La Quinta

This spectacular contemporary home lies on 18 acres of the natural reserve of Rio Formosa (a protected area for bird migration) on the Algarve. It overlooks the sea and is protected from the ocean by a lagoon whose vistas change with the tides.

The estate is 20mins from the little town of Tavira, 45 mins from Faro and 2.5 hours from Lisbon. The Spanish border is 20mins away and Seville just 1hr30mins distant.

The house covers 1200sqm. Facing south, it overlooks the sea. Facing north, it views fields of olive and almond trees, an English garden, a vegetable garden and an orchard for the fruit trees and, beyond these, vineyards.

The property comprises three buildings:

A: The central building: On its ground floor there are the two main drawing rooms, one very large, the other one with a tv, a winter dining room and the kitchen. On the northern side, there is an open rooms called the “Salon de Café” facing the English garden – a shaded sitting are in summer, perfect for drinks in the evenings, watching sunset. All the large windows are kept full open in summer. On the first flor, two larger master suites with their  bathrooms (shower, bath tub, 2 basins, private loo) and private terraces overlooking the sea. In the basement – the laundry room, cellar etc…

B: The second building is composed of 3 smaller bedrooms with bathrooms/loos. One of these has a private garden; another has a terrace overlooking the gardens and the countryside. There is also the “dormitory”, a room with three beds plus shower best for children.

C: The third building is composed of a tv/library room on the ground floor and a master bedroom with terrace overlooking the sea .

On the esplanade between building A and C are two swimming pools: a quare one, not too deep, for children and a larger rectangular one facing the sea.

The gardens: a most important feature of the property. In front of the sea, the gardens are plated with lavender, rosemary, thyme and pelargonium.

In front of the Salon de Café, on the other side of the house, the closed English garden features roses and perennials. There is also a Vegetable garden, kitchen garden and orchard at the back of Building B. And also next to C, a Zen garden with a mediation pavilion.

The beach (lovely sandy Long-Island style) is reached by a short peddle-boat journey across the lagoon (this means it does not get so crowded); alternatively the owner fisherman can be at disposal to ferry you to and from.