Villa Cristallo

The villa

It is not always easy to find a large, stylish villa for 20 guests where everyone has their own wonderful ensuite bathroom, and there is space for everyone to lounge and dine alfresco or laze around the pool at the same time. Villa Cristallo, situated in the pretty town of Luz, may be your answer. With wonderful treats, including a sauna, gym, jacuzzi and a badminton and volleyball court, Villa Cristallo is a fabulous holiday villa for large groups. The villa offers total privacy, beautiful private gardens, an excellent swimming pool plus a shallow children’s pool and a fabulous outdoor summer kitchen for barbecues and alfresco dining. As you enter through the electric gates, you know you will relax in true style.

Villa Cristallo enjoys a sprawling, modern layout with bedrooms on all three levels. All of the rooms in this delightful villa are generous in size. There are not too many villas where 20 guests fit in so easily! There are three double bedrooms on the ground floor, each with a stylish, fully tiled ensuite bathroom and direct access to the sun terrace and swimming pool. An additional large, ground floor double bedroom enjoys its own ensuite bathroom annexe and direct access to the pool terrace. The bathrooms are contemporary with a range of wet rooms, walk - in showers and baths, all luxurious and immaculate. There are two fabulous double bedroom suites on the first floor, along with the living spaces. One enjoys access to a large terrace while the other has its own private balcony with incredible sea views. The remaining four bedrooms are located on the upper level. Again, they all enjoy en - suite bathrooms, and one bedroom boasts a large private balcony with panoramic sea views.

The main entrance hallway and the massive living room is on the first floor. Squishy leather sofas and chairs surround the huge television, and there is a small table that is perfect for a game of cards. There are steps down to the huge modern kitchen, the dining room and the utility room.

The outdoor terrace is wonderful for large groups. Next to the large swimming pool is a children’s pool. They are surrounded by sun loungers for the whole group. Close by is a fabulous badminton/volleyball court, perfect for your teenagers. The alfresco dining area and summer kitchen is a wonder, where you can enjoy a barbecue for 20! Close to the covered alfresco dining area is the jacuzzi under a pergola. You will have to take turns for this as it seats six though there is a bar area with stools so other members of your group can chat while you enjoy the bubbles. Youngsters will enjoy the table tennis, table football and other activities provided.

Villa Cristallo really is a fabulous choice for a large group and just minutes away is a stunning beach.

Luz is a charming, peaceful resort located between Lagos and Salema. It is a wonderful choice for families with beautiful beaches and an excellent range of restaurants and bars.

One of the two beaches is by the old fort. The main beach boasts a European Blue Flag award and is very safe for children. There are several supermarkets, the favourite being Baptista. You also need to try the cakes and bread from the bakers on Rua Direita. Those with an adventurous spirit looking for an adrenaline rush should book an eMTB electrically assisted bike trip with Booster Bikes. The longer trips are 65km, and guides take you to see attractive places from a completely different perspective, though you may want to opt for a shorter trip.

Visitors enjoy the sensational cliff top walk to Burgau, where you can watch the Atlantic rollers splashing on the rocks below. Many visitors return to the charming Burgau time and time again. You really need to explore on foot to appreciate this little gem fully. The labyrinth of narrow streets leads to the stunning beach. The whitewashed houses all lean crookedly against each other, drapped in colourful flowers.

Salema is another lovely place to visit, especially to enjoy delicious sardines cooked at one of the restaurants overlooking the beach. The town enjoys a laid back, tranquil ambience where you will enjoy watching the local fishermen repairing their nets, painting their boats or early in the morning unloading their catch of octopus, sardines, sea bass and gilt - head bream. There are some wonderfully isolated coves if you are brave enough to tackle the cliff paths. Salema is located in the unspoiled Costa Vicenta Natural Park, a protected area of natural beauty. The half - mile - long Praia de Salema is a Blue Flag beach with sugar - fine, golden sand. It is wonderful for swimming as the water is calm. 

Lagos has an important and informative slave museum, a wonderful promenade and many restaurants serving delicious food in the Old Town. You can buy fresh local produce at the Saturday morning market. The honey and figs are very special. You can take boat trips to visit caves and to snorkel or dolphin watch. Lagos is bustling with activity, nightlife and modern attractions. The town is historic and characterful with a rich seafaring heritage and a dramatic coastline. The fascinating buildings include the 17th - century fort and intricate Baroque churches such as Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Luz and the city’s ancient Moorish walls. The cultural centre of Lagos was originally built in 1710 as the Convent of Saint Joseph and is now home to exhibitions of paintings, photography and sculpture.

On the other side of Lagos, you will find the gorgeous Praia do Alvor. It is located at the end of a wonderful boardwalk all the way from Alvor Town and past the incredible, protected marshlands of the Ria de Alvor Nature Reserve. The stunning beach features three impressive sea stacks known as the Tres Irmaos or Three Brothers, as well as fine white sand, ochre sandstone cliffs, caves and extensive dunes.