Romantic Holidays Algarve

The Algarve can be a wonderfully romantic holiday destination, there’s so much more to the area than just hotels, beaches, bars and nightclubs. Of course, these things exist in abundance so if that’s the sort of holiday you’re after, you will certainly not be disappointed. There is another side to the Algarve though; a side that oozes romance and charm, a side that tugs at the heart strings, sticks in the memory and makes you want to return time and again. Parts of the Algarve take you to that truly romantic place and the beauty of it is you don’t have to look too far to find them. Take for example the romantic Algarve destinations of Vilamoura, Carvoeiro and Tavira.....

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Vilamoura

The resort of Vilamoura is a self contained romantic retreat that offers the discerning couple a huge choice of activities on the one hand and the opportunity for peaceful, quality time, on the other. It occupies an area measuring approximately 8 sq/miles which consists of beautiful Atlantic coastline, some glorious golden beaches and lush inland greenery so there is a wealth of romantic and secluded spots to choose from both on and off the beach.

Many of the villas and apartments to rent in Vilamoura have been finished to a very high standard, a standard that befits one of the most upmarket resorts on the Algarve. There is a wealth of restaurants, shops, bars and clubs to choose from and if you’re the sort of couple that likes activity, there is plenty to do including waterskiing, parascending, jet skiing, horse riding, tennis and golf . Or if you’d rather just take it easy and relax, you can charter a luxurious yacht from Vilamoura Marina, go dolphin spotting or take a long, romantic walk along the coast.

The views along the Vilamoura coastline are breathtaking, regardless of what time of day you happen to be there. If you are early risers, you’ll catch a fabulous sunrise and the sunsets are to die for. Watch as the rocks change colour and marvel at the sight of them illuminated against the night’s sky. Vilamoura is a sophisticated resort, located in the central region of the Algarve, an area of widely contrasting character, blessed with superb golf courses, beautiful golden beaches and wild rolling hills. History has left its mark here, with Stone Age megaliths, the remains of Roman Villas, imposing Moorish Castles and noble Gothic Cathedrals. There is a strong maritime heritage evident in the fine seafood restaurants and in Quarteira, the fish market sells produce straight off the boat.

If you do enjoy great food, check out Willie’s Restaurant on the Rua do Brazil in Vilamoura. Willie is a Michelin starred chef who delights in serving food with a mixture of international influences. His restaurant has a relaxing ambience and is ideally located in a beautiful residential area, close to the famed Pinhal Golf Course, in Vilamoura. Willie loves to share his passion for food with his guests and he and his staff create a relaxing atmosphere where the level of enjoyment and hospitality lend to the most memorable of dining experiences. The perfect venue for that special romantic dinner, Willies is air-conditioned and decorated in soft yellow pastels, creating an atmosphere for elegant dining by soft candlelight. Lovely fresh flowers add to this already intimate and relaxed interior. As you might expect, Willies reputation is excellent so booking is highly recommended. Closed on Wednesdays Willies is otherwise open from 19.00. Tel. 289 380 849.

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Carvoeiro

Another romantic stop in the Algarve is the village of Carvoeiro. Here you can take a boat ride and tour around looking at the dramatic coastline with its many grottoes. You can either employ the sailing services of one of the local fishermen or take a trip to Portimao where there is a larger choice of boat. If you opt for a trip from Portimao, you will pass Paraiso Beach before reaching the beaches of Carvoeiro. Paraiso Beach is not far from Carvoeiro at all and you reach it by climbing down some fairly steep steps that have been cut from the rocks. The climb down is worth it though, it is rarely if ever crowded and a great place to while away a couple of romantic hours. Spend a bit longer on the boat though, and you can explore the caves and inlets of Carvoeiro beach. The beach itself is a vast sandy expanse, bordered on both sides by dramatic rocky outcrops which help to shield the area and keep it relatively wind free.

These days Carvoeiro is one of the main destinations for those looking for private villa holidays in the Algarve, Portugal. This delightful old fishing village retains the charm of its past whilst meeting the demands of a modern holiday destination. It offers something for everyone, including some very romantic restaurants, chief among which has to be a little place called Ele & Ela, right in the centre of town. With a menu that changes frequently it is best described as incorporating the wildest of flavours from all over the world, served with a Portuguese twist. This place is well worth checking out. Closed on Mondays but otherwise open the rest of the week from 6.00 pm - 10.30 pm in season, they offer a cosy, intimate atmosphere together with some of the best food served locally. They get booked up regularly so call them on 282 357 509 to make your reservations.

Another great restaurant and definitely one to add to your list of romantic places in Carvoeiro, is Tia Ilda, located right in the centre of Carvoeiro and close to the beach. Its position guarantees some fabulously romantic sunset views. Colour is a real theme here as the ground floor is brightly decorated with Portuguese pottery and a hand painted typically Algarvean tiles. These are complimented by gorgeous hand painted dishes and they come together beautifully to create a warm, calm and romantic ambience. Upstairs and the terrace provides a spectacular view of the sea which is simply magical in the early evenings. The menu of international and traditional Portuguese cuisine presents more than a hundred different dishes including a variety of tapas, salads, grills, daily fresh fish, meat dishes, fish, pizzas, pastas, fondue, seafood and Cataplana, the traditional Portuguese dish. Tia Ilda, situated on the Rampa do Paraiso in Carvoeiro, Algarve is open every day from 12.00 noon to 12.00 midnight. To book your romantic meal for two at Tia Ilda call 282 357 830

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Tavira

The ancient town of Tavira in East Algarve is one of the principal tourist attractions of the area. The town is full of history at every turn; Moorish and Roman architectural influences are there for all to see. The impressive seven-arched bridge that traverses the River Gilao exists courtesy of the Romans whilst the 8^th century church that overlooks the town was originally placed there by the Moors. There are many more ancient buildings in the town including an 8^th century Moorish castle and numerous churches built through the ages. Taking a timeline from the Moors, it is possible to trace the history of architecture through the different buildings in the town.

Elevated to the position of city in 1520, Tavira boomed in the period of the Portuguese discoveries and the old houses that line the banks of the river, dating from this period are testament to that. They have a grandeur about them that speaks clearly of this time of great riches. As a result of the earthquake of 1722 and the silting up of the port, the city’s fortunes reversed and it fell into decline. It wasn’t until much later on, towards the late 18th century that things started to pick up again, through carpet selling and the growing tuna fishing industry.

Today, Tavira attracts its tourist crowds with some delightful specialist shops and a bustling central square that is lined with bars, trendy cafés and fine restaurants, ideal for that romantic dinner for two. Among the old cobbled streets and bougainvillea-hung balconies, you’ll find such gastronomic delights as Amore Vero, probably the best Italian restaurant outside of Italy, located on the Rua Joao Vaz Corte Real in Tavira. The view is not the best but the food more than makes up for it. You’ll need to call them to reserve your table. To book your romantic Italian meal for two at Amore Vero call 281098007.

If Italian’s not really your thing and you fancy something with a bit more choice you’ll love the Tavira Lounge. This modern, stylish bar just off the main square overlooks the river. There are a number of vegetarian options including quiches, salads and pastas. If you’re eating inside, try to get a seat by the window overlooking the river as it can get a bit hot. They also have a seating area outside but it’s away from the bar itself so they only serve drinks and cold food there.

Another fine restaurant that is ideal for romantic meals for two in Tavira is Brisa do Rio on the Rua Dr. Augusto Silva Carvalho in Tavira, Tavira 8800-324. The food and service are so good you’ll want to return time and again. It is always full so you’ll need to book. This is just a taste of the many fine restaurants that await you in Tavira. There are plenty more besides, many of which have lovely views making them just perfect for your romantic dinner treat.

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Family Holidays Algarve – Toddlers to Teenagers Essential Destination Guide

The Algarve is a fabulous holiday destination, suited to everyone from families with small children to teenagers and from couples to larger groups of friends. The key is in choosing the right resort. The Algarve boasts a superb climate, plenty of award winning blue flag beaches, lots of land and water based activities, very many fine restaurants and some great fashion outlets too. There are also plenty of attractions to keep the youngsters happy including water sports, zoos and adventure parks.

As we write this article, at the end of October, it is a warm and balmy 73° which is fairly typical for this time of year. It is also pleasing to note that the lowest temperatures for the year rarely, if ever, drop to below 60° and even then, there is a minimum of 6 hours of sunshine every day. Come summer, we can look forward to 12 hours of glorious sunshine every day, with temperatures up into the early to mid eighties.

These are the perfect conditions for messing about on the water. Portugal can be justly proud of her coastline, many of the beaches have been awarded the European blue flag for cleanliness and as for the views, some of them are quite stunning. Early evening is perhaps the best time to catch them, just as the sun sets. The colours, shapes, silhouettes and shadows cast by the rock formations are wonderful and later, when parts of the coastline are illuminated, the view is extremely romantic.

Algarve Holiday Destinations for Young Families

If you are bringing your young family away on holiday with you, you’ll need to know where the best and most family friendly locations are. Here are a few pointers for you. Look for the supervised blue flag beaches, there are plenty to choose from along Portugal’s south facing coastline. Here you can be safe in the knowledge that there are lifeguards present at peak times and also that the beaches are clean and the sea is calm. These conditions make it ideal for your little ones to splash around in the shallows. Protection from the sun is particularly important too and all the beaches in the area have sun beds and shades that are either free to use or available for hire.

Some beaches however, can get very busy, particularly those near to the really touristy areas like Albufeira. As a general rule of thumb, the livelier the beach during the day, the busier the nightlife, so if it’s a good night’s sleep you’re after, you’d do better to stay away from the strip in Albufeira. Quieter beaches which lend themselves a little more to family time can be found from Praia da Luz to Armacao de Pera and at Vilamoura, Carvoeiro, Alvor and Portimao not forgetting Tavira in the east. All of these locations serve up a delightful mix of things to do and see for the youngsters with plenty to interest the parents too.

Algarve Activities for Young Families

Family is very important here in Portugal and so it should come as no surprise that there are plenty of activities open to people of all ages. Days spent at the beach will keep some children and most adults happy for hours, especially if they’ve come armed with their buckets and spades and a good book. Smother the children in sun cream and set them free amongst the rock pools. They’ll soon come back when they’re hungry.

For the more adventurous and slightly older children, there is all the excitement of the sea. Armbands, rubber rings, tyre tubes and lilos will keep them safe and above water. Other great watery destinations are the Algarve’s water parks, chief among which is Aqualand, which claims to be the largest water park in Europe. It is big too, at over 14 acres, boasting more than 1500 metres of watery fun with slides, flumes and fountains, look out for the Banzai Boggan, the Kamikaze and the Anaconda. There is plenty of supervision in place so parents can go off to relax in the shaded gardens while the youngsters play. Aqualand is easily accessed from Albufeira, Alvôr, Armação de Pêra, Galé, Lagos, Portimão, Praia da Rocha, Tavira, Vilamoura and Vila Real S. António.

More water based fun can be had near Quarteira. Here, it’s all about the Aquashow, another family fun park with plenty of slides ranging from slow ones for the tots to faster ones for the more daring. East of Lagoa is Slide and Splash and not far from Albufeira you’ll find Zoomarine where you’ll encounter such things as dolphins, seals, sea lions, sharks, and tortoises, exotic and marine birds, crocodiles and tropical fish.

Algarve Holiday Destinations and Activities for Teenagers

Older children and teenagers may feel they’ve outgrown the slides, zoos and water parks, preferring instead to head for the busier beaches with their water sports, arcades and activities. Some may even prefer heading out to sea on sailing boats. From Alvor, you can catch a ride aboard a traditional Portuguese sailing boat and go snorkelling, ocean swimming, fishing or island hopping. Family day trips are offered as well as barbeque sailing trips and sunset party cruises, all of which set off from the waterfront promenade near Alvor's old fish market.

Should you be staying near the town of Portimao, you could take the opportunity to sail aboard a double masted Portuguese vessel known as a Caravelle. It looks just like an old pirate ship, whilst on-board you’ll be taken to see the breathtaking caves and hidden grottos at Benagil, Alfanzina and Lagos and the trip could end with a tasty beach barbecue.

Other nautical expeditions include dolphin safaris. Leaving from the Portimao Marina at Praia da Rocha, low riding boats will take you to get as close as you are able, to these beautiful and intelligent creatures of the sea. Alternatively, you could take the Aquabus. This is a glass bottomed boat which travels around the Algarvean coast’s clear blue waters, bringing its wealth of sealife into ultra clear focus.

If your children qualify as thrill seekers, you might want to steer them in the direction of the Alvor estuary for a canoe trip. It’s not exactly white water rafting but it is fun and will leave them feeling exhilarated. Forest path walks near the Monchique are great for nature lovers and cross country mountain biking is on offer from Foia, the highest peak in the Algarve, to the coast. There are pick up points for all these excursions at Alvor, Portimao, Praia da Rocha, Lagos, Meia Praia, Praia da Luz, Ferragudo, Carvoeiro and Armação de Pera so wherever your holiday villa or apartment is located, you shouldn’t be too far away from one of them.

Further east, back towards the airport and there is the aerial adventure playground of Braveland. A daft name for sure but it tells the tale alright. Here children and young teenagers will be able to test their climbing skills and bravery to the limit. Activities include: slides, bouncy castles and traditional group games like mine fields, human ski and treasure hunts as well as, archery, trampolining, mountain biking, kayaking, trekking and paintballing and climbing games like spiders webs, rock and tree climbing, rappel, low and high ropes and adventure bridges.

The calmer waters on the western end of the south-facing coast are the best spots for canoeing, windsurfing, kite surfing and jet skiing and here’s where you’ll find all the pedaloes and banana boats. If you’re into surfing, head north along the coast at Sagres, here you’ll be able to catch some great waves, in fact this area in renowned in the surfing world for its radical highs and deep swells.

Another active holiday pass time to keep your young adrenaline junkies happy is Blo-karting. Blo-karting is, as the name suggests, wind powered go-karting. This too is held in Sagres as it is here where the oceanic winds are at their highest. The riders of these sailing karts are put through their paces on purpose built tracks where they can reach speeds of up to 30mph.

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Algarve Villas Holidays – The Luxurious Central Algarve

Luxurious Algarve villa holidays can be enjoyed throughout the year by couples, families and groups of friends alike. There are some areas of central Algarve, the 45 mile stretch between Faro and Portimao on the Algarvean coast, that epitomise luxury and others still, that re-define it. It is small wonder then that the majority of holiday makers who come to the Algarve looking for their dream holiday destination, head straight for the central Algarve region for their Algarve villa holidays.

The area has much to offer the discerning traveller, with top quality villas aplenty. Luxury is a much vaunted word, but here, it applies in spades. These stunning buildings have been created with nothing but the very best in mind. The best designs, the most wonderful views, the finest materials, the ultimate in facilities, there are simply not enough superlatives to describe it accurately.

There is a high concentration of top quality villas and apartments to rent in the area, most of which benefit from either coastal or fairway views and all of which have been built with the key word luxury in mind The popularity of golf in the area cannot be ignored and this is reflected in the number of villas and apartments that are available to rent, arranged around golf courses.

The central Algarve region is not all about golf though. Some of the most fabulous golden sanded beaches exist along many miles of breathtaking coastline and move inland just a little and you’ll discover The Ria Formosa Natural Park, a natural parkland to rival the best in Europe that simply begs to be explored.

Other “simply musts” in the area include the Quinta do Lago, the Vale do Lobo and the Vila Sol Resorts, all of which are located in the heart of Algarve’s 'Golden Triangle'. This area, bounded by Quinta do Lago, Vilamoura and Loulé also boasts the smaller but equally luxurious developments of Dunas Douradas and Vale do Garrão.

Quinta do Lago

The luxurious resort of Quinta do Lago has been designed around the game of golf and features some of the most stunning courses to be found anywhere in Europe. That said, there is so much more to Quinta do Lago than golf. Within its bounds are two beautiful lakes that form part of the Ria Formosa Natural Park, a fine restaurant known as Casa do Lago and Quinta Shopping; a wonderful collection of fashionable boutiques, elegant interior design shops, some excellent restaurants and much more. There is even a traditional English pub in case anyone gets homesick.

Vale do Lobo

Vale do Lobo is another one of the central Algarve’s luxurious golfing holiday destinations. This unspoilt area of coastline with its year round sun and rich local history attracts visitors from all over the civilised world. The resort is located just 20 minutes from Faro International Airport which makes it easily accessible by aeroplane from just about anywhere. Vale do Lobo has two outstanding golf courses to offer, The Royal and the Ocean, both of which have played host to the Portuguese Open.

Nestled between Quinta do Lago and Vilamoura, the Vale do Lobo is one of Europe's finest holiday resort locations. Its luxurious villas and apartments benefit not only from the fabulous, year round weather but also from some of the most delightful scenery in the country.

Vilamoura

Vilamoura is famed, not only for its golf but also for its villas and apartments, beaches, restaurants, bars and marina. It is the biggest private resort in Europe and has been purpose built to cater for the discerning tourist. Privately owned villas and apartments on golfing complexes, and a wide range of villas and apartments near to the marina wait to cosset you in the very lap of luxury.

The marina can berth up to 1000 boats and it boasts a huge range of quality restaurants, trendy bars and designer shops to pander to the needs of the wealthy, yachtsmen, golfers and celebrities that line the quayside of an evening. The area becomes very lively, particularly at night when the well heeled step out to party or dine in style.

Dunas Douradas

The prestigious resort of Dunas Douradas is beautifully located on the golden Algarve coastline between the Quinta do Lago and the Vale do Lobo. It offers luxurious apartments and villas for short or long-term rentals, most of them featuring five-star accommodation.

The Algarve Coastline is of course famous for its world-class golf courses and beautiful beaches but there are plenty of other activities to keep everyone busy too. There is a wealth of water based activities from sailing to snorkelling and natural reservoirs and park land abounds in the area, just waiting to be explored.

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