Portugal Experience

  Not Sure-a? Choose Vilamoura!

Advantages: Beautiful location
Disadvantages: A little pricey in parts

'We (Portugal) were a world power for about 15 minutes' (see end ^) *Why Vilamoura?* Faced with the prospect of a long, easy summer after the gruelling 19 exams I had (yes, 19!), I thought it was the perfect opportunity to take a holiday with some of my close friends to somewhere slightly exotic, yet on a reasonable budget. Now, here's where I feel I'm cheating the place slightly by letting you all on a little secret - personally my first choice ...
...I wanted to try; Turkey, Majorca, Spain, Budapest, Greece, Italy… even Russia! But Portugal didn't find herself on the list for reasons, now, unbeknown to me. Anyway though, after much searching and realising it was getting late (December 04 by this point), I began to fully get my act together and search out some private villas with the capacity of up to 12 people - by no means an easy task I tell you! I did however manage to find this absolute gem ...

tashat 14.08.2005 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Vilamora (Portugal)

  Portugal's Costa do Sol

Advantages: A Stretch of Coastline with Villas and Architecture from a Ggolden Era
Disadvantages: None

Estoril and its coastline has always been a favourite getaway for me especially when I worked in Lisbon and still to this day is somewhere I love to visit even though the area has changed a great deal with time. When I first visited Portugal's Cost do Sol over 20 years ago the area had what I can only describe as a 'Miss Faversham look.' It was run down and jaded around the edges. Beautiful villas had been left to decay when their owners fled during ...
...these beautiful ornate buildings with windows broken, overgrown gardens and gates falling off their hinges. Gypsies had taken refuge in many a property, children playing in the streets while scrawny cats jumped into turned over bins. Even though there was a sadness to the area part of the resort had enormous charm and made me feel nostalgic for the times when Estoril had been glorious. Fortunately, investors have dug deep down into their bank accounts ...

Praski 06.05.2009 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: exceptional
Review of Cascais-Estoril (Portugal)

Toca do Mocho

Advantages: family friendly hassle free holiday
Disadvantages: none!

We have just returned from our second holiday staying at the Toca do Mocho apartments in the Algarve, Portugal and I would thoroughly recommend it to anyone. This family run villa consists of 2 self-contained apartments in a stunning location only 20 minutes from Faro airport. Mick and Sadie have thought of everything to make your family holiday as relaxing and hassle free as possible, especially if you are travelling with young children. They provide, ...
...children’s cutlery and plates etc, a parasol, sun tent, beach mats, buckets and spades and toys. The apartment has a DVD player and television complete with Cbeebies and for older children there is a playstation in the games room. The kitchen is really well equipped but they will also cook for you if you prefer. Their free babysitting service meant that my husband and I went out for more meals together in one week than we have done in the last year! ...

fatsid 09.05.2007 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful
Review of Portugal:General

Albufeira

Advantages: good for families, cheap, not too far away
Disadvantages: not for those who want something a little more upmarket

I love taking the family here. I have a small timeshare and it is a great place to go for a cheap and cheerful relaxing holiday. I always think of it as a place to go for a 7-10 day holiday but not necessarily any longer. There are lots of good places to eat and drink around the Strip. The Strip is a sort of mini Blackpool I guess but the one thing it has over some counterparts I have been to in Europe (especially Spain) is that many of the places ...
...I found for value is Farnells. It is a small family run restaurant just off the Strip and huge T Bone steaks gor for 9 euros (or on special nights 8 euro!!) which is just over a fiver. The staff here are friendly and once you have been there once they remember your drinks order for the rest of the holiday! Another place I like to go is the Two Brothers which is off the Strip but on the main road (same side as Rumors Bar but towards the beach). This ...

nbryan1764 16.10.2005 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful
Review of Albufeira (Portugal)

Escaping to Portalegre

Advantages: Silence, and Tranquility
Disadvantages: No night life

Portalegre is a Portuguese small city nearby the border with spain with aproximately 20.000 inhabitants. Capital of High "Alentejo" Portalegre is one of the best place to take a few days. You walk trough the streets, and you'll see happy people who smile and talk to you,even if it's only to say "good morning"... Quite rare these days... The name Portalegre splits into two Portuguese words: Porto + Alegre (Harbour + happy) Harbour because Portalegre ...
...was like an "land harbour". Portalegre is like a border city between those two areas. Alegre (Happy) comes from the beauty of the landscapes. The old name in latin used to be "PORTUS ALACER" It'a city that you can get to know in two days. you can cross the main arterias of the city and watch beautifull churches like the "Sé" (cathedral) or Igreja de São Lourenço just nearby "Rua do Comércio" a Comercial pedonal street. Being so near to the Spain ...

jtogando 22.08.2004 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Portalegre (Portugal)