Wednesday 30 December 2009

Wishes of a Happy and Great New Year to all our Friends and Clients!

Photo Inspiration: New Year's Fireworks
 
 
Wishes of a Happy and Great New Year to all our Friends and Clients!
 
From all TOPcasas Silver Coast Estate Agents Staff Members
 
With kindest regards,

Richard Gomes
Managing Director

TOPcasas - Estate Agents for the Silver Coast
Rua Fernando Quaresma, 1 - 2500-486-Foz do Arelho - Óbidos - Silver Coast -PORTUGAL
Cell phone: + 351 964 28 28 22 - Office + 351 262 183 332
www.topcasas.co.uk  

In association with Black Cove - Property Services www.blackcove.co.uk

Posted via email from TOPcasas

Tuesday 22 December 2009

Promotional Video for Portugal

It is not recent but still impressive!
 
 
Visit our website at www.topcasas.co.uk

Posted via email from TOPcasas

Friday 18 December 2009

The Hilton Bom Sucesso Obidos is scheduled to open in March 2012

Visit our website at www.topcasas.co.uk
 
Hilton Hotels on October 28 announces the signing of a Franchise Licence Agreement between Hilton Worldwide and Acordo Obidos Empreendimentos Turisticos S.A. to open a full service Hilton hotel near the Medieval town of Obidos, approximately 100 kilometres north of Lisbon in Portugal.

The Hilton Bom Sucesso Obidos is scheduled to open in March 2012.

Part of a development drive in Portugal, Hilton Bom Sucesso Obidos will be the third Hilton brand property in Portugal. The contemporary architecture of the hotel will be the cornerstone of its concept strategy and will involve several architects.
The Hilton Bom Sucesso Obidos will be operated by T3 Hotels who also operate the Hilton Toledo and Hilton Sa Torre Mallorca in Spain.

“Portugal is one of Europe’s favourite holiday destinations and a key country for Hilton Worldwide,” Patrick Fitzgibbon, Hilton Worldwide Senior Vice President - Development, said. “We strongly believe in this area’s potential for growing Hilton Worldwide’s portfolio of brands, with its great weather, vibrant culture and heritage and strong tourism infrastructure. We are delighted to be working with Acordo Obidos Empreendimentos Turisticos S.A on this project, which we believe will raise the benchmark for upscale accommodation in the area.”
“Just a ten minute drive from the town of Obidos on the Silver Coast and a fifty minute drive from Portela International airport Lisbon, the property, surrounded by an ecological reserve, is set in the locality of Vau and part of a development comprising an 18 hole golf course. Hilton Bom Sucesso Obidos will offer 120 guestrooms, three full service restaurants, two bars, a 900 square metre spa and a fitness centre, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, tennis courts, an 18-hole championship golf course and a 9-hole course. For business guests, the property will also offer meeting and conference facilities,” Hilton Hotels informed.
“Hilton Bom Sucesso Obidos, with its contemporary architecture and excellent facilities will be a stunning hotel and we look forward to its opening as a tremendous addition to the Hilton portfolio,” said Dave Horton, Global Head – Hilton Hotels. “Obidos is a stunning location and Portugal one of Europe’s most visited tourist destinations, I am sure that our customers will enjoy this great new property.”
Located approximately 100 kilometres north of Lisbon, Obidos is a preserved medieval town set on a hill encircled by a fortified wall. Its well preserved heritage, including a massive castle have turned the town into a favourite tourist attraction in Portugal. Obidos is also home to the prestigious Praia D’el Rey golf complex, one of the top golf resorts in Europe.
The innovative concept of Bom Sucesso Design Resort, Leisure & Golf, a contemporary architecture integrated with the natural surroundings, in association with the prestigious Hilton brand and the proven management of Gestion T3,” said Dr. Paulo Graça Moura, Acordo President. “This partnership will certainly contribute successfully to the development of the region as a tourism and golf destination”.
 
Visit our website at www.topcasas.co.uk

Posted via email from TOPcasas

What is you prefered Golf Resort in the Silver Coast?

Posted via email from TOPcasas

WCT returns to Peniche Silver Coast in 2010

TOPcasas Silver Coast Estate Agents
www.topcasas.co.uk

 



Brodie Carr revealed some news for the World Tour 2010, one confirming the completion of the Rip Curl Pro Search Peniche, instead of Mundaka.

The CEO of ASP also confirmed the reduction of 45 to 32 players (plus two wildcards per stage) from Trestles, the 5th stage of the tour, and from there the best in the WQS are better able to enter the WCT rankings.

Another novelty is the fact that the Billabong not take any step in the world in Europe, and possibly back in 2011. After the failure of the stage this year in Mundaka Billabong decided not to invest in 2010. The new format of competition should not be repeated, having been the target of some criticism. The round losers will be the format used, because, according to Brodie Carr gives more control and more surfers to show to the public.

 

Posted via email from TOPcasas

Tuesday 15 December 2009

ZARA PHILLIPS TO BUILD AT A RESORT IN SILVER COAST PORTUGAL

Zara Phillips, 2006 World Eventing Champion and BBC Sports Personality of the Year, has chosen the CampoReal Golf Resort and Spa on Lisbon’s Silver Coast as the location to build her first home abroad.

CampoReal was the site used in centuries past by Portuguese Kings to exercise their horses and is located just thirty minutes north of Portugal’s Cosmopolitan capital Lisbon. The resort was

established by Eduardo Netto de Almeida in 1998 and opened its doors in spring 2006. It now boasts 372 properties comprised of villas, townhouses and apartments, a luxurious five-star hotel, an 18-hole golf course and an equestrian centre.

Zara says of her decision to build at CampoReal Golf Resort & Spa: “Since we first met, Eduardo and his family have made me feel really welcome out here and 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 [Tindall] and I can improve our handicaps on the golf course. The decision to build my holiday home here was pretty straightforward really.”

Zara is preparing to defend her title at the World Equestrian Games in 2010 and given her busy training regime, convenience played a key factor in her choice.

“With my schedule it can be tricky to squeeze in time for holidays overseas but 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.”

Founder of the resort and an accomplished rider in his own right, Mr Netto de Almeida says: “We are extremely proud to welcome Zara to CampoReal Golf Resort & Spa. I founded the resort with the vision of attracting international clientele to enjoy our rare combination of cultural city life, countryside and beach living. Working with Zara to build her holiday villa here is the embodiment of that vision.”

With the renovation of her Cheltenham property now well underway, the villa in Portugal will be Zara’s first new build property. She is currently working with the architect onsite to create a villa that will take full advantage of its unique position in the resort.

The four-bedroom villa, situated in the new and secluded Vineyards section of the resort, will be traditionally Portuguese in style but will have some modern architectural influences. The open-plan living spaces are designed for the Silver Coast’s warm climate to make the most of the light and sunshine.
 
After viewing many completed properties in the development, Zara believes she has a good understanding for the designs and layouts that work in local environment.

“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!”

As well as consulting with the architect on the villa’s layout, Zara is also working with a renowned Portuguese interior designer, Christina Martins, on the décor which will make the most of the sunshine and natural light and combine traditional designs with some more contemporary influences.

The villa, situated on the edge of a working vineyard, also features landscaped grounds, large outdoor entertaining areas and a swimming pool.

“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. Plans to redevelop the centre over the next three years have been drafted and Zara has already viewed the plans and commented on them.

Construction work on Zara’s villa will begin in the second quarter of 2010.

Prices start from €250,000 for a one-bedroom apartment and €290,000 for a two-bedroom townhouse and €650,000 for a four-bedroom villa.
 
For further information or to arrange an inspection visit on this development or others in our books, please call us at +44 20 8144 5334 or by email to info@topcasas.co.uk

Posted via email from TOPcasas

Bank Holidays in Portugal for 2010 by TOPcasas Silver Coast

Bank Holidays in Portugal for 2010 brought to you by TOPcasas Silver Coast Estate Agents   








January
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 - New Year




1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
31






February
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 16 - Carnival
1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
28






March
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
28 29 30 31



April
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 2 - Good Friday



1 2 3 4 - Easter 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 25 - Day of Liberty 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
25 26 27 28 29 30

May
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 - Labour Day





1 15 - City of Day 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
9 10 11 12 13 14 15
16 17 18 19 20 21 22
23 24 25 26 27 28 29
30 31





June
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 3 - Saint Day

1 2 3 4 5 10 - Portugal Day 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
27 28 29 30



July
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat




1 2 3
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
25 26 27 28 29 30 31
August
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 15 - Saint Maria 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30 31




September
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat



1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
26 27 28 29 30


October
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 5 - Republic Day




1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
31






November
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 - All Saints Day
1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
28 29 30




December
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 - Independence Day


1 2 3 4 8 - Saint Conceição 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 25 - Christmas 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
26 27 28 29 30 31

Silver Coast Portugal Calendar 2010 Bank Holiday
Bank Holiday Portugal

TOPcasas Silver Coast Estate Agents

Posted via email from TOPcasas

Monday 7 December 2009

World Cup 2010: Group G Analysis - PORTUGAL, Brazil, North Korea, Ivory Coast

World Cup 2010: Group G Analysis - PORTUGAL, Brazil, North Korea, Ivory Coast

Brazil, North Korea, Ivory Coast and Portugal will make up Group G..

 

GROUP G
Portugal (UEFA)

Brazil (CONMEBOL)
 North Korea (AFC)
Ivory Coast (CAF)
Group Strength
A tantalising battle between three teams, Brazil, Ivory Coast and Portugal, who love to exhibit the beautiful game. North Korea pulled off one of the biggest shocks ever in World Cup finals history when they stunned Italy back in 1966, but they will be out for an even bigger scalp if they can take down the Selecao.


Group Favourites
Brazil should be confident of securing top spot in the group, but Portugal, if they can really hit form in six months' time, will put in a serious challenge.  The Selecao will be glad to face their Portuguese cousins, but a physical encounter with Ivory Coast could give them some problems.

Battle for Second
Portugal and Ivory Coast will go hammer and tongs to fight for second place at the very least. That they will meet each other in their first group game may be anti-climactic for the final round of games, but it will be an extremely vital opening encounter for both. Whoever loses will face an uphill battle to get back on track.

The Outsiders
North Korea are the underdogs in this group full of pedigree and star players. They could not have asked for a more difficult first game to kick-start their finals campaign, but if they bag positive results in the other two matches, they could pull off a surprise. Again!



The Long Road Forward
The runners-up for this group will face the winner of Group H, very likely to be Spain. That essentially means that they will have to face the number one and number two ranked nations in FIFA's current world ranking. It doesn't stop there as a potential clash with Italy also awaits in the Q-finals.

The winners of this group, however, could face Netherlands in the last 16, while England, France, Germany or Argentina are possible opponents in the semi-finals.

What The Numbers Say

Team Qualify for Second Round Qualify for Quarter Final Qualify For Semi Final Qualify for Final Win
Brazil 91.7% 67.7% 48.8% 35.0% 23.6%
Portugal 52.4% 22.5% 10.9% 5.0% 1.8%
Ivory Coast 50.5% 21.2% 10.0% 4.4% 1.5%
North Korea 5.4% 0.8% 0.2% 0.0% 0.0%

Brazil and Portugal included in 2010 World Cup Group of Death

 The Draw

  • Group A: South Africa, Mexico, Uruguay, France.
  • Group B: Argentina, South Korea, Nigeria, Greece.
  • Group C: England, United States, Algeria, Slovenia.
  • Group D: Germany, Australia, Ghana, Serbia.
  • Group E: Netherlands, Japan, Cameroon, Denmark.
  • Group F: Italy, New Zealand, Paraguay, Slovakia.
  • Group G: Brazil, North Korea, Ivory Coast, Portugal.
  • Group H: Spain, Honduras, Chile, Switzerland.
 

 

Posted via email from TOPcasas

Thursday 3 December 2009

Sunday 29 November 2009

Villa Natal in Obidos from 28th of November to the 3rd of January

Obidos Christmas Town is an event that will surprise for its originality. More details here: www.obidosvillanatal.pt

Every year it is dedicated to a different theme pertaining to the holiday season. Traditional fairy tales are brought to life and recreated in a unique environment, offering a different outlook of the Christmas period without ever forgetting its traditional characters, especially Santa Claus. The colorful houses and entertainment program are the highpoint of the event, along with the ice skating rink.

 

Posted via email from TOPcasas

Friday 27 November 2009

The Lagoon Sailing School - Foz do Arelho - Portugal

Come to Escola de Vela da Lagoa, relax and leave all the worries behind.

About 100km north of Lisbon - Portugal you find Escola de Vela da Lagoa.

With a wonderful lagoon, Lagoa de Óbidos, this is the right place to practise water sports. At your disposal there is gear for rental so that you can sail all by yourself in the calm waters of the lagoon and also a group of certificated professionals that you help your initiation on any of our activities which are: windsurf, kitesurf, catamaran, optimist, canoeing, wakeboard and water ski.
Wind, water and lovely landscapes.

In the Lagoon of Óbidos - Portugal you’ll find great conditions to practice different water sports. Escola de Vela da Lagoa takes advantage on the best that the lagoon has to offer and provides you a diverse set of activities.

You can learn comfortably with one of our monitors or in case you have experience rent the gear and sail all by yourself.

Take a chance, you won’t possibility regret it!

Text supplied by http://www.escoladeveladalagoa.com/

What to do in the Silver Coast? - 12 Months / 12 Ideas Silver Coast

Silver Coast Portugal - Activities - What to do!?

Some activities & festivities happening on the Silver Coast!

If you are visiting the Silver Coast and you are not sure what to do then please consider the following possibilities...!

January
Caldas da Rainha
Exponoivos
Region offer regarding to weding events;

February
Óbidos
Chocolate Festival
Festival where the chocolate is the main attraction!

March
Rio Maior
Feira das Tasquinhas

The best place to meet with the best Gastronomy that the Silver Coast haves to offer!
Based with snacks with all traditional portuguese plates, the visitor can simply sit down and try the best food with the bestb regional wine!

April
Alenquer
Festival das Sopas
A festival were the visitors can try the best home made soups of the Silver Coast... and of course of the WORLD!

May
Arruda dos Vinhos
Gastronomy Month
A contest, where the local restaurants show the best they can offer!!

June
Peniche
Flavours of the Sea Festival
The best place to enjoy the flavours that the Atlantic ocean has to offer!

July
Lourinhã
Sea food & shell fish Festival
The best place to enjoy the best shell fish!

Óbidos
Medieval Festival in Óbidos

Óbidos
International Piano Masterclasses

August
Óbidos
International Piano Masterclasses

Bombarral
National Fair of the "Rocha" Pear!

Óbidos
Opera Festival

September
Paúl
Festival of the Sweet Rice

October
Cadaval
Grapes Festival

November
Arruda dos vinhos
Wine & Vineyards Festival

December
Torres Vedras
Torres on Ice

Obidos
Villa Natal



What to in and around Óbidos area!

Here you can find some important phone contacts on places to visit or activities to do in Caldas da Rainha!

Golf:
Golden Eagle Golf Course - Rio Maior - +351 243 940 040
Praia D'El Rey Golf Course - +351 262 905 005

Caldas da Rainha - Main Beaches
Praia da Foz do Arelho
Praia de Salir do Porto

Caldas da Rainha - Museums
Centro de Artes +351 262 840 540
Museum of Bicycles & Museum of Ceramics
+351 262 840 280 - http://www.ipmuseus.pt/
Museum of Factory of Bordalo Pinheiro - http://www.fabordalopinheiro.pt/
Museum of the Hospital of Caldas da Rainha +351 262 830 300
Museum João Fragoso +351 262 840 540
Museum São Rafael +351 262 839 384
Museum José Malhoa +351 262 831 984http://www.ipmuseus.pt/
Museum and Studio of António Duarte

Caldas da Rainha - Theatre
Teatro Praça de Touros +351 262 831 007

Town Tourist Office - Information
Caldas da Rainha +351 262 831 007

Bank Hollidays in Portugal

1st of January New Year

5th of February Carnival

21st of March - Holly Friday

23rd of March - Easter

25th of April - Day of Freedom

1st of May - Labours Day

22nd of May - Corpo de Deus

10th of June - Day of Portugal

15th of August - Assunção de Nossa Senhora

5th of October - Republic day

1st of November - Day of all Saints

1st of December - Independece Day

8th of December - Saint Holliday

25th December - Christmas Day