The Sailing School on the Obidos Lagoon

If you drive a couple of kilometres along the north shore of the Obidos Lagoon from Foz do Arelho you will find the Escola de Vela da Lagoa, a sailing school in a beautiful Silver Coast setting.

The little school offers equipment hire and lessons in all types of water sports, including sailing, canoeing, windsurfing and water skiing.

The calm waters of the lagoon ensure a safe environment for beginners. Book an individual lesson with an instructor, from the enthusiastic team of professionals, or if you prefer, take a course over several days.

If you have a little more experience then equipment is available for hire allowing you have your own adventures and discover the beauty of the Obidos Lagoon for yourself.

The little sailing school has a bar and café open to all offering drinks and snacks all day and is within a 15 minute drive from Sao Martinho do Porto, Salir do Porto and even less from Obidos.

By Stephanie Johnson

Foz do Arelho

If you drive around the bay in Sao Martinho do Porto through neighbouring Salir do Porto you end up on the coast road to Foz do Arelho.

This is a lovely drive as it takes you along the top of the cliffs with stunning views of the sea all the way. It is well worth stopping at one of the lookout points, especially at sunset.

After about ten minutes you will arrive at the mouth of the Obidos lagoon and the seaside village of Foz do Arelho. This pretty village of about 1200 inhabitants has been a holiday destination, popular with the Portuguese, for many years and has always had a reputation as being rather exclusive.

The reason for this popularity is clearly the fantastic beach, one of the finest on the Silver Coast. A huge expanse of sand gives plenty of room for everyone, even in the busy summer months, and with a choice of swimming in the calm waters of the lagoon or surfing in the ocean there is something to please everyone.

The beach is lined with restaurants, bars and cafes which along with the colourful kiosks selling ice creams offer plenty by way of refreshment.

In the summer the delightful wooden beach bar is open making a perfect place to sit and enjoy a cold beer while watching the more energetic holiday makers go about their business.

Roll on summer!

By Stephanie Johnson

A Fresh Start

The recent welcome announcement from the BBC that the UK is officially out of recession brings relief for everyone. As one of the last economies in the world to finally emerge from the gloom Britain can now start 2010 afresh.

Here at Prestige Portugal Property we have recently had a noticeable increase in client enquiries from the UK proving that the strengthening economy is already being widely felt.

So perhaps now is the time to start thinking about investments, and with the Silver Coast being tipped as a property hot spot you might find it is the perfect place to put your money.

Buying a property in beautiful locations such as Sao Martinho do Porto, Salir do Porto, Nazare or Obidos could not only bring you financial rewards but also the fun of holidays for many years to come.

Let’s forget the doom and gloom of 2009 and embrace the sunshine in 2010!



By Stephanie Johnson

Latest Property Listing: Luxury Obidos Villa

Surrounded by lush forest, a minute’s walk from the Obidos Lagoon and just 5 minutes drive from Obidos Castle, golden beaches and championship golf courses you will find this gorgeous luxury villa, beautifully finished including exotic stone and marble, built in surround sound, air conditioning, fully fitted kitchen and a private pool.

The perfect location in the heart of Portugal's Silver Coast.

View more . . .

Silver Service on the Silver Coast

The Silver Coast is blessed with numerous restaurants, from international fine dining to tiny rustic traditional Portuguese places tucked away off the beaten track and one of my absolute favourites is Restaurante O Cortiço on the main road that links Caldas da Rainha to Alcobaça.

This large friendly restaurant has been in business for decades and is always busy and bustling with a great atmosphere.

I visited O Cortiço on my very first trip to the Silver Coast way back in 1988 (obviously I was very young!) and still see the same team of friendly efficient waiters working there today.

They specialise in Wild Boar but also have an extensive menu featuring Portuguese dishes and comfort food at its best. The generous portions are often big enough to share between two and everything is freshly and expertly cooked.

The name O Cortiço means the Honeycombe which is a good description of the labyrinth of rooms that are gradually opened up as the place fills up with hungry customers, meaning that this huge restaurant never feels empty even when you are one of the first to arrive.

The restaurant is open all day, seven days a week which is quite unusual for Portugal so whenever you are feeling in need of a bite to eat, you now know where to come.

Restaurante O Cortiço is just a short drive from Sao Martinho do Porto and Salir do Porto.

By Stephanie Johnson

Paragliding in Portugal

The great thing about living here on the Silver Coast is that there is so much to do. You could while away relaxing hours just lying on a sandy beach or sitting in a café, or you could spend your time in a more energetic way - swimming, surfing or cycling perhaps, but if you are feeling more adventurous how about having a go at Paragliding?

This sport, known as Parapente in Portugal, is hugely popular along the Silver Coast and the favourite spot of the local Parapente Club here in Sao Martinho do Porto is off the cliffs at Praia de Gralha, the beach just next to the bay.

Praia de Gralha couldn’t be more different to the protected bay enjoying magnificent waves from the open sea which crash onto the long empty stretch of sandy beach and it has ideal conditions for Paragliding.

It is a fantastic sight to see so many paragliders in the sky at once floating silently like huge exotic birds on the warm thermals.

It almost makes me want to have a go myself. . .

By Stephanie Johnson

Pao de Ló

The village of Alfeizerao is just along the road from Sao Martinho do Porto on the Silver Coast.

It has a busy high street with a good range of useful shops including a butchers shop where they speak excellent English and have their own herd of grass fed cows (rather unusual in Portugal), a post office with a chain smoking post mistress who is probably happier than she looks, a jewelers, two banks and a selection of little clothes and haberdashery shops.

However, the most notable thing about Alfeizerao is a cake.

Enjoyed the length and breadth of Portugal, and indeed throughout the world in Portuguese communities, Pao de Ló is a sweet eggy sponge with a deliberately under cooked gooey centre.
The recipe dates back hundreds of years and it is said that true Pao de Ló only comes from Alfeizerao. The tiny factory I pass on my way to work every morning produces huge quantities of these delicious cakes which they sell in their own coffee shop and deliver far and wide.

If you fancy trying a slice of authentic Pao de Ló then you will find Alfeizerao just off the A8 motorway at junction 21 it is also within very easy reach of other interesting places such as Salir do Porto and Caldas da Rainha.

By Stephanie Johnson

Learn a Little Lingo!

Portuguese is spoken by over 210 million people worldwide making it the 6th most spoken language. Brazil obviously plays a large part in boosting the numbers but other than here in Portugal it is also spoken in other old colonies such as East Timor and Macau.

The language as we know it today has evolved from the Latin spoken by the Romans when they first arrived in the Iberian Peninsula in the 3rd century BC. It evolved over the centuries emerging as a mature language around the 15th century.

Living and working here on the Silver Coast means I have plenty of opportunity to improve my loose grasp of Portuguese, I find I get enormous pleasure from learning a new word or phrase.

There are many Portuguese teachers keen to supplement their income by teaching the language to us Brits, including the best teacher I have ever had, a retired lady who gives lessons in the library in Sao Martinho do Porto.

The helpful Portuguese government welcomes people who decide to relocate to this wonderful country and offers free Portuguese lessons to eager newcomers. It is great fun and a really good way to make new friends, (although you will clearly not make many Portuguese friends this way!)

Even though a lot of Portuguese people speak English, and are happy to do so at every opportunity, I thoroughly recommend learning at least a little of their language, so to get you started here are a few basics:

Bom Dia - Good Morning
Boa Tarde – Good Afternoon
Boa Noite – Good Night
Sou Ingles - I am English
Como está? - How are you?
Eu não falo Português - I don't speak Portuguese
Oh, and one last one, Cervja - Beer (very important!)

By Stephanie Johnson

The Village Bakery

The little village on the Silver Coast where we live is famous for its bakery. The Rebelo family has been in business for decades and still bake traditional Portuguese bread in huge wood fired ovens every morning seven days a week.

The staff, all dressed in white, arrive in the early hours and work until lunchtime. The delicious products of their labours are sold in the little café from where you can see the bread being baked (although I have to say that it is usually all over by the time I get there!) They also deliver to several other cafes in nearby towns and villages including Sao Martinho do Porto and Salir do Porto.

A little business like this reminds me of my childhood in the west country of England, these days it seems that there are far fewer family run businesses in England, in my opinion, a regrettable situation created by the emergence of big corporations.

Part of the charm of Portugal is the way it has managed to hang on to traditional ways and owning a home in one of the beautiful towns or villages on the Silver Coast would mean that you could be part of it too, whether you choose Obidos, Nazare or Cadaval you will find a very warm welcome, and some very nice bread. . .

By Stephanie Johnson

Lisbon vs. Madeira

It was the battle of Lisbon vs. Madeira this weekend in Portugal’s Premier Football league. For such a small island it is an incredible achievement that Madeira has consistently produced to teams that always finish in the top half of Liga Sagres. This weekend both Madeiran teams squared up against Lisbon giants Sporting and Benfica.

The first game of the weekend saw Nacional travel to Estadio Alvalade in to face my beloved Sporting Lisbon, usually I make the short hour trip from São Martinho do Porto to watch them play but unfortunately due to work commitments I was unable to make the trip, I did however get to watch from a local pub in Nazare, and what a game it was. Sporting winning comfortably 3-1 with goals from Miguel Veloso and a brace from Liedson.

Then on Sunday Benfica travelled to the island to take on Maritimo, again it was a comfortable victory for a Lisbon team with Benfica winning 5-0, goals from Saviola, Luisão, Pereira, Cardoza and an own goal from Roberto Sousa contributed to a miserable evening for Maritimo.

So the weekend ended heavily in favor of Lisbon. Lisbon 8 Madeira 1. Benfica remain in second, behind Braga only on goal difference and Sporting Lisbon moved up to 4th.

By Dylan Herholdt

Salir do Porto

Salir do Porto sits quietly across the bay from its bigger cousin Sao Martinho do Porto. It is a peaceful little fishing village with a popular family beach in the bay and lots of safe but fun swimming opportunities in the mouth of the river Tornada that joins the sea here.

Salir is also well known for its magnificent sand dunes protected for their flora and fauna, the largest is almost 49 metres high providing endless enjoyment for kids and adults alike.

Just before you arrive at the beach you will notice a brand new state of the art open air swimming pool with a lively café, part of the recent improvement project carried out by the local council.

There is lots of history in the area with the ruins of the old Customs House still clearly visible, lapped by the waves at high tide, and next to this a fresh water spring that is popular with locals who are regularly seen making the trek along the footpath laden with freshly filled bottles.

Salir do Porto is a quiet and peaceful village with a handful of bars and restaurants but a fifteen minute stroll around the bay will bring you to Sao Martinho do Porto where you will find a livelier atmosphere if you prefer.

Another little Silver Coast gem.

By Stephanie Johnson

Money Makes the World Go Round

It is said that ‘money makes the world go round’, and unfortunately, this really does seem to be true.

One of the advantages of living here in Portugal is that the cost of living is significantly lower than in the UK. You will notice this to a lesser or greater degree depending on your lifestyle, but it is fairly safe to say that you will definitely pay less here for things such as food and drink especially in bars and restaurants. Something I for one, really appreciate!

For me one of the greatest advantages of the internet is to be able to manage my UK bank account at home in Portugal at any time of day or night – how did we manage before this miracle of technology?

My life is also made a lot more straightforward by the fantastic cashpoint, or ‘Multibanco’ machines here. The Portuguese seem to have a knack for technology and they have really gone to town with automated banking. As well as the usual withdrawals and statements you can do the following:

• Pay utility bills (electricity, gas and water)
• Pay services and purchases
• Buy tickets for concerts and shows
• Buy cinema tickets
• Buy a fishing license
• Deposit cash which is instantly counted and credited to your account
• Make inter-bank transfers
• Make transfers from one account to another within the same bank
• Pay Social Security contributions
• Pay Income Tax
• Pay Value Added Tax
• Recharge mobile phone credit
• Make miscellaneous payments to the state
The Portuguese banks have operated in a very sensible manner during the economic downturn and it is partly due to this that the boom and bust situation created by reckless lending in other countries around the world hasn’t happened in Portugal, resulting in house prices remaining stable.

However, with mortgage rates at an all time low, it is currently a very good time to borrow money allowing you to buy your dream home on the Silver Coast without breaking the bank!

Here at Prestige Portugal Property we have formed a strong relationship with Portugal’s largest private bank, Millennium BCP, who also have branches in the UK (and a website in English!). Through Millennium we have arranged mortgages for a great many of our clients simply and easily, if you are interested in finding out more then please contact us and we will be able to help you – with, of course, no obligation on your part.

We have beautiful properties ready and waiting for you in places such as Sao Martinho do Porto, Salir do Porto, Nazare and Obidos.

So perhaps now your dream of buying a villa or apartment on the Silver Coast could soon become an affordable reality. . .

By Stephanie Johnson

Silver Coast Seasons

Here on the Silver Coast of Portugal we are surrounded by nature, the beautiful coastline is made up of golden sandy beaches separated by rugged cliffs. The sea is ever changing, calm in the protected bays such as Sao Martinho do Porto or crashing waves at the wilder beaches such as Salgardo just a few hundred metres along the coast.

This area is diverse offering something to please everyone, a true all year round destination. A beachcombing walk in the winter on Nazare beach is, in my opinion, as much fun as a summer swim in the bay at Salir do Porto, and spending Christmas in Obidos is just about perfect.

The Obidos Lagoon is fantastic for cycling in the cooler months, water sports during the summer and beautiful walks all year round.

The atmosphere changes here in the winter, with the majority of the tourists gone the little bars and restaurants take on a quiet, cosy and very friendly feel, with the owners having the time to get to know their customers, a lovely way to make friends who you can go back and visit over and over again.

Come and visit the Silver Coast, any time of year and discover a whole different world.

By Stephanie Johnson

Elegant Storks

My drive to work in the morning is always a joy as I have fabulous sea views for most of the way (a bit of a change from my old life in London when I took the Docklands Light Railway from Stratford to Canary Wharf!), but an additional feature that never fails to delight are the storks who live in a huge nest at the side of the road between Afeizerao and Sao Martinho do Porto.

These elegant birds are seen regularly throughout Portugal and have a habit of building nests in the most precarious places. Trees are an obvious choice but often a more adventurous pair will choose a high rooftop, an electricity pylon or even a motorway traffic sign spanning the busy road.

The nests are made from twigs and sticks collected by the male and put into place by the female. They can be huge, up to 2 metres across and 3 metres deep and always up very high to allow the storks to launch themselves into flight with the minimum of effort.

The nesting sites are always close to water or wetlands as, from a stork’s point of view, there is nothing tastier than a small fish, morsel of seafood or a perhaps a frog or a snail. Yum!

My favourite stork family has returned for many years to their delightful residence with views over Sao Martinho bay situated on top of a very tall pole. The pole, with a small platform on the top, appears to have been erected especially for them quite possibly by EDP (Energias de Portugal) and power grid operator REN who are working together to make their pylons more stork friendly, or provide alternative accommodation nearby if necessary.

You can see the storks gliding on the warm thermals or tending to their young in the huge nest when you next visit us here on the Silver Coast.

Another interesting reason to purchase a holiday home in a lovely location such as Salir do Porto, Nazare, Obidos or of course, Sao Martinho do Porto.


By Stephanie Johnson

More Café Culture

Have you ever been to Lisboa Patisserie in London? There are actually a few establishments with this name but the one that first springs to mind is the well known café on Golbourne Road in trendy Notting Hill.

This simple little cafe has become a bit of a destination venue for Londoners trying to bring back happy memories of time spent here in Portugal - apparently the Pasteis de Natas (custard tarts) are almost as good as the real thing!

Well, here in Sao Martinho do Porto we have our own version, a stylish new café bar has opened in a fabulous location on the seafront with stunning views of the bay.

Martinhos opened in December to rave reviews and is fast becoming the place to go for food and drinks with a British theme.

The menu is proving very popular with the locals, so much so that apparently, an elderly Portuguese couple arrived the other night with a note written by their English speaking daughter asking for Fish and Chips with mushy peas!

As the only English café in Sao Martinho do Porto the owners are very keen to keep up their high standards and become ambassadors for English cuisine. They also offer occasional live music which together with the beautiful location promises a great night out.

The Silver Coast and especially Sao Martinho do Porto has a rather exclusive image, and we are proud to be part of the real Portugal, but a little business like this seems to do much to cement relations between Portugal and Great Britain – the oldest alliance in history!

By Stephanie Johnson

Fancy a Coffee?

Reminiscent of most of Western Europe, Portugal has a strong cafe culture. Spending an afternoon people watching whilst enjoying a coffee at a café in a pretty square in Caldas da Rainha is as enjoyable as sitting on the seafront in Sao Martinho do Porto doing the same thing.

The Portuguese are rightly proud of their coffee and have so many variations that this guide may be of help to you when you next come over to visit us here on The Silver Coast.

Café – Ask for a simple café and you will be presented with an espresso, the coffee of choice for most Portuguese.

Bica – This is just another name for the above but has an interesting little story, allegedly it stands for ‘Beba Isto Com Açucar’ – ‘meaning drink this with sugar’. Apparently when coffee was first introduced to Portugal the locals found it rather unpalatable until an enterprising cafe owner displayed a sign suggesting Beba Isto Com Açucar and the rest is history!

Cafe Cheio – Meaning ‘full coffee’ this is an espresso topped up with hot water to make a slightly weaker brew.

Abatanado - This is a large cup of black coffee, usually the equivalent of three espressos.

Meia de Leite – Meaning ‘half of milk’, a larger coffee and favoured by us Brits.

Galão – A large milky coffee served in a tall glass similar to a cafe latte. The strength may vary between cafes so you should ask for a Galão Escuro (dark) if you prefer it a little stronger.

The Portuguese have many more coffee recipes but rather than reading about them come and sample some for yourself.
Whether you prefer to sit at a little table on the busy cobbled streets of Obidos, or watch the ocean at Nazare you will find plenty of cafes to choose from.

My personal favourite is delightful little place overlooking the Obidos Lagoon, it is hidden away and completely off the beaten track, charming simplicity and only 60 cents a cup – but you will have to come and find it for yourself . . .

By Stephanie Johnson

We Have Just Added a New Property to Our Listings!

Set in the beautiful seaside town of Sao Martinho do Porto on the Silver Coast this spacious duplex apartment is divided into two self contained units making the accommodation extremely versatile.

Each unit has two double bedrooms and a bathroom, with a sitting room and fully fitted kitchen, offering a great opportunity for someone looking for a comfortable place to live while having the option to let one of the units for either short term holidays or on a longer basis.

The property could also be used as one four bedroom, two bathroom duplex apartment if required.

The lovely shell shaped bay of Sao Martinho do Porto is just a five minute walk away and with amenities such as bars, restaurants, cafes and the new Intermarche supermarket all within a short walk the property is ideally placed.

Click Here For More Details

By Stephanie Johnson

Beach Cricket

My thoughts have turned to cricket recently, our office here on the Silver Coast seems to be staffed by a disproportionate number of South Africans and as a big fan of English cricket I find myself in the minority concerning the current test series taking place in South Africa between the home side and us Brits - England are one nil up in the series by the way.

Cricket and Portugal may not be two words often found in the same sentence, but you might be surprised to know that cricket is alive and well and played with great enthusiasm on the Silver Coast.

One of my main concerns when considering our move to Portugal from the UK was that my husband would be able to continue to play cricket on a regular basis, so a quick search of the internet revealed the website of The Portuguese Cricket Federation. The funny thing is that when you mention cricket to most Portuguese people they immediately think of polo, so there is clearly a lot of work to do to promote the game within this country. Cricket has long been played by ex-pats throughout the Algarve but now the Silver Coast can boast its own venue.

The new cricket pitch in Santarem constructed a couple of years ago by a very keen ex-pat cricket fan is host to regular matches throughout the summer and well into October, and is fast becoming a favourite destination for touring sides from England. What a great combination, cricket, sunshine, Portuguese hospitality and the beach just up the road!

If you prefer a more casual game of beach cricket then you are well provided for here on the Silver Coast. With mile upon mile of golden sandy beaches at places such as Foz do Arelho, Salir do Porto, Sao Martinho do Porto and Nazare you have plenty of space to knock it for six.

Howzat!

By Stephanie Johnson

New Year's Resolutions

The theory behind New Year’s resolutions is that you do something positive to improve your life, the problem is have you noticed how easy it is to make a New Year’s resolution but how hard it is to stick to?

Well, I have a solution – only make resolutions you will want to keep!

If you are looking to get the most out of life how about resolving to take a trip to the fabulous Silver Coast in Portugal, where you could visit wonderful locations such as the Obidos Lagoon, Sao Martinho do Porto or the lovely old fishing town of Nazare.

Surely, owning a luxury villa or apartment by the sea would do much to enhance your life, and far from being just an indulgence property on the Silver Coast is a proven investment opportunity - so you can be sure you are taking positive steps to ensure your financial future.

Now there’s a resolution you could stick to.

Happy New Year!

By Stephanie Johnson