I have to choose from 3 villas for our next holiday.
1.-Vale do milho-Comfortable,but not as nicely furnished as the other two.
2.-Sesmaris-Very nice villa,but what about the area?
3.-Sesmaris-Seems ok,very few pictures.

PLEASE could anybody reply soon,I would be very grateful for any information or advise.

Vale do Milho is a lot closer to town than Sesmarias, 2,5 kms from the main entrance - if you are in Presa de Moura or Colina da Lapa you do get newer villas but have over 4,5 kms ride into town.

G.

Personally I would go for Vale do Milho - you still need a car really, but it is a nice development and a good area. We have stayed in villas there a couple of times.

Thanks to you both!

It seems that renting a holiday villa is the same as buying property "Location,Location,Location"!

The Vale do Milho property I am looking at is halfway up on the left hand side(on the map on this website).Is that within walking distance of the village?We will have a car,but my husband would like the odd evening when he can have a G+T before dinner and several glasses of wine with dinner!

I would agree with the above opinions. We stayed in sesmaries last year, it was ok but you have to drive to most places which we didnt enjoy. There wasnt anything in sesmaries that would keep you there during the day plus are vila was crap. Go for the other option, though i dont no anything about the area personally! Have a nice time on your hol,
Matt

I wouldn't walk back on an evening - better to get a taxi from the rank in the square, shouldn't cost more than 5 or 6 euros - maybe someone could tell us exactly how much?

The road back to Vale do Milho is quite steep and winding with no pavements and although it is only about a mile each way, I wouldn't recommend it.

You could walk to Rochamar, Julio's or Jardim do Farol - also Restaurant Vale do Milho and Rocha Brava snack bar or O Farol restaurant on Rocha Brava.

Thank you all again!

One more question and then I'll leave you all in peace!

This villa has its own pool which is what we wanted.I just wondered if there were any tennis courts or any other communal facilities nearby where the children,in particular the 13 year old girl, could meet other kids?

Your best bet would be Rocha Brava which has a large communal swimming pool and several tennis courts plus a gym. Only 5-10 minutes walk depending on your location on Vale do Milho.

Hi Alloway,
I have stayed in both sesmaries and vale do milho and i wouldnt go back to sesmaries again but i would definatly go back to vale do milho.
We didnt have a car on both occasions and had to rely on a taxi to get to and from town, we did feel a bit isolated in sesmaries, when we stayed in vale do milho we would walk into town for the evening (a very pleasent 10-15 min walk) and get a taxi back.
Where ever you stay i hope you have a great holiday

PS Rocha Brava also has an internet cafe which may be of interest to the 13 year old in your party.

Thanks again again!

This facility is absolutely wonderful for "first-timers" and a great indication of the obviously very nice people who either live or go on holiday to Carvoeiro.

Hi
Just got back last night. Stayed in a villa called Casa Esperanca in Sesmarias. It was rubbish. We have three children the oldest is 6 and the place was awful. The pool area was OK but the inside was a dump. Sesmarias is not exactly a village more like 3 shops and a couple of restaurants. The supermarket was quite good it has a small bakery and there is a little coffee cum arts shop next door called Luisa which is very good. It is about a 5 minute drive down to Carvoeiro and parking can be akward. Park at the Indoor market if you can't find a spot which a left turn up restaurant hill ( Mercado Municipal).