Flights / Car Hire: The closest airport is Lisbon and is serviced by scheduled flights from Heathrow and Gatwick London by British Airways and TAP. EASYJET now have daily flights to Lisbon from London Luton & Gatwick Airport (as well as Paris CDG) . Other airlines fly from UK provincial airports and other airports throughout Europe. Booking as early as possible will usually get you the best rates. For car hire, it is best to book before arrival. The drive to Praia d'El Rey from the airport is relatively simple and takes about an hour, nearly all of it on the A8 motorway. We have the telephone number of an English speaking taxi driver and he can meet at the airport to pick you up, if necessary, but car hire is recommended to make the most of your stay.
Other activities / information: Seven all weather tennis courts. Children's playground a short walk away. Clube Aventura offers a surf school, body boarding, mountain biking, quad biking, paintball, archery, kayaking, orientation games,beach games, a football academy and other activities for children up to the age of 16 during Spring & Summer.Peniche also has a waterpark.
There is a fabulous spa offering treatments and massages for adults who prefer being pampered to more active pursuits.
Although the resort is famous for its golf, only c.30% of the owners are golfers. This reflects the wide range of other activities available in the area and the natural beauty of the resort and the surrounding countryside. You can visit the bird and wildlife sanctuary on the Berlengas Islands, which can be reached by boat from nearby Peniche.
There are fantastic surfing beaches at Baleal (15 minutes drive) and south of Peniche (25 minutes).
At Obidos Lagoon (10 mins drive), there is shallow sea water bathing and a new walking and cycle path around the picturesque lagoon with many varieties of wild birds to see.
Shopping / Eating Out: As well as a small grocery shop at the resort, there is a small supermarket in the village of Serra D'El Rei (less than 10 minutes away) and several large supermarkets in Peniche (15 minutes) and Caldas da Rainha (25 minutes). Caldas has a colourful daily market for fresh fruit, vegetables, flowers, cheese, olives and other local produce. Caldas also boasts many shops to suit any pocket.
In the 8 years that we have been coming to the area we have seen the number and quality of restaurants steadily increase. Bon viveurs will not be disappointed. There is also an abundance of very inexpensive local style restaurants. We will be happy to share recommendations.
Golf:
The golf course at Praia D'El Rey (PDR) is nothing short of stunning in terms of the layout, the views and its condition. Golf can be booked direct with the PDR Pro Shop or (lmore reasonably) using internet-based booking services which the owner can recommend. PDR is regularly rated as one of the best 50 courses in Continental Europe. There are two excellent British golf professionals available for lessons and the practice facilities are outstanding with short and long game practice areas as well as several putting greens. Clubs, trolleys and buggies are available for rent at the pro shop in the club house. The pro shop may ask for handicap certificates because, whilst the course is suitable for most golfers (with 4 tees for each hole), it is not a course for absolute beginners.
There are 4 other first class 18 hole courses within 15-45 minutes drive: From early 2012, Royal Obidos, designed by Seve Ballesteros, will be open for play and will be only 10 minutes drive. It looks like being an excellent track with some dramatic scenery overlooking Obidos Lagoon. Bom Successo (15 minutes drive) is also a very playable and attractive course. Quinta do Brincal (Golden Eagle) at Rio Maior is 30 minutes drive and has some excellent holes but can be very warm in Summer. Campo Real near Torres Vedras is 35-40 minutes away.. Further afield (75 mins) are several courses around Estoril and Sintra.
Other Activities:
go-karting, water park, historic sites
