By ELOISE WALTON [email protected]
Zara Phillips, daughter of The Princess Royal, Princess Anne is due to have a holiday home built on a plot of land that she has bought at the CampoReal Golf Resort and Spa in central western Portugal, around 50km north of Lisbon.
In an interview with the Sunday Times, Zara Phillips said that construction on her first holiday property will start in 2010. Her villa is based on one of the resort’s original designs, a four-bedroom, four-bathroom property with 220sqm of living space, a private pool and a terraced garden.
Explaining her decision to build a property at CampoReal, Zara Phillips said: “I have been to the Algarve before, and competed the other side of Lisbon, but they just looked after me so well here. People just let you get on with things.”
She added: “My villa will be built on the edge of vineyards that have been there for centuries. There are stunning beaches nearby and (partner) Mike [Tindall] and I can improve our handicaps on the golf course. The decision to build my holiday home here was pretty straightforward really.”
The 200-acre inland development, around 20 minutes’ drive north of Lisbon, founded by Eduardo Netto de Almeida, part of a dynasty of Portuguese horsemen, includes a riding school and equestrian centre, with stabling for up to 60 horses, which may be used by Zara Phillips, who is a renowned event rider.
Competing with her horse, Toytown, Zara Phillips won individual and team gold at the 2005 European Eventing Championship in Blenheim in the UK, and individual gold and team silver medals at the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany.
REGULAR VISITS
Founder of the resort and an accomplished rider in his own right, Eduardo Netto de Almeida said: “We are extremely proud to welcome Zara to CampoReal Golf Resort & Spa. I founded the resort with the vision of attracting international clientele to enjoy our rare combination of cultural city life, countryside and beach living. Working with Zara to build her holiday villa here is the embodiment of that vision.”
As well as riding facilities and its proximity to the capital, CampoReal also has around 370 flats, townhouses and villas, an 18-hole golf course, a five star hotel and a conference centre, among other facilities.
Zara Phillips said she is planning to make regular visits to Portugal using the low-cost EasyJet airline service from Bristol to Lisbon and will stay at the resort’s five star hotel until the villa is finished, which is expected to be in the spring of 2011.
For more information about CampoReal, please visit the website, available in English, at www.camporeal.pt.
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