This five bedroom, 900 square metre, Portuguese villa is set within 1,000 acres of countryside on the sun-drenched Eastern Algarve.
It also sits on the edge of the Monte Rei Golf and Country Club, which has the lowest building density in a like-for-like development anywhere in Europe. Of course this sort of exclusivity costs and it also boasts the highest green fees in Portugal. However, the green fees may not be a deterrent to the buyers of this villa as it is listed for €5 million (Dh19.56m), a price described as “competitive” by Kensington Exclusive Properties, the agents marketing the property.
For those of a golfing pedigree, the villa overlooks holes six and seven and the clubhouse at Monte Rei offers a Michelin-starred restaurant.
What sets this investment apart for Middle East buyers is that unlike most European destinations, this pad could also eventually secure the buyer a passport.
“Portugal has its golden residence permit programme. It gives foreign investors who spend €500,000 on a property here the right to live in Portugal,” says Malachy Kelly from Kensington Exclusive Properties.
“They are also free to travel around all the EU countries in the Schengen area and after six years they can apply for Portuguese citizenship. We have had many nationalities buying property that will eventually enable them to change passports – that facilitates access to countries that may have been problematic before.”
While the passport is a bonus, what does the villa actually offer?
It was built in 2013 and is called The View, for obvious reasons; the villa has floor-to-ceiling windows wherever a chance is offered. The traditional Portuguese exterior moves into a modern and simple interior with open plan, spacious rooms. There is also a sauna, gym, entertainment room, bar and storage cellar and numerous reception rooms. Its top-floor lounge has a 360-degree view of the surrounding area including the coast, and outside there is an outdoor dining area and a swimming pool.
And a 15-minute drive to the fishing town of Tavira takes you to an exclusive beach club being built for Monte Rei residents.
Q&A: Malachy Kelly, the head of international sales for Kensington Exclusive Properties, reveals more about the villa:
Is €5 million competitive for Portugal?
While the listing is a significant investment – the villa, the location, the surrounding area and the exclusivity offered means that it is competitively priced against any asset in Europe. The villa sits on the best, most expensive golf course in a country filled with beautiful golf courses. The undulating topography and hills of the 1,000 acres the development is set in ensures that the views are almost uninterrupted.
What about the design?
The villas have been individually developed by their owners to a very high level, and this villa was developed as a trophy asset by the previous owner. His attention to detail and specific detailing during the construction means the villa has been appointed in an exquisite fashion giving the perfect views of the hills and the coast. It also offers a stargazing spectacle with minimal ambient light and a massive sky to enjoy.
How far is the beach?
You can be on a beautiful beach in 15 minutes. There are few locations that can offer exquisite hillside living and beachside access.
Why else would Middle East buyers be interested in this Portuguese development?
The villa offers the ultimate in European luxury and is only 45 minutes from Faro International airport, which means it sits perfectly between East and West.
ascott@thenational.ae
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The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
In numbers
1,000 tonnes of waste collected daily:
- 800 tonnes converted into alternative fuel
- 150 tonnes to landfill
- 50 tonnes sold as scrap metal
800 tonnes of RDF replaces 500 tonnes of coal
Two conveyor lines treat more than 350,000 tonnes of waste per year
25 staff on site
'Worse than a prison sentence'
Marie Byrne, a counsellor who volunteers at the UAE government's mental health crisis helpline, said the ordeal the crew had been through would take time to overcome.
“It was worse than a prison sentence, where at least someone can deal with a set amount of time incarcerated," she said.
“They were living in perpetual mystery as to how their futures would pan out, and what that would be.
“Because of coronavirus, the world is very different now to the one they left, that will also have an impact.
“It will not fully register until they are on dry land. Some have not seen their young children grow up while others will have to rebuild relationships.
“It will be a challenge mentally, and to find other work to support their families as they have been out of circulation for so long. Hopefully they will get the care they need when they get home.”
Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
All or Nothing
Amazon Prime
Four stars
The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
Election pledges on migration
CDU: "Now is the time to control the German borders and enforce strict border rejections"
SPD: "Border closures and blanket rejections at internal borders contradict the spirit of a common area of freedom"
MWTC info
Tickets to the MWTC range from Dh100 and can be purchased from www.ticketmaster.ae or by calling 800 86 823 from within the UAE or 971 4 366 2289 from outside the country and all Virgin Megastores. Fans looking to attend all three days of the MWTC can avail of a special 20 percent discount on ticket prices.
Hili 2: Unesco World Heritage site
The site is part of the Hili archaeological park in Al Ain. Excavations there have proved the existence of the earliest known agricultural communities in modern-day UAE. Some date to the Bronze Age but Hili 2 is an Iron Age site. The Iron Age witnessed the development of the falaj, a network of channels that funnelled water from natural springs in the area. Wells allowed settlements to be established, but falaj meant they could grow and thrive. Unesco, the UN's cultural body, awarded Al Ain's sites - including Hili 2 - world heritage status in 2011. Now the most recent dig at the site has revealed even more about the skilled people that lived and worked there.
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'Unrivaled: Why America Will Remain the World’s Sole Superpower'
Michael Beckley, Cornell Press
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SERIE A FIXTURES
Friday Sassuolo v Torino (Kick-off 10.45pm UAE)
Saturday Atalanta v Sampdoria (5pm),
Genoa v Inter Milan (8pm),
Lazio v Bologna (10.45pm)
Sunday Cagliari v Crotone (3.30pm)
Benevento v Napoli (6pm)
Parma v Spezia (6pm)
Fiorentina v Udinese (9pm)
Juventus v Hellas Verona (11.45pm)
Monday AC Milan v AS Roma (11.45pm)
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
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The specs: 2018 Maserati Levante S
Price, base / as tested: Dh409,000 / Dh467,000
Engine: 3.0-litre V6
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 430hp @ 5,750rpm
Torque: 580Nm @ 4,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 10.9L / 100km
Getting there
The flights
Flydubai operates up to seven flights a week to Helsinki. Return fares to Helsinki from Dubai start from Dh1,545 in Economy and Dh7,560 in Business Class.
The stay
Golden Crown Igloos in Levi offer stays from Dh1,215 per person per night for a superior igloo; www.leviniglut.net
Panorama Hotel in Levi is conveniently located at the top of Levi fell, a short walk from the gondola. Stays start from Dh292 per night based on two people sharing; www. golevi.fi/en/accommodation/hotel-levi-panorama
Arctic Treehouse Hotel in Rovaniemi offers stays from Dh1,379 per night based on two people sharing; www.arctictreehousehotel.com
SPEC%20SHEET
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The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
Titanium Escrow profile
Started: December 2016
Founder: Ibrahim Kamalmaz
Based: UAE
Sector: Finance / legal
Size: 3 employees, pre-revenue
Stage: Early stage
Investors: Founder's friends and Family
MATCH INFO
AC Milan v Inter, Sunday, 6pm (UAE), match live on BeIN Sports
