Local Golf:
The Eastern Algarve is famous for its excellent golf facilities - there are six 18-hole courses all very close to Santa Rita: Quinta da Ria -18 holes, Par 72, 6,016m designed by Rocky Roquemore and Quinta de Cima - 18 holes, Par 72, 6,256m the new sister course next to Quinta da Ria - both courses are just 2 Km from the house! Benamor Golf - 18 holes, Par 71, 5,500m designed by Sir Henry Cotton - situated near Conceiçao just off the EN125 & only 5 Km from the house. Colina Verde - 9 holes, Par 28, 1,145m is situated between Olhão & Tavira. Castro Marim Golf - 18 holes, Par 71, 5,265m designed by Terry Murray is situated near the historic town of Castro Marim. There is also the first Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course at Monte Rei (ranked Top 20 in Europe & Top 100 in the world by Golf Digest USA - the only Portuguese course to achieve this ranking) and is just 3 Km from the house!
Shopping, food & other activities:
Both Vila Real de Santo Antonio & Tavira (with its new large Shopping Mall) are real-life small towns with shops for everyday items - some excellent bargains are to be had in household linens - towels, bed linen and table linen. Along the EN125 coast road & inland, fantastic local pottery is available. The beach resorts of Monte Gordo, Altura, Manta Rota & Cabanas provide great holiday shopping with gifts, clothes, shoes & beach equipment. There are many other activities open to the more adventurous - from walking, riding, cycling, sailing and surfing - all within easy access from Santa Rita. There are excellent restaurants within easy reach of the house, including Cacela Velha & Fabrica just 2 Km away & beachside restaurants at Manta Rota (try Sem Espinhas). Excellent restaurants abound in the Eastern Algarve, both in the towns and nearby villages and along the coast road. Choose from the local 'black' pork, cataplana (seafood stew) or fresh fish and you won't be disappointed.
Beaches:
Casa da Oliveira is located only a few Km from the wide-open Blue Flag beach of Manta Rota, with lots of parking space and a pedestrian access way leading straight down to the beach. If you feel really adventurous just keep on walking - the beaches stretch for miles! The whole beach area is very much orientated towards families and is a very safe, clean environment with ample open space, even in peak times, for sunbathing, swimming and playing with the kids! This area is truly one of the most outstanding areas of natural beauty - you will not be disappointed! Also try the beautiful beach at Praia Verde (green beach) and you will see why it is so special - set in a nature reserve with pine forest leading down to the protected sand dunes and fantastic wide-open beaches. The beaches at Cacela Velha, Fabrica (both just 2 Km away) & Cabanas are also worth visiting - taking the short taxi boat ride across the Ria Formosa to get to the stunning beaches is a real treat!
