Villa Summary

Casa da Ribeira is set on one level, a new build set on the site of an ancient ruin. Exposed stone walls incorporate the rational feel of the old ruin, whilst modern fittings and furnishings provide comfortable accommodation.

Ground Floor

External Features

Facilities

Optional Extras

Villa Walkthrough

Casa da Ribeira is set on one level, a new build set on the site of an ancient ruin. Exposed stone walls incorporate the rational feel of the old ruin, whilst modern fittings and furnishings provide comfortable accommodation.

Approach

Casa da Ribeira is an attractive villa built on the site of an old ruin; combining a few traditional touches with very modern comforts. Located in the Algibre river valley, the land surrounding the villa is alive with the sound of cicadas and the rustle of leaves in the endless fruit orchards.
A long driveway leads to the paved area at the front of this white and ochre villa. Small green shrubs sit in terracotta pots beside the small porch way where you will find the

Ground Floor

An entrance hall opens to a corridor off from which you will find the bedrooms. The hallway leads up to a bathroom on the far left and opposite, an arched doorway opens to the light and airy living space.
The attractive and homely living room sits beneath a beamed, vaulted ceiling. Patio doors open out on to the large sun terrace and on the opposite central wall is a fireplace with wood-burner. Two large sofas face each other from either side of the fireplace, and to one side, a doorway opens to a separate TV room. Here there are more comfy sofas and a TV with satellite reception, as well as DVD player. Handy for keeping the kids amused and out of the midday sun for half an hour.
Beyond the sitting area is a dining area with a table and six chairs, overlooked through a large serving hatch from the kitchen. There are white walls throughout except for this feature exposed stone wall which separates the kitchen from the dining area. The modern kitchen is fitted with wooden units, stainless steel appliances and a glossy worktop. This kitchen is fully-equipped with a dishwasher, washing machine, microwave, fridge/freezer and oven/hob. A small side door opens to the gardens.
From the hallway, doors lead to the three bedrooms at Casa da Ribeira. The master bedroom is furnished with a double bed, bedside cabinets, small reading lamps, storage and a door opening to an en-suite shower room. There are two further bedrooms; one is similarly furnished but with twin beds and an en-suite bathroom. The other is a children’s room with a set of bunk beds (to sleep two) and a single bed as well.
There is a separate bathroom, tile from floor to ceiling in crisp white and featuring a corner bathtub, toilet and washbasin beneath a circular mirror.

Outside

The gardens of Casa da Ribeira are surrounded by an agricultural landscape, planted with row upon row of fragrant lemon and orange trees. Beautiful views surround the villa and the tranquillity is disturbed only by the song of cicadas or the distant tinkle of goat bells. Patio doors open from the lounge to a large paved sun terrace to the back. An adjoining wooden roof shades a small area where tables and chairs invite you to relax and enjoy a long, lazy lunch. A circular border protects an old, gnarled olive tree in the centre of the terrace.
Steps lead down to the large free-form shaped infinity pool – where water cascades gently and seamlessly over its edge along one side. Integral steps lead you gently into the large expanse of blue water. The surrounding gardens are full of large red sandstone boulders, interspersed with rockery planting; with flowering shrubs and covering alpine plants.

Additional Information

Welcome pack, beach towels and hairdrier included. Cot and highchair available.
Air conditioning is available for a supplement of £110 per week.

• Brian North
  Feedback Date: 09/08/2006
  Date of travel: 31/07/2006
  
  Experience Accommodation Quality: Excellent

  Value For Money: Excellent

  Comments:
  Casa da ribeira is a superb villa on its own in the countryside which made for a very enjoyable, quiet holiday.yet the shops and beaches were within easy reach.

  Experience Recommendations:
  Various restaurants are within easy reach of casa da ribeira in loule or the surrounding countryside.

  ---

Location

Casa da Ribeira is located on the outskirts of the tiny hamlet of Algibre, named after the small river Algibre which runs through the green valley here. The fertile landscape is full of olive, fig and carob trees and this naturally beautiful area is part of ‘Fonte Benemola’ a protected ecological site.

To help preserve this area but still make it accessible, a special footpath has been built all along the waterways of Fonte Benemola (spanning 1500m in total). For those who like to ramble, this walkway provides the opportunity to discover some beautiful natural flora and fauna and enjoy the peace and beauty of this rural area.

The small village of Parragil is 5km away and has a small mini-market where you can pick up basic essentials. Further afield but still only a short drive away is the pretty town of Loulè. 10km away, its traditional cobbled pathways are home to small workshops where local craftsmen make their wares from leather, brass and copper. Every Saturday there is a lively market where stalls fill the square with fresh local goods and the handicrafts. A few walls remain among the beautiful ruins of a 12th century Arab castle, which stand side-by-side with Loulé’s modern buildings. You will also find a good selection of restaurants and a supermarket.

The beaches along the Algarve feature golden stretches of sand, lapped by the warm waters of the Atlantic. The closest beach is at Vilamoura, 20km away, where there is also a large marina where you can stroll around between shops, bars and restaurants and admire the colourful array of yachts. Vilamoura also has 4 golf course, the nearest of which is also the newest; Laguna. This course has three different nine-hole loops and is approximately 19km away.

Nearest Beach
Vilamoura Beach 20.0 km

Nearest Shop
3.0 km

Nearest Restaurant/Bar/Cafe
3.0 km

Nearest Golf Course
Laguna Golf - Vilamoura 19.0 km

Distance from Airport
30.0 km from Faro