PEOPLE Meet Claudia and Tito

People

One Vision

Young entrepeneurs Tito and Claudia are bursting with energy and enthusiasm for life, each other and their businesses.

They are opposites, different, but in her own words “both crazy, crazy for life, crazy about each other”. They make a fantastic team. Both are very sensitive and sensible but also “very strong willed with good hearts”. Claudia was born in Belgium, French speaking with some Flemish. She has two children, Caroline and Laurent aged 19 and 22, who are both studying in Belgium. Claudia is an architect, specialising in industrial modern buildings, using glass and metal. She worked for major companies such as Renault and also privately. Claudia loves buildings, when she sees an open space she has the vision to transform it, “like a dream”, she says. In 1988, her father bought an olive tree farm in Cabanas and transformed it into Quinta Velha village, a beautiful place with typical houses, a restaurant, bar and swimming pool. In 1995, her father died suddenly. It was many years later, in 2005, that Claudia took over the project which had been going downhill after many years of neglect by the former accountant. Her goal was to turn Quinta Velha into “a real paradise”, as her father had wanted. Tito, born in Albufeira, has a daughter, Ines, who studies in Albufeira. Tito has always worked in bars in Europe from the age of 16, where he also learnt English and Dutch. Tito likes to meet open minded people, he enjoys nightlife, he has a love of life and music. He settled in Tavira in the year 2000. In 2003 he began working with Peter in Arcos bar. Sadly, Peter died, but Tito continued to successfully run the bar with Ziggy. Several years ago, Claudia and Tito met at a friend’s party, began talking and the rest, as they say, is history. In February 2008, disappointed with the quality of the restaurant of the Quinta Velha over the last few years, Tito and Claudia decided to open the restaurant themselves with the help of French and English chefs. The restaurant O Monte featured in the very well known magazine “Happy” as one of the best restaurants in Algarve. This year O Monte was selected amoung 67 very good restaurants to be shown in a very special magazine, “Dining out”, which displays a selection of the best and most charming restaurants of Algarve. In September 2008, they were approached about the possibility of renting a large storage space, cold and empty but in the heart of Tavira, near the newly built shopping centre, the perfect opportunity for a club with no neighbours to disturb. Claudia saw the place and began to dream of what it could be in the future, and Tito and Claudia decided to make the investment. They named the club, The Meeting Room, as they wanted a place where people could meet friends, enjoy the nice atmosphere and make contacts. The contract was signed in November

People

and they worked day and night to be ready for the inauguration day the 18th of December 2008. It was made possible only with the help of their friends who were really fantastic. The main room of the club boasts a large TV on the stage area, cosy sofas and an impressive bar area. There is a terrace for the summer, planted with palm trees and beautiful flowers. The VIP lounge on the first

Here are the 12 finalists for Miss Tavira floor is decorated in glamorous 2010. Join us for the fantastic Gala’s on gold and black. The Meeting April 10th, May 15th and the Grand final Room celebrated its birthday on on 26th June at the Meeting room in Tavira.the 18th December 2009, and they

held a huge party with circus acts, music, great canapés and free champagne. Claudia’s and Tito’s goal is for everyone to enjoy their experience, relax, dance, enjoy the live music, disco, and events such as Miss Tavira, or even the odd football match.