British TV available by satellite! 

   The apartment, which is ideal for a peaceful family holiday, comprises 2 bedrooms (one with double bed, one with two singles), additional bed available in separate space for those who do not wish to share a bedroom, bathroom with shower and toilet, and a kitchen / living area. The kitchen is equipped with a dishwasher, washing machine, fridge, electric hob & oven, kettle, toaster, microwave and coffee machine. There is a television in the living room area. We have an extensive garden with terraces, where you can relax with a glass of wine or a beer, and we have garden furniture and barbecue facilities available for our guests. Guests may also use the swimming pool as they wish. There is ample parking on the front drive - enough for 2 or 3 vehicles and/or caravan.

 Activities: Beaches (20 mins), countryside, hill-walking, surfing (35 mins), golf courses (30 mins), fishing (20 mins - local licence required), horse-riding, sight-seeing (several historic towns, hills, caves), shops & restaurants (5 mins) . Children welcome.

Recommended: Hire car recommended - available at airports. See the "Useful links" page.

• The rental charge covers the cost of water, electricity and heating (rarely needed!) for the duration of your stay, together with the cleaning of the villa apartment and laundering of bed linen & towels at the end of your stay.

• The villa apartment will be ready by 4.00 pm on the day of your arrival. Please return your keys and vacate the apartment by 10.00 am on the day of your departure to enable us to prepare for the next guests.

• Ironing - there is an iron & ironing board in the apartment.

• Tableware - crockery, cutlery, pots, pans etc. are provided for up to 6 people.

• Kettle & coffee maker - please feel free to bring your own tea / coffee if you do not wish to buy the local brands. Portuguese tea bags tend to make a weaker brew than English.

• Television - there is a television in the living room area, where you can watch Portuguese television, or British channels by arrangement without charge - BBC 1(all regions), BBC 2(all regions), BBC 3, BBC 4, BBC News Channel, ITV 1(all regions), ITV 2 - 4, Sky News, all free-to-air TV channels from the Astra 2 satellite, all UK national radio stations. It is possible to watch live football matches, including some English premier league fixtures, at the local café.

• Hair dryer - either bring your own or hire one from us for €5 per day.

• Swimming pool - open air - just installed - gives you a different option from going to the beach. It can sometimes be hotter inland than on the beach. You can relax around the pool on the patio with a cool drink if you wish. The pool is solely for the use of guests, and is not shared with anyone else.

• Barbecue room - there is an exterior kitchen with barbecue, roasting oven, sink unit, table & chairs which our guests are free to use.

• Provisions - We can arrange to provide you with a "starter pack" if you wish, which will include anything you want us to get from the local supermarket, depending on availability. The cost will be as per the shopping bill + €15. You will need to let us have your shopping list at least 48 hours prior to your arrival.

• Water - the mains water is perfectly safe, but bottled water is widely available in supermarkets if you prefer it.

• Food shopping - there are two large supermarkets in Alcobaça - Modelo and Intermarché - where you can buy almost anything. There is also fresh produce available very cheaply at the market in Alcobaça town centre every Monday morning (and sometimes Saturday morning).

• Medical Centre (doctors' surgeries and hospital) - about 5 minutes drive from the apartment in the town of Alcobaça.

• Chemists - there are several chemists' shops in Alcobaça.

• Dentists - there are several dental surgeries in Alcobaça.

• Health insurance - as Portugal is part of the European Community, your E111 medical card (or form) is valid here for free or low cost emergency treatment under the Portuguese NHS. We recommend that you check your card or form's validity. If you need further information about E111 cards (or an application form), you should go to your nearest main Post Office in the UK.