Yet this quiet rural setting is only 1 mile from Lagos centre, the last unspoilt Algarvean town with its un-crowded beaches, marina and famous fish restaurants. Easy access to the West Coast surf beaches adds to the choice for family swimming and surfing. The rural Alentejo region of 'old Portugal' with its cork trees and rolling agriculture is north of the Monchique hills. Lagos is close and central to five of the Algarves finest golf courses.

Django's Castle sleeps 10/14 with 2 doubles, 2 twins, 2 singles and 4 bathrooms. Two further double sofa beds can be made up in the big apartment lounge area. The house was completed in 2000, built by a local builder to a high standard under the personal supervision of the architect owner.

The house is ideal for a large group or family gathering, however Django's Castle is still homely enough for a smaller group or a family that require more space around them. It offers a haven of relaxation with its panoramic views.

Main House :
Lounge : Spacious sitting room and coffee area with panoramic views, a dining area and doors onto the main terrace. It is usual for all meals to be served on the pool level terrace which has a sun awning and beautiful views. The kitchen is adjacent to the terrace and makes this option easy. Log fire. The SATTV has BBC free to view with Cbeebies. There are plenty of books for adults and children as well as toys and games.

Main kitchen : Compact and easy to work with a fridge freezer, cooker, dishwasher, microwave, electric toaster, kettle and all crockery, glassware, childrens cutlery/crockery and utensils.

Laundry : A separate laundry with an automatic washing machine, sink drainer, iron. Sliding door access to the drying carousel in the rear garden.

Guest toilet : Accessed from the laundry with a hand basin.

Double Bedroom : With air conditioning, en suite bathroom with corner bath, shower and bidet. Sliding patio doors onto terrace and sea views. Large wardrobes and drawers.

Twin Bedroom : With air conditioning, en suite shower room with bidet. Sliding doors to terrace and rear garden with country views. Large wardrobes and drawers.

Apartment : A stair from the main floor leads down to the ground floor apartment.

Lounge : The large sitting room has views to the sea and the Monchique hills and airconditioning. The sofas can be used as optional double beds. Two cots and two high chairs are available. The independent main door leads to a small private terrace which benefits from the morning sun.

Kitchenette : With a microwave, toaster, kettle, hob and fridge/freezer and a table and chairs.

Double Bedroom : A lovely room with views to Monchique. Plenty of storage in the wardobe and drawer unit.

Captain's Cabin : Two single beds with individual spaces and lovely views complete with porthole and sailors memorabilia.

Shower Room : Large with toilet and hand basin.

Terrace : the apartment has a private terrace with a table and chairs for breakfast in the sun.

Pool Room : With airconditioning is on the main house level and is separated from the house by a covered terrace with traditional tile features. The 30m2 pool room has twin beds, a kitchenette with a fridge/freezer, toaster, kettle, hob and a table and chairs. En suite shower, toilet and hand basin. Lie in bed with sea views.

The free solar heated pool (9m x 4m) is on the main floor level and has a safe shallow area for toddlers and a children's slide. There are gates to prevent toddlers getting poolside. Pool temperatures vary from about 25C in March/April and September/October to over 30C in July/August. Ambient temperatures prevail in other months.

The house is split level with terraces on the main level, including a sun shaded area next to the pool with a barbecue, planter, sun beds, chairs, sun umbrellas and a hammock. The rear garden has a childrens swing, sand pit and a climbing frame. On ground floor level is an old well and sitting area. There is a roof sun terrace with panoramic views and sun beds, chairs and a table. There is plenty of car parking space.

During your stay we normally give you a weekly weather forecast and give advice on places to visit or local events. Just drop in and see us - we are there to help in any way including unforseen events. We also arrange odd events like birthday cakes, weddings etc. We also have a local masseuse and beautician as well as an excellent visiting hair dresser on call if you desire. Want a barbecue service or live music - we can arrange it. Just ask.

PORTUGAL:

The Algarve is famous for its reliable Summer weather which makes it the holiday choice of many families who love the uncrowded beaches.

In comparison to other destinations, Portugal is also safe from the threat of natural disasters and terrorism. At our end of the Algarve the streets and promenades are also free from the 'booze brigade'. Locals have seen what has happened to Albuferia, Praia da Rocha and the like and have developed their town to maintain a more traditional attractiveness. Old fashioned family values mean a lot to the Portuguese. Children of all ages are welcomed anywhere, anytime and it remains a safe place to let them run around in freedom so parents can relax while keeping them in sight. We are on British Summer Time so evenings are light and there are spectacular sunsets.

LAGOS FOR A HOLIDAY OR WINTER BREAK:

Lagos gained importance in the 15th Century when Portuguese sailors like Vasco da Gama made their globe encircling voyages of discovery. Virtually destroyed by an earthquake in 1755 the town was rebuilt in the classic 18th century style which the old town retains to this day. Cosy, car free streets with outside restaurants and street markets have retained the ambience of old Portugal .

Lagos is a perfect centre for a family holiday. Local beaches range from the snug Praia D'ana to the 4km emptiness of Meia Praia. The town lies on the river with a wide palm lined promenade, castle, fishing harbour and marina complex.

Great effort has been made to preserve the character of this ancient town with its narrow streets and many sidewalk restaurants. The daily fish and veggie market provides flavours forgotten in supermarket produce. Disco's and live music bars provide plenty of life but they are discreet leaving the centre to the artists and street vendors. During the summer there are plenty of fairs and music events in town most of which are free. Food and wine are cheap from the large supermarkets and the gypsy markets and fairs offer local handicrafts at bargain prices. Children's clothes and shoes are good and cheap. Stock up.

In winter Lagos does not die like many tourist towns. Calm but active would be a fair desription. In the past year Lagos has opened its own sports stadium and now has a public swimming pool and an indoor sports gymnasium complex. Winter visitors can swim in the heated indoor pools and sauna for very little cost. The west coast has spectacular walks and there are five championship golf courses within a few minutes drive.

CLIMATE:

Hot, dry, reliable summers. Our solar pool is normally swimmable by mid April through mid October with temperatures between 24C and 31C. Winters temperatures allow lunch al fresco in the sun but a log fire is pleasant past 5pm. We get an occasional frost at night. The rainy season in October depends on the Azores high which can also bounce the depressions up to UK quite nicely.

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

(deg C) 15 16 17 20 22 25 28 28 26 22 19 16

(deg F) 59 61 63 68 72 77 82 82 79 72 66 61

WHAT'S ON:

A visit to Cape St Vincent for the sunset after a day on Sagres beach is a must. The artists village of Monchique with its old spa village is close by; Silves and its dramatic Moorish castle, cork museum and daily summer show, visit Silves, Cafe des Ingles on Sunday at 3pm for live Brazilian music on the terrace for free : Odiaxere horse fair ; the empty and rugged west coast surfing beaches - all worth a visit. We now have a very active boating scene with trips to watch dolphins at close quarters; which children adore. The boats also visit the famous grottos at Point de Piedade. A few kilometers east at Zoomarine there are daily dolphin and sea life shows with an option to swim with the dolphins.
A trip over the mountain range into the Alentejo region gives a different picture of rural Portugal. It is well worth a trip along the new motorway East to the old Roman town of Tavira and the fishing village at St Lucia. Olhao, the regions biggest fishing resort has a fine market and great fish restaurants and the opportunity to take a ferry boat out to the quaint fishing villages on the Isles of Armona and Farol with their fine beaches. More local are beach villages at Salema and Burgau.