The most famous family member of the House of Braganca was undoubtedly a second son, Prince Henry the Navigator, who was responsible for a famous navigation school at Sagres founded in the 15th Century.

During the age of the Discoveries around AD1500 the famous little Portuguese 'caravelas' would have been seen from here as they sailed off on their voyages of Discovery toward Africa, the Americas and the Far East.

The house is on the cliffs at Ferragudo. It faces west over the bay of Lagos and towards Sagres and the setting sun.

Nowadays the view is of the peaceful waters of the Algarve coast and yachts making their way from the marinas and of fishing boats passing in front of the house.

Across the wide estuary is a distant view along Praia Rocha beach that is well known to the many visitors to the Algarve region of Portugal.

Casa da Infanta has been completely refurbished and updated to modern standards. There are 9 bedrooms, all with en suite bathrooms, sleeping 18/19 persons spread over three floors of the building.

The golf courses of the Algarve are a short drive away. Golfing parties might like to know that the villa can sleep 12 in separate beds with an extra person sleeping on a sofa bed in a sitting room. Accompanied wives can, of course, share a bed with their husband increasing this total.

The house has the original furniture which has been restored. The bedrooms have been refurbished in a more modern style but retain the original beds which incorporate the family coat of arms.

Ground floor

Entrance hall and cloakroom. Double doors leading to a private chapel.

Room overlooking the terrace and with sea view, boasts a beautiful grand piano.

Formal dining room with table seating 8 when closed and a further 8-10 on two circular tables.

Breakfast room which is usually used for children's meals.

The terrace has a retractable sun awning and tables for outside eating for 16 people.

Music room with a CD player and comfortable chairs.

Kitchen which has been recently modernized.

2 double bedrooms with en-suite shower/bath rooms. Twin bedroom with en-suite shower/bath rooms. All these rooms have a sea view and doors leading out to the terraces.

Twin bedroom en suite with garden view and doors out to a terrace with river view.

Lower ground floor

Television room. Bar, Cloakroom.

Twin bedroom with sitting area. Doors leading out from the sitting area onto the pool terrace.

For parties of 10 persons or less it is possible to use only the ground floors at a reduction in price, except during high season.

First floor

1 twin and 1 triple bedroom with a sofa bed for children, both with en-suite bath/shower rooms and garden views.

1 twin bedroom with en-suite bathroom and sitting room and leading to a further 1 twin bedroom. Sea view and doors leading out onto a terrace.

Other

The former garage is now used as a play room for children, with table tennis.

The pool is 12.5 metres by 5 metres and the depth is from 2 metres to 0,8 metres. It has built in steps at the shallow end and is heated with solar energy.

Laundry room containing two washing machines. Ironing room.

The owners of the house are non-smokers and it is suggested that those wanting to smoke should use the downstairs television room of outside on the terraces and balconies.

The house has an automatic internal telephone system with the cost of the calls being logged automatically. A deposit is required for the use of the telephone and requests for additional payments may be made if usage is high.

The house has central heating for winter use. During the restoration of the house, it was considered that air conditioning is not necessary since the situation of the house has the benefit of the cooling winds from the sea and the Portuguese trade winds. The housekeeper will be adjusting the shutters in the house to avoid direct sunlight raising the cool temperature of the interior. Please respect this traditional Portuguese method.

The estate grounds slope down to a sandy beach or alternatively the long flight of private steps can be used which lead down to the beach directly below the villa. Here most of the users come by boat from the town of Portimao which is 2 kilometres upstream on the other side of the river.

A walk along the beach past Forte de S. Joao, or along the road, brings you to the waterside village of Ferragudo, which is undoubtedly one of the gems of the Algarve coast.

Opportunity should be found to have lunch of fresh fish grilled on a charcoal brazier at the small restaurant on the quay.

Within the estate there are two cottages, one of which is the home of D. Regina, the housekeeper, who arranges cleaning of the house five days per week. The second cottage is the residence of the gardener. The youthful Dona Regina has been employed at the house for over 25 years and was housekeeper to the Princess until her death ten years ago.

D. Regina or her staff may prepare simple meals on alternate week days, with payment for time. Expenses are a local arrangement direct to her. Clients must shop themselves.

It may be of help to explain the courtesies of Portuguese titles. D. Regina is always called Dona (written as D.) to indicate respect to grown up persons and her status as housekeeper. This is similar to the British title of Mrs.

The owners live in Lisbon but, if you should meet them, he should always be addressed as Dom followed by his Christian name. His wife again is Dona followed by her Christian name but in this case it is always written in full. This usage is similar to the use of the British title of' 'Sir' but of a much higher rank.

The nearest shops and restaurants are 1 km away. The beach is 50 metres away.

All Casa da Infanta guests will be automatically entitled to a temporary Silver Card membership at the Clube Nautico do Arade (Boating club) and the Boca do Rio Resort valid for the duration of the stay.