House Description
COMFORTABLE, FULLY EQUIPPED, MODERN HOME - with views overlooking Obidos Mediaeval Castle and the local vineyards from the patio, kitchen and upstairs bedroom. Situated in the village of Gaeiras, midway between Obidos and the spa town of Caldas da Rainha. Enjoy the shaded patio with peach trees, pear trees, roses and BBQ grill. Quiet area, central location - minutes from everything you need. Perfect starting point for easy day trips to many historic sights and activities. Numerous beaches are just a short drive away - including Foz do Arelho, Obidos Lagoon, Sao Martinho do Porto, Praia d’el Rey, Nazare, Baleal and more.
INCLUDES - Downstairs master double bedroom with full bathroom en-suite and upstairs double bedroom with separate full bathroom. Fully equipped kitchen seats 6 with refrigerator, stove, oven, microwave, coffee maker, toaster, all necessary kitchenware, washer, iron and ironing board. Half bathroom by the kitchen. Living room and dining area seat 6, with fireplace, sleeper sofa, color TV, DVD, stereo/CD. Includes hair dryer, sun canopies for outdoor dining, picnic table and chairs, patio with BBQ grill., private parking and 1-car garage.
WALKING DISTANCE from the supermarket and cafes. Neighborhood soccer practice area, handball court, tennis court, and children’s playground are 500m away. City park with boat lake, tennis courts and children’s playground 1.5km away. Daily outdoor fruit and vegetable market only 2km away. Enjoy the Portuguese countryside from horseback - 5 minutes away.
ENTERTAIN YOURSELF - with many restaurants, cafes, shopping, handicrafts, bars , nightlife, summer concerts and entertainment in Obidos and Caldas da Rainha. The expansive flat, sandy beaches of the delta of Foz do Arelho and Obidos Lagoon are just a 13 minutes drive.. Foz offers restaurants, bars, cafes, nightlife, clubs, summer entertainment on the beach, summer concerts, beach volleyball tournaments, and more.
We look forward to welcoming you and making your stay comfortable! Please let us know if you have any questions.
******* PHOTOGRAPHS ********
NOTE: links below are NOT CLICKABLE. Copy link; Paste into browser address; click Go.
* MORE HOUSE PHOTOS
http://tinyurl.com/odf4w
* OBIDOS CASTLE
http://tinyurl.com/j7sdy
* NEARBY BEACHES: OBIDOS LAGOON, FOZ DO ARELHO and PRAIA D’EL REY:
http://tinyurl.com/oez48
* NEARBY BEACHES: PRAIA D'EL REY:
http://tinyurl.com/oz5ky
******* NEARBY SIGHTS *******
This lovely home is near some of the most historic and beautiful sites in Portugal.
* OBIDOS - 4 minutes/3km: picturesque walled town and castle (UNESCO World Heritage Site):
http://en.cm-obidos.pt
* CALDAS DA RAINHA - 3 minutes/2km: picturesque town with 3 daily markets (flower/fruit/vegetable “Praca da Fruta”, fish and durable goods), park with a boating lake and children’s playground, thermal spa, shopping and ceramic shops/museums/factory outlet:
http://www.cm-caldas-rainha.pt/Conteudo/Turismo/Turismo.asp
http://www.travillas.com/caldas.shtml
http://tinyurl.com/nrgv7
* ALCOBACA - 20 minutes/30km: monastery/cloisters - Portugal’s largest church (UNESCO World Heritage site):
http://www.rt-leiriafatima.pt/linteresse.php?idreg=3
http://portugal-info.net/costaprata/alcobaca.htm
* NAZARE - 25 minutes/35km: Portugal’s most popular traditional fishing village with locals in costume, fishing boats and a large, beautiful beach with a cobbled boulevard that’s perfect for strolling. Take the funicular up the 110m cliff for a wonderful panoramic view of the town and beach:
http://www.golisbon.com/portugal/cities/nazare.html
* PENICHE - 25 minutes/30km: Portugal’s largest fishing port. Well known for its delicious shellfish and fish. Popular for its “Fortaleza”, a 16th Century fort that was used as a prison for political prisoners during the dictatorship of Salazar. Perfect starting point for boat trips, including to Berlenga Island:
http://tinyurl.com/s7g8d .
http://www.cm-peniche.pt/
* LEIRIA - 30 minutes/60km: thriving town with castle:
http://www.rt-leiriafatima.pt/
* BATALHA - 40 minutes/65km: Massive abbey, noted for its gorgeous Gothic/Manueline architecture (UNESCO World Heritage site):
http://www.rt-leiriafatima.pt/linteresse.php?idreg=2
http://portugal-info.net/costaprata/batalha.htm
* FATIMA- 55 minutes/87km: pilgrimage point for Roman Catholics due to the vision of the Virgin Mary in 1917 by three young children while tending their flock:
http://www.rt-leiriafatima.pt/fatima.php?cate=1-Localization%20of%20Fatima
* LISBON - 50 minutes/90km: sights along the way include National Palace of Sintra, Mafra Palace/Convent, Pena Palace and Palace of Queluz.
http://www.portugalvirtual.pt/_tourism/costadelisboa/
* TOMAR - 1 hour/95km (Convent of Christ: UNESCO World Heritage site) - Festa dos Tabuleiros (Festival of the Trays) - extravaganza held only every 4 years. The next one is in 2007:
http://www.holidaysinportugal.com/Default.asp?Page=40
* COIMBRA - 1 hour, 10 minutes/130km - with the oldest university in Europe:
http://www.portugalvirtual.pt/_tourism/costadeprata/coimbra/ukcity.html
* CONIMBRIGA - 1 hour, 5 minutes/119km - one of the finest examples in Europe of a complete Roman settlement. A National Monument:
http://www.quintadoriodao.com/eng/out/conimbriga.html
* PORTO - 2 hours, 15 minutes/240km (UNESCO World Heritage site):
http://www.portugalvirtual.pt/_tourism/costaverde/porto/index.html
http://www.portugalvirtual.pt/_tourism/costaverde/index.html (Costa Verde)
http://www.portoturismo.pt
******* FESTIVALS AND EVENTS *******
A partial listing - all local towns offer their own yearly festival
* PORTUGAL - New Year's Day: January 1
* SALIR DO MATOS - Sausage ( Chourico) Festival: January
* PORTUGAL - Carnival (Mardi Gras): late February
* LISBON - Belem Cultural Centre Music Festiva: April, 3 days (TBA)
http://www.ccb.pt/ccb/
* OBIDOS Castle Holy Week: April 8 - 16
* LISBON - Int’l Independent Film Festival: April 20 - 30
* PORTUGAL - Freedom Day (commemorates Carnation Revolution that ended fascist regime; parades, fireworks, closures): April 25
* PRAIA D’EL REY - Lisbon Area Golf Festival (serious fun for amateurs): April 30 - May 7
http://www.lisbongolfclassic.com/
* FATIMA- First Pilgrimage of the year: May 12- 13
* CALDAS DA RAINHA - City Festival: May 15
* PORTUGAL - Feast of Ascension Day: May 25
* LISBON - Superbock Super Rock Festival: May 27- 29, 2006
http://www.superbock.pt
* LISBON - Rock in Rio: May 26 - 27, June 2 - 4
http://rockinrio-lisboa.sapo.pt
* LISBON - CSIO Official Int’l Show Jumping Competition: first week of June
http://www.csio-portugal.com/
* LISBON - National Agricultural Fair: June 7 - 15 (approx.)
* LISBON - Portuguese National Day: June 10
* LISBON - Festival of St. Anthony: June 12- 13
* PORTO/AREA TOWNS - Festival of St. John: June 23 - 24
* LISBON/CENTRAL AREA - Festival of St. Peter: June 29
* LISBON - City Festival (music, theater): last 3 weeks of June
* SINTRA - Music and Dance Festival: June 20 - August 2 (info-contact: +351 21 910 7117)
* OBIDOS Castle Mediaeval Faire and Market: July 13 - 23, 2006
* BOMBARRAL Wine Festival: July 20 - 25, 2006
* PENICHE: Festival of Our Lady of the Safe Voyage: first weekend of August
* SALIR DO PORTO - Festival of Our Lady of Conceicao: August 7 - 10
* CALDAS DA RAINHA: Summer Festival (gastronomical festival in the Expo Center). Dancing, singing, entertainment. Starts first Thursday in August, lasts 10 days. Info from 2005:
http://www.oesteonline.pt/noticias/noticia.asp?nid=9918
* TOMAR - Festival of the Trays: July or August 2007 (date TBA)
* LISBON - Open-Air Jazz Festival: August
http://www.gulbenkian.pt
* OBIDOS - Int’l Piano Week (concerts): first week of August
* OBIDOS - Opera Concerts: first three weeks of August
* LANDAL: Annual Festival and Fair: August 8 - 11
* PORTUGAL - Feast of the Assumption: August 15
* CALDAS DA RAINHA - 15th of August Fair: August 15
* LISBON - Oceans Festival (rowing races, fireworks, food fair, theater, film): mid-August
* FOZ DO ARELHO - Festival of Our Lady of Conceicao: August 22 - 25
* LANDAL - Festival of St. Sebastian: August 22 -25
* COTO - Annual Festival: August 29 - September 1
* NAZARE - Romaria da Nossa Senhora de Nazare: early to mid-September
* MAFRA - Int’l Music Festival: weekends in October
* FATIMA- Last Pilgrimage of the year: October 12
* SANTAREM - National Gastronomy Festival - October 13 - November 6
* PORTUGAL - Feast of All Saints' Day: November 1
* GALEGA - National Horse Fair: November
http://www.horsefairlusitano.org
* PORTUGAL - Feast of the Immaculate Conception - December 8
* PORTUGAL - Christmas - December 25
* LISBON - Lisbon-Dakar Euromillions Rally - December 28 - 31 (approx)
http://www.dakar.com/
* LISTS OF AREA FESTIVALS, FAIRS AND PILGRIMAGES:
http://en.cm-obidos.pt/custom/vpage.aspx?pg=tourism_festivals_fairsam=1
http://www.visit-sao-martinho-do-porto.com/por/por-agenda.html
http://208.215.179.125/destinations/print-narrative.cfm?destID=235acatID=0235020006
http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/destinations/port/portfest.htm
******* SPORTS AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES *******
^^^ BEACHES ^^^
Some of the major beaches in the area. There are many others..
* FOZ DO ARELHO - expansive, sandy delta near Obidos Lagoon: 13 minutes/10km northwest
* OBIDOS LAGOON - flat, child-friendly beaches on the largest lagoon in Europe. Many water sport rentals available - sailing, kite surfing, wind surfing, water skiing, jet skiing, canoeing: 13 minutes/10km northwest
* SAO MARTINHO DO PORTO - crescent-shaped beach along picturesque clamshell- shaped protected bay. Child-friendly: 18 minutes/24km north
* PRAIA D’EL REY - long ribbon of sandy beach back dropped by colorful, tall sandstone cliffs: 25 minutes/25km west
* PRAIA DO BOM SUCESSO, PRAIA DO REI CORTICO: just north of Praia d’el Rey. 25 minutes
* NAZARE - large, flat sandy beach in Portugal’s most well-known traditional fishing village. 25 minutes/35km north
* SALGADO - long strip of sandy beach backed by sand dunes a hills used for parasailing. Just north of Nazare. 25 minutes.
* BALEAL - well-known surfing beach backed by colorful sandstone cliffs. Surfing rentals/lessons available: 30 minutes/34km west.
^^^ GOLF ^^^
Four major courses in the area:
* PRAIA D'EL REY Championship golf course: 25 minutes /25km:
http://www.praia-del-rey.com/golf.html Rated as the 13th best golf course in Europe.
* VIMEIRO GOLF COURSE: 25 minutes/30km:
http://www.golfvimeiro.com/uk/home.php
* BOTADO GOLF CLUB - near the historic walled fishing port of Peniche: 30 minutes/30km:
http://www.rt-oeste.pt/eng/peniche_golf.htm
* GOLDEN EAGLE GOLF CLUB - in Rio Maior: 18 minutes/22km:
http://www.rt-oeste.pt/eng/riomaior_golf.htm
^^^ HORSEBACK RIDING ^^^
Enjoy the Portuguese countryside and beaches from horseback. Rentals and lessons available:
* ASSOCIACAO HIPICA 'O CAVALO' - 5 minutes, by Obidos (indoor and outdoor riding):
http://www.holiday-rental-portugal.com/Design/Assets/portugal-lusitano-horse.html
* CENTRO HIPICO HOTEL GOLF MAR - 25 minutes, in Vimeiro (indoor and outdoor riding):
http://centrohipico.turismovimeiro.com/uk/home.php
^^^ TENNIS ^^^
* CALDAS DA RAINHA - 3 minutes/2km: public courts in the park
^^^ SURFING, BODY BOARDING ^^^
* FOZ DO ARELHO (good beach break and river mouth waves) - 13 minutes/10km.
* NAZARE area - 30 minutes/37km
* BALEAL SURF CAMP - Europe's most consistent surf zone. Surfing oriented town, surf school and equipment rentals, 30 minute/34kms:
http://www.balealsurfcamp.com/
^^^ SAILING, KITESURFING, WINDSURFING, WATERSKIING, JETSKIING, CANOEING ^^^
Rentals and lessons:
* OBIDOS LAGOON - 13 minutes/10km:
www.escoladeveladalagoa.com
* SAO MARTINHO BAY - 20 minutes/24 km:
http://www.cnsmp.org/
^^^ DIVING AND UNDERWATER FISHING ^^^
* PENICHE, with trips available to the Berlenga Island.
http://www.holiday-rental-portugal.com/Design/Assets/portugal-scuba-diving.html
http://www.haliotis.pt/english/homepage.html (also offers high-speed Zodiac RIB ride/daytrip to Berlenga Island for €15 roundtrip)
MORE INFO ON BERLENGA ISLAND:
* BERLENGA ISLAND
http://www.qsl.net/ct1eeb/cs7t/island/cq2i.htm
* BOAT TRIPS - several companies operate boats from Peniche's public dock. Largest is Viamar ferry (262 78 56 46; fax 262 78 38 47. Ticket booth open 8:30am-5:30pm), which offers 3 crossings per day. (40min.; July-Aug. 3 per day 9:30, 11:30am, 5:30pm; return trips at 10:30am, 4:30, 6:30pm. To stay overnight, buy a €10 1-way ticket each way. May 15-June and Sept. 1-15 10am, returns 4:30pm. Same-day round-trip ticket €15, children age 5-12 €10, under 5 free.) Reserve 3-4 days in advance. Arrive 1 hr. in advance, 2½ hr. in Aug. The crossing from Peniche to the island can be rough. Trips by Berlenga Turpesca (262 78 99 60) include visits to the Berlenga caves. Berlenga Praia (917 60 11 14) also offers crossing.
^^^ BOAT TRIPS ^^^
* SAO MARTINHO BAY - in the bay or to Nazare. Boat fishing in the bay or at sea.
* PENICHE - boat fishing or trips to Berlenga Island.
* BERLENGA ISLAND - boat trips with the local fisherman exploring the island’s craggy coast, fine views, caves and Blue Grotto. Inquire at the harbor or the Inn. Canoe/kayak rentals also available
^^^ INDOOR/OUTDOOR POOLS, SPORTS COMPLEXES ^^^
Open to the public:
* OBIDOS - 5 minutes:
http://en.cm-obidos.pt/custom/vpage.aspx?pg=municipal_poolam=1
* CALDAS DA RAINHA - 5 minutes:
Piscinas Municipais das Caldas da Rainha
*RIO MAIOR - 20 minutes:
http://www.rt-oeste.pt/eng/sportive_centres.htm
^^^ THERMAL SPAS ^^^
* CALDAS DA RAINHA - 5 minutes
* VIMEIRO - 25 minutes
* TORRES VEDRAS - 25 minutes/40km
Overview/Contact info for above:
http://www.rt-oeste.pt/eng/thermalism.htm
^^^ ROCK GROTTOS/CAVES ^^^ :
*Overview (in English)
http://www.rt-leiriafatima.pt/linteresse.php?idreg=19
* GRUTAS DE MIRA DE AIRE - 50 minutes/78km:
http://www.grutasmiradaire.com/
* GRUTAS DE ALVADOS - 55 minutes/80km:
http://www.grutasalvados.com/
* GRUTAS DE SANTO ANTONIO - 50 minutes/83km:
http://www.grutassantoantonio.com/
* GRUTAS DE MOEDAS - 1 hour/90km, in Sao Mamede, near Batalha/Fatima:
www.grutasmoeda.com
^^^ SPELEOLOGY (ROCK CLIMBING, RAPPELLING, CAVE EXPLORATION) ^^^
* SALIR DO PORTO - 20 minutes: every Saturday at 915am starting from the cultural center, or other times by appointment.
http://www.o-eusebio.org/
^^^ MOUNTAIN BIKING ^^^
* CALDAS DA RAINHA - 5 minutes: every Sunday at 9am or other times by appointment:
http://www.bttcaldas.com/
^^^ MOTOR KARTING ^^^
* BOMBARRAL - Kartodromo Internacional da Regiao Oeste - 10 minutes/15km:
http://www.kiro-karting.com/
* BATALHA - 40 minutes/62km:
http://www.euroindy.com/
^^^ HANG-GLIDING/PARA-GLIDING ^^^
Rentals and tandems with instructor:
* PRAI SALGADO, near Nazare - 30 minutes/38km:
http://voo.no.sapo.pt/indexenglish.htm
http://voo.no.sapo.pt/englishvooduplo.htm Call mobile 96 607 48 82 for bookings
*TORRES VEDRAS - 25 minutes/40km: Escola de Parapente de Sto Cruz, Rua dos Moinhos No.9 Bombardeira, 2560-049, A-dos-Cunhados, Torres Vedras Tel: 261982404, Mobile: 919190737
^^^ ULTRA LIGHT FLIGHTS ^^^
* Near OBIDOS LAGOON - Aeroclube Lagoa de Obidos, Director - Luis Sousa, Tel. - 962 774 790
******* OTHER *******
^^^ FREE INTERNET ACCESS ^^^
* OBIDOS CASTLE - 10 minutes: inside the walled city
http://en.cm-obidos.pt//custom/vpage.aspx?pg=net_inicioam=1am=1
* CALDAS DA RAINHA (above the Fruit/Vegetable Marketplace) - 5 minutes: “Espaco Internet” Location: Rua Diario de Noticias, No.33, Phone: 262839724
*Portugal Municipal Free Internet Access Locator:
http://www.internet.gov.pt/como_ter/onde.asp
MAP OF OBIDOS/CALDAS DA RAINHA AREA ROADS:
http://tinyurl.com/omkf7 (The house is on the outskirts of Gaeiras)
PORTUGAL TOURISM
http://www.visitportugal.com/Cultures/en-US/default
http://www.atl-turismolisboa.pt/home.asp?lng=uka
http://tinyurl.com/lvbtc What’s On When - Portugal
http://www.portugal.org/tourism/index.html
http://www.soccerphile.com/soccerphile/port2004/tourist-offices/tourist-offices.html Tourist Offices’ Contact Info