Quinta do Lago: Land of
Dreams
Quinta do Lago is one of
the finest resorts in Portugal. It all started back in 1970, when
Andre Jordan bought the whole area to Pinto de Magalhães
family, owners of the land for more then three hundred years. Since
then a long story has been unfold. Today, the whole are is full
with luxurious villas which will astonish the visitor as he drives
around. Most of this luxury houses are priced well above 3 million
euros, and a good number of celebrities selected Quinta do Lago to
buy property.
In the resort the visitor
will have a wide selection of leisure activities at his disposal:
bird-watching, watersports, tennis, jogging, horse riding, health
club and... nature trails. It's a whole world. Even basic services
as water suply, electricity and sewage system are provided by
Quinta do Lago itself and not by the usual national
companies.
Access to the beach is
provided by a long wooden bridge for persons only. Bridge crossing
starts close to initial coordinates.
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Golf
plays an important role in Quinta do Lago interest. There are two
courts there, Quinta do Lago South and Quinta do Lago
North.
Gastronomy is also of high
quality but the prices are somewhat...painfull. Luxury indeed have
a cost.
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Security is taken seriously
in Quinta do Lago. That could be a problem for geocachers, but I
guess nobody will be bothered while looking for this
cache.
But
the vigilance over property and common areas is well performed and
there is a small but efective private fire department.
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Quinta do Lago is partially
part of Nature Park of Ria Formosa. These wetlands are of vital
importance as a habitat for many aquatic bird species. In addition
to its ornithological significance and importance as their winter
sanctuary, the Ria Formosa provides shelter and feeding grounds for
several aquatic and migratory species, as well as being a region of
great botanical interest, including areas of sclerophyllous
scrubland, salt marsh and dune vegetation, which must be
preserved.
The
Cache
There is proper parking
close to initial coordinates but during summertime there is a
parking fee. Free parking not far but subject to availability,
which will be hard during high season.
Obtaining final coordinates
it's pretty simple. You go to initial coordinates and you will find
an information panel about nature trails. How much time will take
you to complete the São Lourenço trail?
- If 60 minutes, final
coordinates are N 37º 01.908 W 008º 01.556
- If 75 minutes, final
coordinates are N 37º 01.135 W 008º 00.040
- If 90 minutes, final
coordinates are N 37º 01.564 W
008º 01.443
