3 BEDROOM APARTMENT WALKING DISTANCE TO BEACH

The Local Area - Foz do Arelho: The reason Foz do Arelho has become such a popular destination is the quality of the beach. It is absolutely enormous so you will not be pressed for space. The promenade has a string of good cafes and restaurants serving light meals, snacks and beverages all day. The selection of sea food dishes is most impressive. The beach gives way to the back waters of the lagoon that extends many miles inland and has calm waters that are ideal for all the water sports, including canoeing, jet skiing, wind skiing, paragliding etc. There are any number of sandy beaches that run all along the lagoon and small communal BBQs that you can use in the picnic areas dotting the lagoon.

In terms of night life, Foz boasts the best night club in the region and is second to none for size and popularity both with locals and tourists. The other beaches of note are in Sao Martinho, Nazare, Santa Cruz, Bom Succeso, all of which are within 40 minutes of Foz do Arehlo.

Local Attractions: Obidos, the famous medieval castle is a 10 minute drive away and is renowned for it pristine little streets that date back to the 13 century and are amongst the best preserved anywhere in the world. Obidos is a UNESCO world heritage centre. If you happen to be visiting the area in July and August, then look out for the Medieval fair at Obidos as it showcases cuisine, costume and sporting events that will turn back the clock a few hundred years. Visitors are free to don medieval costumes and really get involved in the festival.

The old spa town of Caldas da Rainha is also worth a mention here as it houses one of the world few surviving 13th century thermal spa hospitals that you could still visit for treatments or luxuriate in one of the salons getting a whole range of beauty treatments for as little as a few Euro a time. The old streets of Caldas are a sheer delight for pedestrians as many of its streets have now been pedestrianised and are free from vehicular traffic.

Other Attractions: Amongst the most famous is the Pilgrimage town of Fatima which houses the third most holy Catholic shrine in the world. Being there on feast days is really quite special. Fatima is one hour north from Foz do Arelho.

One of my personal favourites is the Templar fort at Tomar. Very elaborate and spread over many acres of fantastic building and landscaped gardens. Not one to miss. Whilst in Tomar you might think to pop into the Match museum for a short while, as this too is an amazing experience, and is one of only three in the Europe.

There are a few wine routes that are well sign-posted and one in particular might be of interest as a family day out. Just north of the old town of Bombarral, there are two well known vineyards. The larger, called Loridos house the most extraordinary Buddhist oriental garden you would every hope to see outside of the Far East. Do pay this one a visit and you will not be disappointed. The family run vineyard Singuinhal is quieter and more personal.