Vasco da Gama Club is a small, private complex with just 18 one- and two-bedroom apartments, built in low rise blocks. This lovely, exclusive resort has an impressive communal pool with three tiered layers and a shallow children/non-swimmers section. The apartments are surrounded by well-kept landscaped gardens, full of sweeping green lawns, spiky palms and flowering shrubs. There is also a nice children's playground.

Caneiros beach, 2km away has a lovely stretch of fine, gold sand which is sheltered on either side by tall cliffs. A wooden-decked walkway leads down to the beach by the side of a beachside restaurant.

There is a pizza restaurant, coffee shop, supermarket and restaurant all within walking distance, just 500m away.

The apartments are just 2km from Ferragudo, a charming fishing village whose narrow streets are lined with white-washed houses, leading gently down to the river Arade. It has a traditional village square lined with a few cafes and bars where the locals drink and gossip. It is also home to the 16th century fort Fort of Sao Joao de Arade, now a private home, which sits atop the hill guarding the village.

4kms away is Caroveiro; once a sleepy fishing village that has grown steadily throughout recent years to incorporate the flourishing tourist trade. Its streets are lined with shops, bars and restaurants and market stalls selling fresh, local goods. Its sandy beach is very popular and offers water sports in high season, but is quite small and can become crowded. Although a bustling place in summer, the essence of the picturesque village still remains as the village has sprawled outwards and not upwards. And the local fisherman still sail the seas in colourful boats, bringing home their daily catches and sorting them in the harbour.

For those with kids, good family attractions nearby include...

. Aqualand Water Park - Located about 13km away in Alcantarilha, this water park has plenty of slides and flumes to scream your way down and rapids where you can float along in rubber rings.

. ZooMarine - an ocean theme park set amongst lakes and gardens with exhibitions, shows and rides to entertain the whole family. Has a large range of marine animals from sea lions and dolphins to turtles and exotic birds. Approx 18km away in guia, near Albufeira.

. Krazy World - a family attractions site with a small zoo that has live animal shows throughout the summer and aims to inspire children about conservation. There is also a petting zoo (with camels and llamas!), pony rides and mini-golf so there's enough to keep the whole family occupied for a day. Approx. 17km away in Algoz.

Ground Floor

The front door opens into a central entrance hallway with white-washed walls and tiled floors that continue throughout the apartment. These features make it feel cool and airy even in the summer heat. The open-plan living and dining room has two large sofas (one opens to from a large bed) and a coffee table arranged in front of a cosy fireplace. There is also a TV receiving basic Portuguese channels (English Satellite channels can be hired). There is a round dining table and four chairs behind this, and a small serving hatch looks into the tiled kitchen. The fresh white kitchen has a row of units with a grey granite worktop, and is well-equipped with a washing machine, kettle, toaster, fridge/freezer, hob and oven or microwave.

The master bedroom has a double bed, bedside cabinets with small reading lamps, and fitted wardrobes. The second is similarly furnished but with twin beds. Both bedrooms share the adjacent tiled bathroom which has a full bathtub with over bath shower as well as a toilet, washbasin and large shaving mirror.

Outside

Doors open from the living room onto the dining terrace which has garden furniture and provides a lovely setting for long, lazy lunch. The small private garden has a green lawn where you can relax in the warm sunshine. Surrounded by colourful shrubs and with a mature palm tree providing shade, hedges border the area for privacy.

Additional Information

* This is an example of the apartments available; your allocated apartment may differ slightly in layout/furnishings. Please call us for any special preferences and we will be happy to request these for you.

The TV has standard Portuguese channels but you can rent a Satellite for English channels at a supplementary cost. Safety deposit boxes are also available for a small supplement.

Depending on apartment, 5th and 6th occupants would sleep either on a curtained-off sofa bed, or on two folding Z-beds.

Vasco da Gama was Portugal's most famous explorer; one of the most successful during the European Age of Discovery. He was the first person to sail directly from Europe to India.

Each apartment has a telephone with connection to the reception desk and the other apartments. The reception is open from 9am to 6pm.