Where the Atlantic touches Europe
Portugal, with a privileged geographical position on Europe’s West Coast, has an Atlantic vocation that has always left its mark on the country’s history and culture.
The country’s proximity to the sea had a key influence on the maritime discoveries of the 15th and 16th centuries in which Portugal played a pioneering role in connecting together the world’s continents - thus triggering the first wave of economic and social globalisation. Today, Portugal is proud of the many influences that it has assimilated – visible in much of the country’s material and immaterial heritage - and also the influence it has left on other countries and continents, including the fact that the Portuguese language is spoken by over 200 million people.
In a territory of only 92 000 Km², there is such a tremendous diversity of landscapes and cultural and historical riches that visitors are sure to find of a wide array of experiences close at hand - whether in the mountains or the sea, in cities or historic villages in the hinterland.
Enjoying a particularly dynamic moment in its history, Portugal is the homeland of many people renowned throughout the world for their talents such as the footballing giants, Cristiano Ronaldo and José Mourinho.
This enterprising, cosmopolitan and extremely hospitable country, blessed with a stable gentle climate throughout the year, now has a wide array of high quality hotels and resorts, and Europe’s best golf courses that rank amongst the world’s finest.
For all these reasons Dolphin Golf Property offer you this special invitation. Come and discover Portugal, a country of sea and sunshine, with a varied and different Golf Resorts. After the golf make sure to savour some genuine Portuguese gastronomy, whose highlights include fish and shellfish dishes, and excellent wines that offer the perfect, harmonious complement to veritable moments of dining pleasure.
Downloads:
José Mourinho's recommendations
My country has 220 days of sunshine a year. Sunshine and a gentle climate are bound to be waiting for me, whenever I return to Portugal. Portugal has the highest number of sunshine hours per year in Europe. In the Algarve, where I like to spend my holidays, there are over 3,000 sunshine hours a year… and whether travelling north or south, in any season, Portugal always offers perfect conditions for enjoying nature, travelling or breathing in some fresh air.
Is there anything as spectacular as the slopes of the River Douro, admired from a cruise ship as it glides gently down the river? Or the magic of Sintra, just a stone’s throw from Lisbon, offering panoramic views over the sea, mountains and natural and cultural heritage in perfect harmony? Or Arrábida Natural Park, next to my home town of Setúbal, that offers a wonderful symbiosis between the green of nature, the river Sado with its dolphins, and castles and monasteries overlooking the sea.
In the centre of Portugal there are Historic Villages built of stone and steeped in traditions linked to Europe’s oldest nation. These are just some of the ideal spots for those looking to recharge their batteries and re-establish their inner harmony, which is often disturbed by everyday life.
That’s why Portugal always imbues me with so much energy. On Europe’s West Coast, Portugal has been blessed with a long Atlantic coast of golden sandy beaches that appeals to our senses and the art of enjoying the best in life. Portugal is one of the European countries that has the strongest dedication to renewable energies, and is committed to achieving sustainable and environmentally responsible tourism.
Accept my invitation and come and discover Portugal – a special country!
Cristiano Ronaldo’s recommendations
My country is the world’s finest golf destination. With a gentle climate and lush, green landscapes overlooking the sea, holidays spent in Portugal offer an oasis in my annual schedule, whether in the island of Madeira or in the rest of the country.
The green turfs that I know best are those of football pitches but I also know that Portugal is famous for its first-class golf courses – with over 70 located throughout the country. The Algarve, in addition to being the country’s leading tourism zone is also famous for its golf courses and has been classified as the world’s finest golf destination. The Lisbon region - previously elected Europe’s best golf destination - has over 20 golf courses along the Estoril and Cascais Coast. I’m familiar with some of the resorts, located in wonderful settings, offering views over the sea or the Sintra Mountains - an exquisitely beautiful region included in UNESCO’s World Heritage list.
But for me, holidays are above all an opportunity to enjoy the sea and Portuguese gastronomy. The island of Madeira, where I was born, has a subtropical climate and bountiful flower-filled vegetation. For me, the local fish and shellfish taste better than in any other part of the world. And I also think the fruit has a more intense flavour!
Madeira has ancient traditions and knows how to play host to tourists with great finesse and sophistication. The island has some of Portugal’s finest hotels that are excellent for those who want to combine sport and nature-loving with moments of leisure and relaxation in a spa.
That’s why I invite you to spend some time in Portugal in a resort or charm hotel and let yourself be well looked after. Don’t forget to visit Madeira: if you take a few trips along the winding paths of the “levadas” you’ll get to know the island almost as well as I do, and discover all its natural beauty “from within”.
Dolphin Golf Property has decided to focus on two areas of Portugal, Algarve and the Silver Coast/Blue Coast near Lisbon, both of which we feel offer our prospective clients the very best in attractions and amenities. We have always believed that any property proposition must have additional attractions to ensure your purchase has every opportunity to give a sound investment over the longer term as well as offer great rental potential, not forgetting the obvious lifestyle benefits such purchases should deliver.