Eastern Algarve Holiday Villa Rentals - Algarve - Portugal

Large 4-bed 3-bath holiday rental villa in Tavira town (Algarve). Huge ~500sqft (45sqm) lounge, open-plan family room of ~350sqft (30sqm) which serves as kitchen + dining room. Comprehensively equipped for up to eight guests. Free on-street parking. Pool 11m x 5m with child security fence. Wrap-around marble-tiled terrace with 8-place dining table in shaded section. Roof terrace with magnificent views over town, river and Algarvean hills, and out to sea. Cable and Satellite TV (BBC, ITV, etc) in family room, lounge and master bedroom.

Sleeps: 8 - Bedrooms: 4 - Bathrooms: 3

This is a large, fully tiled, 250sqm/2700sqft villa with four bedrooms, three bathrooms, large lounge, large kitchen/dining room, several terraces, pool 11 x 5m (36 x 16ft) separated from the patio by a child security fence; for a photo portfolio see http://picasaweb.google.com/PortuVilla/. There are two double bedrooms (one en suite with aircon, one with fan) and two twin bedrooms (both with fan). The villa is tastefully furnished and comprehensively equipped (indoors and outdoors) to cater for max eight guests. Cable and Satellite TV (BBC, ITV, etc) is provided in Lounge, Dining Room and Master Bedroom, also DVD, CD, VCR, etc. WiFi broadband internet access is included, phone on request. The lounge, dining room and master bedroom are all air-conditioned. The lounge is quite large and has 2 x 3-seater and 2x2-seater couches Kitchen and dining room are separate; an open-plan arrangement results in a bright and airy setting. There is a large, shaded terrace off the kitchen. All windows in the villa (other than in the bathrooms) are equipped with shutters to guard against the sun in the summer heat.
While smoking is not permitted indoors, there are 8 sliding doors on the ground floor to the wrap-around terrace and each bedroom has a sliding door to a small balcony. Cleaning and linen each 6 to 8 days, towels and bathrooms each 3 to 4 days. Off road parking is available. The pool area has eight sun-loungers, a pergola and two sun-umbrellas; the child security fence will be a boon to families with small children. An 8-place dining table with sun-umbrella is provided on the patio; there is another 8-place dining table on the roofed terrace off the kitchen.
While a car may be desirable, it is not necessary. A footpath at the back of the villa leads to the Roman Bridge in 6 to 8 minutes walk. Taxis are plentiful and relatively inexpensive in Tavira (~€4 within the urban area). A commuter train connects Tavira with the coastal towns all along the Algarve while express buses run direct to Seville; there is a fast express train several times a day from Faro to Lisbon. Local buses allow exploration of the towns in the hinterland. Bikes can be hired locally and there are hundreds of kilometers of cycle tracks in the Ria Formosa Nature park and in the hinterland.
The ~7 miles/11km of beaches on Tavira Island are reached by ferry or by small train over a causeway. There is even a remote, secluded nudist beach.
Tavira is still an active fishing port and boasts many good and inexpensive restaurants (and, unlike Spain, Portuguese restaurants open at ~19h00/7.00pm). There is a marked absence of the lager louts and disco bars which plague so many other resort towns.
For the golfer, there are several courses within 15 minutes; travel one hour and you have pretty well all of the Algarve courses available to you plus Isla da Canela and Islantilla just over the nearby Spaanish border.
Tavira is surrounded by the Ria Formosa Nature Reserve which abounds in flora, fauna, lepidoptera, etc. You can also go cycling or horseriding there. There is kayaking on the river in Tavira, surfing off Tavira Island, boat hire for sea fishing, etc.
For sightseeing, you have the Algarve Hills at the back of Tavira or the many fortified towns of the Guadiana Valley which forms the border between Portugal and Spain (Spain is 20miles/30km from Tavira).
Right through the summer, the Camara (town council) organises fairs, exhibitions, street theatre, a film festival, etc -- the town buzzes up to midnight and beyond.
Pricing is based on 8 guests but discounts up to 20% are offered Sept to June for parties of 4 to 7. A 5% discount applies for a two week stay, 7.5% for three weeks or more. Book 2009 before Dec 31, 2008, and you qualify for an extra 5% "Early Bird" discount. Long term winter let (Nov to March) is also available -- please enquire.
The property is managed by an English couple who live locally and who are on call should any emergency arise.

POOL:

The large 11m x 5m (35ft x 16ft) pool is separated from the patio area by a child security fence. Eight loungers, pergola, two sun-umbrellas, shower, etc, are provided. A variety of p[ool toys and flotations is available. Underwater floodlighting adds to the attraction of a nightime dip. High walls offer excellent privacy.
A weekly professional pool-cleaning service ensures top quality is maintained.
Photos see http://picasaweb.google.com/PortuVilla/

PATIO:

The large patio area is separated from the pool by a child security fence and is provided with shade, loungers, 8-place dining table, etc.
The villa itself is surrounded by a marble-tiled terrace, part shaded. A shaded area off the kitchen is provided with another 8-place dining table and chairs. There is a also a large roof terrace with sun-umbrella, chairs, table, sea and countryside views, etc.
Photos see http://picasaweb.google.com/PortuVilla/

PARKING:

Ample free, safe on-street parking is available. There is also space for two cars in the driveway, if required.

KITCHEN:

The comprehensively equipped kitchen includes:
4-plate gas hob, Electric oven, Microwave
Jug kettle, Coffee percolator, Toaster, Sandwich-toaster,
Juicer, blender
Double sink, dishwasher,
American fridge with ice-maker and water-filter.
The kitchen opens onto a covered terrace with 8-place dining table.
etc
Photos see http://picasaweb.google.com/PortuVilla/

UTILITY AREA:

The utility room includes washer, drier, iron/ironing board, etc. A clothes line is also available outside on the balcony.

DINING AREA:

Cooking and dining facilities are ample to provide for up to eight guests. The dining room is air-conditioned and has Satellite TV, VCR, DVD, etc..
Photos see http://picasaweb.google.com/PortuVilla/

LIVING/LOUNGE AREA:

The air-conditioned lounge is ~7x7m (22x22ft). It has 2 x 3-seater couches and 2 x 2-seater couches. Satellite TV (Sky "Free to air" including BBC, ITV, Sky News, CNN, etc -- you can also bring your own Sky card!), CD, DVD, etc are provided.
WiFi internet serves the entire house.
Photos see http://picasaweb.google.com/PortuVilla/

BEDROOMS:

The master bedroom is en suite and has Satellite TV. It has a kingsize bed and is air-conditioned; each of the other three bedrooms has a fan.
There is a second double bedroom and two twin bedrooms. All bedrooms have ample wardrobe and drawer space, mirror, etc. All bedrooms have a French door opening on to a small balcony.
There is a large roof terrace beside the master bedroom offering panoramic views over the Algarve hills, over the Roman bridge and the old town, and out to sea. This terrace is ptovided with chairs, table, sun-umbrella, etc.
Photos see http://picasaweb.google.com/PortuVilla/

CLEANING INFORMATION:

Bathrooms are cleaned and towels are changed each 3 to 4 days.
NOTE: You should provide your own beach towels.

Full cleaning and linen changed every 6 to 8 days.

Additional maid service available on request at Euro 10,00 per hour.

CHANGEOVER NOTES:

Normal changeover day is Saturday but flexible -- however, early booking discount may not apply other than to normal changeover day.
Late arrival service charge applies to Meet & Greet after 20h00 (8pm).
Check-out time is 11h00 (11am), check-in 16h00 (4pm) but flexible if overlapping bookings permit.

LINEN NOTES:

Linen changed once every 6 to 8 days, towels every 3 to 4 days.
NOTE: You should provide your own beach towels.

Additional changes of linen + towels on request.

PET NOTES:

One small, well trained pet may be acceptable – please enquire. An extra cleaning charge of GBP72 or Euro 90 will be applied.

There is also a "pet hotel" nearby which we can recommend.

BABY FACILITY:

A travel cot suitable for up to ~2 years of age, a high chair and a car-seat are available free of charge.

We do not provide a stroller.

LOCAL AMENITIES/ATTRACTIONS:

Tavira remains an active fishing port and is justifiably famous for its many and inexpensive fish restaurants.

The local Camara (town council) organises a wide variety of activities and entertainments during the year -- street theatre and music; book fairs, antiques fairs; arts & crafts fairs; a film festival; visiting dance, theatre and music groups, etc.

The nearby beaches of Ilha da Tavira offer 13km of fine white strand -- and a remote nudist beach.

The Ria Formosa Nature Park surrounds Tavira. The Algarvean hills, while not officially a nature park, offer a further opportunity to commune with nature -- or just to wander.

The Guadiana Valley (the border between Spain and Portugal) with its many walled towns offers some excellent sightseeing -- you can also take a river cruise to see the towns. Tavira itself has many Moorish and Crusader remains -- and, of course, a Roman Bridge still in everyday use.

Golf courses abound, there are three within 10 mins drive: Benamor, Quinta da Cima (once rated the best course in Portugal by the authorative 2004 PEUGEOT Guide) and Quinat da Ria -- all offer excellent lunch. Drive 20 to 25 mins and you have Quinta Vale, Monte Ria and Castro Marim. Almost all of the ALgarve's well known course can be reached within one hour, as well as several magnificent courses just over the border in Spain (e.g., Islantilla, Isla da Canela, etc).

And there is always the sun and the water sports if you run out of things to do!

Photos see http://picasaweb.google.com/PortuVilla

BOOKING NOTES:

The villa is equipped to accommodate up to eight guests.
Except in July, August, prices are based on a party of six with a discount or premium of 5% for each party member below or above this number.
Prices in July, August are for a party of up to eight.
No charge for travel cot or high chair if requested when booking.
A small pet may be included subject to prior approval and to an extra cleaning charge of Euro 90,00 or GBP 80,00 per stay.
Minimum stay is one week, Changeover is Saturday.
A non-refundable booking deposit of 25% (minimum Euro 300 or GBP 250) is required to secure reservation.
The balance is payable 8 weeks (56 days) prior to start of rental.
The balance is partially refundable as below and insurance is recommended:
- 75% on cancellation within 55 to 42 days before rental start
- 50% on cancellation within 41 to 28 days before rental start
- 25% on cancellation within 27 to 14 days before rental start
- 0% on cancellation less than 14 days before rental start

Pricing is shown in GB pounds but we will quote in US$ or in Euro on request. Payment may be made as follows at renter's option:
- by UK or Irish cheque;
- Bank transfer in GBP, Euro, US%;
- by PayPal in Euro, GBP or US$ subject tio a handling charge of 2%.

Please advise your preferred method of payment.

Location map, see http://picasaweb.google.com/PortuVilla

BATHROOM/ENSUITE:

Each of the three bathrooms has twin WHB, Cabinet with mirror, WC, Bath/Shower, Bidet, Hair-drier, etc.