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| ALGARVE Location: The Algarve is situated on the Atlantic Ocean. Portugal borders the western side of Spain, there are 850 km of Atlantic coastline lying in wait for you! Faro is the gateway to The Algarve, the Portuguese south coast. This sunny coast is renowned for its impressive cliffs and for the picturesque small bays with inviting sandy beaches. The sky is always blue, the sun always shining brightly, The Algarve has 100 miles of perfect beaches and over 3,100 hours a year of sunshine.
Praia de Gale - A Tyical Algarve Beach The perfect combination of lively beach life with the unspoiled countryside and the peace that you find only a few kilometres' drive inland. The charming countryside is more than worth a visit and is also perfect for hikes in one of the many national parks or in the Monchique mountains. You can also take part in various organised excursions or drive yourself around by car. One 'must', for example, is the village of Alte, known as the loveliest village in the Algarve. For a romantic sunset on the most south-westerly point of the European continent, you must go to Cabo São Vicente. FOOD AND DRINK Most people head for the hills to eat the famous Algarvian Chicken piri-piri, but people in the know go to Guia just outside of Albufeira where Cliff Richard has his home and Restaurant Ramires is the best for this finger licking delicacy. Follow the signs at Boliquieme for Restaurante Van Gogh. Beautifully located with panoramic views of the coastline the menu offers a selection of Dutch, International and vegetarian dishes. Portimão is home to the sardine restaurants under the old bridge. Not as picturesque as in the old days when the boats threw them up to the quayside, but still delicious, fresh and worth tasting, try Casa Bica one of the oldest. Turn off the EN125 at signs for Benagil then Vale d’el Rei. The Brasserie Rosal is inside the Quinta da Rosal holiday resort and well worth finding. The food is wonderful and they have a great singer who appears on Friday’s called Margo. In Sagres discover the Flying Bar Marisqueira Pardal. This hidden place offers Portuguese food that will make you want to change your eating habits with the freshest of fish and shellfish, many of which you may never have tasted before. Faro is the capital and its people expect the best. Restaurant Salsae Coentros offers an unusual selection of Portuguese dishes at very reasonable prices; as a desert try fresh goats cheese with pumpkin jam – amazing.
Typical Fresh Sardine Lunch Bordered by the Atlantic Ocean from north to south, Portugal is an ideal holiday destination for water sports enthusiasts. The calm waters of the southern coast are perhaps best suited to activities such as water-skiing, whilst, further up the coast, the higher waves are an obvious temptation for surfers. |
THE SCENE
Water sports are available at all of the popular resorts, try Parascending from a Paracraft at Vilamoura or sail along the coastline on the Condor de Vilamoura, a replica of the American fishing schooners built in the 17th and 18th centuries. In Portimão take a canoe to Silves or the caves and grottos along the coastline with Arade Mar. Zoo Marine in Guia is educational as well as fun, whilst Krazy World in Algoz will keep the kids entertained. Bike downhill from the Monchique hills, Bom Dia in Lagos Marina will drive you up. They can also organise a fishing trip to Sagres to watch the Dolphins. Golfers have their pick of excellent golf courses, play the new one called Morgado do Reguengo near Portimão. Shop along the seafront in Praia da Rocha or at the colourful markets in old Quarteira. Evenings are cooler now, but you can still enjoy an early evening cocktail on the terrace of Cassy’s Bar in Carvoeiro or Bizarro Bar in Albufeira where they often have live Latin Music later on. In Lagos, The Phoenix is a well-known bar and nightclub and Amuras at the Marina is a bar for all ages. In Praia da Rocha, Katederal is a late-night dancing place and Kiss in Albufeira is still the longest running nightspot with three dance floors to choose from.
Typical Algarvean Town MUST SEE The winter months are beautiful with warm days and cooler nights, ideal for exploring the many interesting sights of the interior such as the small country village of Alte or Estoi or the bigger towns of Loulé and Silves. Head toward the Monchique Mountain range and call in to the Omega Parque. The Zoo recently opened and is dedicated to endangered species. Set amongst verdant hills and valleys, the animals are kept in an environment as near to their own as possible with trees and bushes to climb and seek shade, or simply hide from prying eyes. Many have adapted so well that they have already started to breed. Airport Transfers: can be arrange: Call Cerro Novo on Tel: +351 289 510 795 |
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Useful Telephone Numbers
Emergency Number:
112
24 hr medical service:
+(351) 289 803 411
Airport Information:
+(351) 289 800 800
Taxi’s (to the airport):
+(351) 282 420 800
Taxis:
+(351) 289 864 533
British Consulate (Lisbon):
+(351) 21 392 4159
Tourist Office:
+(351) 289 800 400
Electricity:
220 volts AC, 50Hz;
round two-pin plugs are standard
