Featured Algarve Holiday Resort – Carvoeiro

If you are thinking of taking an Algarve villa holiday this summer or autumn, we have still got availability in the town of Carvoeiro – a popular Algarve villa destination in Central Algarve.

About Carvoeiro

The population of Carvoeiro is steadily on the increase. Last recorded in July 2011 as approaching 3000, this obviously does not take into account the huge influx of tourists that artificially swell the figures to 2 or 3 times that, for the better part of the year. Formally a small fishing village whose livelihood depended entirely on what its inhabitants could pull from the sea, Carvoeiro is now extremely popular with tourists, a popularity that has been growing steadily since the early 1960’s.

With this increase in popularity came the inevitable and much needed improvements in infrastructure and a rise in the standard of living, not just for the tourists, but also for the indigenous population as a whole. For fifty years now, tourists from all over Europe and especially from England have been flocking to this part of the world in their thousands, lapping up its sun, sea, sand and sangria lifestyle and in so doing, bringing with them, cultural changes and influences that have permanently altered life in this once sleepy little fishing village.

Carvoeiro is now a tourism hub and a hive of activity from daybreak to sunset and long afterwards. The streets in the town and its beaches are alive and buzzing with couples, families and groups of holidaymakers who are either enjoying the sun and relaxing on one of Carvoeiro’s five gorgeous sandy beaches, paddling or swimming in the sea or living it up on the busy Carvoeiro “strip”.

It’s not all about tourism though; Carvoeiro still has along way to go before it comes even close to comparing to the hedonistic fervour of Albufeira. Carvoeiro is first and foremost, a family resort, with plenty to entertain children and young adults as well as the grownups. The villas and apartments in Carvoeiro provide everything you could possibly wish for in terms of quality and convenience. Whether you are holidaying as a couple or as a larger family group or group of friends, there is the accommodation here, to suit. There are studio apartments, ideal for that quiet, romantic couples break and there are large detached villas that will comfortably accommodate larger family groups and groups of friends.

One of the joys of Carvoeiro is that despite its increasing popularity, it still manages to hold onto its roots, The charming atmosphere and character of old Carvoeiro is still very much present, particularly around the old harbour and this permeates the very fabric of its buildings with their traditional tiled roofs, white painted walls and colourful shutters. The modern, contemporary villas and apartments that have sprung up of recent years have been sympathetically created to blend well with these buildings of yesteryear and the result is a harmonious yet eclectic blend of style and culture.

Three “must dos” during your stay in Carvoeiro are a visit to Algar Seco, just down the road and visits to Zoomarine and Slide and Splash.

Algar Seco is arguably the most beautiful spot around Carvoeiro. It is a strange rock formation, carved out by the wind and the sea. It is amazing to see the effects that the elements have had on this rock face and the weird and wonderful shapes this has created. As with many tourist attractions in this part of the world, there is a bar on hand, in case you get thirsty.

Zoomarine and Slide and Splash are not far from Carvoeiro and both make for great days out with the family or with a group of friends. Their names are a bit of a give away and describe exactly what you can expect when you get there, but the chances are, you have never before seen anything quite like what’s on offer here.

Zoomarine, as the name suggests, is a waterpark for marine animals but more than that, it is an education zone with presentations about dolphins, sea lions, seals, birds of prey and reptiles. There is so much to see and do here, you’ll have fun and come away having learnt something about these wonderful creatures.

Slide and Splash is a water fun park with so many different slides and water based activities, you can be there all day and never get bored. In fact there are only two reasons the kids will want to stop playing; they’ll either get hungry or tired and if they’re hungry a quick visit to the onsite restaurant will soon have their batteries recharged. This is an ideal opportunity to give the kids a great and active day out, whilst the parents relax and enjoy the relative peace of the beautifully landscaped garden areas within the park.

If you fancy playing a bit of golf in what is after all, Europe’s capital of golf, you have three very good, local courses to choose from. The Gramacho, Pinta and Vale de Milho courses are all within reasonable striking distance. The first two are 18 hole courses and the last one; Vale de Milho is a par 3, 9-hole course. There are many more, further afield but these three are quite challenging in their own right and well worth a day out if you are a golf enthusiast!

Villas in Carvoeiro Algarve – click here to browse our Carvoeiro Villas and Apartments!

Last Minute Holidays in the Algarve – Its Not Too Late to Book Your Algarve Villa Holiday

If you haven't booked your summer holiday yet, it is not too late! Here at Villa in Algarve, we have hundreds of Algarve holiday villas and a few are still available for late summer and early autumn 2011.

Algarve Villas – click here to search our Algarve villas and Algarve apartments

Holiday Villas in the Algarve

The holiday villas available for rent through Villa in Algarve, range in size from 2 bedroomed townhouses with sun terraces in Carvoeiro and Rocha Brava through to large detached villas with beach frontages or set in land with breathtaking sea views, that can comfortably accommodate up to 16 people.

Many of our holiday villas to let in the Algarve come with their own private swimming pools and some come complete with well-appointed games rooms too. All of them however, are offered in superb condition and furnished and decorated to make your stay as comfortable as possible.

Located on Portugal’s popular Algarve coast, the villas, townhouses and apartments to rent here, benefit from the area’s fantastic Mediterranean climate. Indeed, the climate is so good here, that the Algarve has become one of Europe’s most popular holiday destinations. With an average of 3000 hours of sunshine every year the Algarve is actually sunnier than California and in the summer months, the Algarve will see around 12 hours of sunshine per day and have virtually no rain.

If it’s sunshine and heat you’re after, and for some there is simply no substitute, then head for the eastern coast. Here, the easterly press of the Mediterranean and the squeeze of the Atlantic from the west, keeps the temperatures up in and around Tavira, making the area seem just that bit hotter than the likes of Lagos or Luz. In the summer months of course, the variance is not enough to make any real difference, but in spring and autumn, you may just notice those few extra degrees.

Summers in the Algarve are hot, not unbearably so but certainly hot enough to make it well worth the trip. From June to September, long hot days and balmy evenings are the norm. Temperatures are up in the late 20’s regularly and rise to the mid 30’s in peak season but even this is not too uncomfortable as the sea breezes make it seem cooler and the low humidity means that as warm as it gets, it’s still a very pleasant, dry heat.

Activities and Places to Visit

Many people return to the Algarve time and again. It very quickly becomes a favourite holiday destination with holidaymakers returning to the same town, if not the same villa. It is interesting to see how much the place changes from one year to the next. The local government restricts building in the area so that it remains in keeping with the environment, but that does not stop improvements to roadways and it does not stop the constant upgrade and improvement of facilities and properties in the Algarve. So even if you’ve been here many times before, there is nothing better than wandering around and exploring to see how much the place has changed since your last visit and if this is the first time you’ve visited the Algarve, you’re in for a real treat.

Once here, you can explore the area to your hearts content. You can take yourselves off on lovely coastal walks, enjoying the scenery, you can explore by car or even by boat. What better way to properly appreciate the drama of the Algarve coast than from the deck of a boat you’ve hired for that very reason. If you want to stick to the shore, why not enjoy a lovely picnic together or go for a meal at one of the very fancy local restaurants. Alternatively you can enjoy lovely meals in very reasonably priced local bistros or cook up a feast of your own back at your Algarve villa.

This part of Portugal is famed for its fresh fish and meat dishes and the towns and villages of the area celebrate this fact, by regularly holding fresh produce markets. These markets feature stalls offering every kind of fruit and vegetable imaginable and a range of fresh meats and fish that will have your taste buds working overtime.

Every kind of fish is available here including Halibut, Salmon, Swordfish, Sole, Sea Bass, Sea Bream, Mullet, Turbot and Tuna. In fact the area has a centuries old tradition of tuna fishing, which is still alive today. The fishermen would lie in wait for the tuna schools as they made their predictable way from the open Atlantic, to spawn in the Mediterranean during May and June and if they missed their catch on the way in, the fishermen could always await the Tuna’s return journey, which would happen in July/August.

You can still see the fishermen of today, hauling their catch up onto Fisherman’s beach in the old part of Albufeira. There is a frenzy of activity as each boat comes ashore, the fishermen quickly unload the catch and get it into safe, cold storage as fast as possible and its good to know that within a very short time, one of those fresh finned fancies will be gracing a barbecue or a dinner table near you. On your travels, particularly around Tavira you will see the huge but now derelict fish canning factories, many of which will over time be levelled or converted as part of the future regeneration of this part of the Algarve.

Booking your Algarve holiday

It is not too late to book your Algarve villa holiday for 2011! Browse our web site now to search for Algarve villas and apartments to rent.

Algarve Villa Holidays - The Benefits of Self Catering Villa Accommodation

Our self catering Algarve villa accommodation provides flexibility which is great for families

One of the principal benefits of self-catering Algarve villa holiday is flexibility. Flexibility in all things such as what time you get up in the morning, what time you have breakfast and when and where you have your lunchtime and evening meals. There are no fixed schedules; you can simply enjoy your Algarve holiday at a pace that suits the needs of your party.

For good all round family accommodation, check out Albufeira - A principal holiday destination on the Algarve, Albufeira offers excellent family holiday accommodation and it is also an excellent choice of destination for groups of friends. The marina is the perfect place for a leisurely stroll with a relaxing view of the many boats in their moorings whilst Albufeira town offers all you’ll need when looking for supplies as well as an interesting and vibrant night-life.

Our self catering Algarve villa accommodation is luxurious (with pools).

Our Algarve villas offer luxurious holiday accommodation for a relaxing and enjoyable holiday. The majority of our villas for rent in the Algarve come with private pools, set in attractive gardens and all come with air conditioning to make your stay even more comfortable. Villas are cleaned prior to your holiday and the majority of properties receive maid service 2-3 times a week as well as a weekly linen change. They also contain everything you will need for a relaxing summer break, such as a BBQ, patio furniture and well equipped kitchen.

For luxurious Algarve villa holidays, check out Quinta do Lago and Vale do Lobo – At Quinta do Lago or Vale do Lobo a villa with a pool takes on an entirely new meaning. Manicured lawns and beautifully tended walkways lead to pristine poolside areas complete with loungers and umbrellas to keep the sun off. Here you can relax by your pool with a cocktail or settle into a good book amid stunning surroundings.

Our self catering Algarve villa accommodation is family Friendly.

Our Algarve villa accommodation is family friendly with cots and high chairs available on request and even a baby-sitting service. So, if you a planning on bringing your young ones away with you, simply let us know when you book and we will ensure that their stay is as comfortable as yours.

For another great family friendly resort, check out Luz - Beautiful beaches abound here, boasting miles of white sand and lovely crystal blue waters. There are beach bars and restaurants aplenty, all with great views of the ocean. Luz is very family friendly with a great deal on offer to suit all tastes and budgets.

Our self catering Algarve villa accommodation provides lots of space.

Villas in the Algarve have been constructed with an eye to quality and style and particularly to maximising the space available. All our villas are spacious, light and airy. They are offered with contemporary décor and with an eye to luxury and comfort.

We have villas in the Algarve to suit parties of all sizes, including townhouses sleeping 2, small villas sleeping four to six through to large Algarve villas which can comfortably accommodate parties of 8 to16. Our larger properties are perfect if you would like to come away on holiday to the Algarve as a large group of friends or an extended family.

For great views and a great selection of villas, check out Rocha Brava - Rocha Brava is a resort location on the cliff tops just outside Carvoeiro. There is a large central pool area which is surrounded by gardens and sunbathing terraces. The poolside 'Palm Bar' sells drinks and ice creams, and adjoins the 'Pool Balcony' of the 'Farol' restaurant. The restaurant offers an à la carte menu and a variety of international and typically Portuguese dishes.

Our self catering Algarve villa accommodation is set in stunning locations.

You never have to look too far to find a stunning location in the Algarve. Whether it’s a beachfront villa, a cliff top vantage point or a cosy little hideaway, the location is bound to be breathtaking. You might look out over a verdant golf course, or the deep blue of a swimming pool, you may have sight of a crested wave or overlook a deep green pine forest but whatever your view, it is sure to be stunning. This part of the world is picture postcard perfect. Remember to bring your camera!

For a truly stunning location, check out Vilamoura - Vilamoura is centrally located around a beautiful Marina, with excellent shopping, trendy bars and fabulous restaurants, as well as a world famous Casino and great sporting facilities with golf courses not far away. One of the largest resort locations on the Algarve, Vilamoura is a very popular family holiday destination providing activities for people of all ages.

Algarve Villas – click here to search for Algarve Villas and apartments

Algarve Villa Holidays in the Golden Triangle

If you are searching for a choice of Algarve villa holidays in the Golden Triangle, you have come to the right place. We have a huge choice of Algarve villas for rent in this most desirable of locations between Almancil and the luxurious golfing and holiday resorts of Quinta do Lago and Vale do Lobo.

Summer in the Algarve is one thing, but summer in the Algarve’s Golden Triangle is quite another. Do not expect loud discos, all night bars and cheap, take away food here. This is not the Algarve for that. Do not expect beach revelry, drinking competitions and tacky souvenir shops either. Instead, expect the finest quality, expect peace and quiet, the best service, amazing food and expect to be mixing in the best circles. The Golden Triangle takes the best of what the Algarve has to offer, packages it in one neat little tri-cornered bundle and presents it as a gift, for the world to enjoy.

In Quinta do Lago for example; high end shopping is available at Quinta Shopping. Located at the roundabout which marks the entrance to the Quinta do Lago Resort, this shoppers paradise is filled with fashionable boutiques and fine dining restaurants, elegant furniture emporiums, jewellers and beauty salons. There are even English speaking estate agents on hand in case you decide to turn your luxury Algarve holiday into something a little more permanent.

Quinta do Lago offers three of the worlds finest and most challenging golf courses, the North and South courses and the newer Orangery course. This exclusive golfing holiday complex stands on nearly 810 hectares of the most picturesque countryside with pine forests abutting the Atlantic Ocean and the Ria Formosa Natural Park. Since the early 70’s it has been wining awards for excellence and it has built an enviable reputation as one of the premier spots for golf in the Algarve.

Vale do Lobo offers more of the same - more luxury, relaxation, superb villa accommodation, fabulous views and great golfing experiences. The activities, shopping, dining and the other entertainments laid on at this resort are all superb. Everything here is done to make the lives of the residents and guests that bit sweeter.

Vale do Lobo is a luxury golf and beach resort and it is no accident that the world golf is mentioned first in it tagline. Golf is the reason for Vale do Lobo and high quality, high end golf at that.

Vale do Lobo offers two of Europe’s most famous golf courses; The Royal Course and The Ocean Course. The Royal Course provides dramatic cliff top vistas whilst the Ocean course plots a gentler sweep down to the beach.

Vale do Lobo is unashamedly posh, it is decadent and luxurious in the extreme. Apartments here start at around €250.000 and don’t stop far short of a million and for a detached villa you can expect to pay anything up to €6.000,000.

Almancil, the third of our Golden Triangle locations has grown to provide support for the neighbouring holiday and residential developments of Quinta do Lago and Vale do Lobo This has had the effect of raising the bar in Almancil. The town has had to pander to the more discerning tastes of the residents and guests of these neighbouring developments and as a result, it too has taken on an entirely new and upmarket persona.

A good selection of restaurants offers many different cuisines and as you might expect, a number of estate agents offices, interior designers and furniture shops have sprung up to cater to the needs of both locals and expatriates alike.

Algarve Villas – click here to search for Villas in Quinta do Lago | Villas in Vale do Lobo

Ten Top Algarve Holiday Destinations from West Algarve to East Algarve

Everyone has their own personal favourite Algarve holiday destination. Some like the busy bars and happening nightlife of Carvoeiro and Albufeira. Some prefer the peace and quiet of the Algarve coast’s secluded coves, some like nothing better than lying in the sun, relaxing with a good book and others, particularly those with young children, like the organised excursions and adventure playgrounds. People love Algarve holidays for a host of different reasons. Here are just a few ideas to help you decide on the ideal location for your next family holiday in the Algarve.

Algarve Villas – click here to browse our luxurious Algarve holiday accommodation

Sagres

Sagres, in western Algarve, is the most southwesterly resort destination in the Algarve. It is relatively untouched by tourism compared to the likes of Luz and Carvoeiro further east along the coast, but it does attract its own particular breed of tourist.

The tourist here is less likely to be concerned about getting a tan and much more likely to worry about when the next big wave is coming in. Here the “tourists” prefer wet suits to linen ones and spend more time applying wax to their boards than their chests. This, if you like, is the business end of the Algarve. Cocktails give way to energy drinks and steaks, to pasta and jacket spuds. They might have fun lying around in the sun further east but here, it’s all about catching the wave and having the energy to do it properly.

Luz

Families with small children may like the safe, clean beaches of Luz. Praia da Luz is the beach at Luz in western Algarve. Not the western Algarve of the surfer and adrenaline junkie, but the western Algarve of the pedalo and banana boat. Add this to the miles and miles of soft sandy beach that are available here and you have the perfect recipe for a fun filled beach family holiday. You can lie around on the beach to your heart’s content, knowing the kids are under the constant supervision of the beach lifeguard and that if/when they get peckish, you are never to far from a restaurant, bar, café or ice cream vendor. Praia da Luz is the ideal resort location for young family holidays. Everything is close at hand including supermarkets, shops and banks.

Lagos

Lagos in western Algarve is full of history. The older part of the town is still encircled by city walls that were built during the 16th century when it was the residence of the governors of the Algarve and there is evidence of more of Lagos’ history all over town. That said, Lagos has very definitely moved with the times and today’s Lagos is as vibrant and lively a place as you could wish for.

Restaurants and cafes abound in the tiny streets off Praça de Gil Eanes, which is the main town square and there are loads of bars that stay open until the early hours. In the summer, the town and its modern marina really come to life and people of all ages mill about, enjoying themselves and enjoying the party atmosphere. Lagos has a large marina which can berth more than 450 vessels. It has been awarded both the Euromarina Anchor Award and the Blue Flag award and with its variety of shops, bars and restaurants, it has an atmosphere all its own, together with great views of the boats.

Alvor

The 1960’s was the time when Alvor, like most of the Algarve began to witness tourism. Since then it has undergone a steady flow of development but this has been carefully monitored by the authorities so as not to lessen the area’s appeal. Alvor can still boast a charming old town with narrow cobbled streets which wend their way down to the harbour.

The riverfront in Alvor has had a face-lift in recent times and is now fully paved and lined with palm trees. Several bars exist offering plenty of outside seating for those endless summer days and balmy evenings. The riverfront is lovely and watching the fishing boats as they offload their daily catch, mostly to the local restaurants, is a delight, especially as you know that one of those barbecued beauties will land on your plate very soon.

Portimao
The largest town in western Algarve, Portimao is a busy town and perfect for the family who just don’t want to run out of anything. There are a myriad of shops here, selling everything from a bucket and spade to a jar of olives. There are gift shops and clothes shops aplenty, some of which you’ll recognise from British shopping malls and there are even hardware and garden furniture stores.

Portimão’s architecture is a mix of late 19th, early 20th century in the older part of town but the ice cream coloured high rise apartment blocks which are dotted about the place are obviously a little more modern. Bars, restaurants and café’s are in no short supply either. You can sit outside at the pavement tables enjoying a bite to eat or a drink as you watch the world go by. A modern marina now joins Praia da Rocha which is the main beach of Portimao and has become a tourist resort in its own right. The marina sees many boats at anchor and its development has given rise to yet more bars and restaurants, many of which are of a very high quality.

Carvoeiro

Originally a traditional fishing village, like many others on the Algarve coast, Carvoeiro has become very popular with tourists and has grown accordingly. The old part of town, the original village has been expanded upon and built around, to accommodate the increasing demand for residential property in the area and the reason for this, quite simply, is the small beach, Praia do Carvoeiro and its surrounding rocky inclines are beautiful.

With plenty of shops, you can source whatever you need in terms of groceries and household items in the town centre or just outside at one of the larger supermarkets and as far as nightlife is concerned; Carvoeiro is well served with bars and restaurants but it is not the place for nightclubs.

Albufeira

One for the young adults this; Albufeira is a party town. Benefiting from more than 3000 hours of sunshine every year, it seems that the summer is never really over here and that the party season lasts all year. The atmosphere that pervades the town is one of fun and excitement and small wonder really, as the town is jam packed with bars, nightclubs, restaurants, cafes and fast food outlets.

Unlike Luz, Albufeira does not have just one beach by which it is known, there are several, all within easy reach of the town centre. There’s the Praia do Peneco with its wide promenade lined with restaurants that look out onto the beach. There are look out posts which are great for sightseeing and row upon row of sunbeds, ideal for catching some rays. Then there is Fisherman’s Beach or Praia dos Pescadores. Here, unlike at the majority of Albufeira beaches, there area no rocks, the water is clear and the place is quiet and relaxing. Then there's Praia do Inatel, a beach that is named after the Inatel tourist complex, which overlooks the sea at the beach’s eastern end. The Praia dos Alamães, Praia das Areias de São João, Praia dos Aveiros and the Praia da Oura all go to round off the list of Albufeira beaches and as many as there are, they are responsible for just five of the Algarve’s 155km coastline.

Vilamoura

There isn’t much about Vilamoura, aside from the weather that is typically Portuguese but if you want to see how the Portuguese do luxury accommodation in the Algarve, this is the place to come. It is arguably the most impressive resort of its kind in Europe and one of the best in all of Portugal. There are luxurious villas and apartments and townhouses with picture perfect views of the coast or of manicured golf courses.

There is a gorgeous marina, which is lined with high-end designer shops, quality restaurants and trendy bars, and as you’d expect of this location, the marina itself is full to bursting with expensive yachts and gin palaces. Vilamoura offers something for everyone, boat trips can be arranged for those that don’t own one of their own and if you’re feeling fit and fancy a trek, you can embark on one of the specially designed walking or biking tours of the area, safe in the knowledge that a cocktail awaits your return.

Olhao

Olhão is the largest fishing port in the Algarve and you can look at the town in two ways; you can see it as a busy, industrial port town or as a very pleasing water front facing village type environ with a delightful promenade which is lined with trees offering cool respite from the heat of the sun. At once, Olhao is both these things, it just depends which way you look.

The town of Olhao is well known for its large fish markets. The produce, which comes fresh off the boat in the port, is lined up alongside colourful locally grown vegetables and fruit, creating an array of sights and smells and all around the markets are little pavement café’s, great to sit out and enjoy the sights and sounds of this bustling arena.

Tavira

Tavira tries hard to avoid the march of progress and tourism, preferring instead to cling to its traditions and live life at a more genteel pace. That said, the market hall on the river has been re-vamped and is now home to several shops, cafes and restaurants, which have been arranged around a central space, regularly used for exhibitions and special events.

This very attractive town boasts some grand old buildings which reflect its
wealthy past and these can be found around the Praça da República. Off of the square you’ll find rows of typical Portuguese 'town' houses along narrow cobbled streets a good number of shops to browse around and some very pretty little squares to sit and relax in.

Algarve Villas – click here to browse our luxurious Algarve holiday accommodation

Ten reasons to take an Algarve villa holiday this summer.

Great weather

The weather in the Algarve can always be relied upon to deliver and this is especially true of the summer months. Summer can be said to last from late May to early September in the Algarve. In early summer, the average temperature in the Algarve rises during the day to around 27°C that’s about 80°F and even when it drops, it only drops to around 17°C or 63°C. This daily dose of sunshine increases in intensity right through to August, the hottest month of the year, when it reaches approximately 31°C or 86°F

Beautiful beaches

The summer months are a wonderful time to experience and enjoy the great Algarve beaches and with around 200km of coastline, there are too many beaches and coves to count. Many of them have been awarded the blue flag marker for cleanliness and with life guards posted at all but the smallest beaches during this time of year, they are among the safest beaches in the world too.

Wonderful scenery

Another aspect of the Algarve that is extremely popular among its visitors is its scenery. The Algarve has some of the most stunning and breathtaking scenery in Europe and it is in the summertime, between late May and early September that the flora and fauna of this beautiful region, really comes to life. The Ria Formosa Natural Park is one of the Algarve’s greatest must sees. Located in central Algarve and slightly to the East, it is on the periphery of some of the finest, prettiest and most challenging golf courses, in the world.

Luxurious accommodation

With all the area’s beautiful natural attributes, it should come as no great surprise that the accommodation on offer here is of the highest quality too. From the Algarve’s apartments to its town houses and Algarve villas, all have been created and are offered to a standard that befits their location and surroundings. Quality is standard here as holidaymakers have come to expect nothing but the best from the Algarve’s very popular resorts.

Great choice of villas, apartments and townhouses

Here at villa in Algarve, we pride ourselves on offering the highest standards of accommodation at very reasonable rents. We have villas for rent in the Algarve countryside and also on the outskirts of town. We have villas and townhouses with coastal views and with views over golf courses and we also have seaside apartments and apartments and townhouses close to so of the very popular seaside towns with views of the coastline and the beaches

Algarve Villas – click here to browse our luxurious Algarve holiday accommodation

Algarve Apartments – click here to view our Algarve apartments

Friendly People

Despite their proximity to Spain, the Portuguese are not Spanish. They have and are very proud of, their own identity. There are similarities of course, but it is important to respect their cultural differences. The Portuguese do not like being referred to as Spanish any more than the Welsh, the Scots or the Irish, like to be called English. They are very friendly and hospitable people who believe strongly in the importance of family and tradition. They are also a very religious people as can be seen through the importance they attach to ceremonies and festivals

Wonderful food

The traditional Portuguese meal is a healthy combination of just about anything they can find in the larder but its fair to say that if you love fish, you’ll love Portuguese cooking. You’ll find everything from anchovies to swordfish, sole to sea bream and bass to salmon mixed with chicken and pork or beef with rice and spices. It is not unusual to find fish and meat served together as part of the same dish. These ingredients together with fresh vegetables, spices and nuts are often thrown together to create a hearty warming stew. From a culinary perspective, Portugal’s position, south of Europe and north of Africa, places it perfectly for the eclectic mix of food flavours, tastefully represented in its restaurants and cafes.

Great nightlife

When thinking of the nightlife in the Algarve, the bright lights and loud music of the clubs and bars in Carvoeiro and Albufeira come to mind but it doesn’t end there. The Algarve has a nightlife to suit every taste. Jazz is very popular here; from February right through the summer, to mid August there are Jazz festivals all over Portugal, starting at Seia in February and ending in Lisbon in August. Lisbon in fact has a live music event of one kind or another, occurring throughout the year, as do many of the larger towns and cities.

Great range of sports available

The most popular of the sports in the Algarve of course, has to be golf. The Algarve is world famous for its golf courses, many of which have played host to the Portuguese open. The course at Estoril and the old course at Villamoura have a dedicated following amongst the golfing fraternity as do the courses at Vale do Lobo, Quinta do Lago and Tavira in the East Algarve. The Algarve is not all about golf though, further west out toward Sagres and Vila do Bispo, you’ll find some of the greatest watersports in Europe and then there’s football. Portuguese football is considered among the best in the world and you may well get the chance to witness some of Portugal’s star players either on a training ground or perhaps in a live match.

Great kids entertainment

A great family holiday destination, the Algarve has plenty to offer kids of all ages. The little ones can amuse themselves creating sandcastles on the beach, those slightly older migtht fancy a trip to aqualand. As the name suggests, this is a waterpark with several aquatic attractions, chief among which are the Banzai Boggan, the kamikaze and the Anaconda. For those who would prefer to stay out of the water, there is Blokarting (wind assisted go-karting) available near Sagres and across the other side, a little east of Faro, you’ll find Braveland which features Slides, Bouncy Castles, Archery, Mountain Biking, Trekking, Paintballing, Climbing, Rappel, Low and High Ropes, Adventure Bridges and loads more.

Algarve Villas – click here to browse our luxurious Algarve holiday accommodation

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Relaxed Algarve Holidays – Your guide to unwinding in the Algarve

Choice of location is all important when it comes to finding your ideal place to relax and unwind. The Algarve in Portugal is just such a place. It can be all things to all people; it can be riotous and fun in parts, it can be very business like in others and it can also be your perfect place to relax and unwind.

Looking across the warm North Atlantic Ocean toward North Africa, this really could be paradise on Earth. It never gets too hot here, or too cold, in fact the climate remains temperate all year round, delivering some 3000+ hours of sunshine annually. The beaches and scenery are lovely and the rock formations, breathtaking.

Under the stewardship of a concerned government; the natural beauty of the Algarve has not been allowed to be undermined by the irresponsible over-development that has affected so many other holiday resorts and second home locations.

It is true that there are a lot of golfing developments here and many of them are world class, but their presence does not harm the landscape. They have been designed to sympathetically merge with and beautify the countryside rather than destroy it. The natural habitats like those found in the Ria Formosa Natural Park have been encouraged and allowed to develop naturally and where the game of Golf does encroach upon the Park, it does so with empathy and respect.

When looking for your perfect relaxing holiday hideaway, consider this; the Algarve can be roughly split into 3 separate and distinct sections. They are Western Algarve, Central Algarve and Eastern Algarve. Western Algarve takes you to areas such as Lagos and Luz, the Central Algarve area takes in such places as Carvoeiro, Albufeira and Vilamoura and Eastern Algarve brings you areas like Olhão, Tavira and Vila Real de Santo Antonio all of which are very different and very beautiful locations, in their own right and offer different forms of relaxation.

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Relaxing Western Algarve

In Lagos for example you’ll find luxurious private holiday villas with wonderful Algarve sea views, you may even find one with its own private heated infinity pool allowing you to bathe quietly as you look out toward the calming azure sea. Many Lagos villas come with spacious terraces, balconies and roof terraces, barbecues and most are offered with air conditioning throughout.

The same is true of Luz. in Luz you’ll find villas of exceptional quality located just 10 minutes or so from Praia da Luz which boast the loveliest views. You’ll find villas with pools and barbecue terraces, some even with their own, private tennis courts. Many of these homes will have been decorated to the highest standards and, like all our villas, their condition is constantly appraised to ensure that your holiday experience is as comfortable, relaxing and as luxurious as possible.

Relaxing Central Algarve
Most of the villas in Carvoeiro in Central Algarve come with private pools, terraces and barbecue facilities. They are offered in exceptional condition and many will be within easy walking distance of local shops and amenities. Golf courses and tennis courts are a short distance from here so if you fancy getting active you’ll never be short of something to do, alternatively you could take the time to relax with a long cool drink by the pool playing Sudoku or a friendly game of Backgammon.

The foodies among you will love a relaxing holiday in Guia. Guia is located about 30 minutes from Faro airport; it is quite close to the town of Albufeira, on the central Algarve coast. The village is famous for its delicious chicken piri-piri restaurant dishes and is the perfect place to stay if your idea of a relaxing holiday is not to have to cook. There are 20 or so great restaurants in the area so even if you’re staying for two weeks you won’t have to pick up a pan or even a dishcloth once.

If you like the thought of teeing off at 7am and find that going for a long walk following a little white ball around on some grass relaxes you, then you’ll love the Central Algarve area. It is chock full of Golf courses, of varying degrees of difficulty. Many of the Greens have been graced by the presence of some of the world’s top Golfers including; Thomas Bjørn, Michael Hoey, Grégory Bourdy , Ronan Rafferty, Colin Montgomerie and Sam Torrance so you’re in for a real treat if that is your bag.

Relaxing Eastern Algarve

The Eastern Algarve is arguably the most relaxing side of the Algarve, mile upon mile of beautiful golden sanded beach stretch out along the coastline and, like parts of Western Algarve, much of it is unspoiled by tourism. Picture yourself here, sitting out on the terrace, a long cool drink in one hand and a good book in the other. Picture those around you busying themselves with the barbecue as you relax, sit back and wait to be served.

Most of the villas on offer here in Eastern Algarve come with pools, terraces and bbq facilities as well as air conditioning. Some will have breathtaking sea vistas whilst others will have lovely views of open countryside and others still, will look out onto manicured golf courses. Whatever view you are graced with, you can be sure of a truly relaxing Eastern Algarve holiday.

Algarve Villas – click here to search for Algarve villas and apartments.