Villa Summary

Villa Cortina is set on two floors; with two bedrooms upstairs and the master o the ground floor. Patio doors open from both floor to shaded terraces which make the most of the beautiful views and provide an idyllic spot to relax with a glass of wine.

Ground Floor

First Floor

External Features

Facilities

Optional Extras

Villa Walkthrough

Villa Cortina is set on two floors; with two bedrooms upstairs and the master o the ground floor. Patio doors open from both floor to shaded terraces which make the most of the beautiful views and provide an idyllic spot to relax with a glass of wine.

Approach

Villa Cortina sits on a hillside in the heart of rural Algarve overlooking the rolling plains towards distant mountains. The large landscaped gardens contain a wealth of features and different areas to explore. Only 1km from a local shop and 8.5km from the pretty town of Loule, this is a great choice for a relaxing holiday and a base from which to explore the historic towns, and lively sandy beaches of the Alagrve.
From the unmade road, a left turn brings you to the green gates that open onto the beautiful gardens surrounding Villa Cortina. The large driveway has a small roundabout to make turning easy; this small circle is decorated with a large ornamental terracotta pot. From the parking area, steps lead up to the wooden front door. A thriving climbing plant is entwined across the entrance walls, covering it with red-flowers and thick green leaves

Ground Floor

The homely sitting room has a large wooden beam across the ceiling, and a ceiling fan to stir up a cooling breeze. In the centre of one wall is an open fireplace, and arranged around it are a sofa, armchairs and coffee table. The sitting room has a large TV, video player and CD player. Patio doors open to the shaded veranda with beautiful panoramic views across the rolling plains. There is also a dining table and chairs for six.
A doorway leads through to the spacious kitchen where there is a fitted kitchen with a solid worktop. There is a breakfast bar with bar stools and the kitchen is well-equipped with dishwasher, washing machine, fridge/freezer, oven/hob.
The pretty master bedroom is furnished with a double bed, bedside cabinets, armchair and chest of drawers. Draping curtains frame the patio doors that open on to one side of the shaded veranda. A door opens into a tiled, en-suite bathroom with a full bathtub, toilet and washbasin beneath a mirror. There is also a separate shower room with a shower cubicle, toilet and washbasin.

First Floor

A staircase leads from the entrance up to the first floor landing. A door opens on to a small terrace with external stairs down to the gardens and pool. On the first floor are further bedrooms; one is furnished with a double bed and the second with twin beds. Both have patio doors opening onto upper balconies with beautiful panoramic views across the lush, green countryside. Sat here as dusk descends, you can watch the pinking sky and enjoy the tranquillity; disturbed only by the distant tinkle of goat bells.

Outside

The beautiful landscaped gardens are a fantastic feature of this holiday villa; with different areas and features to explore. There are lawns, rockeries, and plenty of hidden shady spots beneath tall trees where you can relax with a good book. Neighbouring the grounds are orange groves that fill the air with a citrus fragrance. A stone wishing well sits on the left at the beginning of a long driveway lined with lawns and shrubs that leads up to the villa.
Set into a downwards slope, Villa Cortina’s elevated position affords beautiful panoramic views across the rolling plains to the distant mountains. Patio doors open from the master bedroom and living room onto a shaded veranda running along the back of the villa. Overlooking the pool below and the far-reaching scenic landscape, this small terrace is a lovely spot to savour that first morning cup of coffee.
A large staircase takes you down to the sun-filled pool terrace below. The large kidney-shaped pool has integral steps in one corner to lead you gradually into the water. A stone wall borders the pool along the far end, and opens to the large gardens at the side. The terrace has a barbecue dining area with a large built-in barbecue and a mosaic-covered table and chairs. Either side of the pool terrace you will find green and lush gardens to explore; among which there is a putting green, small summer house and ornamental pond. Villa Cortina is a fantastic holiday villa for those who enjoy outdoor living in the warm sunshine.

Additional Information

Maid service three times a week.

• Natasha Gunster
  Feedback Date: 05/08/2007
  Date of travel: 12/07/2007
  
  Experience Accommodation Quality: Excellent

  Value For Money: Excellent

  Comments:
  This was our second stay at villa cortina and we found it just as fantastic our second time around as the first time.
  the villa itself offers everything a family could want with superb accommadation, amazing gardens, putting green, table tennis, best of all a large private pool with bbq and seating area to enjoy al fresco dining.
  we find loule to be a convenient location, there's a few good sized supermarkets, modelo's in particular tended to most of our needs. loule offers a choice of small shops selling locally produced goods such as shoes, tiles, pottery, leather and wicker goods and linen. there are many coffee shops and restaurants that are not touristy. in the middle of the town is the daily recently refurbished market. here you can buy fruit & veg., fish, meat and bread. on a saturday it is larger when the local farmers also bring their produce. also on a saturday is the gypsie and flower market which is a large tourist attraction. there is also a lovely jewellers shop located in loule, where you will find the staff more than helpful and plenty of unusual jewellery. i myself, have had the fortunate opportunity to accrue (thanks to my generous husband) a new item of jewellery each year. (next year is the eternity ring)

  Experience Recommendations:
  A five minute five from villa cortina is the restaurant churrasqueira where you'll be able to dine on a selection of kebabs, all freshly cooked and super selection of fish dishes. also avavilable is the famous chicken piri piri. indoor and outdoor dining area's, nice friendly atmosphere.
  
  for a more refined dining experience we came across the lemon tree restaurant in nearby almancil. the glorious outdoor courtyard setting offers a superb al fresco dining experience. the menu is varied (changes daily) and the food is all freshly prepared offering traditional portugese food along with more familiar dishes. the portions are extremely generous. we dined here twice during our stay and will definately return next year! the owners are very friendly and attentive. would recommend you book as its always very busy. telephone number is:tel: 289 395 399 and you will find it at: avenue duarte pacheco 210, almancil (near the traffic lights, opposite the millennium bank).
  
  pic nic in qaurteria is the place to go for a very entertaining night out - guaranteed to give you the best laugh you have ever had - huge menu, great service, just be prepared...
  if you prefer a take away, there's a chinese restaurant in loule (unfortunately i can't remember the name of it but you'll find it just off the roundabout opposite the bp garage just past modelo's. they don't deliver but you can phone your order through (menu and tel number at the villa) and collect when ready.
  
  lastly, the battering plaice, again, at nearby almancil offers english breakfast from 8am. english fish and chips, donner kebabs, pies, burgers etc. sit down or takeaway. open late. we used them on our last night at the villa and although it isd approx 25 minute drive back to villa cortina, our food was piping hot and extremely tasty! they are a newly opened takeaway and i would highly recommend them. tel: 96 373 1736 to pre order.
  
  on a final note, all of the above recommendations are from our personal experiences, we have added them into this review as we feel they are well worth using and all are very reasonably priced, great food, great prices and most importantly - great service and atmosphere! enjoy!

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• Sonia Hingora
  Feedback Date: 16/07/2006
  Date of travel: 23/06/2006
  
  Experience Accommodation Quality: Excellent

  Value For Money: Excellent

  Comments:
  The whole holiday was excellently managed both the team in england and in portugal itself. the property management team at villa cortina were very helpful and pleasant and the place itself was kept very clean. i have already recommended villas to go to a few people now and i will most definitely book with villas to go again. i think the online booking idea was excellent although i think some paperwork should be sent to the client through the post confirming the holiday. thank you again for all your help and effeciency which helped in making our holiday very nice.

  Experience Recommendations:
  There are some good restaurants in loule itself, although there is hardly any vegetarian options, we had to travel to albufeira to get these. overall there is a huge selection of shops in loule itself.

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Location

Villa Cortina is located in the village of Parragil; a traditional rural community set in rolling hills, north-west of Faro. Parragil has a small mini-market selling basic essentials (1km away) and you will find a good selection of local restaurants in the surrounding area or at Loulè, 8.5km away.

The beaches along the Algarve feature golden stretches of sand, lapped by the warm waters of the Atlantic. The closest beach is at Vilamoura, 14km 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 13km away.

The pretty town of Loulé is 8.5km from Parragil. It’s traditional cobbled pathways are home to the small shops where local craftsmen make their wares; leather and ceramics. 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.

The Algarve capital of Faro is home to a spectacular coastline where sandbanks, islands and miles of dune intermingle across the low waters of the Atlantic Ocean. This area is a natural park; protected for its environmental importance but the sandy beaches are open to all who wish to build sandcastles, and splash in the warm, shallow waters.

Nearest Beach
Praia da Falesia and Vilamoura beaches 14.0 km

Nearest Golf Course
Laguna Golf at Vilamoura 13.0 km

Nearest Restaurant/Bar/Cafe
A good selection of bars and restaurants in Loule 8.5 km

Nearest Shop
Mini-market 1.0 km

Distance from Airport
30.0 km from Faro