Quinta Magnolia is located on its own private fenced estate, set in a semi-rural area dotted with white-washed villas and fruit groves.

Meia Praia is a beautiful 9.5km stretch of fine, white sand that runs along Lagos Bay. Just 3km away, this beach is ideal for long walks with your toes on the waves' edge and has plenty of room to build a sandcastle kingdom. As well as snackbars/restaurants where you can enjoy a cooling drink or ice cream, there are a variety of water sports on offer; from para-gliding to windsurfing, sailing and surfing.

The nearby Palmares golf has a par 71 course designed by the prolific Frank Pennink, approx 7km away. Penina Golf, in Alvor has three courses; an 18-hole championship course, and two 9-holel loops, approx 5km away.

The historic maritime city of Lagos is approximately 15km away. This relaxed and charming city offers a great selection of restaurants; the biggest concentration of which is found in the pedestrianised streets. Lined with open-air cafes, the main square of Praia da Republica is the best place to indulge in a cool drink and a spot of people watching. There are often lots of street entertainers as well; everything from magicians to clowns and living statues. Proud of its history, Lagos played an important part in the Age of Discovery and Henry the Navigator had his ships built here. It was also home to some of the earliest slave markets. Its rich, long history ensures that there are plenty of buildings and historic sites worth visiting; the governor's castle and the church of St Sebastian being two of them.

For those with kids (or who are just big kids), good attractions nearby include...

. Lagos Zoo: set in lovely landscaped gardens with exotic plants, this zoo contains 250 different animals and offers the chance to get close to a variety of species. There is an educational farm, souvenir shop and restaurant. Located between Sao Joao and Bensafrim, about 10km away.

. Slide and Splash: one of Europe's biggest water parks that aims to keep you busy for a whole day with is range of plunging and gentle slides, swimming pools and a lazy rubber ring river. Approx 25km away near Lagoa.

Ground Floor

The spacious and sprawling ground floor features four bedrooms, four bathrooms, two kitchens and two sitting rooms. The large main living room is light and bright, with patio doors opening onto the sunny gardens. This room has a large snooker table in the centre, satellite TV, sofa and armchairs. To one side is an open-plan kitchen with a breakfast bar and barstools. Well-equipped, this kitchen provides an alternative cooking space to the main kitchen - a good set-up for large parties of friends.

A door leads from this living room to another sitting/dining room with two sets of patio doors opening out on to the garden terraces. Along one wall is an attractive fireplace with wood-burner and two cosy sofas. There is also a coffee table and satellite TV. On the other side is a dining table and six chairs, beside a large side dresser.

A doorway opens to the large fitted kitchen, which has a modern country-style with pale green units, stainless steel accessories and fresh white worktop. This well-equipped kitchen includes a dishwasher, oven with ceramic hob, free-standing fridge/freezer and microwave. There is also a small breakfast dining area with a table and four chairs.

Every downstairs bedroom has a set of patio doors opening directly to the sunny gardens. The first double bedroom has a blue metal bedstead, bedside cabinets with small reading lamps and a large built-in wardrobe. It also has a door opening to a tiled en-suite shower room. The second has a large double bed with padded headboard, two large bedside cabinets, an armchair, wardrobe and door opening to an en-suite shower room.

There are two rooms furnished with twin beds. The first is decorated in sunny orange and yellow with a small bedside table, dressing table and chair beneath a wall mirror and large built-in wardrobes. A door opens to an en-suite bathroom. The second twin bedroom has a bedside cabinet, and a large wardrobe with a central mirror. Adjacent is a tiled shower room with shower cubicle, toilet and washbasin.

First Floor

The master double bedroom is set in a spacious attic space with gently sloping roofs. Simple and colourful this room is fitted with a double bed, bedside cabinets, built-in wardrobes and a door opening to an attractive monochrome en-suite bathroom. The black tiled shower area contrasts with the white walls and suite, which includes a large corner bath with Jacuzzi jets and over-bath shower. There is also a toilet, washbasin and heated towel rail.

There are two further attractive bedrooms, both fitted with twin beds and en-suite shower rooms. Both have access to private balconies with great views, one having steps down to the garden.

The attic games room is set beneath a sloping roof with a large skylight window. There's plenty to keep you amused, including a darts board, table-tennis table, table football, a satellite TV, wireless internet access and the old-fashioned fun of a selection of board games.

Outside

The estate surrounding Quinta Magnolia is largely laid to lawn, interspersed with pathways and the shade of tall spiky palms. The private roman-ended pool is set into a paved sun terrace, with plenty of room to stretch out on a sunlounger and soak up the sun. The large pool has integral steps to lead you gradually into the water and there is also a poolside shower - which doubles as a handy 'rinsing off' point when you return form the beach.

If you get tired of lazing in the warm sunshine, why not enjoy a friendly game of badminton in the sand-covered badminton court. And for kids there is a large swing-set.

Another source of fun in the garden is the gyroball; a human-sized version of a swingball.

Along the side of the house are shaded terraces where garden tables and chairs invite you to sit and enjoy a long, lazy lunch. Set away from the villa is another dining area with a patio and large built-in barbecue; an ideal place for cooking up a storm in the later, cooler sunshine.

Additional Information

Telephone for incoming calls only.

Pool heating is available for a supplement of £200 per week. Also available is air-conditioning, at £250 per week.

Minimum 7 night stay.