The 2nd December article was published in partnership with Olive
magazine, which is part of the BBC Good Food stable. So of
course much of the first part concentrates on restaurants and
describes the "stunning" variety of food and eating experiences.

In the district of Saldanha she discovers the Café Versailles
which she described as "the most beautiful Art Nouveau café" she
had ever seen - "eat your heart out" Paris.

bbc.com/travel/feature/20111201-postcard-from-lisbon-portugal/

She also called in at the "Jerónimos monastery" for the "best
custard tart anyone has ever tasted".

In part two of the article Marina writes that there is "so much
more to love in Lisbon". She goes on to describe "the vintage
wooden number 28 tram that takes you everywhere you'll want to
go (especially the evocative old Arab quarter, Alfama)."

Marina also enjoyed "the kiosks in the open spaces that sell
Portuguese cheesecakes", the "wine bars, such as Chafariz do
Vinho", the "old aqueduct with its miles of subterranean
tunnels", and the Chinese pavilion.

Come back soon Marina and one tiny detail I'd draw to your
attention, the "powerful cherry aguardente" you enjoyed so much
is not "totally unique to Lisbon". Take a trip out to the
mediaeval walled town of Obidos, the jewel in the crown of
Portugal, the next time you visit - where you will find they
wickedly encase the cherry liqueur in chocolate as well.

Flamingos on Obidos Lagoon - youtube

Above is a somewhat wobbly video shot earlier in September,
so that seems quite a long stay for them already this year.

Picture courtesy of CampoReal Golf ©

The units of the tourist village are owned by various
individuals and entities and we recently reported here that Zara
Phillips, (12th in line to the British throne, and with Mike
Tindall the other Royal wedding in 2011) is building her first
home abroad at CampoReal.

The boards resolved to apply for insolvency (bankruptcy) of the
four companies that control the various aspects of the luxury
tourist resort. Orizon Hotel & Select, Orizon CampoReal,
Sociedade Agrícola Quinta do Manjapão, Orizon Investimentos
Imobiliários e Turísticos. Between them they are responsible for
exploration and promotion of the Hotel, Golf and Select
Residences, The Vineyards, Vacation and Real Estate Investments.

Picture courtesy of CampoReal Golf ©

According to an explanation sent to about 150 employees:- The
financial crisis in 2008 led to a brutal and unexpected
restriction of bank credit, including the unilateral suspension
or cancellation of funding. Costly losses at CampoReal Hotel and
Golf, in the management of Select Residences combined with a
three year freeze in real estate sales all created financial
imbalances and inability to meet commitments to creditors.

The Resort CampoReal which opened in October 2007 was associated
with the Westin brand, the only five-star hotel from the
Starwood chain in Portugal, until November 2009 when it came
under management by the Orizon group. The venture was the scene
of events of major companies, such as the BCP golf tournament,
the EDP media day "Press Day".

Picture courtesy of CampoReal Golf ©

The Chairman of the regional tourism board, Antonio Carneiro, is
reported in the media as suggesting that the Orizon group
insolvency was requested in early July as a result of the
financial crisis affecting the banking system.

Eduardo Netto de Almeida, president of the Orizon group,
confirmed "The decision arose when the board of directors
recognised the inability to meet financial commitments."

Eduardo Netto de Almeida expects to maintain the operation of
the group, which has about 150 employees, until the creditors
meeting and believes a financial restructuring plan will enable
the continuity of the entire resort.

The insolvency petition is for a continuation of the current
administration, under the tutelage of an administrator appointed
by the court.

Another Royal wedding in 2011 - youtube video clip

Zara says of her choice of location: "I find I unwind quickly as
everyone is very friendly but in a relaxed way. My villa will be
built on the edge of vineyards that have been there for
centuries, there are stunning beaches nearby and Mike and I can
improve our handicaps on the golf course. The decision to build
my holiday home here was pretty straightforward really."

Zara reckons the location is perfect for access from the UK, she
is quoted as saying: "Lisbon is really accessible to
Gloucestershire flying from Bristol or Heathrow. As the travel
time from door-to-door is only a few hours, I plan to use the
villa as often as I can."

Her four-bedroom villa, will be traditionally Portuguese in
style but will have some modern architectural influences with
open-plan living spaces designed for the Silver Coast's warm
climate to make the most of the light and sunshine.

Zara says: "One of the highlights of the section I've chosen is
the view out across the rolling vineyards and fact you can see
the sunrise and sunset. I would like the focus of the villa to
be around relaxing and entertaining spaces. There will also be
plenty of room for guests so I will be using the entertaining
spaces for just that!"

The villa, situated on the edge of a working vineyard, also
features landscaped grounds, she explained: "Although I plan to
come here as a break from my training regime, my villa will have
a swimming pool so I can keep fit even when I'm relaxing and I
know I won't be able to keep away from visiting the horses at
the Equestrian Centre!"

The Equestrian Centre in the resort has stabling for up to 60
horses, a covered arena and a show-jumping course with
facilities for riding lessons and training competition horses.

CampoReal offers a lease-back scheme on some properties,
where buyers can stay for six weeks each year, and earn rental
income the rest of the time.

Flight times are around two hours and 35 minutes from London.
Other golf developments in the region like Royal Obidos, Bom
Sucesso and Praia d'el Rey have all focused on low-rise
buildings and that combined with the low density planning
regulations on the Silver Coast continues to ensure the region
remains unspoilt.

Portugal Silver Coast Property For Sale near Lourinha

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