An Alternative Algarve

Whilst northern Europe has been enjoying an unseasonal heat wave we have not been doing quite so well!! The Easter holidays began hot and sunny, then unkindly chose to be cool and showery over the Easter weekend and back to warm sun this week. For those of us here for the entire break its been mixed, but as its only April we can forgive the odd cloud.

 We had a lovely trip to visit the Vila Lara Thalassa Spa Hotel in Porches where we have a small 

Dunas boutique.

The views from the pool are spectacular......... and as you can see the water is turquoise blue.

A Heavenly Hideaway!

This is a beautifully secluded hotel with a wonderful spa and only a couple of hours from London, Paris, Brussels or Frankfurt.
www.vilalararesort.com

The day before we drove north into the wild countryside of the Algarve and southern Alentejo.

Its almost impossible to describe the aroma of wild herbs, eucalyptus and clear fresh air as you step out of the car. I wanted to bottle it up to sell in the shop!

The roads are empty and you can drive for miles through rolling hills and tiny villages, a world away from the bustle on the coast. You can see cork piled high to dry, herds of goats, panoramic views and elderly villagers enjoying a quiet chat outside the local cafe.

At this time of year the yellow broom is spectacular!

With colour in mind we are loving our new men's collection by Italian company
MC2 St Barth's
which arrived in Dunas Resort for Easter.
Inspired by the French Island of St Barth's in the Carribbean the designs are bright and fun, including swim wear, shorts, linen shirts and Tee's all in chic Italian style.

.............and finally I cannot resist a couple of photos of Emma wearing our stunning
Helen Kaminski Hats

And I just have to say A BIG THANK-YOU to everyone who supported
THE HATS ON FOR ACCA ROYAL WEDDING LUNCH
Lots of money was raised and a good time had by all!
You can see their work
 at..
www.accakids.com

Dunas On Line Shopping

DUNAS LIFESTYLE ON - LINE SHOPPING

Follow this link and after entering the site click on ON-LINE STORE


www.dunas-style.com

We are delighted to announce that Dunas has just launched its 
ON - LINE SHOPPING SITE .

We have chosen some of our most popular products and many that are exclusive to Dunas in Portugal.

The products have been beautifully photographed on location in the Algarve and we feel its sunshine lifestyle really shines through.

The collections of Home Products and Fashion Accessories will vary throughout the year, but our favourite Scented Collections will always be available.

We have had a lot of fun creating this new shopping experience 

and we hope you will find it a pleasure to shop with us from the comfort of your own home.............

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..... And the new and beautiful outdoor furniture collection from

 MANUTTI is just perfect for relaxing and browsing!!

Manutti Beaumont Sofa and Armchairs   +   Achilles Dining Chairs and Loungers

You can view a comprehensive selection of Manutti 
outdoor furniture at our Almancil showroom.

Milano Table and New York Dining Chairs

www.manutti.com

Tom Ford

An exciting week at Dunas Resort as the new Tom Ford Eye-Wear  collection for Spring - Summer has just arrived! These glasses have been best sellers in Dunas for the last few seasons.

We all love his elegant light weight sunglasses and the new ad campaign with January Jones in fabulous animal print is just stunning.

We now have an unrivalled selection for both men and women in this corner of the Algarve, and with summer just around the corner do not delay in choosing your new pair!

Our selection of Ray-ban sun glasses is also complete with new 2011 arrivals. 

We choose styles very carefully and our helpful staff will be happy to spend time with you to find the perfect model. 

The ever popular Aviator is a design classic and this season comes with numerous options in colour and shape. 

We love the new lighter carbon fibre frame models......classic and cool!!

Audrey Hepburn in Ray-ban

There is so much new to mention I don't know where to start so keep watching this space for updates!

Blossom

Nina enjoying the view!

The Scented Garden

My early morning walk is now a fragrant delight. The wistaria is in full bloom in all its various shades of lilac and its scent fills the whole garden. It competes with the row of orange trees nearby, whose delicate white flowers are just opening to release their delicious perfume. On the high wall a tiny old fashioned climbing rose is peeking out between the jasmine. And in the valley its difficult not to tread on the sea of wild orchids amongst the lavender and rock roses.

I have been busy taking photos for our new on-line site and what a great time of year to be doing it!

Molton Brown Air Candela Yuan Zhi

All these fabulous floral fragrances can be found amongst the various scented product collections in Dunas Lifestyle. Sometimes the whole shop smells like the garden as our customers try to find their favourite scent. In the evening the air is heavy with the scent of wild herbs, lavender, thyme, rosemary and sage, again inspiration for many of our collections.

Molton Brown, Diptyque, Acqua di Parma and L'Occitane.

Meanwhile, the girls have been busy re-organizing Dunas Resort to find space for all the incoming Spring - Summer collections. 

Heidi Klein, Melissa Odabash, French Sole, 0039 Italy, Beija and more....

Heidi Klein Summer Collection    ------   Helen Kaminski Sanchez Hat

Diptyque Verveine Candle and Room Spray

Melissa Odabash Resort Wear

SPRING IN THE ALGARVE

                    We are so lucky to have a wonderful location for our home and business. 

Many of you know the Algarve well and are already our customers, but for those who don't know the area, here are a few tempting views. From the Atlantic Ocean beaches to the rolling hills behind there are beautiful places to unwind, to walk, to explore, to find peace and tranquility and to see an unspoilt natural environment, where in many places time has stood still.

Floral hillsides in the algarve

Locals still collect the olives, figs, oranges, almonds and carobs that grow in abundance. Wild boar, birds of prey and a huge variety of wild birds from swallows to bee-eaters make their home in the Algarve. Even on our numerous and fabulous golf courses you can see storks building their monstrous nests and many kinds of water fowl.

Stork nests

From October to April the beaches are empty apart from local fishermen, and now in Spring, the wild flowers are beginning to swamp the countryside. A drive from Lisbon to the Algarve at this time of year will be on empty roads dividing fields of white, yellow and brilliant purple flowers, blooming under vast plains of cork oak and olive trees.

The beach at Val do lobo

And amongst all this beautiful scenery are the essential holiday and second home necessities.......... great restaurants, great golf courses, great beaches, great weather and of course great shopping.

Molton Brown best selling product this month

We look forward to seeing you .........

Carnival Colour

Carnival Time

Since the fashion weeks have been ablaze with colour, and across Europe it is Carnival time, we thought Dunas should get a splash of vibrancy too.

In Dunas Resort, new collections from Melissa Odabash and Heidi Klein are strong on corals, brilliant whites, navy and striking animal prints. Match with elegant espadrilles from the Jacksons, or a scarf in Copocabana colours from Mia Zia. Wrap on an exotic bracelet or necklace from Brazillian designers Calleidoscope and Lanno and the Carnival spirit is all stitched up.

Heidi Klein New Collection

MIA ZIA SCARVES

Dunas Lifestyle has joined the party too with colourful linen tableware, a new scented collection of vintage packaged soaps and candles from Claus Porto and an abundance of flowers in orange, lime green, fuschia and black..

Flowers by Herve Gambs

And a little gardeners note..... the first wild orchids have bloomed in the Algarve this week .........  Spring is here !

...........  and the beach is empty!!

The Beach at Val Do Lobo