About
About us
We love sunshine and outdoor life. Having recently retired we wanted to extend our time in warmer climates pursuing our outdoor hobbies-walking, cycling, swimming, kayaking, golf, fishing and sightseeing. We also love exploring culinary variations from local dishes to fine dining. Having travelled extensively in Europe, we wanted to find our own ‘home from home in the sun.’
We visited the Silver Coast in October 2018 and were struck by its unspoilt beauty. We travelled throughout the area where we met a local builder whose ‘Atlantic Paradise’ housing development was just stunning. We fell in love with his designs and within two weeks we committed to an off-plan build. The villa was completed in October 2019 and we have since spent many happy months in our beautiful home. We will spend much of the year in Portugal but we want to be able to share ‘Villa Bonita’ with family, friends and also friends of friends. Who knows, you might become a neighbour!
About the area
Portugal’s Silver Coast or Costa da Prata stretches from Lisbon north to Figuera da Foz . It’s famous for many ancient, historic towns and the stunning and unspoilt beaches entice lovers of water sports. Its rugged coastline and headland tracks are dotted with extensive pine or eucalyptus forest and provide wonderful trekking and biking experiences.
Salir do Porto is an hour’s drive north of Lisbon and two hour drive south of Porto. It is the ideal holiday destination where you can enjoy local facilities as well as being within easy travelling distance of other towns and cities such as Alcobaça, Peniche, Fatima, Tomar and Coimbra.
São Martinho do Porto is situated on an enclosed horseshoe shaped bay. It is a popular family destination providing safe sheltered bathing as well as paddle boarding and kayaking. Shops, cafes, and restaurants line the bay. Fish restaurants serve the freshest of fish, some of it caught in the bay itself.
Caldas da Rainha (12km) is the closest town to Salir do Porto. It has a good range of shops and supermarkets, cafes and restaurants. The daily market in the Praça da Fruta offers a huge range of locally grown seasonal produce. Dom Carlos I Park is a tranquil haven with gardens, a lake with rowing boats and a children’s play area.
Nazaré, (15km) is an old fishing town. With its fine beach and the cobbled streets, it’s well worth a visit. There are many fine seafood restaurants as well as other cuisines. A funicular runs from the beach up to Sitio where there are panoramic views across the area. From October to March, surfers from across the world are drawn to challenge the colossal surf off the Praia do Norte beach. The Farol da Nazaré, provides one of the best viewpoints. It has a museum dedicated to surfing and the geological conditions which generate the enormous waves.
Obidos (20km)is a historical medieval walled town and castle. Numerous festivals and events take place throughout the year, such as The Chocolate Festival and Medieval Festival. Its colourful cobbled streets are filled with arts and crafts shops, restaurants and bars. You can walk around the castle wall which provides exceptional views of the surrounding area.
Óbidos Lagoon, Lagoa de Óbidos (10km) is a saltwater inlet extending for over 6km. The nature reserve, famous for its pink flamingos, attracts birdwatchers and is ideal for family picnics and outings. Extensive walking and cycling paths line both sides of the lagoon. It’s an ideal place to watch both kite surfers and shell fishermen.
Foz do Arelho (10km) lies at the mouth of the lagoon. The extensive beach is particularly suitable for families. There are many beachside café restaurants ideal for viewing the stunning sunsets.
Buddha Eden (32km) is well worth a visit. It is, billed as the largest oriental garden in Europe. Take a few hours to walk around the spectacular landscaped gardens with Buddhas, terracotta statues, modern and contemporary sculptures and much more.
Golf on the Silver Coast
Praia D’el Rey, one of the most stunning golf courses in Europe, is a major golfing destination. Situated with spectacular Atlantic views it combines a front nine of pine forests and parkland to a back nine links style of sand dunes and spectacular Atlantic waves and views.
West Cliffs managed by Praia D’el Rey is no less spectacular. With views of the Atlantic, the Berlengas Islands and Óbidos Lagoon the course sits naturally within sand dunes and its natural coastal flora and vegetation. After a true test of golf relax in the superb clubhouse.
Royal Obidos, designed by the legendary Severiano Ballesteros. With views over the Obidos Lagoon and the Atlantic, the course provides a challenging number of lakes and water hazards to contend with. The clubhouse boasts a large terrace facing the Atlantic with a panoramic view of the golf course.
Bom Successo boasts a championship golf course situated within the Obidos Lagoon area. It was sympathetically designed to protect the natural habitat and this resulted in another superb golf course.
The Golf Courses are situated next to each other with no more than a few minutes’ drive between making it a perfect destination for a golfing trip.
Food & Wine
Eating out in Portugal is both enjoyable and inexpensive.
Try freshly caught fish or seafood. Polvo(octopus) is a speciality. Sardines (in season) are delicious too but you will be spoilt for choice. If you prefer to choose and cook your own, fish markets in São Martinho do Porto, Caldas da Rainha and Nazaré provide an exceptional choice.
There are a multitude of Bacalhau (Cod) dishes, it’s traditional and a national passion. Try Bacalhau à lagareiro (Baked Cod with crushed roast potatoes)
Frango Piri-Piri with batata fritas and salad, a delicious spicy chicken with French fries.
Carne de Porco à Alentejana, a combination of Pork and Clams, marinated in white wine and sweet pepper paste, garnished with sautéed cubed potatoes, coriander and pickles.
Porco Preto, Black Pork, is famous for all manner of Pork Dishes from spit roasted or grilled to cured ham and chouriço
Pastéis de nata, a traditional custard cream tart. The ideal complement to a café espresso
Portuguese Wines
Lovers of good wine are spoiled for choice with the wines on offer. Local supermarkets and speciality wine merchants all stock extensive and varied choices of both reds and whites at prices visitors from the UK will find hard to recognize! Careful not to over imbibe!
