Algarve Escape to the Continent

This fortified ring of red sandstone belongs to the best preserved

castle in this beautiful and historic region,

but can you guess in which country it stands?

Well, join me in just a few moments and I'll let you know.

With plans to up sticks and move over 1,000 miles away,

today we're helping a couple find their dream home in the sun...

-That is just breathtakingly beautiful.

-That's incredible.

..though not everything on their continental journey is

the perfect fit.

Quite small.

..but the fruits of our labour may just pay off.

Are we getting in danger of finding you the perfect property?

Yeah.

Welcome to Escape To The Continent.

Today, we're in southern Portugal, in the Algarve,

and this is the impressive hilltop castle at Silves.

Set in one of the country's largest orange growing areas,

the Romans were the first to build a castle here,

but it was under the rule of the Arab Moors

between the 8th and 12th century that this city really flourished.

Silves was at that time the capital of the region

and it's thought that the lavish Moor kings

imported lions that roamed freely around the castle grounds.

Today, Silves Castle is a wonderfully preserved relic,

whose distinct architectural style showcases Portugal's diverse

history and boasts beautiful panoramic views across the region.

As little as a 2.5-hour flight from the UK,

the Algarve encompasses the entire southern tip of Portugal,

sharing its eastern border with Spain

and featuring a dramatic coast that stretches for almost 100 miles.

Here, sweeps of golden sands and coved beaches get wilder as you

head west and transform into dramatic rocky limestone cliffs,

but there's more to this prime stretch of land

than its acclaim as Portugal's premier tourist destination.

Head north and the landscape further inland

is characterised by fruit groves and cork trees,

for this is where more than 50% of the world's cork is produced.

Another prosperous industry is fishing,

which has supported local communities for generations.

But in the Algarve capital of Faro, the grander buildings

and cobbled streets tell the story of a city even deeper in history -

more than 12 centuries, in fact.

For 30 years, Brits have been settling in the Algarve

and now make up 20% of the resident population.

And for those who need to stay connected to family or work

back in the UK, flights to Faro are available for less than £40,

so it's easy to understand the appeal.

Not forgetting, of course, over 300 sunny days each and every year.

So will your money be able to buy you a dream home in the Algarve?

Well, a consistently strong demand for homes in this region means

that prices are relatively expensive compared to the rest of the country.

But, that said, prices here in the Algarve are still around 30%

cheaper than they are back home.

And although you'd need to part with around £380,000 for

a four-bedroom villa in one of the popular coastal golf resorts,

a two-bedroom apartment in a historic town further east

will set you back as little as £80,000.

So what will make the perfect Portuguese

property for today's couple?

Well, let's meet them and find out.

A successful career in banking has not only dictated quite

a number of house moves for Ian and his wife Angela,

but was also responsible for their very first encounter.

Ian and I first met when we both worked together in the bank,

which will actually be 30 years ago this month,

and he couldn't get me to do what he wanted to

-and said I was stroppy and bolshie.

-Bolshie.

And the only way he could get me to do what he wanted was to marry me.

For the last nine years,

home has been a spacious five-bedroom bungalow

in the Cheshire town of Bollington.

But now their three children have grown up,

they're getting itchy feet.

The children are fleeing the nest, if you like,

and this is a reasonably big property, so it's like,

well, do we want to just stay here forever?

And the answer to that was, well, probably not.

So, the plan is to turn their yearly holiday into an everyday

reality by setting up home in Portugal.

Well, we really, really love the Algarve in Portugal.

Really love the Algarve.

We've been there for years now,

for about the last 19 years we've been going.

Particularly love the western Algarve.

We've got friends over there,

Angela's am-dram connections over there,

so there's a lot of attractions really, not just weather.

It's all about quality of life as well.

And for this couple, a better quality of life means

dropping down a gear to spend more time focused on one another.

I don't know whether it's a UK thing or not,

but it's like everything's rushed.

Everything is busy, busy, busy.

It's like, you don't get time, we're like ships in the night at times.

I come back to this selfish thing, I want Angela.

We want to be together again.

And they already have plenty of ideas for how they intend

to share their new-found together time in the continental sun.

We enjoy bird-watching and nature, being outdoors.

Just to be able to go for walks with Oscar, our dog,

who will be coming with us as well.

I like my gardening.

I quite fancy growing salads, just pottering, really, outdoors.

We also enjoy sampling the local cuisine and the local wines.

Going to markets and that sort of stuff.

But the new Algarvian life won't all be about hobbies.

Ian works part-time running a business-mentoring

company and Angela too has no intention of retiring just yet.

It would be good to be able to continue to do my treatments -

I'm a sports and remedial massage therapist.

I do complementary therapies and give some training.

I've got five clients and I've actually spoken to them

about our plans to, again, gauge their reaction to it,

and the idea is I'll come back one/two long weekends a month.

But, importantly, those two long weekends might just happen to

coincide with Man City fixtures, you see,

where I've got a season ticket, so...

It's just one of those things.

It's an enormous undertaking, putting so many miles between them

and their family, but their house is already on the market

and they both seem wholeheartedly ready for the adventure.

I don't think we'll get bored. Will you get bored of me?

-Let's give it a go.

-Go on, then.

Ian and Angela are searching for somewhere within the western

portion of the region

and they have specified a location no more than an hour's

drive from Faro airport.

Now our couple have touched down in Portugal,

we're all meeting up on a scenic spot on the coast to finalise

the details of their planned continental move.

-So, Angela and Ian, welcome to Portugal.

-Thank you.

I'm about to ask you why you want to move here

-and I think that view alone answers it, doesn't it?

-Absolutely, yes.

-It's just stunning.

-Gorgeous.

But you two know this region rather well, don't you?

-We do, quite well.

-Yeah, we've been here quite a few times.

And how are you going to cope with speaking the language?

I went to night school and learnt Portuguese for 12 months and then

we didn't come out for a couple of years and sadly that slipped.

But, when we get back here, both of us are going to take lessons,

Ian as well.

Tell me a little bit about this property,

this perfect property that you're after here.

Well, three-bed -

that's for people coming and staying.

Well, for the girls and Andrew.

For the family, mainly, but friends as well. Obviously a pool.

-A bit of garden.

-It's got to be private.

Yeah, not overlooked.

10/15-minute drive to the beaches.

Views would be wonderful.

The outside of it is as important,

if not more important than the inside.

Any concerns at all?

Yes, there's obvious concerns.

This is a huge move for us and it's not just buying a house,

it's the process of moving abroad as well and, in a sense,

I feel like you're going to grab us by the feet,

tip us upside down, shake us, see what falls out and,

in the nicest possible way, interrogate us,

but help give us clarity.

Well, we are going to hold your hand through this whole process,

hopefully give you the clarity that you're after.

I won't shake you too much, I promise.

Remind us again of the budget we're working with.

It's £350,000 sterling.

We do have some magnificent homes to show you because they are homes,

hopefully part of your new life.

-Shall we get started?

-Yeah, fabulous.

Yes, please. Thank you.

For a budget of £350,000, Angela and Ian have

set their sights on downsizing to a three-bedroom property that

has a private pool, a decent-sized plot of land for their dog Oscar,

space to grow fruit and veg as well as outstanding views.

The ideal location will be within a 10-to-15-minute drive

of a beach and not more than one hour from the airport.

And we've found a range of first-rate Portuguese properties to tempt them,

but I won't be revealing their price tags until the end of each tour.

To finish up, we're breaking new ground with

the Mystery House, which is full of eastern promise.

Our buyers are familiar with the region as a holiday destination,

but have never visited in the winter months,

so we'll be giving them hands-on experience of everyday

Algarve life out of season to really test their resolve

before making a permanent commitment to this prospective relocation.

We're starting our property journey in west Algarve,

heading for the popular urbanisation of Quinta das Pias,

which is about 40 minutes from Faro airport

and around a 10-minute drive from the seaside town of Carvoeiro.

Right on the coast,

Carvoeiro started life as a traditional fishing village,

but it's now a busy resort with a good range

of restaurants, bars, shops

and a pretty, sandy base sheltered by cliffs.

Just a three-mile drive away, our first property lies within

a purpose-built development, which are popular choices for many expats,

who are after a ready made and familiar community

right on the doorstep.

So, we've got to put holidays behind us

and start thinking - new life, future home.

-It's different.

-Yeah.

-It's different from what we've seen.

-I'm not blown away, but it's OK.

I'm liking the arch window there,

but, other than that, it's quite flat.

Not hitting you straight away?

It's not made me go, "Wow."

No, but equally, it's not made go, "Uh-uh, and turn round."

It's not made me go, "Oh, my goodness, I couldn't live here."

Well, let's step through the doors and see what you make of inside.

Believed to have been built in the 1990s, this is a single-storey

villa tucked back right at the end of the urbanisation.

Let's see if we can alleviate some of the initial trepidation

with what's on offer inside.

So we're going to start off in the sitting room.

It's nice and bright.

But it's cosy as well, it's quite homely.

-And I like the look with the windows.

-It's quite small.

-Is that your first impression?

-Yeah, but it is open, so, yeah...

-And I like the brightness.

-Well, let's continue.

You've got a dining room next-door, which leads into the kitchen.

So, perhaps not the largest dining room in the world,

but we've got to keep reminding ourselves

it's going to be just the two of you for the majority of time.

This seems small, but, you know, we're downsizing,

so it's something that I need to keep in mind.

I'm not sure about the colour of the tiles.

It's things you can change, isn't it?

But, generally, it's going to be me and you.

This is fine for two people, a kitchen this size.

And even that dining room, it's fine for me.

And I quite like the fact...

I quite like that bit of wall there,

so it's sectioned off from the lounge.

I was getting ready to knock that down.

She's got a thing about knocking walls down.

-Would you like to see a little bit more?

-Yes, please.

Well, you've obviously gathered that there isn't an upstairs here,

-so we'll continue on this floor to see the bedrooms.

-Lovely.

We're not doing too badly on this, the very first property,

but I'm not really sure how much love there is for it.

Although I do admire the fact that both Angela and Ian

both seem to have an open mind.

There are three bedrooms in total - one with twin beds

and another currently being used as a separate sitting room,

and a tiled shower room serves them both.

That just leaves the largest room.

This is the master and it's got an en-suite as well.

Nice patio door there, going out into the garden might be nice.

Just knock a few more walls down.

Would it be fair to say it hasn't grabbed your heart straight away?

I think what it hasn't got for me yet is that wow factor.

It would need quite a few tweaks.

Yeah, the wow factor we haven't got.

Despite staying positive and focusing on the potential,

the inside isn't hitting the mark,

so we're heading back outside

to see whether the garden will win them over.

Landscaped with a raised border, the plot also has lawned area

and, of course, the pool.

-So, an elevated garden.

-Yes.

Impressive private pool.

-Quite small.

-Oh, no!

I thought you'd think that was quite a good size.

And then, just standing here, as you can see, you are pretty secluded.

-Yeah, you're well-screened.

-Yeah, this is quite private.

So let's try and put a price on our first property.

I think this is going to be quite interesting

because you've done some research in this area already, haven't you?

Well, we know this area is quite expensive,

so I would say this is around £330,000.

OK, Angela?

I think it's a bit less under budget and I would go £300,000.

Would you? The asking price is...

-£336,000.

-Oh.

-You were closest.

-Do you want to have another look around on your own this time?

-Yes, if that's OK.

Take your time, it is only the first property.

-Sun's shining, I'm quite happy out here, thanks.

-It's lovely now.

Help yourselves, have a wander round and I'll see you in a minute.

OK, thank you.

Comfortably under budget by £14,000, this villa has...

It hasn't got the wow factor. The bedrooms are all a little small.

They've not got the light, the brightness.

In this room, I would like to take out the whole of a wall,

so I'm smashing down walls already

and obviously you have to take that into consideration with the price.

So, good house for number one, but I don't think this is the one for us.

The bedrooms were average,

the kitchen was average.

I think it's a heavy price for what is an average property.

-Have you seen enough?

-Yes.

So that's our first property.

Now, no more house-hunting today,

but I do have something else to show you.

-Oh.

-Oh, right.

-Ready?

-Yeah.

It may have been a nonstarter for the first property,

but we've certainly got Ian and Angela thinking about the space

they are going to need and just how far they're prepared to downsize.

Another thing will be acclimatising to shorter

hours of daylight.

But, just like winters in the UK, the nights draw in very early.

So, for our final destination of the day,

we're already blanketed in darkness.

So, Ian and Angela,

a little bit earlier on, I said I had one more thing to show you and

here it is because this is going to be your villa for the next few days.

Very nice, lovely.

It's quite impressive-looking, really, isn't it?

But we thought it would be nice for you to have some time on your own.

You can go out, you can explore and,

probably most importantly, you can talk about everything.

It's a big step, making the move, and sometimes having a little

bit of time on your own is the right thing to do.

So, step inside, there's a little house-warming present for you.

Go steady on it because tomorrow morning I'm going to pick you

up bright and early because I've got more properties to show you.

-Excellent.

-Enjoy, sleep well.

-Thank you.

-Night-night.

Staying at this villa in Armacao de Pera

should give them a better understanding of what life is

really like here, away from the comforts of hotels and room service.

We've stocked the property with basic essentials and, this time,

dimensions shouldn't be a problem.

Oh, wow, this is huge.

And it's not long before they track down the house-warming gift.

Oh!

I think that's ours.

CORK POPS Whoo, love that sound.

It is a great sound, isn't it?

-Cheers.

-Cheers, love.

It's an early morning start for the second day of property shopping

in the Algarve and the day sheds light on the spacious four-bedroom

villa that Cheshire-based Ian and Angela are temporarily calling home.

With £350,000 to spend, they hope to make the move here permanently

and, when they do, Ian wants more quality time

indulging his wife by cooking more,

-so he's preparing them both a fresh and healthy breakfast...

-Bom dia.

-Bom dia.

..to enjoy out on the sun-soaked terrace.

Oh, this melon's rank.

Sadly, it's nil points for the fruit salad this time, but it's definitely

top marks for the location of the villa and its striking views.

So we showed Ian and Angela our first property yesterday and,

although they were very polite,

I don't think we got off to the best of starts.

The sitting room, a little bit small.

OK, what about the three bedrooms?

Quite small. The pool?

Yeah, that's quite small as well.

So, coming from a five-bedroom property in the UK,

they say they want to downsize here in the Algarve,

but I don't think they've quite come to terms

with what that actually means.

So let's see how we get on today.

-Good morning.

-Ah, good morning. Hi, Nicki.

-How are we?

Really good, thank you. How are you?

I can't believe how warm it is first thing.

And did you have a good night last night?

Yeah, we did. It was quiet.

Are you looking forward to today?

Because I've got some more houses lined up.

-Fab.

-Definitely.

-Come on then, let's go.

The next property is further out west in the region,

not far from the seaside village of Burgau,

approximately 50 minutes' drive from Faro airport.

With a relatively small resident population,

Burgau is a quiet and relaxed village for most of the year.

However, during the summer,

it's a desirable hotspot for holidaying Brits.

But, out of season, the beach is secluded,

save for a few fishermen mending their nets on the slipway

and keeping the maritime heritage of the area alive.

Just a 15-minute drive away,

the historic cobbled streets in the town of Lagos

are lined with a variety of shops and restaurants.

But, away from the crowds is a prestigious seafront

development where we find our second house.

So, for our next property, we thought we'd bring you

-practically to the edge of the coast.

-Oh, wow. Gosh.

Because here it is. What do you think?

-Fantastic location.

-I like that.

The house has a presence to it... It says something.

-Do you think it's got character, charm?

-Yeah.

-Even though it's obviously new.

-It has something.

Now you mentioned part of the dream is to live

the majority of your life outside rather than in,

so I'm not going to take you through the front door on this occasion,

we're actually going to go round the back.

Although a modern build, only constructed in 2007,

it's a great start for the first impressions of this

traditional villa-style property,

and a mature palm tree in the front garden adds to its exotic appeal.

But if our couple think it looks attractive from the street,

wait until they see the aspect at the back.

Oh, wow.

Goodness me.

Blooming heck. I nearly swore then!

Fantastic.

-This is what I wanted you to see.

-Wow.

-That is absolutely...

-That is wow.

-That is so wow.

So I take it that you like what you see?

-It's just breathtakingly beautiful.

-Oh, it's incredible.

-So this is what you could be looking at every single day.

-Oh, my word.

They certainly are magnificent views,

let's hope that the villa is equally impressive.

-Oh, this is lovely.

-Very nice.

-I love it.

-Very, very nice.

Do you like the idea of it being open-plan?

-Love it, very much so.

-We do, yeah.

How are you feeling about the actual space, the size of this room?

-Because it incorporates the dining room...

-It's a good size really.

It does, but it's big enough to do that without it looking cluttered.

It doesn't feel boxy.

It feels bright, light, roomy.

Right, so far, so good. On that high note, we'll continue through

because the kitchen is just next-door.

So these tiles, they run throughout this property.

Very nice.

-What do you think?

-It's bigger than I thought it was going to be.

You also have a storage cupboard there

and you've got access at the back.

And there's also another little veranda there,

which you could actually have table and chairs,

if you wanted to eat out there in the mornings.

Just off the hallway is a handy downstairs shower room,

then up a small flight of steps is the bedrooms.

Two good-sized doubles share the family bathroom

and we're headed for the bedroom that could be Ian and Angela's.

-This is the master bedroom, it has an en-suite.

-Super.

-Remind me how many bedrooms you're after.

-Three.

Oh, look at that, very definite.

-I can give you three and a half..

-Oh.

-Three and a half is good.

Because one could be a single bedroom,

or it could also be an office.

No, that would be useful because an office would...

-Part-time office, of course.

-Part-time office.

-Or treatment room.

-Oh...

This could be the first argument of the trip.

Is it an office or a treatment room?

So we're liking this?

Yes, a little bit of...paint.

A little bit of TLC.

-Little bit of the Angela touch?

-And Ian.

Big City flag up.

Always a good sign when our couples start visualising their most

prized possessions adorning a property.

So, with a pretty positive reaction to this villa so far,

we're going back out to take in that splendid view one last time.

And outside, there's more than one way to enjoy at the vista,

as well as the landscape garden,

as this place also boasts a private roof terrace.

-Now, you wanted your own pool.

-Yeah.

-Is that big enough for you?

Yes, it's a good size.

-So we've got to put a price now on this property.

-I know.

-£400,000 sterling.

-OK.

Wow, I totally disagree with you.

Ah, interesting, Ian. Please share.

I'm going to plump for £300,000 sterling.

-Wow, so we're 100 grand apart on this one.

-That's right.

The asking price is £352,000.

-Oh, right.

-Do you want to have a wander on your own?

Think about how it might work when you have guests as well.

-Come and find me when you're ready.

-Thank you.

Over budget, but only by £2,000,

the second in our selection is a spacious detached home...

The view is just stunning.

It just takes your breath away.

When we walked round the side and saw the view, it was like... Wow.

I nearly did swear.

I'm the one that votes with my heart

and Ian is very much the one who thinks it through,

so he will be really thinking with his head rather than his heart.

We could certainly see ourselves living in this house.

No problem at all.

-Have you finished your personal tour?

-We have, yes.

-Has it whetted your appetite?

-Soaked it.

I'm glad we've surprised you,

but I am now going to have to drag you away, I'm afraid.

-Shall we?

-Yes, OK.

Alongside sun-drenched beaches and attractive villages,

the Algarve boasts natural delights which are a haven for wildlife.

And, for a keen twitcher like Ian, the Algarve,

with over 400 different species of bird,

is the perfect place to indulge his passion.

So we've come to a natural coastal park to introduce our couple

to British expats June and Peter,

who not only made the move to the Algarve ten years ago,

but who made bird-watching here their business.

-Peter and June, lovely to meet you. Hi, there. I'm Nicki.

-Hi, Nicki.

Can I introduce you to Ian and Angela,

who are hoping to make the move to the Algarve very quickly,

all going to plan?

Hi, Peter. Hi, June.

But they're also, well, I think it'd be fair to say that Ian is

a keen bird-watcher and we are hoping you're going to

take them out this morning and show them the sights.

-They are certainly in the right place.

-This is the Rio Formoso

and it's full of birds all year round.

Well, I'm going to leave you to it because you can have a chat

-and really get a great experience. I'll see you later, OK?

-Thank you.

See you later.

Voted one of seven natural wonders of Portugal,

the Rio Formoso is an important protected wetland

that extends along the Algarve coast for over 30 miles.

Classified as a natural park in 1987,

there are some 18,000 hectares of salt marshes, mudflats,

reedbeds and open water, protected by sandbanks and dunes.

And the area plays host to more

than 20,000 birds during the wintering period.

It may be further east than Ian and Angela's preferred area,

but their desire to be within an hour of Faro airport means that this

wildlife haven will never be too far away.

So what sort of species would you expect to see here, Peter?

There's quite a range of birds here, Ian -

wading birds, gulls, flamingos, spoonbills.

At this time of the year, there are thousands of birds

come down from northern Europe and lots of them

stay here for the winter, but some of them are just a refuelling

and they carry on into Africa,

they go down the west coast of Africa to Mauritania and Senegal.

So, June, bird-watching is obviously your passion.

What other aspects do you involve yourself with?

-Have you got lots of friends here?

-Yeah, we've got lots of friends -

expats and Portuguese.

And do you speak Portuguese or do you get by in English?

Most people, younger people especially, speak English.

We do manage, but we'd like to be better and, really, I think

everyone should try and learn, but it's a very difficult language.

Angela is obviously keen to learn more about Algarve life

away from the wetlands,

so I'm rejoining both couples at a bar in the historic town of Tavira

to get the nitty-gritty.

When Peter and June visited this elegant town

ten years ago on holiday,

they quickly said farewell to Staffordshire and made Tavira

their home within just six months.

So I take it you had a good session birding?

-That's the correct term, isn't it?

-It is, yes.

Yes, it was very interesting.

What do you think, Angela?

-Will we get you out there on the marshes again?

-You never know!

Doesn't sound entirely convinced.

Would you say your quality of life has improved since you came here?

It's a slower pace of life here.

-It's much more relaxed.

-No stress.

I don't think I was patient when we first came here,

but I think I've learned patience from the experience.

The choice is either accept it as it is or get wound up by it.

So have you got a lot of patience?

I am.

I love you, you're so honest.

-You're going to learn, yes?

-I'm going to learn.

So you have this wonderful life,

but you also have a successful business that you set up over here.

Was that easy to do from scratch?

It can be quite difficult.

The bureaucracy is the biggest problem.

We were lucky because we have a Portuguese friend,

who actually helped us set up and sorted licenses and things.

I think, if you're looking to set up a business,

look for some help right from the outset.

And how do you find the cost of living over here compared to the UK?

A lot of things are a lot cheaper here.

Utilities are more expensive, so your electricity, your gas,

your water, that's all more expensive than in the UK.

When we get to the checkout at the supermarket...

I'm always surprised at the result

because it's never as much as I think it's going to be.

Do you find that's because you buy local produce

rather than buying imported goods?

JUNE: Yes.

It's interesting, isn't it, because in a way,

Ian, you're practically here, aren't you?

I mean, mentally, you're already living in Portugal,

though physically you're still back in the UK.

Would it be fair to say for you, Angela,

there's that period of adjustment?

Yes, definitely.

I mean, it's not always sunny like this,

we do, believe it or not, have rainy days and it can be cooler.

But we don't really have a long winter.

It's very short.

-We did have a frost here once, didn't we?

-I think so.

I think I remember one. Seriously, one day.

The climate is wonderful here at this time of year.

This is a St Martin's summer, when it's extending into the winter.

I'd take this any day. Well, Peter and June, thank you so much.

It seems that you're very comfortable in your home here in the

Algarve, and I'm hoping Angela and Ian will be following you very soon.

At least they'll know where to come to see some great birds, won't they?

-Oh, yes.

-Thank you both very much indeed.

-Thank you, good luck.

-Yeah, best of luck.

-Thanks very much.

Peter and June's advice from near on a decade

of direct experience is invaluable.

But, before committing to a move abroad,

there are a few things to bear in mind.

If you intend to take your dog overseas, all animals travelling

within the EU must have a pet passport issued by a licensed vet.

When it comes to home buying, the purchase process is done in two

stages and typically a 10-to-40% deposit is paid at the first stage.

Then, after completion comes the property transfer tax, called IMT,

which is set on a sliding scale depending on the property price,

so it's crucial to consult a competent registered

professional before signing any legally binding paperwork

and handing over any money.

Our last port of call today

is an exclusive development in Serra e Mar.

We're still just 45 minutes' commute of the airport

and just over a 10-minute drive from the seaside town of Alvor,

where you'll also find the nearest amenities.

There's a good choice of shops, restaurants and cafes in Alvor,

as well as a marina and a long, sweeping, sandy beach.

But our third property is far from the coastal throng,

surrounded by green belt land in a residential urbanisation

with a mix of local professionals and expats.

So with this house hunt, we like to show you a real

variety of properties, different architectural styles

and here is, potentially, your new home.

-This is very different, isn't it?

-Yeah.

-Yeah.

-Yeah.

-Quite difficult, I think, to gauge standing here.

-Intrigued at the moment, I think would be my response.

-Good start?

-Good start.

-Yeah.

-Let's see what you make of inside.

-OK.

This detached property may appear to be a modest villa,

but downsizing it is not.

So Ian and Angela better prepare themselves,

for we have over 3,000 square feet of house to explore.

So...come on in...

Wow. Goodness.

..and the tour will start.

So, a little bit of geography for you.

You've got a large double bedroom here...

with en suite, beautifully done.

A good-sized tiled kitchen...

..all fully fitted, everything that you want there.

Go through these glass doors...

Jeanie Mac.

..and you come to this space.

-Wow, wow, wow.

-Goodness me.

Wow.

You see, we thought we'd show you something a little bit different.

It's impressive.

-Wow.

-Your faces, they're a delight.

-It's incredible.

Speechless, actually, speechless.

You've got a wood burner over there.

You've got another seated area there,

you've perhaps got the more formal seated area.

And just behind us, I've already mentioned there's one

large bedroom, but you've got a smaller bedroom behind,

-but we're thinking perhaps a treatment room/office.

-OK.

I just love the beams and the openness there.

-Absolutely stunning.

-Amazing.

These reactions are fantastic. I've still got so much more to show you.

Highly deceptive,

this labyrinthian property is laid out over three floors.

Off the main living area is another hallway that leads to more bedrooms.

One is a twin room with en suite that could be ideal for guests,

as it benefits from a seating area and doors out to its own terrace.

Then up the main flight of stairs is the master bedroom.

Oh, my goodness!

So this is the master because you've got the en-suite,

but also what you do get with this room is that magnificent view.

-I mean, just look at that palm tree for a start.

-Yeah.

It's got a sort of ranch-style feel to it.

It has, yes, you're right.

-It's big.

-It is big.

Are you quite overwhelmed by this property,

or does it actually feel like something you could own?

It definitely feels like something we could own,

but I'm not sure if it's the right step to take.

I love it.

Looks like there's a role reversal here.

Angela is clearly thinking with her head,

but the property has captured Ian's heart - hook, line and sinker -

though it's very important to keep his wife just as happy.

So we're going to head downstairs,

as I have much more to show them both outside.

Back on the ground floor, the doors from the living area lead

out onto a large terrace and barbecue area.

Then down on the lower ground and into the back garden,

you can really take in the scale of this wonderful property and,

not forgetting, the rather inviting heated pool.

See, you can't take your eyes away from that pool, can you?

-How fantastic is that?

-It's a gorgeous pool.

But you also have all of this,

-and it's fenced in because I'm thinking of Oscar.

-Yes, good point.

So you've got lawn here,

mature trees all the way down to the boundary.

Then you've got a summer house in the corner by the cypress trees

and then it goes up the other side, and you've got a driveway as well.

-Fabulous.

-Fabulous garden.

But if you just take a look behind you,

because underneath the property on this level is a self-contained

flat with a kitchenette, living area.

So we're thinking, either one of your daughters,

perhaps Mo might want to come out and have her own space,

treatment rooms, and it won't affect the rest of the house.

-It's not downsizing, is it?

-No.

-No, it's not downsizing.

Not at all.

Yeah, I just can't imagine this is going to be within budget at all.

How much do you think this property's on the market for?

I think this is...

getting on for £500,000.

OK.

I would go £395,000.

Would you both be surprised if I said it was under your budget?

-Gobsmacked.

-I'd throw myself in that pool.

Hang onto him, Angela, because the asking price is...

£348,000.

-Wow.

-Oh, my word.

-Gosh, that is unbelievable.

-I'm seriously surprised.

Are we getting in danger of finding you the perfect property?

Yeah.

Well, he thinks so!

I think you two need to have a wander round on your own because

I know Angela has reservations, and I haven't really bought into that.

And I'm going to let you explore and I'll catch up with you later.

-OK. Thanks, Nicki.

-Thank you.

At £2,000 under budget, this beautiful and palatial villa has...

But I sense that, now we've unearthed a property that presents

a real possibility, Angela is beginning to have her doubts.

At the moment, a bit of the Hollywood glamour is coming here

with the pool and the outdoor living and the entertaining.

My mind is all over the place.

The house is huge, the area is huge.

So, to be honest, this really has thrown me.

It's stunning, it's an amazing property. A truly amazing property.

And the value for money is just...awesome.

I think this is a serious contender for us.

If we did go for this house, the next chapter would become

completely different from the one that we envisaged.

Have you explored enough?

-Yes, thank you.

-Got over the shock?

What, of the cost or the size?

I think it's both really, isn't it?

-It's a lot to think about though, isn't it?

-Yes.

There is a lot to think about.

Well, it is the end of the day, so you can really ponder that

tonight because I do have one more house to show you tomorrow.

Let's hit the road.

It's another beautiful day in the Algarve and although the

temperatures are a far cry from the summer highs of 30, the daytime

temperatures rarely fall below 12 degrees Celsius in the winter.

So, by making the move from Cheshire to Portugal,

Ian and Angela hope that alfresco dining

will be on the menu all year round.

If this is your typical November day, it's not bad, is it?

-Hola.

-Hola.

THEY ORDER IN PORTUGUESE

Angela is taking every opportunity to practise her language skills

and even hubby is having a go.

Muito obrigado.

I spoke Portuguese there, did you notice that?

-Do you think you will learn it?

-Yeah, I do actually.

-Good.

I think Ian and Angela have been taken aback by the range

and differences in properties that they can afford

here in the Algarve on their budget.

We've certainly had some hits and misses.

Now, we know their preferred search area is west of Faro,

so guess what? For today's Mystery House, we're going to head east.

Our final property stop will take us

to the rural foothills north of Faro airport.

Further inland in the outskirts of Santa Barbara de Nexe,

towards the eastern portion of the Algarve,

which is an area Ian and Angela

don't know and have always discounted.

Basic groceries can be picked up

in the charming village of Santa Barbara de Nexe,

whose main landmark is a pretty 400-year-old white walled

church with a bell tower that can be seen for miles.

The majority of property here is Portuguese owned

and so the whole area retains a traditional feel and style,

including the house we've saved until last.

So the final treat we have in store for you is...

Our Mystery House.

-That's impressive. It's got a presence, hasn't it?

-It has.

Very imposing.

It's not a very old property actually,

it was built around, I think, 2007, and it is immaculate.

You can see from the outside the high standard of workmanship.

I'm going to call this property the 20-minute Villa.

-20 minutes to the airport and 20 minutes to the beach.

-Ah, OK.

-Shall we step inside?

-Yes, please.

-Thank you.

Set well back from the road,

the mystery villa is approached from a large blocked paved driveway

in a quiet, idyllic setting with views all around.

So, Mystery House time, the tour begins.

-The beams.

-Oh, I like my beams.

It's a large room. I like the stone on the feature wall.

-Yes, exposed.

-Yeah, and the lovely doors.

So you've got three sets of patio doors going out onto that veranda,

so you'll get the cool air coming through,

which will be lovely if you don't want to put the air conditioning on.

-Shall we continue? Would you like to see a little bit more?

-Yes, please.

-Yep.

So here's the kitchen.

OK, yep.

-That's a nice view out of there.

-Yeah.

A bit of granite.

-We like a bit of granite, we like the tile.

-We do.

The floor tiles are nice.

Next-door to this, you've got a large utility room with access

into the garden and then, past that, there's an additional room.

Now, it could be a bedroom if you wanted it to be,

but it would make a great office. Or if you want to have the therapies

actually here, run the business from home, you could do that because it's

got a separate entrance,

-so customers could come through, or guests.

-Oh, OK.

All right, well, shall we go and have a look at a bit more?

That wraps up the kitchen and living accommodation.

But also down here, on the other side of the hallway,

are two well-proportioned double bedrooms

that sandwich a tiled family bathroom.

The third and final bedroom is the master,

which is upstairs on the first floor.

It has fully fitted solid wooden wardrobes, its own en suite...

And that view.

Well, we asked for a view...

SHE LAUGHS ..and that is a view.

-It is very impressive, it really is.

-It's beautiful. Very nice.

You can't see any other buildings, but what you do have is

a fabulous pool and, what's more,

just behind us there's a hot tub.

It fits six people, so I hope you've got some friends.

We might get some.

-Do you fancy your own hot tub?

-Yeah.

Yeah, I'm sure the girls will as well.

You'd have to bring me my cup of coffee out here in the morning, Ian.

As usual.

And on that note, I'm going to move on.

As we make our way back downstairs,

I must admit that I really can't gauge

Ian and Angela's true reactions to this property and whether

they are quietly contemplating its potential or just being polite.

But since this move centres on the great outdoors,

we're going to get up close and personal with all this

villa has to offer in the beautiful landscaped grounds.

-Oh, wow.

-Pretty impressive up here, isn't it?

Wow, this is lovely, this is so lovely.

Yeah, you've given us a Mystery House.

It's nice to throw something in that you wouldn't have considered,

although I think it'd be fair to say that with all our properties,

-we do seem to have surprised you.

-Absolutely.

-I wonder if we're going to surprise you with the price.

-Hmm.

I think it's below, I would say it's £310,000.

I'm going to say bang on budget, £350,000.

Angela's closest.

In actual fact, she's nearly on the money

because the asking price is £348,000.

I just want to research the area a bit,

to understand the relativity of that.

So, for the final time, I'm going

to send you off on your own to explore the house and the gardens.

-Take your time and I'll see you in a little while.

-OK, thank you.

-Thank you.

£2,000 under budget, the mystery option is a modern villa

built in a traditional rustic style...

When I saw the property, I was very pleasantly surprised

and, even though I decided it wasn't going to be the property for me,

once I actually saw it and saw the gardens and the beautiful stonework

and the property, then I did start having a very quick

rethink about our required property area,

and this one has really got me thinking outside the box.

Definitely coming into new territory for us,

so it's certainly added to the mystery.

If we'd done research into the area and it's all pretty strong,

you're not expecting 100%, obviously,

but it's all pretty strong

and it's looking favourable, then this would be a pretty

serious contender for our home over in Portugal.

Ah-ha!

Well, you're both still smiling, so I haven't worn you out.

-No, no.

-It's been brilliant, really good.

-Really, really nice property.

Well, that's it.

Our Mystery House tour is over.

You've seen all our properties here in the Algarve,

so I think you two need to have a chat between yourselves,

and then we'll sit down and find out what your next move is going to be.

-Happy with that?

-Yep.

As the seasons change from high summer into the winter,

when tourism has died down,

there is one cottage industry in the mountains of the Serra de Monchique

that's in full swing.

And it's something that might make the cooler months, well,

a little warmer.

Affectionately known as fire water,

it's a rather potent spirit made from the fruit of the evergreen

medronho tree, which is similar in appearance to a strawberry.

I'm heading up into the mountains at the start of the harvest to

meet medronho distributor Elena Marceneiro,

whose family have been producing the liquor here for over 100 years.

-Elena, good to meet you. I'm Nikki.

-Nice to meet you too.

And this is the most perfect spot. It's worth the journey up, isn't it?

The Monchique mountains are quite fabulous,

even in dodgy weather like today.

Yes, but it's good for the trees.

So is this an indigenous fruit to the region?

Yes, and it's been used here for centuries.

-So can you actually eat the berry itself?

-Yes, of course.

See, the red ones are the best.

No peel, no seeds, you can eat it like that.

That's nice, I would eat it.

But the skin is very hard, but inside it is fleshy.

It tastes a bit like a nectarine.

-Yes, yes.

-That's very pleasant.

But the drink is even better, I understand.

Yes, the drink is very good.

And it's all done by hand?

Yes, all done by hand.

A relatively small-scale operation, some 70 distilleries in Monchique

are responsible for producing

around 20,000 litres of medronho each year.

The fruit is traditionally harvested between October and December,

and back at the family farm it's left to ferment in huge wooden vats.

So this is where it all happens?

Let's see this barrel.

It's already full.

-You feel the smell?

-Wow, it hits you.

I mean, you get a fragrance as you walk into the barn,

but that is something else.

So do we add our fruit that we've picked in the rain,

-do we add it to this lot?

-Not here, we put it in the other one.

-OK.

'The fruits ferment in the barrels with a little added water

'and sugar, which reacts with the natural yeasts.' This one?

This one here. You see, it's not full yet.

Not full at all.

If you pass me the basket, I'll add them in.

After fermenting for around three-to-four months,

the distillation process happens using the compact

boiler on site, typically between March and May.

The spirit distilled from the bright red fruits are used

in a variety of local products, from cakes to jam and even sausages.

But there's no easing me in gently, I'm going in neat,

straight from the bottle.

-My goodness. Right, are you going to join me in a toast? Cheers.

-Cheers.

Let's see how we get on.

Oh! That is fire!

-Now, you are warm.

-I'm definitely warm.

My cheeks on glowing, aren't they?

The locals in Monchique say that medronho

is taken in the morning to waken the spirits,

after meals to ease digestion and in the evening to aid the sleep.

Actually, I like the aftertaste that you get with it.

It's nice, the mouth is...

It's smooth, isn't it?

Though I think it's best I save it for special occasions.

Back at the rental villa, our buyers are packing up to leave

and it could be that the dip in temperature is also

cooling down their potentially life-changing plans.

So how are you feeling today?

Erm, a bit subdued.

Well, probably reflective is the right word.

This morning, when I woke up, I thought, "I'm glad to be going back

"and seeing how the girls are and what they're up to."

But, I suppose, if it was absolutely blazing sunshine, I'd be saying,

"Ach, I don't want to go home."

But it's certainly a lot of food for thought anyway.

Our couple have seen all of our properties here in the Algarve,

and we've had great reactions from both of them,

so I'm intrigued to find out just what their next move is going to be.

Well, Ian and Angela, it's certainly been an eventful few days,

-hasn't it?

-It certainly has, yeah.

I'm hoping that we've helped you somewhat.

Now, before we talk about the properties in any detail,

Angela, would it be fair to say that there perhaps are some reservations?

Yes, these last few days have been a little bit of an internal turmoil,

a little bit of bringing out feelings

that I wasn't even sure about.

I can see there is a slight struggle, even when you're talking to me.

You want it to be right,

you want to make Ian happy, and you're so close as a couple.

Interestingly, this is news to me as well.

That's something we'll need to discuss and sort through.

I do, I do want to come, but I have to make sure everything is right

and the timing is right.

Now we've really pushed you, suddenly it's the reality, isn't it?

This is it, you are scarily close to buying a property

and do you think that's what it is?

Now we've taken you right to the edge, you are suddenly going,

"Actually, there are things I haven't sorted out in my head."

You know, I worked hard to build up my talents for the

sports and remedial massage, so it's something I don't want to just let go

and not be able to do any more.

I do really want this, and I passionately want it,

and that's come across, I think.

Knowing it's within our grasp has made me want it even more.

In a way, I've sort of dangled the house keys, haven't I?

That's right, the carrots have been there and it's been like yeah, yeah, yeah.

So talking about the properties, any houses that you both love?

-The mystery one.

-The Mystery House, yes.

-Really?

-Yes.

Go on, why? Tell me, tell me.

The size is just right for us. It's cosy for the two of us and Oscar

when it's just us there, but it's got the capacity to accommodate

the visitors that we know we'll get.

So you love the Mystery House, but what's next?

How are you going to proceed?

I think our next step is to just research the area a bit

and get a feel for the area, if it's what Angela wants though.

-We would never force it.

-No, we both...yeah.

We've just got to overcome those little wobbles.

You wouldn't want to do anything, Ian, without Angela being happy

and vice versa, it has got to be right.

And hopefully with another visit out here, taking a second

look at the Mystery House, you can explore drama groups,

being able to practise everything that you've learned,

all your therapies et cetera, and having that peace of mind,

because if you want it to work, Angela, I know you can make it work.

-Thank you both.

-Thank you.

-I have so enjoyed your company...

Thank you, it's been great fun.

..and I really hope we have got you a massive step closer to this

new exciting life.

-Thank you. Thanks you very much.

-Thanks.

Showing Ian and Angela around the Algarve has been a delight.

But it's interesting,

when we have these exciting plans of a new life abroad

and then when faced with turning that dream,

that plan, into a reality,

suddenly the seriousness of making such a huge decision

begins to dawn - that's what happened with Angela.

Now, Ian, he's been sold on a life here from the very beginning,

but I truly think that Angela needs just that little bit more

time to work out how her hobbies and her career, which,

let's be honest, is really important to her,

can fit into this exciting new way of life.

I'll see you again on Escape To The Continent.

After much soul-searching, Angela and Ian have decided to

put their Portuguese move on hold for a couple of years,

as this week made them realise

that they're not ready to leave the family just yet.

And whatever their next move may be, we wish them both all the very best.