Algarve Experience

Sunshine, sardines and spoilt fishing villages in the Algarve

Advantages: Sunshine, beaches and scenic rocky coves, interesting inner towns
Disadvantages: Irish bars, fast food and tacky tourist shops

...anyone who doesn't know, the Algarve is on the coast in Southern Portugal. Most tourists get there by flying to Faro and many of the cheaper airlines fly into Faro. Therre are about a dozen options for hire cars at the Airport so you can select your favourite comapany and then drive off to find your accomodation in the Algarve. Driving seems safe and with the help of our Tomtom we found our way around easily rememberring of course to drive on the ...
...Cork producing area of the Algarve and went to see if we could find out when the factories were and if we could get to visit one. We had discovered that the town of Sao Bras de Alportel was a likely possibility so we headed for there. We set off towards Faro and then inland from there to find a delightful small town with a tourist information place so in we went. The lady told us that to see the cork factories you had to do a tour and she handed ...

catsholiday 16.06.2009 · Read full review
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Review of Algarve (Portugal)

My Lovely Lagos

Advantages: A Great Atmospheric Town Bubbling with Life and Colour
Disadvantages: None

...first memories of living in Lagos are when I lived on a boat in the fishermen's harbour. In those days Lagos didn't have its swanking new marina. To get on to land we had to jump in a dinghy and row to the rocks and then climb up to the shore. It wasn't the easiest of jobs especially when you were slightly inebriated. The rocks were jagged and many a time having reached the top I was met by a gang of outlaw dogs snapping and bearing their ugly tombstone ...
...is still there but now Lagos has its very own International marina right next door. It is no surprise to you that this is always my first port of call when I go back to visit. I love the new marina and I think lots of visitors do to. Lagos marina has berths for over 460 boats and during July and August they are generally filled. To reach this award winning marina (Blue Flag and Euromarina award) you need to walk down Lagos' main artery, the Avenida ...

Praski 26.02.2009 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: exceptional
Review of Lagos (Portugal)

santa luzia de tavira algarve

Advantages: heaven on earth
Disadvantages: none

I have been visiting Santa Luzia for more than 5 years now and enjoy the village so much that in august of 2006 i purchased a small house in rua Joao antonio chagas ferriera. It is opposite the best little seafood restaurant in the algarve "Alcatruz". The fish in this place is so fresh it is still wriggling and the algarvean speciality of seafood and rice "arroz marisco" is unsurpassed in even the swankiest of restaurants. The new promenade is ...
...out of season. In august santa luzia is very popular with potrtuguese tourists, expect a long wait at any restaurant unless pre-booked. Restaurant O mourao serves a 3 course lunch complete with wine and coffee for just7 euros. There are a couple of late night bars notably meia pippa which boasts live music most weekends and Mundo run by a lovley scottish couple emma and fergus. Ther is an excellent B&B casa da Ria run by Jorge and Tensi Hermann ...

sjrls9 15.06.2007 · Read full review
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Review of Santa Lucia

Tavira, "Cut and come again."

Advantages: Not for the package holiday 18 - 25.
Disadvantages: We have told you about it.........................

We have just been to Tavira, it is our 3rd visit in 5 years. Our first visit was like a breath of fresh air as I had just lost my brother on Christmas Day and my brother-in-law on New Years Day. We had booked to go well before our losses, and flew off with saddened heart. If you require peace, quiet and restfulness then this is the place to go. Catch the little ferry out to the sand split and walk, walk, walk. We have never got to the end of ...
...that sort of invite. Tavira, has a lot to offer, just strolling around visit the Tower of Tavira. This is an old water tower that is being used to view the whole city/town. It uses two mirror lenses which have been installed inside the tower at the top and you have a big screen and a 360 degree view, quiet inspirational all for 3-50 euro. The Tower is next to a wonderful church, greja de Santa Maria with a clock tower and a face on each facet. ...

bostonianbeer 23.01.2008 · Read full review
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Review of Tavira, Algarve, Portugal

Get out of the Resort and see the real Portugal

Advantages: A lovely part of Portugal
Disadvantages: None

...this year and found the Algarve area really relaxing and friendly. We stayed in Albufeira which was the largest resort and very popular with the tourists. It had an area known as the strip which to me was very much like Blackpool great to have a quick look around but not very relaxing because it was full of bars and overpriced tacky shops. The old town of Albufeira was a nicer place to visit with its beach front bars and winding streets filled ...
...right the way across the Algarve from east to west, we used this road all the time so that we could take in the scenery, the A22 Motorway running more or less parallel to it was not our idea of relaxation because we get enough of motorway driving at home but just thought that I would mention it for those that would want to know about faster routes. Our first day we headed west and called in at a place called Vilamoura where we found a lovely marina ...

rosiesmum 01.06.2008 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Algarve (Portugal)