IRG International Realty Group proudly hosted the European Real Estate Network’s Annual Conference in Estoril, 11 – 12 September 2009

EREN Meeting in Estoril, 11 September 2009

Cocktail at IRG Estoril/Cascais Brokerage Office

Cocktail at IRG Head Office, Lisbon

EREN Executive Members

IRG International Realty Group, a co-founding member of EREN, proudly hosted this year’s annual conference of the European Real Estate Network on 11 and 12 September 2009, held at the Palacio Estoril Hotel.

This was another opportunity for IRG and the other EREN members to discuss issues on the luxury real estate market at European level, identify possible obstacles and together develop strategies to overcome them.

The new executive board was chosen at the meeting on Friday, 11th September, namely, José Ribes Bas (President) from Rimontgó, Valencia, Spain, Peter Marschall (Vice-President) from Marschall Immobilien, Vienna, Austria and Marco Argentieri (New member) from Cofim Immobiliare, Verona, Italy.

All members gathered for the IRG cocktails at the Estoril/Cascais Riviera Brokerage office and at the Head Office in prestigious Avenida da Liberdade, Lisbon where they enjoyed a glass of the famous Port Wine and Pommery Champagne and afterwards they were delighted with the typical Portuguese cuisine for dinner.

The European Real Estate Network (EREN), was established in 2005 by 20 prestigious real estate companies (including IRG International Realty Group) and is now composed of members from Spain, Italy, France, Portugal, Denmark, Switzerland, Austria and Greece.
www.europeanrealestate.org

The Weekend Finale at the Omega European Masters!

On Saturday and Sunday there were again many visitors at the Omega European Masters, one of the most premium events in Europe.

Alexander Noren (20 under par) from Sweden was the winner of the Omega European Masters 2009 followed by Bradley Dredge (18 under par) from Wales in second place.

Noren is now Number One on The European Ryder Cup Points List after the first counting event in the race to make Colin Montgomery’s 12-man team that will take on the USA in Wales next year.

I must say that it was the best golf event ever, held in Crans Montana, the perfect choice destination for golf and relaxation!

Carina de Sousa
Marketing Coordinator at IRG International Realty Group

IRG Team Day, Sailing trip along the Algarvian Coast, 30th August 2009

The IRG Team

Beautiful Algarve

We sailed away from the Marina of Vilamoura at aprox. 10:00 am on the Vital Catamaran, ready to enjoy another great get-together for the IRG team and discover the beauty of the Algarvian coastline on such a pleasant and sunny day.

We arrived at a beach between Albandeira and Marinha, only accessible by boat, at aprox. 12:00 noon. The friendly sailing crew went onshore to prepare our lunch which included a little bit of everything from tasty Kebabs to the best Sardines ever!!! Of course, we cannot forget the typical Portuguese tomato and cucumber salad. To top it off, there was melon for dessert.

After lunch some people topped up their tan on the golden beach sand while others went for a swim.

We returned to the Marina early evening, where we stopped for one last drink together before setting off for home.

We enjoyed ourselves very much; it was definitely a great day out and what a fantastic way to relax on a Sunday!

A fun day filled with laughter and good spirit, where everyone had a wonderful time.

We are all proud to be part of the one and only IRG Team.

The IRG Team

Another great day at the Omega European Masters in beautiful Crans Montana.

Heidi and Carina ready to play golf

Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Course

Food Court at the Sponsor Village

Friday, 4th September, was a splendid day and even though it rained in the afternoon, it didn’t keep the visitors from coming to our stand requesting for more information about Pine Hill Residences and Portugal.

Most of the visitors commented that they had already been to the Algarve many times and how pleasant it always was. One specific visitor, Mr. Bob Avis from England, said that he had already been 80 times and played golf on many of the finest golf courses our beautiful region has to offer. He also stated that, in Portugal is where you find the friendliest people!

Please visit the official site of the Omega European Masters, here you will find the latest news and results of the golf tournament www.omegaeuropeanmasters.com/en/

More updates will follow soon…

Pine Hill Residences, Portugal and IRG International Realty Group at the Omega European Masters, Crans Montana, Switzerland (3 – 6 September 2009)

Heidi Maedler and Carina de Sousa at Pine Hill Residences stand

BMW & Kanton Valais Putting Green, Sponsor Village

Pine Hill Residences, Portugal and IRG International Realty Group are proud to be at the Omega European Masters, known as one of the most prestigious and best golf tournaments in Europe.

Heidi Maedler, sales and administration manager at Pine Hill Residences and myself safely arrived yesterday afternoon at this amazing and picturesque village called Crans Montana. We were completely overwhelmed with the beauty of the site, the warm welcome of the local population and the unique atmosphere that this large resort in the mountains has to offer.

The views at and around the Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club are simply breathtaking!

There is a great ambience at the Sponsor Village and we were very happy to welcome all visitors that came to see us at our stand.

After a very exciting first day, we will make sure to keep you posted on the upcoming events.

Carina de Sousa
Marketing Coordinator at IRG International Realty Group

IRG Hosts Cocktail in Vale do Lobo

Seeing as August is the time where most clients, foreign and Portuguese alike, take their summer holidays, IRG international Realty Group in conjunction with Vale do Lobo, organised a cocktail on August 11th and 12th, which happily also coincided with Vale do Lobo’s annual Grand Champions Tennis Tournament.

The cocktail took place in one of Vale do Lobo’s Royal Golf villas where IRG’s property consultants had the opportunity to meet up with their guests. This two bedroom townhouse, part of the Royal Golf Development, located along the 12th hole of the stunning Royal Golf Course, which also boasts three bedrooms townhouses as well as two- and three- bedroom apartments (Margarida Apartments).

The villa proved to be a great late afternoon venue where visitors had the chance to look around the stunning property with the decked terraces, barbecue area, overflow plunge pool, the multipurpose basement which among other great features, make it perfect for families and golfers alike.

This was an opportunity for IRG staff and guests to relax enjoying a glass of champagne, courtesy of Pommery with a choice of Pommery Brut Royal and the new Pommery Apanage rosé. The former is described as being elegant and lively, whilst the latter is rich and well-balanced.

The excellent tapas included tasty treats of carpaccio of ostrich, Cape Malay fish with sweet potato fritters, Marsala marinated figs with taleggio cheese and apple jelly, chicken liver parfait with port jelly and smoked duck and caramelised pear was provided by Jonnie Pratt, Chef/Patron of Almancil restaurant Bistro des Z’Artes. Newly refurbished under Jonnie’s ownership Bistro des Z’Artes is the ideal platform for Jonnie to demonstrate his extensive talents accumulated in his native Ireland and across leading brands such as Hilton, Marriott and Le Meridien and to provide the quality of both food & service demanded from IRG’s discerning clientele. A successful evening all round.

The Importance of being Christie’s

Quinta Saibreiro, Malveira da Serra, Cascais

Being the exclusive affiliate in Portugal of Christie’s Great Estates, at IRG we reap the benefits of such association daily, as no doubt is the case with the other fellow affiliates.

Christie’s Great Estates, a wholly owned subsidiary of Christie’s, the world’s oldest fine art auction house, was established in 1995 and is the largest network of real estate brokers dedicated to the marketing and sale of important properties. The network comprises more than 900 real estate offices and nearly 36,000 sales associates in more than 40 countries.

The Christie’s name is synonymous with quality, integrity, and customer satisfaction, and the marketing efforts of Christie’s and Christie’s Great Estates provide far-reaching exposure to a qualified audience of homeowners and homebuyers.

Only brokers who have a leading market share, meet strict standards of service excellence, and demonstrate proven records of success in handling distinctive properties can become affiliated brokers and utilize the well-known and highly respected Christie’s Great Estates brand name.

Through an exclusive system of advertising, marketing, and listing tools, Christie’s Great Estates provides access to a worldwide audience. Properties are showcased in Christie’s Great Estates magazine, which is published four times a year; in custom-designed property brochures distributed worldwide; on the Christie’s Great Estates Web site, and in Christie’s Magazine and other highly regarded international publications.

Here is a selection of properties listed with IRG International Realty Group and marketed via Christie’s Great Estates.

Laranjal – the new golf course in Quinta do Lago

My wife and I, along with two friends recently played our first round of golf at the new Laranjal Course.

The course has been underway for some years overcoming planning and enviromental hindrances and of course a challenging construction keeping as much natural flora and vegetation – and using the natural water lines. And of course adding the extra features such as a number of water hazards and lakes.

This course is a sheer joy to play and the nature experience is of highest possible quality. I believe this is the best new course I have ever played. It is as if it has been there for many, many years. And the quality and presentation of the course itself and all amenities makes this a delight to play.

Designed by top Portuguese course designer Jorge Santana Silva of Robert Trent-Jones pedigree, it nestles through orange grows, pine forest and incorporating water features and lakes. It is a course completely in respect of the surrounding nature and presents itself as a top quality Portuguese golf course. It is a course for the handicap golfer as well as the top golfer. You can play your way round the obstacles or hazards or you can choose “to go for it” – and get rewarded or not!

But all in all, we have got another star attraction in the Algarve golfing scene – and a worthy new attraction!

We enjoyed a fantastic day out with a smooth round of golf ensured by the low number of players allowed and the high standards everywhere……

Congratulations to Quinta do Lago – and to us golfers for having another superb course to enjoy…..

Ole Jespersen
Managing Director at IRG International Realty Group

Liselore’s Spanish Weekend Break

Sandeman Bodegas

Liselore Ligtermoet

With our minds set on a weekend break, my husband and I left the Algarve to visit Jerez de la Frontera and Cádiz. After only a 3 hours drive we arrived in Cádiz.

Cádiz is believed to be one of the oldest cities in Spain and almost entirely surrounded by water.

We spent some relaxing times at Victoria Beach where you can drink a tinto verano at one of the beach clubs. In the night time we had an amazing dinner at El Faro restaurant, a great experience as at the Bodega they serve you numerous tasty tapas while you are standing together with all other visitors at the bar.

El Faro is located in the La Viña district, close to La Caleta and the walls of the San Sebastián castle. The story of Restaurante El Faro has its own name: Gonzalo Córdoba. He started life here in an inn, serving glasses of local wine together with tapas of fried or battered fish or shellfish, cuttlefish, white anchovies or the unbeatable shrimp omelettes. But he was unfulfilled, and so he began to bring back Cádiz cuisine. Prior to this the cuisine of Cádiz was unknown and only revealed in an intimate setting. Since then, Gonzalo Córdoba has dedicated himself to this regional cuisine. Today Maite follows in her father’s footsteps.

Also worthwhile visiting is the lovely town of Jerez de la Frontera, famous for the sherry, we visited the Bodegas of Sandeman sherry where you can do tours and tastings. Jerez de la Frontera is also known for it’s yearly festival in May. The Jerez Horse Fair is an exciting and lively event that brings the entire city to the Gonzalo Hontoria Fair Grounds which cover 52,000 square metres and give ample space for the best horses of Jerez to show off to the crowds who flock to the casetas and other attractions.

Being so close to the Algarve, it is certainly worth a visit!

Liselore Ligtermoet
Marketing Manager at IRG International Realty Group

Have a look at the Christie’s IPhone Application

Christie’s has placed auctions in the palm of your hand and your fingertips: http://www.christies.com/on-the-go/iphone/?CID=5447010005201a