Scott Dunn: ANYTHING ELSE IS JUST A HOLIDAY

Description

Villa Casa Corsino is situated in an idyllic location overlooking Barragem Lake in the forested hills above Lagos. From the house you can walk down to the lake via a narrow track (steep in parts) in just a few minutes. Once at the lake you can swim, walk or sit and just watch the diverse wildlife in its natural surroundings.

Constructed in 2007, Casa Corsino, is light, airy and spacious and many of the rooms have been stylishly built to make the most of the impressive views of the lake. The entrance is through a stylish porch, which is partly rendered white, typical of the Algarve and partly in natural stone which has been excavated from the area. This natural stone is a common architectural theme of the house in the form of feature walls and columns.

With the exception of the master bedroom suite, all the accommodation at Casa Corsino is on the ground floor. At one end of the house is the well equipped children’s playroom and small twin bedroom which has a shower room. The living, dining area and open-plan kitchen look out onto the terrace and lake views. At the far end of the house, there is a double room with ensuite bathroom. This is a lovely bright room with doors that lead out onto the decked terrace.

The open plan sitting/living room and children’s playroom also lead out onto the decked area and outdoor covered dining area, making it an ideal place to watch the children playing in the pool and surrounding grounds.

Upstairs there is a very light, spacious master, double bedroom with a large, dressing area, which can easily fit a cot). This leads onto a large bathroom with a separate bath and shower. Doors from the bedroom lead onto a large, sunny, balcony. From here you have the most wonderful views of the garden below and beyond to the lake.

The villa is situated in extensive grounds and has been divided into two distinct areas – formal gardens and a natural area. The formal gardens, maintained by the villa gardener, consist of the pool which has been cleverly integrated into a landscaped garden, incorporating rock formations and little waterfalls and a ‘beach style’ entry making it good for children (however the beach-style entrance does drop off quite quickly). This clever arrangement gives the impression of a natural rock pool that was intended as part of the landscape. Surrounding the pool on 3 sides, is a lawned area flanked with architectural plants, palms and colourful shrubs and trees. Beyond this formal area, the remainder of the grounds have been left completely natural allowing the local flora and fauna to flourish in its natural habitat.

Casa Corsino has a real ‘swallows and amazons’ feel and is perfect for guests who enjoy the peace of the countryside, but with the comforts of modern living. You'll get a real taste of Portugal in this beautiful undiscovered part of the Algarve.

Guide price £850 per person per week

£850 based on a full villa (adults and children) in June.
Price includes full board on 5.5 days per week and staff (nanny, chef and host).
Excludes travel.

Accommodation

Villa Casa Corsino features 2 double bedrooms and 1 twin room all with their own bathroom. All bedrooms are air conditioned. Bathroom products are provided as well as kimono bathrobes. All rooms can accommodate at a cot.

Childcare

The villa is staffed with a fully qualified nanny who is there to take care of all your childcare needs. Our qualified nanny(ies) can look after children from four months to thirteen years keeping them entertained with a variety of fun activities tailor-made to their needs and routines. The dedicated playroom is full of toys, games, creative activities and a games console for all ages to ensure all children have an endless stream of fun on their holiday! Children are as well catered for as adults and your chef will cook delicious meals that cater for all tastes and allergies.

Our villas are equipped with a family in mind with stair-gates, blackout blinds, baby equipment and cots as standard. You can also request nappies and wipes to be purchased in advance so that you have one less thing to worry about. Babysitting can also be arranged if you would like to go out for supper.

Facilities

All bedrooms at Casa Corsino are airconditioned. All other rooms have fans available. The sitting room has a satellite television (limited UK channels) with DVD/CD player.

Outside, the swimming pool with beach style entry is an unusual shape, but is approximately 10m x 5m and 1.1m – 2.2m deep) and surrounded by decking. A large outside terrace with a covered dining area and barbecue are links the house to the pool. Beyond the formal garden is a narrow pathway down to the lake

Activities

The Algarve is a mecca for golfers for good reason. It has enough to keep golfers of all standards challenged and entertained for a lifetime, let alone a week. If your preference is for tennis, boat trips or anything else, our Scott Dunn Host will be able to make recommendations and get everything organised for you.

Services

A fully staffed villa with a chef, host and nanny to look after you during your holiday. Our team pride themselves on their ability to ensure that every aspect of the service is seamless and to anticipate your every need. Your private chef will serve mouthwatering dishes from a menu tailored to your tastes. Your hosts will manage every aspect of your holiday, from restaurant bookings to keeping your glass topped up with wine or a perfectly mixed gin & tonic.

A continental breakfast is served daily; gourmet dinners are offered on five nights and fresh healthy lunches are provided on six days. On arrival you will receive a hamper of local wines and soft drinks.

Above all though, your stay will be crafted as a home from home experience so everything will be personalised for you and we will endeavour to make your stay your perfect family holiday.

When to travel

Location and directions

Lake Barragem, Algarve, Portugal

Casa Corsino is in a wonderful secluded location with stunning views over the Lago do Barragem and surrounding countryside, guaranteeing complete peace and calm. While the seclusion feels complete, Lagos and the Algarve beaches are only 25 minutes away.

How to get there

The flight time is around 3 hours from the UK to Faro. Faro airport is served by a number of major and regional UK airports including a regular service with British Airways from Gatwick. Villa Casa Corsino is 1 hour by road from Faro Airport.

Additional notes