Constructing Your Own House in Portugal

They had built in Portugal and went through what seemed like a long drawn out process and this scared us a little so we chose to purchase an existing house rather than build as we didn’t want to go through the nightmare of a long drawn out process.

Fate however had a different idea on what we would eventually purchase after we visited a beautiful piece of land without a single building on it, we had immediately fallen in love with it.

Our guide at the time a Mr Bert Snijder of Alentejo Home Real Estate offered us assurance that they could assist us with the building process and after weighing the pro’s and con’s over and over we decided to purchase it.

Bert was in total control he took care of all the paperwork and even assisted in finding an architect and a builder and we found the contracts were executed smoothly and without fuss despite the fact that we could not speak a word of portuguese, he of course spoke it fluently.

With each visit to Portugal we saw our dream come true bit by bit, being pleasantly surprised with the progress made time after time.

We found out that our builder worked very efficiently and we were (and still are) very satisfied with him. Alentejo Home kept us informed with pictures and reports so we had nothing to worry about in Holland.

The house was finished within the time span planned. The final result was even better then we could have dreamed.

Would we advise anyone to build in Portugal..? The fact that we bought our second piece of land two weeks ago, says it all! On this land we will be building a few apartments for rent. We’re building again with assistance of Alentejo Home of course.

A tip for aspirant buyers/builders: stick to the rules! Many people still think that in Portugal everything is permitted.

Those days are long past; Portugal is a EU member and has, like all other countries, building rules. Keep in mind that the paperwork can be a hassle and take a lot of time.

So just what is involved in building a house in Portugal..? there is quite a lot to be considered and the following is a check list we compiled of the services Mr Snijder and his company Alentejo Home real Estate offered to us.

Translation..If you don’t speak Portuguese you’ll definitely need this. Checking the properties paperwork..They ensured it was all correct. Assistance with the Notary…They accompanied us to his office Registration of the property..They provided the legal assistance Architect/Contractors..they found us reliable companies Mortgages..They offered professional Mortgage services. explanations..the ensured we fully understood what we were required to do and what was happening throughout the building process.

If your considering building then you need to find a company that can provide a complete service, one that will take the time to fully explain things to you one that is thorough when it comes to Checking paperwork of properties means checking important matters like mortgages or other debts still remaining on the property, how many owners there are etc. Building assistance to us means: You don’t have to come to Portugal to follow the building progress, change building plans or check on building progress and furnish you with detailed reports and photo’s or let you know when your presence is required.

Our final advice is to do as we did look up Mr Snijder and his company Alentejo Home Real Estate it will save you a lot of time and worry.
Article source: ContentLog.com

A Place In The Sun - Alentejo Portugal

A television crew from the popular show “A Place In The Sun” has visited the Alentejo region of Portugal documenting the country and it’s many attributes.

Local Realty firms are expecting a marked increase in the number of property sales as people are awakened to the inherent beauty of this EU partner when the show airs later this year.

While prices are still classed as at a premium in the Algarve regions there has been increased interest in the little known Alentejo region of Portugal.

Here prices are still very realistic and one can purchase a huge plot of land or a stylish villa for a fraction of the cost to purchase the same on the riviera.

During it’s visit the television crew where chaperoned by Mr Bert Snijder of Alentejo Home real estate who is regarded as one of the foremost authorities on the property market in the Alentejo region.

After spending several days filming the crew seemed to be taken with the beauty of this part of Europe which is scheduled to appear in the show “A Place In The Sun”

Needless to say that they were reluctant to leave and while shooting days of film footage they could only capture a fraction of the beauty presented to them.

So why is this part of the world so attractive at the moment, one of the reasons could be that the Portuguese Government has decided to protect the Alentejo region and prevent it from being over-run by tourism and spoilt by overcrowding and urbanization.

The Alentejo provides an environment that hasn’t changed greatly in over 100 years a lifestyle that is relaxed where one can kick off the cares of the world and start living without stress.

Are you thinking about Retirement..
Looking for that quiet place in the sun to kick back and relax, Cast off all the stress and worry of a lifetime of routine and hard work.

Maybe you already know about the Alentejo our little piece of paradise where the days are warm and the lifestyle peacefull and carefree… Where your only concern will be which wine to have with dinner. And then watching the sun go down in one of the 300 sunny days this region has.

Why just don�t pay a visit to what is called the new Tuscany or Riviera. You can fly in through Lisbon or Faro in the Algarve and you will not regret it. In the future you will be able to fly to the new international airport of Beja, in the heart of the Alentejo.

Retirement Investment in Portugal

And because we did not want to live a great distance from our children we decided Portugal would be the obvious choice as we both spoke Portuguese.

We had travelled through Portugal before and knew the area north of Lisbon however the warmer climate of the south met our needs a little better.

After we had travelled through the Algarve region which we found crowded and spoilt by tourism we finally visited the Alentejo region, specifically the south-west Alentejo.

This is where we decided to settle and purchased a large block of land that by Dutch standards would be classed as extravagant, However we needed to purchase a large block in order to build our dream home under the Portugues building regulations as out side of the city there is usually a rule that you can only erect a structure of 2 meters squared per 1000 square meters of available land.

It’s now been 3 years since our new house was built surrounded by nature with beautiful views and privacy from our neighbours.

We have had many experiences in the realization of our dream and about these i could write many pages but for each person these experiences differ as does the choice of location and land requirements.

What each potential purchaser of land here in Portugal must realise is that the laws are different to those in other countries, A notary in Portugal doesn’t meddle with checking if with the transfer the regarding property is free of debts and if the seller is entitled to sell.

Buyers should never blindly trust the broker either in this respect as he may not always supply all the necessary information so a personal check of the local registry, taxes etc. should be carried out preferably through a lawyer.

If a personal check is not possible then you should look for someone who knows the in’s and out’s of the Portuguese system and is willing to act on your behalf.

We were very lucky in that the broker we chose was very trustworthy and he introduced us to a fellow dutchman a Mr Bert Snijder who also happened to be a real estate agent.

Through his Real estate business Alentejo Home Real estate Bert was able to assist us with the purchase and transfer of our land and co-ordinated the first building phase, He was very supportive and always there when needed we would also like to mention that his wife Marianne was also a great comfort to us.

Looking back and looking at the future there hasn’t been a moment of regret of our decision to move to the Alentejo. The simplicity, cordiality and helpfulness of the Alentejanos makes life here very pleasant. Despite the fact that you are, you don’t feel a foreigner here because you’re completely accepted.

The Alentejo is synonymous for sun, space, nature and rest. Are there any negative sides? Of course there are for in no location in the world everything is ideal. For the purchase of the more luxury things, visit a contemporary theatre, concert and museum you must go to Lisbon. But a lively local folklore surrounds us here

The bureaucracy is sometimes tiring, but the people behind the desks are often so kind and patient. In short: “Nosso rico Alentejo” (our rich Alentejo) is a place we can advise!

So if you are considering your retirement or are just looking for that little piece of paradise in the sun the why not consider the Alentejo region of Portugal and we would reccomend that you contact Bert Snijder who we are sure would be willing to assist you with all aspects of your visit to this wonderful place.
Article source: ContentLog.com

Sintra Portugal

Can there be a more romantic destination than a place called “Mount Moon”? The Sintra mountain range was so called, due to the sun and moon cults that were practiced there during past eras. On an exuberant strong green mountain, peeking over the Atlantic ocean, lays the village of Sintra, named Cynthia by the Romans and a poet and writer’s preferred destination, like Lord Byron who even dedicated a couple of verses.

Sintra is a distinctive tourism region, one of the most notable in Portugal. The strong green landscapes, the mountains and the ocean, the Castle, the Palaces, the Houses and local gastronomy make of Sintra one of the most pleasurable locations of the country.

Named world patrimony by UNESCO due to the cultural landscape of the mountain range and the village, Sintra is a locality where you can easily confuse the symbiosis between Man and Nature, in a romantic environment of great mysticism.

Sintra has been favored by elitists for many eras, and all cultural attitudes have marked the region. Full of interesting houses, surrounded by luxurious gardens, its isolation attracted monks and hermits, who gave Sintra its religious and cultural dimension. It was also the elected place, for a number dynasties to set up their houses (permanent or for leisure), which have been conserves over the years. At the top of the mountain range we can observe the Castle of the Mouros, conquered from the Moors by D. Afonso Henriques in 1147.

Sintra has some of the most beautiful and romantic constructions of the country that coexist perfectly with nature. Perhaps the maximum exponent is the Palacio da Pena, built 500 meters up the mountain range, by King D. Fernando in 1839. The rooms are decorated according to the time, there are mysterious hiding place, all decorative details are beautifully put together and the view is indescribably breath taking. This is what you can expect from this architectural jewel.

Another place to visit is Quinta da Regaleira, an eccentric building, constructed at the beginning of the 20th Century Inspired by Gothic, Manueline and Renaissance styles, it emanates an impressive and mysterious atmosphere. The Iniciatico Well, an intimidating spiral stair case inside the house, invokes esoteric rituals that were repeatedly practiced in the place. Sintra’s Paco Real, with its long and conic emblematic white chimneys, marks the beginning of the Old Village of Sintra and is an un-missable monument of the patrimonial wealth, as well as the beautiful gardens of the Palace of Monserrate.

But strolls around Sintra don’t only include the Old Village and the beautiful mansions. Not far you will find beaches that are very popular. Such as Praia das Macas (Apple Beach) and Praia Grande (the Great Beach), preferred destinations of elitists of the region. Close by, Cabo da Roca marks the western most point of Europe. Also worth discovering are other villages such as Colares, where famous wines are produced, and Azenhas do Mar built on a cliff overlooking the ocean.

The visit to Sintra will not be complete without tasting and taking home some of its typical pastry, like the Travesseiros and Queijadas de Sintra, that promise to leave a sweet memory in your mouth of one of the most charming destinations in Portugal.

To complete the experience and extend sensations in an unforgettable manner, choose one of the best charming hotels of the region for an accommodation that is guaranteed to prolong the emotions.

Villa Albatroz

As you open the window, feel the sea breeze and appreciate the fascinating life of Cascais Bay.

Encrusted in the centre of Cascais, directly over its attractive bay is the relaxing Villa Albatroz. The perfect and sophisticated setting is the guarantee of a memorable stay.

Luxury and taste are omnipresent throughout the Villa. The rooms display distinct and personalised natures inspired in the D. Maria style that creates a pleasant period atmosphere, both comfortable and charming.

Senhora da Guia

Sip a drink at the panoramic bar, enjoy nature, silence and the glorious ocean view.

Located between Cascais and Guincho Beach, between the sea and the golf course, Senhora da Guia offers the perfect combination of sophisticated atmosphere and quality service.

The rooms and sitting areas, distributed throughout three buildings, are surprising due to their attractive design, the taste of the decor, and the refinement and comfort of the furniture. A number of the rooms provide direct access to the ample gardens and to the salt water pools, while the others offer snug terraces and a superb ocean view.

Quinta do Rio Touro

Rest, read, and dream, nestled in a valley between the mountain and the sea.

Close to a small creek, curiously named Rio Touro (Bull River), along a sheltered and luxuriant valley facing the ocean and in the depths of the Sintra-Cascais natural park, lays the distinguished Quinta do Rio Touro.

The interior design is personalised, the common living areas are replete with genuine antiques and classical and modern paintings, the rooms are spacey and offer superb views of the gardens and the valley with the sea in the horizon.

Hotel Albatroz

Dive into a salt water pool and relax to the sound of waves lapping on the rocks.

“Tiny Almond Box” the pet name of the ancient Palace of the Dukes of Loule, is today, the prestigious Hotel Albatroz, a luxury hotel situated by the sea in the village of Cascais.

The sumptuous and elegant decor in soft colours effuses the charm of a private residence and reveals itself to be both comfortable and warm. The rooms and ample suits benefit from the calming view of the sea, also present at the restaurant and perfectly in harmony with the unique menu of fish and seafood.

Farol Design Hotel

Settle into your designer chair and touch the sea.

The old Farol Guest House, once a XIX century mansion owned by the Count of Cabral, was carefully refurbished, becoming the current Farol Design Hotel, adjacent to the marina in the historical centre of Cascais.

The attention to design is a concern also present on the inside, starting with a balanced comfortable design of the interior space, created by renowned architects, and carries on through to the sober yet cosy rooms, some of which were designed by leading Portuguese designers.

Property in Portugal -Time To Invest

Portugal Real Estate is at premium currently especially in the Alentejo region between Lisbon and the Algarve. Peace and quiet seekers worldwide discover this new tourism area.

Trendy magazines write about it in their holiday specials and also more and more articles are written about people who bought a second house in this area. Many of them consider Portugal as their second home. This is not strange; if you have a look at the Portuguese and their warm hospitality, they will make you feel at home in every way they can. The number of people who move to Portugal permanently is growing each year. This area between Lisbon and the Algarve is a good one to invest in.

The rich cultural heritage of Portugal and in this area in specific makes it even more interesting to invest in property here. There is more to offer than just the seaside and beautiful scenery. Places as Evora, (on Unesco world heritage list) and Beja are worthwhile a visit to discover their ancient history. Places as Setubal, Sesimbra and Sines are old fishermans villages with all its charmes and of course good places to eat fresh fish. Almograve and Vila Nova de Milfontes are the best-known beach villages of this area, but there are many more lovely beaches and trendy beach bars/ restaurants that serve good food.

More inland you will find the wine quintas, a visit there and of course some wine tasting is a lovely introduction in the world of Portuguese wines. Many of them are prize-winning wines, Esperao being one of the most famous ones. Portugal has many wonderful Pousadas, hotels partially owned by the State, located in old castles, monasteries and other historical places.

Discovering this part of Portugal you might stay in one of these luxurious hotels or choose from the cheaper ones. There are plenty. Of course you will find hotels or B&Bs owned by foreigners who started a new life in Portugal and with that life a new business. This number is still increasing and welcomed by the Portuguese.

There are many reasons to invest in properties here; one of them is of course the price difference with the rest of Europe. Whether you are looking just for land, a villa, an apartment near the sea or a house in the countryside for sale, we can find what you are looking for and guide you all the way.

Alentejo Home is known for its level of care and attention to detail and their knowledge of the property market. Their relationship with local real estate agents in the Alentejo is perfect. Alentejo Home has the best properties. If you are looking for land for sale, villas, houses, apartments or a quinta, Alentejo Home can guide you all the way.
If you are looking to buy or sell property in Portugal then Alentejo Home is at your service.
Article source: ContentLog.com

Villa in Portugal - for a Great European Vacation

Villa in Portugal? If you are searching online for a villa in Portugal, you likely already know that staying in a Portugal villa is a thousand times better than staying a hotel room. Instead of a noisy cramped hotel room, you and your family or freinds will be so much more comfortable renting a country villa away from the noise and pollution of the city.

If you will be traveling in Portugal, you will be visiting the westernmost country in continental Europe that is located on the Iberian peninsula. Traveling in Portugal will have you near Spain to the north and the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the west and the Mediterranean Sea to the south.

Portugal’s name was derived from the Latin name Portus Cale, which translated into English means a beautiful port. Portugal travel will definitely consist of experiencing travel in a beautiful country, enjoying centuries old towns, castles and wineries to superb beaches to modern cities with great food and entertainment. And that is where a villa in Portugal comes into play.

Prefer to stay in a cramped hotel room while on vacation? A Portugal villa means you will have more privacy, more space, more relaxation and more fun on your vacation!

For example, relaxing with your favorite beverage on the veranda of your villa in Portugal is a wonderful experience. Looking over a rural Portuguese country village is fun, is absolutely beautiful and you can see what the village really looks like. The clean air of a rural village and the peaceful kindness of the village people is something that everyone would like to be a part of. And besides, the veranda of your villa in Portugal offers a place to cook out and relax with friends if you choose.

The importance of privacy while on vacation cannot be overemphasized. Not only will you have your very own kitchen in a villa in Portugal, you will also have your own bathroom to use at your leisure. A hotel bathroom is constantly being used by everyone else and at times can get so congested. With your very own villa, the bathroom can be used at your leisure with no more sharing of just one bathroom with everyone else.

As for mornings, waking up in your villa can be a most pleasurable experience. You can listen to the noises that a rural Portuguese village provides. One of the most memorable experiences is hearing the rooster wake the village up in the morning. A fresh brewed cup of coffee, a tasty breakfast and the day awaits you as you take time off from life’s responsibilities.

One of the increasingly popular areas to visit in Portugal is the Alentejo area. The Alentejo region of Portugal is known as the agricultural region where Portugal’s food is grown. One can find some of the best of Portuguese culture as well as low priced restaurants with great food and inexpensive accommodations.

Quiet, calm and peaceful is often the reason for taking time off from work to recharge. We go on vacation to relax and unwind and a villa in Portugal can make that kind of vacation a reality. Take your time as you search for a villa in portugal to rent for your next holidays.

No matter where in the country of Portugal you plan to vacation, you can find one of the vacation rental villas that is just right for your next vacation. By far, the easiest and quickest way to find vacation rental homes is by using the internet. Whether you are visiting Portugal for the first time or you visit often, check out the villa in Portugal vacation home rentals for your next vacation stay.

Copyright 2007 InfoSearch Publishing
Article source: ContentLog.com

An Unspoilt Jewel in Portugal

Portugal can be said to be a country standing at the crossroads of the world. From the Portuguese coast, the first Europeans set sail for central Africa, India, America and the Caribbean.

Portugal is on old Western Algarve fishing village nested in a secluded bay, gently touched by the calm blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean and surrounded by dramatic sun baked ochre cliffs.

An unspoilt jewel in Portugals Algarve Coast, Salema is the ideal place to relax and unwind.

With a unique combination of natural beauty, a pristine sun kissed beach and excellent tourist and holiday facilities and accommodation. It provides a warm welcome to Portugal through its friendly, hospitable, local people.

It has been assimilated into both Moorish and Roman empires, before creating and losing a global empire of its own. It has been almost destroyed by earthquakes and transformed through revolutions, and the remnants of this rich history can be found in towns and cities throughout the country.

Many of the tourists, who travel to Portugal, come to enjoy the sunshine and the good food and wines that the country is well known for. Those who choose to explore Portugal in more depth, discover a country that becomes evermore beautiful and complex. With this website we aim to combine an in depth guide to the culture, history and regions of Portugal, with the facilities to book hotels and plan holidays throughout the country.

Visitors to Portugal who wish to explore a number of different regions will find that bicycle holidays can be an excellent way of doing so. Whilst the creation of new highways across Portugal allows for rapid travel by car between cities, so much of the real beauty of this country is found in the small towns and countryside villages that can only be accessed through winding country roads and paths more suited to bikes.

A selection of organised bicycle holidays are available, ranging from one day tours of the capital and historical centres such as Sintra and Evora, to longer holidays lasting two weeks which take in large parts of the country such as the Alentejo and the Algarve.

Portugal acts a bridge for migrating birds between Africa and northern Europe and so twice yearly, vast numbers of raptors, storks and smaller land birds cross the Strait of Gibraltar, many being carried across southern Portugal by the prevailing winds. Weve occasionally found some of these birds in our garden, such as a Heron who had obviously been blown off course.

During the months of spring and autumn many bird watchers flock to the Algarve and Alentejo to capture glimpses of other rare migrants.
Article source: ContentLog.com, beach,

Alentejo Portugal’s Best Kept Secret

The Alentejo area is blessed with a beautiful coastline and is easily accessible - as most of Portugal is - house prices are significantly lower than in more well-known regions such as the Algarve.

For more and more people the attraction of Portugal is that you can still relax. There’s loads of space, not on the Algarve, of course, but the rest of Portugal, empty roads, [people] living really from day to day. No stress.

For the more active, there are also a number of tourist attractions.

Of course the coastal areas, the beach. But it has world heritage towns. There’s a lot of culture here, going back to the Romans and even way before the Romans. There’s quite a lot to see.

The rich cultural heritage of Portugal and in the Alentejo in specific makes it even more interesting to invest in property here. There is more to offer than just the seaside and beautiful scenery.

Places as Évora, (on Unesco world heritage list) and Beja are worthwhile a visit to discover their ancient history. Places as Setubal, Sesimbra, Sines and Porto Côvo are old fishermans villages with all its charmes and of course good places to eat fresh fish.

Almograve, Zambujeira do Mar and Vila Nova de Milfontes are the best-known beach villages of this area, but there are many more lovely beaches and trendy beach bars and restaurants that serve good food.

More inland you will find the wine quintas, a visit there and of course some wine tasting is a lovely introduction in the world of Portuguese wines. Many of them are prize-winning wines, Esporão being one of the most famous ones. Portugal has many wonderful Pousadas, hotels partially owned by the State, located in old castles, monasteries and other historical places.

Many people fly out from Britain for a long weekend in Portugal.

For more and more people the attraction of Portugal is that you can still relax.

Although the Algarve is highly developed and property prices have "gone sky high", there are other areas of Portugal providing "loads of space".

For property investors the Alentejo region is a good option because of its "beautiful" coast, easily accessible and properties are less expensive.

Property inspection firm Sunscape Properties recently predicted that the development of a new theme park, a Formula One racing track and additional golf course would help to increase tourism in Portugal by 300 per cent over the next seven years.
Article source: ContentLog.com