Quinta Properties was celebrating the publication of the 8^thedition of its annual guide, with a very stylish James Bond themed party, where the champagne flowed and exquisite delicacies were prepared and served by the two Michelin star restaurant, Vila Joya and its Chef, Dieter Koschina.

Quinta Properties co-Director, Alison Buechner Hojbjerg, said: “Passion for Property has fast become a must-read guide to buying, owning and selling property in and around Quinta do Lago. We invest a great deal of effort and resources in producing the stylish publication so that we can keep our clients informed and up-to-date on this fast-changing property market, therefore it is only fitting that we celebrate its launch with our equally popular and very stylish annual party.”

The highlight of the event was the Quinta Properties Charity Auction of a ‘Diner prive’ for 10 people, skilfully prepared by Chef Koschina and his team, and served in the home of the winning bidder. The auction raised €5,100 for the local charity Almancil Social and Cultural Association (ASCA) and was generously sponsored by Vila Joya.

Quinta Properties co-Director, Kerstin Buechner Dias, said:  “The red carpet for the Quinta Properties 2011 party read like a list of who’s-who in Quinta do Lago. It was great to see so many of our valued clients and so much better for being able to support the local community and a very worthy cause in the Algarve through the monies raised by the Quinta Properties Charity Auction.”

Adding the de rigueur James Bond style and panache to the event, the red carpet was flanked by a speed boat, an Aston Martin and BMW’s latest car, the Z-4.

Visit www.quintaproperty.com to view all the images from the 2011 Quinta Properties annual party.

For a copy of Passion for Propertyand for more information please contact Savills Quinta Properties; info@quintaproperty.com or 351 289 396 073.

Visit www.asca.pt for more information on the charity, Almancil Social and Cultural Association (ASCA).

[Show as slideshow]

[View with PicLens]

Related posts:

1. Passion for Property Buyers’ Guide 2011 Launched
2. 15 countries to be removed from Portugal’s tax ‘black list’ – including Gibraltar

The Jimmy Stewart way to get the most out of your game

His booming Canadian twang resonates around his small office, stressing the importance of his point. But no matter how much seriousness he injects into his big voice, his eyes can’t keep from smiling and you just know that he practises what he preaches.

This is not to say that he doesn’t take tennis seriously. Forget strawberries and champagne, when tennis can pay for your education at Princeton or Syracuse, it suddenly becomes more important than an excuse for a social gathering.

A string of graduates who enjoyed tennis scholarships at some of America’s top universities have Jim’s coaching skills to thank for getting them there.

But for Jim, coaching some of the world’s best does not just stop with the Ivy League. The Jim Stewart Tennis Academy in Quinta do Lago currently hosts three of Portugal’s top players, including Demi Rodrigues, who is a face of the future with a ranking on the Junior Ladies’ Tour.

“We look at people as individuals and help them improve their game, if that’s what they want”, says Jim. “Different people want different things from tennis.”

“We can arrange some great competitive league games for people. But we also have a bar, serving a range of drinks and light snacks. Some of our guests just come for the social life. We also run several very successful barbecues over the summer.”

The Academy’s court

The Academy’s court records bear out this welcoming attitude. Although there is a core of regular players, most of whom are club members, there are a lot of non-members who just come to play for short bursts. Most of these are enjoying a vacation in Quinta do Lago and are either staying in one of the resort’s nearby hotels or are the owners of one of the region’s luxury villas.

The club’s facilities reflect the level of its most discerning visitor. There are nine courts in both American Acrylic and Synthetic Grass. It’s possible to play just a stone’s throw from the centre of activity at the club house or you could book a secluded court in a more peaceful location. The Academy repairs, rents and sells all you could possibly need to play and provides fun equipment to enhance the skills of children, such as coloured cones and different sized ball and racquets.

High quality tennis program for children

It is this devotion to the needs of children that is, perhaps, one of the nicest things to see around the club. The Academy has more than 120 children on its books and runs special programmes with several local Portuguese and international schools throughout the year. The children of Quinta do Lago’s visitors are also welcome and many make the most of the activities on offer during their stay.

Children as young as four can enjoy private or group lessons with specialist equipment principally designed for their size and ability. And judging by their interaction with children, most of the coaches could be as at home on a summer camp as they are on one of the Academy’s pristine courts.

The club’s coaching

The approach of the club’s coaching has a lot to do with its international heritage. Run by a Canadian in Portugal with players that come from all over America and Europe including England, Ireland, France and Spain, the club’s focus is unashamedly international, while maintaining a pride in the Algarve. “We’re in the best garden in Europe, with a perfect climate, people, ocean and food”, says Jim. He’s talking about Quinta do Lago, but when he adds “You can’t get much better than this”, he could easily be talking about his love of tennis and how that is reflected in his Academy.

For more information visit the official website: www.tennisalgarve.com.

No related posts.

“An appreciation of the Quinta do Lago way of life is fundamental to our success”

Their relationship with the estate is a long one

As a young partner in the firm of Fraser Design International, Vaughan initially visited the site with Quinta do Lago’s visionary creator, Andre Jordan, just ten years after the developer first discovered the lagoon and saw the area’s wonderful potential. One of many talented designers who have worked on the estate during its lifetime, Vaughan worked on the site’s masterplans and is still working in Quinta do Lago today, surrounded by his beautiful designs, including many luxury private villas, the Lakeside Village, as well as São Lourenço apartments and the elegant Hotel Quinta do Lago.

Many of Vaughan’s projects are managed by his wife, Wendy, as part of her Property Management Company.

“There is a harmony with what we do”, explains Wendy. “Vaughan creates the home and I try to make sure it works as one, once the owner moves in. Although not all of the properties I manage have been designed by Vaughan, many of them have been and I am able to bring my knowledge of that building, from its first designs to its life today, to my clients. Quite often if the house is sold I continue the management with the new owners because of this reason.

“I also keep in touch with many of my private clients”, adds Vaughan. “Designing and building a house is a long project, it is hard not to become friends over this period. In addition to that, many clients return to me requesting additions to their villas. This is nearly always because they have become grandparents and need a bit of extra space to accommodate visits from their growing family”.

Understanding the needs of a family is central to the thinking of Wendy and Vaughan, who have raised their own family in Portugal. The couple, who are originally from Wales, moved to Quinta do Lago from London during the 1980s. The move made sense. As one of the principle architects to the resort, Vaughan needed to spend increasing amounts of time in the Algarve. Wendy joined him and their two sons, Tod (17) and Iuean (15), were born a little after.

“Quinta do Lago is a wonderful place to live”, enthuses Vaughan. “Winter is like spring in the UK. Of course there are days of rain, but we also have amazing, bright, blue skies. I love the almond blossom in January and I am a keen, if limited, golfer and enjoy playing all the local courses”.

Understandably, Tod and Iuean’s UK friends are pretty keen too and try to visit as often as they can, relishing the freedom of the outdoor lifestyle and the opportunities to play many different sports from golf to windsurfing.

Vaughan enjoys working with natural materials, particularly stone and wood. His eye for detail is not confined to a building’s exterior; you will find his signature finesse on everything from the kitchen floor to the master bedroom’s wardrobe doors. “We will design pretty much everything our clients want us to. The only areas we don’t tend to look at are the furniture and fabrics”, he confesses.

Vaughan’s practice, Fraser & Davies Limitada, draws on a team with international expertise, hailing from Portugal, Venezuela, Greece and, of course, Wales. Their knowledge of the region and their relationships with local suppliers, from project management to builders and artisans is consummate.

Wendy’s service is expansive. Wendy Davies Lda employs a team of administrative staff, maids and maintenance engineers and organises pool and garden maintenance. Wendy’s own expertise is in managing these services and in adding her own personal touch from sourcing quality local tiles, to organising weddings and even transporting personal belongings from China! Wendy believes her brief is to support her clients’ individual needs in any way she can. Her work is recorded in each property’s log book, and may range from an annual maintenance programme of safety checks on boilers and guttering, to individual restaurant and golf course advance bookings.

If you don’t live in your villa all year round, it is reassuring to know that someone is looking after it when you are not there”, explains Wendy. “But it is more than that, too. It can be a real relief to arrive knowing that the house is warm in the winter and that there is fresh produce in the fridge, fresh flowers in the vases and all rooms are ready. When you come for a break, it’s great to know that you can relax from the moment you arrive”.

Contact Vaughan Davies under +351 289 398485or vaughan@mail.telepac.pt.

Contact Wendy under +351 289 392760or wendy.davies@mail.telepac.pt.

No related posts.

Winning Red Dot Design Awards

Featured in a previous edition of Passion for Property, Beau is in the news again for sweeping the board at the 2007 Red Dot Design Awards, collecting four of the coveted Red Dots. The prestigious international Award ranks among the largest and most renowned design competitions in the world. In 2007 the competition received more than 7,000 submissions from 60 countries. To achieve four awards was outstanding.

Beau’s Red Dots were all won by individual examples of his new Beau for Brumberg range, designed for the German lighting manufacturer, Brumberg. They include the Bomac and Icicle ranges. Speaking of his inspiration for the Icicle lights Beau said:

“As a young boy growing up in Scotland, I was always amazed by the way light was refracted in the surface of a frozen loch, how the scratches left by the blades of an ice skate would reflect beautifully the colours of the sunset”

Beau’s work, however, is not limited to creating beautiful pieces for specialist manufacturers. His original and exclusive work, from cascading chandeliers to handcrafted pieces of furniture and stunning outdoor water features, can be found in some of the most discerning homes around the world.

Perhaps thanks in part to his studio’s locality, many of his beautiful pieces are here in Quinta do Lago. One chandelier uses specially coated glass to enable it to blend into its surroundings. Unlit, each tear drop resembles a mirror reflecting all it sees.

When lit with the latest LED technology, each drop of glass becomes transparent. Pure, hand ground crystals, placed with precision behind each piece of glass are frosted to catch the most subtle nuances of colour. The effect is stunning, only to be further enhanced by its colour changing ability. Like a living sculpture, the chandelier never looks the same.

An ornate balustrade makes a feature out of a staircase, a night lit sculpture brings a garden to life long after the sun has set. Or for an easily accessible example of his sculpture, head to the entrance roundabout at Loule and gaze upon the Municipal Council’s commission: the Zephyrus.

Beau’s grounding is in art, both as a sculptor and an art director in film, advertising and theatre. His move into lighting is a natural step and it is unsurprising that he is already being recognised for his lighting work by such prestigious awards as the Red Dots.

Mirroring the impact of his installations, Beau’s reputation far exceeds his Algarve location.

For more information and examples of his work, see www.beaumcclellan.com.

Creative design needs a practical knowledge of what is possible, while pushing the boundaries of what might be possible. BEAU McLELLAN

No related posts.

Hermes Alberto - Quietly Reassuring

For someone so self-effacing, however, Hermes possesses an imposing charisma. He carries the confidence of a man in control, and moves with a fluid ease and an assured sense of grace. His smiling eyes twinkle and give the impression that he knows far more than he is letting on.

Perhaps this is no bad thing, for a man in charge of security should be discreet. In fact, it is almost impossible to get any information out of him. However, his impeccable record speaks volumes about his work. The 800 acre residential estate of Quinta do Lago is one of the safest in the region. The resort welcomes guests and their families, many of whom include A-list celebrities, to a friendly environment that is not enclosed within high walls. The number of times that the police are called to this non-gated community in a year can be counted in single figures.

Hermes’s philosophy is that the key to real security lies in prevention, rather than in trying to solve problems after they have occurred. To this end, the security firm that Hermes manages, Vigiquinta, is often involved in the planning of any new development – whether it is a villa or a hotel – to ensure that security features are quite literally built into the fabric of every building and garden. This includes alarms, and sometimes CCTV cameras, that are linked directly to their centre of operations.

Vigiquinta’s security personnel, both uniformed and plain clothed, are everywhere – although we defy you to notice. Their muted green uniforms and low key manner help them to remain discreet, enabling them to see, rather than be seen. They operate in Quinta do Lago 24 hours a day and their response times are quick. As property agents in the area, we have occasionally set off an alarm in a property we have been invited to visit. Whenever this has happened, Vigiquinta security guards appear instantly out of nowhere. Luckily they know us well!

Vigiquinta

Vigiquinta is a private security company wholly owned by Quinta do Lago SA, and paid for by contributions from the resort’s residents. All of the guards are personally vetted by Hermes and must have a 100% clean criminal record, a high level of fitness and health and a good standard of education. Staff turnover is very low and experience is very high. Hermes likes to joke about the lunch he had with three senior Vigiquinta colleagues recently; between them, they had clocked up an impressive 120 years’ security experience in the resort.

Part of the reason why Hermes is so good at his job is that he knows everyone in the area, and therefore knows when things are not quite right.

President of ASCA

He was born in the nearby village of Almancil and remains an active member of the community.

This includes his role as President of the Associação Social e Cultutral de Almancil (ASCA).

This charitable organisation works in the heart of the community, providing meals and a safe, clean, living environment for people who may need a little extra help. This includes the elderly and handicapped, and people who may not be able to afford to feed themselves properly.

ASCA also supplies meals to two local kindergartens and four elementary schools. During the 2005/2006 academic year, the charity supplied 750, 603 meals. ASCA was founded 15 years ago and is supported by regular donations from members and supporters, including local residents and businesses such as Apolonia Supermarket and Gigi’s Restaurant. All profits collected at the car park by the bridge in Quinta do Lago go directly to the association, and Portugal’s Department of Social Security also subsidises the charity.

Hermes’s involvement in charity does not stop there. He is also the Founder and President of the Associação de Apoio Social de Carlos Perreira, a charity set up to give support to the widows and children of Quinta do Lago employees who have prematurely passed away.

Where does Hermes find the time to run such a professional security firm and two important charities? We can only guess, but it is evident that his dedication to Quinta do Lago is as big as his heart.

If you would like to know more about Hermes’s charities or offer support please call:

Associação de Apoio Social de Carlos Perreira

Telephone: 289 394 494

Associação Social e Cultutral de Almancil

Telephone: 289 399 699 or 289 393602

Vigiquinta

Telephone: 289 394 494

No related posts.

a personal trainer who makes you feel great!

Antonio is a personal trainer who possesses that rare quality found in the most motivational of people, the ability to inspire without appearing at all intimidating. On paper, he should be totally scary, as his resumé reads like an A-Z of martial arts (from Taikwando to Kick Boxing, including a black belt in Karate). But his warm and encouraging manner is so gentle that it contrasts with any image of him as a fighting man. Antonio could have easily devoted his career to combat sports, but his interest in sport was much wider and took him to university in Covilhã where he graduated in Sports Science. This wasn’t enough for him, however, and he went on to gain a post-graduate degree in Tourist Sport in the Algarve.

After graduating, Antonio taught a wide variety of activities to people of all ages, from cycling and abseiling, to swimming and gymnastics. He found that most people exercise best when they are allowed to concentrate on themselves, without feeling self-conscious or in competition with anyone else. He discovered that he could really make a difference to someone’s life and level of fitness if he could help them train in a small group, or a one-to-one session.

Located within the Pinus Ria Hotel, close to the entrance of Quinta do Lago

Joining forces with his wife, Mari, he took over a gym, built on the gym’s original services offering new, exclusive and tailored personal training. The gym is located within the Pinus Ria Hotel, close to the entrance of Quinta do Lago on the Vale do Lobo road. In addition to enabling clients to take advantage of Antonio’s talent and experience, it offers exclusive (and sought after) spinning classes – for a maximum group size of five, free weights, natural strength machines, yoga, pilates and massage. There is also a wet room with a sauna, Turkish bath and jacuzzi.

As a part of his service, Antonio monitors weight and body fat, as well as assessing levels of strength, general fitness, blood pressure and nutritional needs. He doesn’t restrict clients to his gym, also conducting sessions in people’s own homes, encouraging his clients to take full advantage of the excellent gym facilities found in many of their homes.

Superfit and energetic, Antonio is a natural and gifted teacher. His classes are great fun. They are always different and he uses fantastic, uplifting music. And should he ever wish to advertise his work, he need look no further than his select group of clients, who simply glow with health and enthusiasm.

Antonio Ribeiro
Telephone: 289 356838

No related posts.

approaching Gigi’s there is a sense of anticipation

Bernardo Reino (universally known as Gigi) has been serving lunch at his famous beach-side fish restaurant, Gigi’s, for more than 20 years. But the length of time Gigi’s has been there is only one small measure of its success. In fact, during the height of the season, it is virtually impossible to get a table without booking well in advance – a true testament to the restaurant’s popularity.

The Algarve is filled with seafood restaurants and cafes. So why do celebrities, from royalty to pop stars and Formula 1 racing drivers, jostle with locals and other mortals in a bid to reserve a table? The answer lies in its fantastic location and in an unspoken understanding that only the best is good enough. But, perhaps more than anything, there is the indefinable, genial quality possessed by both the restaurant and its larger-than-life restaurateur.

In a bid to secure the best fish, Gigi makes daily dawn visits to the local fish markets to look through the catches of his preferred fisherman. Not only does he go to the best fisherman, but he also chooses their most succulent fish. The catch of each day is then neatly recorded on chalkboard menus at the restaurant.

Gigi’s is totally without pretension. Simple wooden tables, shaded from the sun by lemon yellow parasols, sit on wooden decking. Yet somehow this understated simplicity doesn’t seem rustic, but rather, stylish. It is also very welcoming and diners are all made to feel at home.

unique atmosphere, ambience and wonderful food

Besides the daily changing menu and great wine list, the best thing about Gigi’s is its ambience. The friendly staff, most of whom seem to have been there forever, take the time to get to know their customers. On spotting your arrival, Gigi himself will throw his arms up in delight and welcome you like the old friend you have become and his delightful wife, Leonor, will enquire after your family. It’s hard not to enjoy such a welcome.

Perhaps the most reliable reviews of Gigi’s, however, come from the long-term Quinta do Lago residents. We asked one regular why he kept returning. He replied: “The atmosphere, the food, the people even as you walk across the bridge approaching Gigi’s there is a sense of anticipation. It’s always very special”.

Gigi’s Beach Restaurant
Telephone: 964 045178
“There is no love sincerer than the love of food” – George Bernard Shaw

No related posts.

It’s a dark, dismal December day in England when we talk, and veteran entertainer Jimmy Tarbuck is already planning his next stay in Quinta do Lago. “It’s absolutely delightful there in the winter,” he says, “mind you, it’s very nice in the summer too. But with my work I only really get the chance to be there for a few months each winter, usually January and February. On winter nights you can sit in front of a log fire and, in the day, out on the golf course, it can be warm enough to go round in shorts.”

Favorite Golf Course: San Lorenzo

Being Jimmy Tarbuck, it’s never long before the conversation gets round to his favourite pastime. Jimmy has played with many of the world’s greatest players along the way, as well as a huge number of celebrity golfers – the experiences form the staple of a lot of his stand-up material and his book ‘Tarbuck on Golf’. But he’s no mean player himself, playing off a very respectable 10 handicap; and the course he most loves? “It’s got to be San Larenzo. It’s fabulous.”

And if not golf, then it’s football that animates Jimmy. Famous for his support for Liverpool, he was in Portugal to relish the 2005 European Cup Final. “What a second half. That was the biggest comeback since Sinatra,” he quips.

“There’s some good football there,” he says. “Although Faro are not a leading club at present, Estádio do Algarve (the new 30,000-seat stadium between Faro and Loulé) is a great place to watch a match. I got to see England play Portugal there in September when Figo won his 100th cap.”

“It’s absolutely delightful there in the winter …mind you, it’s very nice in the summer too.”

Jimmy has made his winter home here for 15 years now and relishes every day. He has always been busy professionally since he first broke onto the scene some 40 years ago, but the last couple of years have seen his workload increase even further: “I seem to have had a real renaissance,” he says, “and that can make it difficult to get away.”

President of Diabetes UK

Between his TV, corporate and theatre commitments (he is just coming to the end of a punishing 44-night tour with his show ‘This is My Life’) Jimmy also manages to fit in a very busy schedule of charity events. Famous for his work with the Variety Club, he also dedicates a lot of time to his role as President of Diabetes UK. But even when he’s lapping up the winter sun in Quinta do Lago, he’s still often working for a good cause.

Children’s home, Refúgio Aboim Ascensão

“I’m a supporter of the local children’s home, Refúgio Aboim Ascensão, run by a man who deserves a knighthood – no, a sainthood – Dr Vilas Boas. It’s one of the finest homes in the world for children at risk. The children there are just beautiful kids.” The 67 full-time and 45 volunteer staff there give the children a family and a future, and Jimmy regularly helps to raise much needed funds.

“It’s easy to see why so many people want to come to the Algarve,” he says. “It’s not just beautiful and easy to get to, the people are so warm too. All I can say is that if you are interested in buying a property there, the team at Quinta Properties are the people to speak to – they are terrific.”

No related posts.

For a man used to blowing up a storm on stage, Martin Teutscher is surprisingly quiet out of the spotlight. Serious and softly spoken he may be, but there’s no doubting Martin’s charisma on stage. Music has been his life for almost all of his 40 years. A keen flautist from the age of 8, his epiphany came when he picked up his very first saxophone when he was 15.

Born in Harlem, Holland, he soon realised that his greatest musical bond was with the music associated with the Harlem 4,000 miles away: Jazz. His biggest influences? “Greats like John Coltrane and Miles Davis,” he says, “but I really do like the work of Grover Washington and David Sanborn.”

Martin studied Music and Movement at the Conservatorium in Rotterdam, paying the bills by teaching music and chefing – he even qualified as a chef, recognising that it’s not every aspiring musician who gets to live the dream. But performing was always going to be his long-term goal and, when he met up with a touring African band, he leapt at the chance to join them. He went on the road, touring all over Europe and honing his stage skills along the way. And that’s how he ended up in Portugal just over 10 years ago.

A gain for the Algarve

“The band moved on, but I decided to stay,” he recalls. Europe’s loss was the Algarve’s gain and today he bases himself in Loulé, putting together bands of anything up to seven to perform at homes and hotels up and down the coast – for private parties and wedding receptions to corporate events.

That, of course, demands a highly eclectic approach and, while his roots may be in Jazz, he’s equally at home playing Pop and Dixie, as well as the swaying rhythms of Brazilian music so popular in Portugal. Whatever musical entertainment you’re after, Martin is your man – and he can book acts and supply lighting as well as all the sound equipment.

And when he’s not on stage, you’ll find him in the studio. Watch out for a project that Martin hopes to bring to fruition shortly. “I’ve been composing my own music for some time,” he says, “and this is the year that I’m determined to produce my own CD.”

Martin Teutscher, Loulé 00351 918 106687

No related posts.

Gisela & Team is rapidly becoming the perfect accompaniment to any great gastronomic occasion. Behold the conjuror!

If your ideal evening as a host or hostess is to spend your time with your guests, not fretting over the next course, then it’s time to meet Gisela & Team from Fine Dining In Style.

Dream dinner parties in the Algarve

And if that dream dinner or party in the Algarve includes coming down next morning to find the dishes and the house magically clean, then she is definitely the right person to contact! Her staff decorate the tables and house, waiters provide skilled table service and the food is world class.

Maestro please “… I’ve been asked what the trick is – there’s no trick. It’s about an excellent performance from the very start, to the very finish ….”

Think of eating at some of the best restaurants. Now think of enjoying that superb food and calibre of service in your own home – and that’s pretty much what Fine Dining In Style offers.

Gisela will already be well-known to many readers of this Property Guide, for she and her young team are regularly invited into homes throughout Quinta do Lago and surrounding areas to cater for dinner and lunch parties. That can cover anything from a special dinner for two up to parties or receptions for 200 or more – it’s all in a day’s work. A number of golf clubs and other establishments also call on her to cater for their special events.

Nothing fazes Gisela, no project is too complex, and she can handle as much or as little of an event as you wish. The cuisine – in a wide range of styles – is invariably superb, and she’s also there to afford expert advice on menus and the best wines to go with them.

Her work is also her passion, and she runs what can best bedescribed a ‘tight ship’ – every aspect of her service is strictly managed, but you still find the staff working with a smile on their faces.

Director´s Gisela & Ad Matthijs
00351 919 915366
gisela.ad@finedininginstyle.com

Chef de cuisine – Sascha Epphardt
00351 912 807 718
Sascha@finedininginstyle.com

Office – Alex
00351 912 089 840
alex@finedininginstyle.com

“I now get flown to manage dinners for my clients in their other homes around Europe,” says Gisela. “I certainly never imagined my business would ever take me in this direction, but it really adds spice to my work – and my team seem very happy to have joined the jet set!”

No related posts.