Let’s Blog About Villas

No, not a four bedroom ocean-view villa for a fortnight in August. I’m talking for keeps, here. Well, at least for a year or so, anyway.
When we first decided on a move to Portugal. No, I’ll start again. When we first decided on a move to the Algarve, it was agreed that renting a property would be the best way to explore the region before committing to a purchase. After all:
the cost of living in Portugal is less than that of the U.K.;
there are lots of rental properties available;
the Estate Agent we met in April said he could sort us out with quite a few long term lets to look at.
Game on. But what of the Players:
a single man in his early twenties with a backpack and the clothes he stands up in?
a rich and retiring couple with Euros to burn and all the time in the world to do it?
a Portuguese speaking Property Consultant with a thing for white paint and tiles?
None of the above, I’m afraid. ‘We’ consisted of myself, my partner, her parents, our son and each and every thing we owned.
Our criteria were, not so much ‘open ended’ as ‘never ending’. Still, at least the ladies agreed on the main points - they shall live in a spacious and light, low maintenance modern villa with a couple of balconies above the pool area and barbecue zone. They will not be overlooked; looking over; too close to or too far away from people. The immaculate, manicured gardens will compliment the rural surroundings and be the ideal place to sit and marvel at the breathtaking views of the rolling hills, whilst listening to the gentle crashing of the waves from the private beach below. It will be tranquil and unspoilt by tourists and only a two minute walk from a world class Chinese restaurant. Oh, and by the way, we’ll be needing two of those. Not too close, but not so far away that we can’t visit each other regularly.
Unfurnished.
Hopes, Rocks and Dashed are the words that spring to mind now. But at the time, 800 Euros a month seemed a generous budget for such a humble abode in a country where “it’s cheaper to live” and there are “lots of rental properties” and the “nice man” we met has “loads” to show us etc.etc.
So, with one of the houses sold and ours still awaiting a buyer, it was time to wave off the scouting team.
We hoped it wasn’t too many days before the villas were located and deposits deposited. Our son was due to start Year 10 of his education in less than a month and it would be better for all concerned if he was ’settled in’ before then.
The school was a fee paying school, but also a necessity, as the relative continuity of the curriculum meant the lad had a fighting chance of (academically) surviving the move. Anyway, this school is located west of Central Algarve. So, we now had another criteria to add to the mix: one of the luxurious villas (off the beaten track, yet close to all amenities) needed to be, either, near the school, or close to a school bus pick-up point. Anything east of the airport or too far inland was out of the question.
From their vantage point (east of the airport and quite a bit inland) the scouting team made daily sorties into the west; reporting back to the U.K., incessantly gathering intelligence that would one day, hopefully, soon, prove crucial to the relocation exercise.
One day came and one day went. August departed and September arrived. We departed and also arrived. Then, after a short honeymoon period it was time to get down to the business of finding our elusive (air conditioning in every room and miniscule electricity bills) villa.
September (we were told) was when shed loads of lets came on the scene. Once the tourists had gone, landlords would be “biting our hands off”. We were all becoming very excited about how ‘off the beaten track’ the (separate Jacuzzi, for those who prefer not to swim 15m lengths of the pool) villa was going to be. I mean, even we couldn’t find it and we were trying damn hard.
Each day we trawled the Estate Agents, who suggested we try the Villa Management people, who, in turn, suggested the Resident, the Portugal News and the 123 newspapers. The Resident and 123 papers hit the streets on a Thursday and so did we. Driving around with a mobile to the ear; munching lunch out of a bag; scribbling appointment times on a pad; changing gear and guzzling peach flavoured iced tea (the new Coca-Cola).
One of our many caffeine pit-stops was at a supermarket (I’ll use a pseudonym rather than the real name of the supermarket). This supermarket was called Macedonia and it was in a town called Old Mans Hill. On the notice board of the supermarket, appeared a postcard offering a villa for long term rent, right there in Old Mans Hill. Moreover, I had read the postcard and understood it: the landlord would speak English. He did.
We met, looked around and returned to the ladies with our quarry. Was this one of the (old and traditional but modern and clean) villas in the bag?
No. But it was big enough for all of us together and (not wishing to divulge the cost) was exactly twice the 800 Euros budget we were going to spend per villa anyway.
So myself, my partner, her parents, our son and each and every thing we owned moved into the villa, which, apart from storage space and a pool, met none of the criteria specified. We needed to continue the search.
October (we were told) was when all the properties became available. September (we were told) was not a good time: Golfers take over where the tourists left off, and whoever told us September was good knew nothing. Once October comes, the landlords would be “falling over themselves to get to us”.
Once again, the cycle began. Mondays to Wednesdays driving around different areas nipping in and out of estate agents; looking for ‘Aluga Se’ signs on the fronts of houses; scanning the supermarket notice boards. Thursdays and Fridays were early starts and involved phoning one number out of the paper en route to see another property. But each and every time, having driven from A to B to C to D with hope in our hearts - nothing. The ad. would give the raw details: number of rooms; location; price etc. The initial phone contact would provide a little more info, and both stages allowed you to eliminate or investigate the property further. But, without images, stage 3 had to be a trip to the property.
Much misery over many miles ensued. One property we were shown around belonged to a family whose business had gone bust. The first six or so rooms were underwhelming but inoffensive; the seventh contained the family. Our guide was surprised at how much of a problem this presented.
Another property we viewed had an old man in bed. “The Grandfather wouldn’t be alive much longer. So the casa would be available then” we were informed.
Then there was the house of poodles. The owner beckoned us in from behind the back door, then scurried away into a downstairs room, where she continued our conversation. Five plates of dog food sat in a sort of line. You could tell Monday’s plate from Friday’s plate. The shower room had no shower curtain and, even in the dim light, you could see it was full of old shoes. We never actually met her.
In the same area, another lady escorted us around her property for ten minutes before casually announcing the blue door in the hallway would be her access only - to her part of the house.
This practice seems not uncommon, as several Portuguese landlords intended to continue living in some annexe or other. One had 3 buildings available on the same site - 2 empty plus his house. If we didn’t like the 2 empty ones we could have his family home and he would move his family into one of the others.
Ultimately, you need to inspect a property before you can fully assess its viability as a home. But, had I been able to see photographs online, I could have definitely weeded out 80% of them before arranging a visit - saving time, disappointment and Earth’s precious resources.
As a result of my frustrations, I have built a free submission website for landlords to offer properties. Images are encouraged and I have tried to make the whole process as simple as possible.

The maritime province of the Algarve, often called the Garden of Portugal, is the south westernmost part of Europe. Its coastline stretches 160km (99 miles) from Henry the Navigator’s Cape St. Vincent to the border town of Vila Real de Santo António, fronting once-hostile Spain. The varied coastline contains sluggish estuaries, sheltered lagoons, low-lying areas where clucking marsh hens nest, long sandy spits, and promontories jutting out into the white-capped aquamarine foam.

Called Al-Gharb by the Moors, the land south of the Serras (mountains) of Monchique and Caldeirão remains a spectacular anomaly that seems more like a transplanted section of the North African coastline than a piece of Europe. The temperature averages around 15°C (60°F) in winter and 23°C (74°F) in summer. The countryside abounds in vegetation: almonds, lemons, oranges, carobs, pomegranates and figs.

Most of the towns and villages of the Algarve are more than 240km (149 miles) from Lisbon. The great 1755 earthquake shook this area. Entire communities were wiped out; however, many Moorish and even Roman ruins remain. In the fret-cut chimneys, mosque like cupolas, and cubist houses, a distinct Oriental flavour prevails. Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Visigoths, Moors and Christians all touched this land.

However, much of the historic flavour is gone forever, swallowed by a sea of dreary high-rise apartment blocks surrounding most towns. Years ago, Portuguese officials, looking in horror at what happened to Spain’s Costa del Sol, promised more limited and controlled development so that they wouldn’t make “Spain’s mistake.”

Algarvian beaches are some of the best in Portugal. Their quality has led to the tourist boom across the southern coastline, making it a formidable rival of Lisbon’s Costa do Sol and Spain’s Costa del Sol. There are literally hundreds of beaches, many with public showers and watersports equipment available for rent.

Since around 1965, vast stretches of coastal terrain have been bulldozed, landscaped, irrigated, and reconfigured into golf courses. Many are associated with real-estate developments or major resorts, such as the 800-hectare (1,976-acre) Quinta do Lago, where retirement villas nestle amid vegetation at the edges of the fairways. Most are open to qualified golfers who inquire in advance.

Many former fishing villages—now summer resorts—dot the Algarvian coast: Carvoeiro, Albufeira, Olhão, Portimão. The sea is the source of life, as it always has been. The village marketplaces sell esparto mats, copper, pottery, and almond and fig sweets, sometimes shaped like birds and fish. Through the narrow streets comes the fast sound of little accordions pumping out the rhythmical corridinho.

For motorists, the big news is that the final 62km (39-mile) stretch of A2 is open, linking Lisbon and the Algarve with more efficient access than ever. The road took a decade to complete and cost $375 million.

The Algarve region of Portugal is famous for the quality of its golf courses and those renting villas in the Algarve region for a holiday will want to take advantage of these superb facilities. There’s not many places where you can spend part of the day playing golf and the other sightseeing or sunbathing on some of the finest beaches in the world. Sun, sea and golf – what more can you want from your holiday in Portugal?

Here are some of the best courses in the Albufeira for those who have holiday accommodation in that area of the Algarve :-

Albufeira Golf Courses

Salgados – This 18 hole golf course is between Albufeira and Armacao de Pera. With its many water obstacles, it is a real test of golfing skills. It is a well balanced  course with each half having three par 3 holes of 170  metres and two par five holes of about 500 metres. The course par is 72.

Pine Cliffs – This 9 hole golf course is located in a pine wood situated on the edge of a cliff. The first two holes are quite easy but the course gets more challenging after that. The hole known as “The Devil’s Parlou” is a particular challenge because you have to play over a ravine. Par is 33.

Balaia Golf Village – Located on the road between Albufeira and Vilamoura, this is a 9 hole course which is ideal for beginners. All holes are par 3 and are based around a loop. The course is also perfect for those wanting to practise and perfect their distance control. Par is 27.

Alto Golf – This 18 hole golf course was designed by Sir Henry Cotton, three times winner of the British Open golf championship. This course really does test a golfer. It has dog legs, cleverly placed bunkers and many trees and shrubs to negotiate your way around but has spectacular scenery to enjoy as it makes its way through two valleys with the Monchique mountains in the background. The course is par 72.

Ocean Golf Course – This golf course can be found in Vale do Lobo and is a Par 70 course. Another Sir Henry Cotton course, this is an 18 hole clifftop course with wonderful views

Pinheiros Altos – On the edge of the Ria Formosa Natural Park is this 18 hole golf course in the Quinta do Lago estate in Almancil. The course is a challenging one because the second nine holes are set between hills dotted with water hazards and the green of the seventeenth hole is on an island. The course has become popular with top professional golfers for pre season practice sessions. The par of this course is 72.

Quinta do Lago South – This par 72, 18 hole golf course has hosted the Portuguese Open eight times. The course can be played in a variety of ways because of its two anti-clockwise loops and is a great course for all standards of players.

Quinta do Lago North (Rio Formosa) – This par 72, 18 hole golf course can be a bit of a challenge. There are sometimes windy conditions on the par 3 holes, there are dog legs on the par 4 holes, water hazards on holes 13 and 18 and the par 5 holes require both accuracy and power from the golfer.

San Lorenzo, Quinta do Lago – Ranked second in Europe, this 18 hole golf course is a challenging course with various water hazards and a few holes going through a pine forest. The 18th hole, which is situated on a half island green, is said to be one of the best finishing holes in the world. There are wonderful views over the sea and over the lakes of the Natural Park that the course is set in. The Par is 72.

If you don’t really need a big house with a large, demanding yard, why not opt for the type of home that gives you everything you want? A home wrapped in attractive architecture and situated in a secure community that is conveniently located within 10 to 15 minutes of nearly every major attraction in Tulsa? That is exactly what hundreds of visitors to the 2003 Parade of Homes witnessed and it is the concept behind a superb new housing addition offered by Wenrick Development Company.
White Hawk Golf Villas, located at 148th and South Yale, are built exclusively by GoldStar Homes and are specifically targeted to people who desire the security of a gated community coupled with the enticement of living in a more manageable one-story home filled with quality amenities. Yards feature landscaping with sprinkler systems and all grounds maintenance is taken care of on a continuous basis. Some homes offer one upstairs all-purpose room.
Villas range in size from 1,850 square feet to around 3,000 square feet and prices range from $199,500 to $299,000. Every White Hawk Golf Villa features a private, interior courtyard that is the perfect place for a hot tub or a lavish garden area that is protected from the wind. There are built-in offices and oversized 2-car garages with extra space that can be utilized for a shop or for boat storage. Twelve-foot ceilings create a sense of spaciousness and open the home to abundant natural light. A room just off the master bath is an ideal spot for exercise equipment. Other interior spaces offer excellent locations for the installation of a tornado saferoom.

Covered patios are perfect for backyard grilling or watching the vibrant colors of an Oklahoma sunrise or sunset spread majestically across the sky. Lots are available with a golf course view. Residents enjoy the added benefit of residing in a golf community with nearby access to the course clubhouse and restaurant, along with the availability of special golf memberships. Enjoy the comfortable feel of country living and marvel at the fact that you are only a short 12-minute drive from Woodland Hills Mall. Six different floor plans are available.
New home buyers who are looking for an exceptional lifestyle choice in a neighborhood that is expertly planned and gated with a homeowner association, and built by one of the Tulsa area’s leading builders, need only remember one name: Wenrick Development Company.

Tom Wenrick has been responsible for numerous Tulsa area residential developments, some of which, such as Silver Chase, Canyon Creek, and most recently Rockhurst, have set standards that have been landmark achievements in quality and planning. Tom Wenrick’s exceptional vision and long string of development success stories has certainly not gone unnoticed by Tulsa’s home building industry. In over 20 years as a Realtor, builder, and developer, he has held every senior office in the Tulsa Home Builders Association, including president in 1997, the same year he was named Builder of the Year. Tom was the 2001/2002 vice president of the Oklahoma State Home Builders Association, and by the time this article reaches print, he will be president of the state Home Builders Association. That much peer recognition says a great deal about leadership, character, and professional credibility. Tom is also an active Rotarian.

First class accommodations at Hawaii vacation villas make an excursion to the islands an unforgettable experience. Unlike reserving a hotel room or suite, leasing an entire villa or beach house in an Hawaiian hamlet gives singles, couples and families a unique first-hand look at island living. Most Hawaii vacation home rentals are located near beaches, shopping, restaurants and exotic flora and fauna. The distinct difference between hotel rooms and vacation villas is that during a stay in the islands, tourists can feel right at home. Most units are appointed with comfortable, kid friendly furnishings or luxurious trappings fit for an island king and queen. Tourists relax in the splendor that is Hawaii in a setting equal to none. Three, four and five bedroom homes with wrap-around lanais sleep six to ten and allow soft tropical breezes to keep guests cool all day long. Beautifully decorated gourmet kitchens come complete with everything vacationers need for entertaining from glassware and flatware to serving dishes and cookware. But tourists don’t have to worry about cooking and cleaning, because most Hawaii vacation villas come with optional maid service.

But more than maids are the amenities that rival four- and five-star resorts. One hotel room, no matter how exclusive, can hardly compare to whole house living. During an extended stay, tourists soon slip out of mainland mentalities to become transformed into native Hawaiians. Rest and relaxation take center stage as tourists quickly become absorbed in the island lifestyle. While hotel guests can expect fresh linens and the bed turned down each night, vacation homes literally surround guests in an environment of leisure and luxury. Expansive living areas and indoor saunas overlook waterfalls and infinity pools to bring the lush green foliage of outdoors inside. From one weekend to one- to two-week rentals and extended stays, relaxing amidst the exquisite or family-friendly accommodations of beachfront Hawaii vacation home rentals makes most travelers never want to leave. Most adults live high-pressured, stressful lives; but God often calls His children to seek the rest that can both refresh the body and restore the soul: “Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” (Matthew 11:28-29)

While some tourists prefer more rustic Hawaii vacation villas free of televisions, cell phones, and subways; rustic and luxury units can come with all the modern conveniences. Oceanfront guest housing may include high definition, flat panel televisions with a large selection of cable and movie channels; faxes, and phones for staying in touch with friends and family on the mainland. High speed internet access, a plus for busy executives and students or for surfing the island via the worldwide web, is also a standard feature in most luxury accommodations. Travel websites guide tourists to all the island attractions from shopping for Hawaiian digs and souvenirs to planning entertainment and seaside excursions. But for tourists who prefer to savor the solitude, reserving Hawaii vacation villas affords privacy and seclusion. Surrounded by sand, sea, and serenity, villas are the perfect romantic hideaway for honeymooners and the ideal location for slower paced retirees. Both young and old will love being kids again, walking along a starlit beach, and dangling feet at the edge of a private stream. Even busy families can rediscover what it means to be a family again in a private island beach retreat.

Tourists seeking to find peace, pleasure and paradise in Hawaii can browse hundreds of travel, rental, and marketing websites for listings and locations of Hawaii vacation villas, condos, and beachfront properties. Sites contain an abundance of colorful photos of available properties, featured amenities, and pricing. Website information also includes the number of bedrooms and number of guests rental homes can comfortably accommodate. Sites will also indicate whether properties are located on or near the beach and the availability of private or community pools. Local professional leasing agents can help tourists determine which Hawaii vacation home rentals best suit individual tastes and budgets. Agents can not only help tourists find the perfect property at the right price, but they can assist in recommending inter-island travel, entertainment, and activities. Vacationers should contact local or online travel agencies for assistance in planning itineraries, leasing transportation, and purchasing airfares. Travelers should also surf websites for Hawaii travel packages offering discount car rentals and air fares combined with Hawaii vacation home rentals. Online guest books and blogs from tourists who have visited this enchanted Pacific island are also featured on Hawaii rental sites. Travelers can view comments from former renters before committing to short- or long-term vacation lease agreements.

With proper planning and a little PC surfing, tropical island vacationers can find the perfect rental property for a reasonable price. Tourists should be sure to check out several websites to compare all the offerings. Contact Hawaiian rental agents and let them do the work. Native professionals can give tips on savings time and money hunting for just the right location and give invaluable advice about discounts, entertainment, restaurants, shopping and popular but inexpensive venues. Most agents can be contacted by telephone or email and don’t mind helping to answer questions and address concerns about Hawaii vacation home rentals. Property offerings are plentiful on any one of Hawaii’s five major islands and smaller inlets. One of them is a perfect fit for travelers who are willing to invest time doing a little homework.