Time travel Algarve celebrity hotspot celebrates 50 years
Fifty years ago, property developer Andre Jordan took a bumpy ride to view a 300-year-old farmhouse in the Ria Formosa Natural Park on Portugal’s Algarve.
He walked to the top of the hill, looked out over the pine trees and meandering paths leading down to the lagoon and came up with a master plan.
That site would go on to become Quinta do Lago, the nature-inspired resort destination, award-winning golf resort and one of the three corners of the ‘Golden Triangle’ of the Algarve’s most affluent communities.
In 1972, his vision began to take shape with a golf course – now the North Course – a private club in the restored farmhouse that would become the Casa Velha restaurant, as well as 20 timeshare apartments, a tennis club, horse riding centre and the Pony Club disco.
Following the military coup and revolution of April 25, 1974, Quinta do Lago was taken over by the state and Jordan returned to his home country of Brazil. With few visitors and sales at a standstill, the resort was left in the hands of some 300 workers with few resources.
However, Quinta’s golf course still managed to host the Portuguese Open in 1976 and gradual development has turned Quinta do Lago into a thriving community. These days, Holly Willoughby as well as football stars Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard and Michael Owen are all regulars.
To increase sustainability, the resort underwent a €7million upgrade last year. Eco initiatives include a new fleet of electric golf buggies and the opening of Q Farm to provide its restaurants with homegrown produce.
Now known as the ‘father of
Portuguese tourism’ Andre Jordan is widely considered responsible for putting the Algarve on the world traveller map.
In 2014, he was distinguished with the World Travel Leader Award.
The resort is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a variety of events this year and some exciting new launches.
quintadolago.com
Lowcost carrier easyJet has put its spring 2023 programme on sale with more than 53,000 UK short haul flights on offer from March 1 to May 8. Prices to 107 destinations across Europe, North Africa and the Middle East start at £24.99 one-way.
easyjet.com