accommodation generally 10% more expensive than in the UK. Sydney follows closely behind (27 out of 100), while the Maldives also scores low in this category (45). UK holidaymakers may also find that seeking a beach paradise on British soil isn't as economical as they might think, with Cornwall coming in 14th place in the overall rankings due to the unpredictable British climate and its relatively high cost.

Bruce Fair continues: "Given the clear emphasis placed by consumers on the overall affordability of holidays and the cost of buying goods once they arrive at their destination, it is no surprise that a number of the holiday hotspots historically favoured by UK holidaymakers such as Cyprus (8th), Crete (9th) and Spain's Balearic Islands (10th) are outranked by cheaper neighbouring non-Eurozone beach destinations. However, if the pound continues its rally against the euro, we should see these destinations climb back up the rankings and Britons returning to their more traditional holiday haunts".

"UK travellers now have around 16% more spending power in the Eurozone than they did only 18 months ago, with consumers currently able to get around €1.20 as opposed to €1.02 for every pound they spend."

In further recognition of the Algarve as a top destination, hotels.com this week placed the beaches at Alvor and São Rafael amongst the top 20 in the world, where they are joined by beaches such Ornos in Mykonos, Miramar in Mexico, considered the best beach in the Gulf, Dolphin Bay in Cape Town, Cala Jondal (Ibiza), while Cromer Beach in Norfolk makes a surprise entry into the top 20.

 

Source http://www.theportugalnews.com/cgi-bin/article.pl?id=1072-1

Beja Airport flights forecast for next year

31/7/2010

Charter flights to and from Beja Airport should be up and running as of March 2011, it was reported this week, though unoccupied aircraft could land and take off from Beja for maintenance or long-term parking, ANA said this week.

In October 2009, José Queiroz, President of EDAB (Beja Airport Development Company), told The Portugal News during an exclusive interview that the infrastructure's functioning would commence "next year [2010]".

"I don't know exactly when, as it hasn't been discussed, but it will preferably be during the first three months of next year".

"I don't think it is necessary to look beyond that deadline", he said at the time.

In January last year José Queiroz told the national press that the airport was "practically finished" and would be fully completed "soon", while Portuguese airport management company ANA announced that it had been making contact with tour operators, travel agents and airlines to "promote the Alentejo and create conditions for demand for direct flights to Beja".

At the beginning of this year ANA spokesperson Rui Oliveira told The Portugal News "The airport is still in the process of being certified by INAC [National Institute for Civil Aviation], this is ongoing, at the same time other meetings are being held with companies interested in operating from the airport, but we cannot reveal more than that".

This week ANA's director for Marketing Strategies Leonel Horta Ribeiro said that the certification process, which is done in three phases, was "going normally" and should be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2011.

This indicates that commercial passenger flights could be operational from Beja as of March next year, though even if it should be given the green light, flights still rely on demand.

"The fact that the conditions are there does not necessarily mean there will be demand", Horta Ribeiro said, guaranteeing that ANA would "do everything" for Beja Airport to be "attractive enough" but it "cannot oblige airlines to operate" from the infrastructure.

The first phase of the certification process will allow commercial aircraft without passengers or cargo to land and take off from the runway and use the aircraft bays for long-term parking and maintenance, and should be completed "this month".

The second phase should see approval given for unoccupied passenger aircraft to use the civil terminal "by the end of the year".

Phase three will give the green light for aircraft carrying passengers and cargo to make full use of Beja Airport and its facilities.

Speaking to Lusa News Agency, Leonel Horta Ribeiro said that airlines, which "for congestion reasons" in airports such as Portela, Lisbon, will "find Beja Airport has adequate safety conditions to park" their aircraft.

According to the ANA representative, Lisbon Airport has an "acknowledged limitation and one of the most congested subsystems which is parking", and that "at times of great demand and peak traffic times, it is really undesirable".

He concluded that Beja Airport would offer a "good alternative" within the ANA network

 

Source http://www.theportugalnews.com/cgi-bin/article.pl?id=1072-5

PORTUGAL pounds the competition to give you the best value for money this summer.

The Family Holiday Report has found the cost of eating in the Algarve is considerably lower than such destination favourites as France, Spain, Italy, Greece and Turkey.

The research, carried out by Post Office Travel Money, uses a "Beach Barometer" to monitor the price of 12 typical purchases in the top holiday spots.

The results give an indication of what you are likely to pay for items such as a bucket and spade, jelly shoes for children, a bottle of beer, a can of Coke and an ice cream.

A beach towel will cost you £5 in Bulgaria but £15 in France, while a cup of coffee will cost you £2.70 in Cyprus and just 63p in Portugal. Sarah Munro, of POTM, said: "There is plenty families can do to avoid getting stung on holiday.

"They should check prices online before they go and they should also pack kids' beach items that could break the holiday budget if bought overseas."

The survey shows a family dinner for four will cost you more than £70 in Turkey yet just half that in Portugal.

The report says average prices in Portugal have dropped by about 30 per cent compared with last year. Food prices have crashed 47 per cent.

And lucky Brits will get 2.8 per cent more euros for the Pound this summer, compared with July 2009.

The research also polled the public for their top ten holiday rip-offs.

Mobile phone roaming charges topped the bill, with charges for card usage, and airline baggage, coming in second and third.

As you get a lot

more for Euros

ALMOST two million Brits will set sail, board planes and catch trains to get some summer sun this weekend.

Traffic through the main airports will be very busy, with 440,000 travellers scheduled to leave from Heathrow alone.

Travel association ABTA say top destinations include Turkey, Greece, Egypt and mainland Spain.

Dubai and Florida are also popular.

With the Pound offering better value against the euro than last year, there are still excellent deals to be had.

ABTA chairman John McEwan said: "I am delighted to see hundreds of thousands of us heading overseas this weekend.

"With prices having fallen in the eurozone and an improved exchange rate on last year, holidaymakers will get a pleasant surprise when they arrive in their resorts and head for restaurants and bars."

ABTA have named Spain as their No1 destination.

WHEN school's out, holiday prices soar - but not this year.

The cost of getting away during the school summer holidays has fallen by a THIRD as travel agents slash prices.

 

Research by Co-operative Travel reveals some packages are down by as much as 34 per cent compared with last summer. The biggest savings can be found in Eastern Mediterranean resorts such as Crete, Zante and Turkey.

Trevor Davis, of The Co-Operative Travel, said: "People are booking their holidays much later this year and we're seeing the emergence of a very strong late bookings market for family groups.There are thousands of family holidays being sold at much-reduced prices."

On average, holidaymakers visiting the 20 most popular destinations could save £232.

Source: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/travel/2302776/Holiday-News-Make-meal-fo-your-trip-to-Portugal.html