With rugged cliffs, crystal-clear water and golden sandy beaches among the region's attractions, it is easy to see why so many people choose to spend a sunshine holiday in Algarve holiday villas. But while it is wonderful to relax in on a picturesque spot by the coast, or go for a dip in the sea or your villa’s pool, you might also want to explore the area and visit a museum to find out more about the country’s history. From town museums to those focusing on a specialist subject, if you are a cultural buff, the Algarve has it all. Here’s our spotlight on some of the best that this region of Portugal has to offer.
When you are looking to book Algarve holiday villas, then Truly Algarve are the people to contact, with a superb range of accommodation on offer – either by the beach, in the town or, if you like to get away from it all, in a rural area. Here you can hire a car and go sight-seeing to discover more about this beautiful region and its rich culture.
Algarve Holiday Villas – click here to see our choice of luxury accommodation
Top Museums to Visit
For a day out with a difference during your stay in our Algarve holiday villas, here is our selection of museums to visit.
Central Algarve, Albufeira – Beyond its dazzling beaches, this top resort also has a wealth of culture. If you are a fan of superb antique porcelain, one small museum well worth a look is the city's collection of 15th and 16th century Ming Ceramics. The recently refurbished Archaeological Museum is at the centre of the old city, with a rich collection of objects found in the local area on display. These are arranged in four sections ranging from prehistoric, Roman and Moorish times, right through to the modern era. There are some impressive displays and re-creations here. The Municipal Art Gallery is small but has a good collection of work by local artists, including the famous Samora Barros, plus visiting exhibitions.
Eastern Algarve, Vilamoura – Not far from the marina, you can visit a fascinating preserved Roman site, the Museum Cerro da Vila, which includes the remains of a Roman villa and public baths, as well as a burial site and some tanks where fish were salted. The small museum on the site includes relics found there and you can see fragments of mosaics and friezes. At nearby Loulé, the small Municipal Archaeology Museum features artefacts dating back to the Iron Age as well as the Roman period and later centuries.
Western Algarve, Lagos – The Museu Municipal Dr. José Formosinho has a collection of historic artefacts from the local area, ranging from clothes to woodcuts and ceramics. You can also buy a joint ticket which will admit you to the Church of San Antonio, which features amazing baroque gilt carvings, and the site of the town's 15th-century Slave Market. This attractive arched building has a tragic history, and is believed to have been the first of its kind in Europe.
About Truly Algarve
Truly Algarve has a wonderful choice of Algarve holiday villas to choose from, whether you are looking to stay in one of the coast's top resorts or would prefer a quieter location. We have a wide range of self-catering villas and apartments where you will be able to relax and enjoy your Portuguese break in style and luxury.
Truly Algarve – click here to find out more about our choice of villas
Thursday, August 22, 2013
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Algarve Villas – A Fantastic Destination for Family Groups
If you are holidaying in Portugal, you may want a to rent a larger villa if you are taking your vacation with extended family, or are teaming up with another couple with children to keep your little ones occupied.
Truly Algarve has villas to suit all types of holiday makers including family groups looking for a quiet location by the beach, or a large, secluded villa right in the heart of the Portuguese countryside.
Portugal is a great destination for families because it has a beautiful coastline, fantastic golden sandy beaches, family friendly restaurants, and plenty of sporting activities and child friendly attractions.
We have a wide range of Algarve villas to suit all budgets, from family friendly beach destinations to large villas in quiet village locations where you can enjoy scenic views across the surrounding countryside.
Algarve Villas - click here to browse our luxurious Algarve holiday accommodation
Algarve Villas - A Wonderful Family Destination
From beautiful beaches to relax on, to rugged coastline to explore, the Algarve is a great family destination. Your children will have the chance to let off steam by taking part in the many water related activities such as boat trips, surfing, snorkelling and scuba diving. Or, if you prefer land based action, horse riding and quad biking are some of the many sports that are popular with children.
If you enjoy eating out as a family on holiday, you won’t be disappointed. The people in the Algarve are very hospitable and there are some fantastic family-friendly restaurants which are suitable for even the smallest and fussiest of eaters and offer anything from traditional Portuguese food to pizza or Asian cuisine.
Some resorts are popular with younger visitors such as Rocha Brava resort, which is a great destination for family groups as it has everything from a tennis school, to games rooms and a kids club. The Farol restaurant overlooks the main pool so parents can relax while they watch the children splash about in the water.
If you want to explore the Algarve, you will find some wonderful child friendly attractions including animal parks, water parks, The Marine Zoo and adventure parks where your little ones can go tree top climbing!
Family Friendly Algarve Villas to Rent
We have Algarve villas for all budgets and to suit small or large family groups. Some of our villas benefit from private pools and tennis courts or large grounds for the children to play in.
The resort of Rocha Brava near Carvoeiro is nestled among landscaped grounds. We have private villas with four bedrooms that sleep up to nine or, if you are holidaying with another family, you can rent more than one villa on the site.Vale do Lobo is a resort popular with families and has a spectacular beach for you and your little ones to relax on. Our largest villa is Villa San Antonio, a luxury six bedroom villa which sleeps 12. It is suitable for older children, rather than very young ones, as it has huge gardens with a large, ornamental lake, as well as a private pool, tennis court and a pool table.
Luz is a family friendly resort with superb beaches and wonderful, family friendly restaurants. Our biggest villa here is Casa Colina which has four bedrooms, a private pool and tennis court and sleeps up to eight.
Algarve Villas - click here to browse our luxurious Algarve holiday accommodation
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Algarve Villas - A Great Destination for Holidaying with Friends
If you are spending your vacation with friends, it is likely that you will want a villa rental in the thick of the action with all the facilities on your doorstep - as well as one that is large enough to accommodate your group.
Truly Algarve has villas to suit all types of holidaymakers: whether you are holidaying with groups of friends, as a family, or are a couple who are looking for a quiet location in the countryside.
With more than 300 days of sunshine a year, an extensive coastline, beautiful sandy beaches, culture, sporting activities, fine food and a great nightlife, it is easy to see why the Algarve is so popular.
We have a wide range of Algarve villas in busy resort locations along with stunning holiday rentals in lesser known village locations. Most of our villas have access to a pool and some are just a few minutes walk from the beach or town centre so they are close to the restaurants, bars and shopping facilities.
Algarve Villas - click here to browse our luxurious Algarve holiday accommodation
Algarve Villas - A Fantastic Destination for Groups of Friends
Many people holidaying as a group like to choose Algarve villas in a busy resort location, such as Vilamoura, Albufeira or Lagos, so they can head to the beach, explore the town and marina, or try out some of the sports.
From wind surfing to jet-skiing, sailing and diving, the Algarve's superb coastline is a haven for water sports enthusiasts who are drawn to the region's crystal clear waters and golden beaches. If you prefer land based sporting activities, golf, horse riding and tennis are some of the most popular sports for tourists.
If you are renting Algarve villas and enjoy eating out, you won't be disappointed as the region offers delicious food and fine wine. Whether you prefer traditional Portuguese food, fresh seafood, international or Asian cuisine, the Algarve has it all and dining out will be a wonderful part of your holiday experience.The region's night life is well worth exploring too: from trendy cocktail bars, to wine bars overlooking the marina, pubs with live music, and busy nightclubs you and your friends can look forward to partying until dawn!
Among the nightclubs well worth a visit include Le Club, a classy nightclub overlooking the beach at Santa Eulalia, near Albufeira, Kadoc near Vilamoura and also Locomia near Albufeira. But there are other great nightspots in the region where you will enjoy a fantastic evening out.
Villas in Algarve to Rent with Friends
Truly Algarve has a wonderful range of carefully selected Algarve villas suitable for large parties, such as groups of friends. Caso do Pateo in Albufeira is an idyllic beach front villa with glorious sea views overlooking the Praia dos Aveiros. It has five bedrooms and can sleep up to 11 people and even a 12th person if one of your party doesn't mind taking a Z-bed! It has a large swimming pool and you can walk to Albufeira along the beach front in just 15 minutes.
Another excellent villa to rent, if you are with a larger party, is Villa Gouveia which sleeps ten. It is just a 15 minute walk from the marina in Vilamoura, with its shops, bars and a casino - so you can try your luck at the gaming tables!
For even larger groups, Quinto do Billo has eight bedrooms and sleeps 16 people. It is set amidst large gardens and is a short drive from Vilamoura.
Algarve Villas - click here to browse our luxurious Algarve holiday accommodation
Monday, August 13, 2012
Algarve Villas - Busy Resort Town or a Quiet Location?
When you start your search for Algarve villas, one of the first questions that will spring to mind is where to stay - just a short stroll from the beach or in a more off the beaten track area.
Your choice of Algarve villas really depends on the type of holiday you prefer. It may be you want a family holiday where your children can swim in the sea, or are holidaying as a couple and plan to relax on the beach, sunbathing or with a good book.
However, beach holidays are not for everyone. You may prefer to stay in our Algarve villas in a village location so you can spend the bulk of your holiday sight-seeing and exploring the local culture, or want the best of both worlds. Perhaps you are taking a golfing holiday and want to be based near the golf course, rather than the sea?
Whatever your preference, Truly Algarve offer wide range of Algarve villas and apartments to rent in every type of location. Self catering Algarve villas and apartments give you the luxury and freedom to set your own agenda and enjoy all the benefits this beautiful region has to offer.
Algarve Villas - click here to browse our Algarve villa accommodation
Algarve Villas by the Beach
Renting Algarve villas in a popular resort brings you many advantages and the main one is convenience. If your holiday rental is just a short distance or stroll from the beach, you can take the children to the coast at any time. And, if you are holidaying with teenagers, as a couple, or with friends and prefer an active holiday by the sea, you can take advantage of the numerous sea sports the Algarve has to offer, such as sailing, wind surfing, and banana boating.
Truly Algarve offers a stunning range Algarve villas and apartments close to the beach, and some of these also benefit from wonderful views. Being based in a resort location means that you don’t need to hire a car to get anywhere and (depending on your choice of resort) the marina, restaurants, bars, shopping facilities, supermarkets and children’s amusements are all on your doorstep.
Here are just some examples of the Algarve villas just a five minute walk from the ocean: Colina Branca Townhouses in Carvoeiro - these two bedroom townhouses sleep four and are within walking distance from the centre of the village and just 600m from the sea. The townhouses share a large pool and benefit from being close to the restaurants, shops and bars.
The superb, modern, three bedroomed Villa Nina, also in Carvoeiro, is located close to the beach and has a private pool. The villa is a just short stroll from some great places to eat, drink, or stock up on food supplies. The open plan landing, which has two beds, has sea views.
Casa do Pateo is a fantastic beach front villa in Albufeira which opens out onto the Praia dos Aveiros beach. It has five bedrooms and sleeps up to 11 people. It has a large swimming pool and enjoys ocean views. Mini-markets, bars and restaurants are close by and the town is a 15 minute walk.
Private Algarve Villas
While being centrally based has many plus points, you can also benefit from choosing private Algarve villas away from the busy resort areas.
Out of town locations mean you can get to know the true Portugal, enjoy a more peaceful holiday away from the hustle and bustle of tourists and the children can make as much noise as they want as they splash about by the pool.
Truly Algarve has villas and apartments in out of town locations so you can immerse yourselves in the local culture. Here is a sample of some of our Algarve villas on the outskirts of the towns or villages where car hire is a must:
Villa Sao Jose is a four bedroom luxury cliff top villa set amidst landscaped gardens on the outskirts of Carvoeiro. The master suite has a jacuzzi bath and enjoys fabulous views over the pool area and the ocean. It is completely private, yet within easy reach of the golf courses and the beach.
Casa Parra is the sister villa to Quinto do Encanto and enjoys secluded accommodation, enclosed by fencing and automatic gates. It is situated 1km from Guia and 6km from Albufeira and benefits from four bedrooms and a large pool area. It has a sun terrace with panoramic views.
Villa Colwood is a three/four bedroom villa enjoying a rural setting on the hillside above Vale de Parra, 4km from Gale Beach and 8km from Albufeira. Despite its rural location the nearest supermarket is walking distance. It has a private pool, barbecue and is set amidst mature gardens.
However you want to spend your holidays, Truly Algarve have a range of villas to suit based in all parts of the Algarve including Carvoeiro, Albufeira, Guia, Vale de Parra, Quinta do Lago, Lagos, Vale do Lobo, Vilamoura and Praia da Luz.
Algarve Villas - click here to browse our Algarve villa accommodation
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Villas in Vale do Lobo - Why Vale do Lobo is a Great Holiday Destination
If you are thinking of renting villas in Vale do Lobo, of all our Algarve villas this is seen as one of our most popular destinations. This exclusive resort together with its close neighbour Quinta do Lago offers some of the region’s most luxurious accommodation. Together with Quinta do Lago it is among one of the longest established destinations in the Algarve - and provides second homes to many international golfing stars! However, it is not just golfing facilities that villas in Vale do Lobo offer, as the resort has plenty to do for all ages including beach sports and sightseeing.
Certainly villas in Vale do Lobo have something for everyone and we have Algarve villas to suit all tastes: choose from a townhouse within walking distance to the beach, a stunning five bedroom villa a short drive from the golf courses and golden sandy beaches, and luxury villas in idyllic surroundings.
Our villas in Vale do Lobo sleep between four and 12 people and offer superb accommodation, as most of our Algarve villas have a private or shared pool, landscaped gardens or terraces and all have a fully equipped kitchen.
If you are renting Algarve villas with a large group, among our largest villas in Vale do Lobo is Villa San Antonio. This magnificent six bedroom villa is set in beautiful surroundings and sleeps up to a dozen people. In addition to the large gardens with manicured lawns, an orchard and lake, it has a private pool and tennis court - so you don’t even have to stray from the grounds. However, if you do decide to venture out, you are just a 1 km stroll from the shops and just 2 km from the nearest beach.
Villas in Vale do Lobo - click here to browse our luxurious Algarve holiday accommodation.
Villas in Vale do Lobo: About Vale do Lobo
Renting villas in Vale do Lobo offers the perfect chance to relax as it is a superb destination for a summer holiday. Vale do Lobo is a golf resort in the Algarve with two golf courses, the Royal and the Ocean. The resort’s golf courses have twice hosted the Portuguese Open and offer golfing in picturesque surroundings; while the Royal is located along the cliff’s edge, the ocean course runs down to the beach.
Villas in Vale do Lobo offer a wide range of activities to enjoy including tennis, horse riding, relaxing on the Algarve’s beautiful sandy beaches - and there is even a children’s club to keep your youngsters amused. And if you want to venture out in the evening, the town has bars and many restaurants offering international cuisine.
If you are looking for villas in Vale do Lobo within easy reach of the amenities, our three bedroom villa, Vale do Lobo 627 is perfect. The villa is situated within the resort, which is surrounded by 1,000 acres of pine forests, and is just a ten minute walk away from all the facilities including restaurants, shops and activities. The villa has its own private pool, barbecue facilities and has a large garden for the children to let off steam!
The Algarve is known for its stunning beaches and if you want to be within an easy walk of the ocean, Townhouse 47 is our smallest villa in Vale do Lobo. This two bedroom villa does not have its own pool but it is just a short walk to the beach which stretches for over 26 km along the coast.
Another one of our attractive Algarve Villas is Villa Viva which is a ten minute stroll from the beach and the local supermarket. It has four bedrooms and sleeps eight people, and is furnished to excellent standards throughout. When renting this villa, you have full access to Barrington’s Private Leisure and Spar club which offers beauty treatments, pools, gym facilities and classes.
Algarve Villas - click here to browse our luxurious Algarve holiday accommodation.
Monday, July 16, 2012
Villas in Luz - Holiday Rentals in Algarve
Villas in Praia da Luz offer an idyllic holiday for families with children that will fill you with fond memories for many years to come. Truly Algarve provide a wide range of private Algarve villas and apartments to let including villas in Praia da Luz, a family-friendly resort which has become a popular holiday destination. We have villas in Praia da Luz to suit everyone, including centrally located villas, villas with ocean views, and villas in village locations within easy reach of the resort.
Villas in Praia da Luz are the perfect Algarve villas for holiday rentals as the region offers fun for all ages, including unwinding on the Algarve’s beautiful beaches, visiting the region’s attractions, dining in the many excellent local restaurants, shopping, golfing as well as beach and sporting activities.
Algarve villas in Praia da Luz sleep between six and 12 people. If you are holidaying with more than one family, one of our largest villas in Praia da Luz is Casa Tantallon. The villa enjoys stunning views across Luz and towards the ocean and has its own private pool for the children to splash around in. It has barbecue facilities to cook up a tasty treat but if you want to eat out this is never a problem as there are plenty of family-friendly restaurants just a short stroll away.
Casa Tantallon is among our largest Algarve villas and its accommodation includes four bedrooms (including two large bedrooms suitable for sharing with a child or infant) a large lounge and two dining rooms. It also benefits from a studio which includes a twin bedroom, kitchenette and sitting area. This is ideal for those who are holidaying with teenagers who prefer to have their own space.
Villas in Praia da Luz - click here to browse our luxurious Algarve holiday accommodation
Villas in Praia da Luz: About LuzLike many of the popular resorts in the Algarve, Luz began as a former fishing village, but since it has become a tourist hot spot it has undergone extensive development with most of the work to the west of Luz beach.
Whether you are holidaying with young children, or teenagers, choosing to rent one of our villas in Praia da Luz is a fantastic way to enjoy valuable family time. Renting Algarve villas you have the freedom to explore the local area, enjoy some of the beach sports such as surfing, water skiing or diving, or enjoy the local cuisine eating out in one of the many great restaurants, which are happy to welcome younger children.
Many of our villas in Praia da Luz are centrally located and just a short walk away from the restaurants, shops and beach. Casa Maclana is an excellent villa situated right on the beach front and enjoying extensive seafront views. You don’t even have to hire a car as all the amenities are on the doorstep. The Algarve is famous for its golf, so if you would like some quiet time out to practice your swing on the golf course, the property is within easy reach of three courses!
There are many beautiful villas in Praia da Luz, so whichever one you choose you will not be disappointed. If you are looking for a luxurious home from home, Casa Colina is 1.5 km from the centre of the resort. It enjoys superb views and is set in stunning landscaped gardens that the children will enjoy playing in. It is decorated to a high standard throughout and even has its own private pool and tennis courts.
Luz is a lively town with excellent clean beach facilities to keep the children occupied all day long. They can climb rocks, play in the sand, get towed behind boats in big rubber rings, wind surf, jet-ski, go water-skiing, sailing or snorkling. However, if land sports are more your thing, the Luz Ocean club offers squash, tennis and aerobics as well as evening entertainment and live music. And if you have much older children, Luz has two long beach bars and a trip in to nearby Lagos offers a greater selection of bars and discos.
Whether it is relaxing in the beautiful surroundings of our Algarve villas, on a beach, or getting out and about, whatever you want out of you holiday our villas in Praia da Luz have it all.
Algarve Villas - click here to browse our luxurious Algarve holiday accommodation.
Friday, July 13, 2012
Algarve Holidays - Top Ten Days Out in the Algarve For Families
Algarve villa holidays give you the flexibility to set your own agenda and explore the area at your leisure. The Algarve has one of the best climates in Europe and along with the stunning scenery and friendliness of the locals these are just some of the reasons why many families return here year after year.
If you have chosen Algarve villa holidays for the first time you will need to know about the attractions near where you are staying. From swimming with the dolphins, tennis, golf, riding, fishing trips and water parks, Algarve villa holidays offer plenty of things to do for you and your family.
Here is our guide to top ten days out for families on Algarve villa holidays.
Algarve Villa Holidays - click here to view our selection of Algarve villas and apartments.
Top Ten Activities for Algarve Villa Holidays
1. Swimming with Dolphins
By far the favourite attraction for families on Algarve villa holidays is Zoomarine Theme Park situated in Guia, a few kilometres from Albufeira. It offers a fantastic day out for the family and will leave you with a lifetime of memories. You can see wonderful, moving interactions between dolphins and their trainers, a fun show involving ‘pirates’, sea lions and seals as well as an aquarium featuring sharks. In addition to the tropical birds, birds of prey, amusements and swimming pools, the over 6’s can enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime chance to swim with dolphins but do book in advance for this to avoid disappointment.
The 90 minute dolphin experience includes an educational talk about the bottlenose dolphin and 30 minutes in the water with a trainer and the chance to meet the dolphins. Wet suits (or a vest in the summer) are provided and photographs and a film of your experience can be bought afterwards. It is advised to book in advance to avoid disappointment.
2. Have a Splash at the Water Parks
Children will love an exciting day at the Slide and Splash Waterpark, Albufeira, which promises to be so much fun it will be hard to persuade the kids to get out of the pool afterwards! The Slide and Splash Waterpark is the biggest and best water park in Europe and is a fantastic day out for adults and children. Among the many amusements include the black hole ride (a slide in the dark) a 500 ft long twisted spiralling slide, body slides, rapid river rides, multi-lane soft slides, jacuzzi’s, swimming pools and much more. There are also 25,000 metres of grassed entertainment areas where you can relax in the sun or under the shade of an umbrella. For another great water park experience visit Aqualand, Alcantarilha.
3. Go Krazy at Algarve Zoo
Krazy World - Algarve Zoo near Algoz - Messines Road, Central Algarve is another wonderful family day out and offers a variety of attractions including an 18 hole mini golf course, karting, swimming pools, pony rides, soft play area and interaction with the animals at the petting zoo. You can see lots of different animal species in the eight hectare zoo including llamas, snakes, deer, camels, tortoises and crocodiles.
4. Discover Underwater Beauty
The Algarve offers great opportunities for scuba diving. Scubatour Diving School can be found in the resort of Vila Senohora da Rocha, just outside Armacao de Pera. Tel: 282 353 263. There is also the Tivoli Diving School based at the Tivoli Almansor Hotel in Carvoeiro which uses the bay infront of the hotel and the hotel pool for training. Contact them on 282 351 194. Dives Cove at the Quinta do Paraiso resort also has lessons and can be contacted on 282 356 594.
5. Explore on Horseback
Horseback riding is a very popular in the Algarve and you will find riding schools all over the region including the Quinta da Gill Riding Centre at Lombos near Lago, Tel: 966 619 136 and the Albufeira Riding centre which is situated between Albufeira and Vilamoura to name a few. Tel: 289 542 870.
6. Practice Your Swing
The Algarve has many golf courses all over the region for people of all levels and some of these offer golfing lessons. Golf courses in and around Carvoeiro include the 18 hole Pinta golf course Carvoeiro (with almond, olive and carob trees) the 18 hole Gramacho Golf Course, Carvoeiro or the nine hole Vale de Milho course which is perfect for beginners and has a picturesque spot overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
7. Anyone for Tennis?
Tennis is a popular pastime in the Algarve and there are a number of tennis clubs and academies all over the region for families who like to swing a racquet. There are plenty of places suitable for beginners, intermediates or the more experienced and these are ideal if your family is looking for a more active holiday. The Carvoeiro Tennis Club is based at the Carvoeiro Clube Resort and has 12 courts and practice facilities (including clay courts, all weather courts and an artificial grass court). For the more serious players, the club also runs a tennis academy. Tel: 282 357 847.
8. Indulge in Retail Therapy
No holiday is complete without a spot of shopping and it is well worth browsing in many of the local stores to bring back a memento of your holiday. Some of the many bargains to be had include locally made leather goods, pottery, embroidery (including tablecloths), jewellery and crystal. There are some large shopping centres which are open until late near Albufeira and some of the more upmarket shopping areas include the Marina at Vilamoura.
9. Off the Beaten Track
A fantastic way to explore the countryside is with a jeep Safari where you and your family can discover scenic places off the beaten track. There are many companies that do this in the Algarve and prices include lunch. Some of the companies include Zebra Tours Albufeira Tel: 289 583 300 and Mount Safari Portimao Tel: 282 420 800.
10. See the Dolphins
If you haven’t been able to organize a swim with the dolphins, the next best thing is to take a boat trip to see these beautiful creatures at first hand. Trips for this leave from Portimao’s Marina at Praia da Rocha. Tel: 282 799209.
If you have chosen Algarve villa holidays for the first time you will need to know about the attractions near where you are staying. From swimming with the dolphins, tennis, golf, riding, fishing trips and water parks, Algarve villa holidays offer plenty of things to do for you and your family.
Here is our guide to top ten days out for families on Algarve villa holidays.
Algarve Villa Holidays - click here to view our selection of Algarve villas and apartments.
Top Ten Activities for Algarve Villa Holidays
1. Swimming with Dolphins
By far the favourite attraction for families on Algarve villa holidays is Zoomarine Theme Park situated in Guia, a few kilometres from Albufeira. It offers a fantastic day out for the family and will leave you with a lifetime of memories. You can see wonderful, moving interactions between dolphins and their trainers, a fun show involving ‘pirates’, sea lions and seals as well as an aquarium featuring sharks. In addition to the tropical birds, birds of prey, amusements and swimming pools, the over 6’s can enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime chance to swim with dolphins but do book in advance for this to avoid disappointment.
The 90 minute dolphin experience includes an educational talk about the bottlenose dolphin and 30 minutes in the water with a trainer and the chance to meet the dolphins. Wet suits (or a vest in the summer) are provided and photographs and a film of your experience can be bought afterwards. It is advised to book in advance to avoid disappointment.
2. Have a Splash at the Water Parks
Children will love an exciting day at the Slide and Splash Waterpark, Albufeira, which promises to be so much fun it will be hard to persuade the kids to get out of the pool afterwards! The Slide and Splash Waterpark is the biggest and best water park in Europe and is a fantastic day out for adults and children. Among the many amusements include the black hole ride (a slide in the dark) a 500 ft long twisted spiralling slide, body slides, rapid river rides, multi-lane soft slides, jacuzzi’s, swimming pools and much more. There are also 25,000 metres of grassed entertainment areas where you can relax in the sun or under the shade of an umbrella. For another great water park experience visit Aqualand, Alcantarilha.
3. Go Krazy at Algarve Zoo
Krazy World - Algarve Zoo near Algoz - Messines Road, Central Algarve is another wonderful family day out and offers a variety of attractions including an 18 hole mini golf course, karting, swimming pools, pony rides, soft play area and interaction with the animals at the petting zoo. You can see lots of different animal species in the eight hectare zoo including llamas, snakes, deer, camels, tortoises and crocodiles.
4. Discover Underwater Beauty
The Algarve offers great opportunities for scuba diving. Scubatour Diving School can be found in the resort of Vila Senohora da Rocha, just outside Armacao de Pera. Tel: 282 353 263. There is also the Tivoli Diving School based at the Tivoli Almansor Hotel in Carvoeiro which uses the bay infront of the hotel and the hotel pool for training. Contact them on 282 351 194. Dives Cove at the Quinta do Paraiso resort also has lessons and can be contacted on 282 356 594.
5. Explore on Horseback
Horseback riding is a very popular in the Algarve and you will find riding schools all over the region including the Quinta da Gill Riding Centre at Lombos near Lago, Tel: 966 619 136 and the Albufeira Riding centre which is situated between Albufeira and Vilamoura to name a few. Tel: 289 542 870.
6. Practice Your Swing
The Algarve has many golf courses all over the region for people of all levels and some of these offer golfing lessons. Golf courses in and around Carvoeiro include the 18 hole Pinta golf course Carvoeiro (with almond, olive and carob trees) the 18 hole Gramacho Golf Course, Carvoeiro or the nine hole Vale de Milho course which is perfect for beginners and has a picturesque spot overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
7. Anyone for Tennis?
Tennis is a popular pastime in the Algarve and there are a number of tennis clubs and academies all over the region for families who like to swing a racquet. There are plenty of places suitable for beginners, intermediates or the more experienced and these are ideal if your family is looking for a more active holiday. The Carvoeiro Tennis Club is based at the Carvoeiro Clube Resort and has 12 courts and practice facilities (including clay courts, all weather courts and an artificial grass court). For the more serious players, the club also runs a tennis academy. Tel: 282 357 847.
8. Indulge in Retail Therapy
No holiday is complete without a spot of shopping and it is well worth browsing in many of the local stores to bring back a memento of your holiday. Some of the many bargains to be had include locally made leather goods, pottery, embroidery (including tablecloths), jewellery and crystal. There are some large shopping centres which are open until late near Albufeira and some of the more upmarket shopping areas include the Marina at Vilamoura.
9. Off the Beaten Track
A fantastic way to explore the countryside is with a jeep Safari where you and your family can discover scenic places off the beaten track. There are many companies that do this in the Algarve and prices include lunch. Some of the companies include Zebra Tours Albufeira Tel: 289 583 300 and Mount Safari Portimao Tel: 282 420 800.
10. See the Dolphins
If you haven’t been able to organize a swim with the dolphins, the next best thing is to take a boat trip to see these beautiful creatures at first hand. Trips for this leave from Portimao’s Marina at Praia da Rocha. Tel: 282 799209.
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Villas in Lagos - Reasons to Choose Lagos for Your Summer Holiday 2012
If you are looking to holiday in one of our villas in Lagos, Truly Algarve offer a wide range of villas and apartments to let all year round in the major Algarve holiday resorts and some of the more secluded areas as well. We have lots of Algarve villas to choose from, with villas in Lagos, Villamoura, Rocha Brava, Praia da Luz, Carvoeiro, Albufeira, Vale do Lobo, and Quinta do Lago.
Algarve Villa holidays and in particularly villas in Lagos offer plenty to do for all ages. The many activities include: exploring the region’s dramatic and jagged coastline, dining in the many fine Portuguese restaurants, relaxing on beautiful sandy beaches, golfing, or visiting some of the region’s attractions.
We have Algarve Villas to suit everybody; choose from a town centre villa, a quiet location in the surrounding countryside, a holiday rental by the beach or a villa near a golf course. Lagos is right in the south of Portugal and is the third largest town in the Algarve. Our villas in Lagos sleep between four and eight people and offer spacious accommodation with a private or shared pool, landscaped gardens or terraces, and a fully equipped kitchen with a washing machine. Some also have an adjoining apartment, which are ideal for extended family or groups of friends.
For luxury Algarve villas, our largest villa in Lagos is Vivenda Felicia, which is situated in quiet countryside 3.5 km from the town. In addition to a private pool and spacious gardens, it also has a private tennis court, games room and table tennis facilities to keep children and adults amused for hours.
Villas in Lagos - click here to browse our luxurious Algarve villas.
Villas in Lagos: About Lagos
Staying in one of our Algarve villas offers a great chance to unwind, as the Algarve is a beautiful location for a summer holiday. Lagos is a true gem and is made up of a vibrant new marina, the old town, plus the surrounding districts and smaller villages.
Once an ancient maritime town, Lagos has a history dating back 2000 years. The old town is fascinating to explore with captivating historical sites, interesting architecture and many fine restaurants, boutiques and coffee shops. Lagos was also centre of the European slave trade and the Slave Market, which is now an art gallery, stands as testament to the town’s murkier past.
If you are fascinated by history, Lagos has much to discover. The ancient 16th century walls still encircle the older part of Lagos and the 17th century fort, which guards the town, has been turned into a small museum with maritime exhibitions.
Lagos’ regional museum houses archaeological, military and religious artefacts and next to this building is an amazing church: the Church of Santo Antonio. This looks quite plain on the outside but is beautiful on the inside with intricate gilded wood carvings, baroque paintings, and blue and white 18th century azulejo tiles. Do bear in mind that Lagos is very hilly so it is worth wearing practical shoes to have a look around the area.
Lagos is one of the popular tourist spots in the Algarve and one of the main draws is the marina where you can take a stroll and soak up the atmosphere. The town has a lively night life with many tourist friendly restaurants, bars, and discos. If you want a more family oriented holiday, the restaurants are always very welcoming towards children and you will enjoy traditional Portuguese hospitality here.
If you enjoy seafood, just over the marina bridge you can see the fishing boats where you can buy freshly caught fish. There is also a daily fish market in the town centre, which is in addition to the town’s weekly Saturday market selling fresh fruit, vegetables, olives, and honey.
If you like being in the middle of it all and would prefer to rent centrally located villas in Lagos, we have the attractive four bedroom villa, Pedra Alacada, which is just 20 minutes walk to the town centre and 15 minutes walk to the nearest beach. The villa also has a separate apartment with kitchenette so it is perfect for families with older children, or for more than one family of holidaymakers.
Algarve Villas: The Beaches
If relaxing on golden, sandy beaches is your main reason for holidaying in the Algarve, you won’t be disappointed here. Lagos has some of the most beautiful beaches in the area, which lie at the bottom of dramatic rugged cliffs. Among the many stunning beaches to explore include: Ponta da Piedade, with its caves and rocks, and Praia de Dona Ana, which is a 25 minute walk from the town centre.
Our villas and apartments are often within a short stroll to the beach where a range of activities are on offer. These include: sailing, deep sea fishing, snorkelling, scuba diving, dolphin tours, diving, water-skiing, jet-ski hire, windsurfing and kayaking, as well as the best surfing in the western Algarve.
The resort of Jardim da Meia Praia is just a few minutes drive from the marina and is within walking distance of the Meia Praia beach. We have a two and three bedroom townhouse available for holiday rentals in the resort and these are set in stunning landscaped gardens with the benefit of a large outdoor pool to cool off in after a day of sight-seeing.
Villas in Lagos: Activities
If you want to take a break from the beach for the day, there are also plenty of activities on offer in Lagos. These include horse riding at Tiffany’s Riding Centre (Vale Grifo, 1677-E Almadeno, 8600 102 LUZ LGS, Lagos, telephone +351 282 697 395), off roading in buggies, mountain biking, and cliff walking. You can also hire courts by the hour for around 4.99 euros at Break Point Tennis Club.
The Algarve is famous for its golf courses and you can tee off in one of the many fantastic golf courses in and around the area. The two bedroom villa Casa Margarida is 3.5 miles from Lagos but within easy reach of three golf courses and three riding schools. It is also just 1 km from the village of Sargacal. It benefits from a private terrace and swimming pool and sleeps four.
Further afield there are plenty of attractions for the whole family to enjoy including the Zoo in the village of Barao Sao Joao. It has 120 animal species from across the world and is open all year round. Aqualand, open early June - early September, is always heaps of fun, although it can get very busy. A huge hit with children and adults is Zoomarine, where you can see dolphins, seals and sea lions, birds of prey, and an aquarium with sharks. It is a truly unforgettable experience.
Villas in Lagos - click here to browse our luxurious Algarve villas.
Algarve Villa holidays and in particularly villas in Lagos offer plenty to do for all ages. The many activities include: exploring the region’s dramatic and jagged coastline, dining in the many fine Portuguese restaurants, relaxing on beautiful sandy beaches, golfing, or visiting some of the region’s attractions.
We have Algarve Villas to suit everybody; choose from a town centre villa, a quiet location in the surrounding countryside, a holiday rental by the beach or a villa near a golf course. Lagos is right in the south of Portugal and is the third largest town in the Algarve. Our villas in Lagos sleep between four and eight people and offer spacious accommodation with a private or shared pool, landscaped gardens or terraces, and a fully equipped kitchen with a washing machine. Some also have an adjoining apartment, which are ideal for extended family or groups of friends.
For luxury Algarve villas, our largest villa in Lagos is Vivenda Felicia, which is situated in quiet countryside 3.5 km from the town. In addition to a private pool and spacious gardens, it also has a private tennis court, games room and table tennis facilities to keep children and adults amused for hours.
Villas in Lagos - click here to browse our luxurious Algarve villas.
Villas in Lagos: About Lagos
Staying in one of our Algarve villas offers a great chance to unwind, as the Algarve is a beautiful location for a summer holiday. Lagos is a true gem and is made up of a vibrant new marina, the old town, plus the surrounding districts and smaller villages.
Once an ancient maritime town, Lagos has a history dating back 2000 years. The old town is fascinating to explore with captivating historical sites, interesting architecture and many fine restaurants, boutiques and coffee shops. Lagos was also centre of the European slave trade and the Slave Market, which is now an art gallery, stands as testament to the town’s murkier past.
If you are fascinated by history, Lagos has much to discover. The ancient 16th century walls still encircle the older part of Lagos and the 17th century fort, which guards the town, has been turned into a small museum with maritime exhibitions.
Lagos’ regional museum houses archaeological, military and religious artefacts and next to this building is an amazing church: the Church of Santo Antonio. This looks quite plain on the outside but is beautiful on the inside with intricate gilded wood carvings, baroque paintings, and blue and white 18th century azulejo tiles. Do bear in mind that Lagos is very hilly so it is worth wearing practical shoes to have a look around the area.
Lagos is one of the popular tourist spots in the Algarve and one of the main draws is the marina where you can take a stroll and soak up the atmosphere. The town has a lively night life with many tourist friendly restaurants, bars, and discos. If you want a more family oriented holiday, the restaurants are always very welcoming towards children and you will enjoy traditional Portuguese hospitality here.
If you enjoy seafood, just over the marina bridge you can see the fishing boats where you can buy freshly caught fish. There is also a daily fish market in the town centre, which is in addition to the town’s weekly Saturday market selling fresh fruit, vegetables, olives, and honey.
If you like being in the middle of it all and would prefer to rent centrally located villas in Lagos, we have the attractive four bedroom villa, Pedra Alacada, which is just 20 minutes walk to the town centre and 15 minutes walk to the nearest beach. The villa also has a separate apartment with kitchenette so it is perfect for families with older children, or for more than one family of holidaymakers.
Algarve Villas: The Beaches
If relaxing on golden, sandy beaches is your main reason for holidaying in the Algarve, you won’t be disappointed here. Lagos has some of the most beautiful beaches in the area, which lie at the bottom of dramatic rugged cliffs. Among the many stunning beaches to explore include: Ponta da Piedade, with its caves and rocks, and Praia de Dona Ana, which is a 25 minute walk from the town centre.
Our villas and apartments are often within a short stroll to the beach where a range of activities are on offer. These include: sailing, deep sea fishing, snorkelling, scuba diving, dolphin tours, diving, water-skiing, jet-ski hire, windsurfing and kayaking, as well as the best surfing in the western Algarve.
The resort of Jardim da Meia Praia is just a few minutes drive from the marina and is within walking distance of the Meia Praia beach. We have a two and three bedroom townhouse available for holiday rentals in the resort and these are set in stunning landscaped gardens with the benefit of a large outdoor pool to cool off in after a day of sight-seeing.
Villas in Lagos: Activities
If you want to take a break from the beach for the day, there are also plenty of activities on offer in Lagos. These include horse riding at Tiffany’s Riding Centre (Vale Grifo, 1677-E Almadeno, 8600 102 LUZ LGS, Lagos, telephone +351 282 697 395), off roading in buggies, mountain biking, and cliff walking. You can also hire courts by the hour for around 4.99 euros at Break Point Tennis Club.
The Algarve is famous for its golf courses and you can tee off in one of the many fantastic golf courses in and around the area. The two bedroom villa Casa Margarida is 3.5 miles from Lagos but within easy reach of three golf courses and three riding schools. It is also just 1 km from the village of Sargacal. It benefits from a private terrace and swimming pool and sleeps four.
Further afield there are plenty of attractions for the whole family to enjoy including the Zoo in the village of Barao Sao Joao. It has 120 animal species from across the world and is open all year round. Aqualand, open early June - early September, is always heaps of fun, although it can get very busy. A huge hit with children and adults is Zoomarine, where you can see dolphins, seals and sea lions, birds of prey, and an aquarium with sharks. It is a truly unforgettable experience.
Villas in Lagos - click here to browse our luxurious Algarve villas.
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Villas in Vilamoura - A Fabulous Private Villa Destination in Eastern Algarve
If you are looking for Algarve villas for a holiday in Portugal, Truly Algarve offer a wide range of private apartments and villas to let including villas in Vilamoura, a luxury resort just 15 minutes from Faro airport. The region of Vilamoura is made up of the town, the marina and several smaller villages. We have rental villas in Vilamoura to suit everybody including town centre villas, beach side villas and accommodation within easy reach of one of the many fantastic golf courses.
Villas in Vilamoura are ideal for holiday rentals as the region offers plenty to do for the whole family including: relaxing on the beaches, shopping, sight-seeing and fine dining in world class restaurants.
Algarve villas in Vilamoura sleep between six to 16 people. If you are holidaying in a large group, one of our largest villas in Vilamoura is Quinta do Billo. This is a stunning eight bedroom villa situated in Vale de Judea and is set amidst beautiful mature gardens with a large private pool, barbecue area, and terraces.
The villa is within easy reach of the town, marina, and golf courses, which are just a 5 km drive away. Quinta do Billo is one of our largest Algarve villas and its sumptuous accommodation includes an extensive master bedroom with jacuzzi, air conditioning, satellite TV, Wi-Fi and a large, fully equipped kitchen. See below to find out more about our villas in Vilamoura.
Villas in Vilamoura - click here to browse our luxurious Algarve villas.
Villas in Vilamoura: About Vilamoura
Vilamoura is the largest single private tourist resort in Portugal and the largest in Europe covering about 2000 hectares. It has a large 1000 berth marina, which plays host to the wealthy and celebrities; however, the town is also a great destination for families looking for a restful holiday in the sun.
Whether you are holidaying as a couple, with friends or as a family, choosing to rent one of our villas in Vilamoura is a great way to enjoy a holiday. With villa rentals, you have the freedom to explore the area at your leisure, take part in one of the many sporting activities, or enjoy Vilamoura’s night-life.
Many of our Algarve villas are just a short stroll to the marina or one of the region’s many golf courses. Villa Machado is in an exclusive residential area near to the golf courses and the marina. It is set in wonderful surroundings with its own private pool and the beach is just 3 km away.
Villa Ancieta, which sleeps ten, is near the Brown’s sports and leisure facility and near the Vilamoura ‘old course’. It is a short distance from the marina and has its own private pool, large gardens and barbecue area.
Villas in Vilamoura: The Marina
If you want to holiday in style in one of our Algarve villas, you will find all this and more in Vilamoura. The marina is full of upmarket designer shops, high end restaurants, and trendy bars. Take a stroll, marvel at some of the dreamy yachts that are moored here, or enjoy a cocktail or two and people watch.
If a yacht is out of your budget, you can take a boat trip on the marina and enjoy a champagne cruise, or you can also charter a boat for big game fishing. However, if the night life is more your scene, Vilamoura gets quite lively in the evenings when many people take a trip to the bars, restaurants or night clubs. The marina even has a casino for people who want to try their luck at the gaming tables.
We have many villas in Vilamoura within walking distance of the marina. Villa Manuela is situated between the old town and the marina and the beach is just 3 km away. It has a private pool, barbecue, and gardens.
Algarve Villas: Golfing
Vilamoura is a famous destination for golf and there are six golf courses where you can practice your swing.
The Oceanico Golf Resort has five golf courses including the Oceanico Old, which is among Europe’s finest golf courses. All the courses here offer different levels of play and have different characteristics including the 18 home Pinhal Golf Course, which has sea views. The Vila Sol Golf Course is a championship golf course with three loops of nine holes and hosted the Portuguese Open for two consecutive years.
We have villas in Vilamoura close to golf courses including Villa Cindy, in Vilasol, one of the finest golf resorts in the world. The villa sleeps six and is set in superb mature gardens with its own private pool.
Villa Pinhal also sleeps six and is just a short stroll from the Millennium Golf Course. It is next to another identical property also available to rent.
Algarve Villas: The Beaches
Vilamoura has a sandy coastline. There are two beautiful beaches: Praia da Marina ('Vilamoura Beach') and Praia da Falésia. If you enjoy a good amble, you can stroll from Praia da Falésia to Olhos d' Àgua or take a leisurely walk from Praia da Marina into Quarteira.
Algarve villas offer plenty of opportunities to enjoy beach life with several villas near the coast. Villa Julia sleeps eight and is within easy reach of the marina and within walking distance of the Old Village complex of Vilamoura. It is set amidst a large private garden with built-in barbecue and swimming pool.
Algarve Villas: Activities
There are a host of activities on offer in and around Vilamoura. If you like adventure sports, the resort has facilities for jet-skiing and parascending. The resort also has a sports club, a tennis centre, a lawn bowling club, a shooting club, a riding school, and you can take part in one of the organised walking and biking tours.
If you enjoy sight-seeing, there is a preserved Roman site in the centre of Vilamoura which includes the baths where the fishermen used to bathe. The museum of Cerro da Vila gives an interesting glimpse into Vilamoura’s past.
If you want to enjoy a leisurely trip around the resort, just jump on one of the tourist ‘trains’ on wheels which operate every half hour and cost about 3 euros.
Villas in Vilamoura - click here to browse our luxurious Algarve villas.
Villas in Vilamoura are ideal for holiday rentals as the region offers plenty to do for the whole family including: relaxing on the beaches, shopping, sight-seeing and fine dining in world class restaurants.
Algarve villas in Vilamoura sleep between six to 16 people. If you are holidaying in a large group, one of our largest villas in Vilamoura is Quinta do Billo. This is a stunning eight bedroom villa situated in Vale de Judea and is set amidst beautiful mature gardens with a large private pool, barbecue area, and terraces.
The villa is within easy reach of the town, marina, and golf courses, which are just a 5 km drive away. Quinta do Billo is one of our largest Algarve villas and its sumptuous accommodation includes an extensive master bedroom with jacuzzi, air conditioning, satellite TV, Wi-Fi and a large, fully equipped kitchen. See below to find out more about our villas in Vilamoura.
Villas in Vilamoura - click here to browse our luxurious Algarve villas.
Villas in Vilamoura: About Vilamoura
Vilamoura is the largest single private tourist resort in Portugal and the largest in Europe covering about 2000 hectares. It has a large 1000 berth marina, which plays host to the wealthy and celebrities; however, the town is also a great destination for families looking for a restful holiday in the sun.
Whether you are holidaying as a couple, with friends or as a family, choosing to rent one of our villas in Vilamoura is a great way to enjoy a holiday. With villa rentals, you have the freedom to explore the area at your leisure, take part in one of the many sporting activities, or enjoy Vilamoura’s night-life.
Many of our Algarve villas are just a short stroll to the marina or one of the region’s many golf courses. Villa Machado is in an exclusive residential area near to the golf courses and the marina. It is set in wonderful surroundings with its own private pool and the beach is just 3 km away.
Villa Ancieta, which sleeps ten, is near the Brown’s sports and leisure facility and near the Vilamoura ‘old course’. It is a short distance from the marina and has its own private pool, large gardens and barbecue area.
Villas in Vilamoura: The Marina
If you want to holiday in style in one of our Algarve villas, you will find all this and more in Vilamoura. The marina is full of upmarket designer shops, high end restaurants, and trendy bars. Take a stroll, marvel at some of the dreamy yachts that are moored here, or enjoy a cocktail or two and people watch.
If a yacht is out of your budget, you can take a boat trip on the marina and enjoy a champagne cruise, or you can also charter a boat for big game fishing. However, if the night life is more your scene, Vilamoura gets quite lively in the evenings when many people take a trip to the bars, restaurants or night clubs. The marina even has a casino for people who want to try their luck at the gaming tables.
We have many villas in Vilamoura within walking distance of the marina. Villa Manuela is situated between the old town and the marina and the beach is just 3 km away. It has a private pool, barbecue, and gardens.
Algarve Villas: Golfing
Vilamoura is a famous destination for golf and there are six golf courses where you can practice your swing.
The Oceanico Golf Resort has five golf courses including the Oceanico Old, which is among Europe’s finest golf courses. All the courses here offer different levels of play and have different characteristics including the 18 home Pinhal Golf Course, which has sea views. The Vila Sol Golf Course is a championship golf course with three loops of nine holes and hosted the Portuguese Open for two consecutive years.
We have villas in Vilamoura close to golf courses including Villa Cindy, in Vilasol, one of the finest golf resorts in the world. The villa sleeps six and is set in superb mature gardens with its own private pool.
Villa Pinhal also sleeps six and is just a short stroll from the Millennium Golf Course. It is next to another identical property also available to rent.
Algarve Villas: The Beaches
Vilamoura has a sandy coastline. There are two beautiful beaches: Praia da Marina ('Vilamoura Beach') and Praia da Falésia. If you enjoy a good amble, you can stroll from Praia da Falésia to Olhos d' Àgua or take a leisurely walk from Praia da Marina into Quarteira.
Algarve villas offer plenty of opportunities to enjoy beach life with several villas near the coast. Villa Julia sleeps eight and is within easy reach of the marina and within walking distance of the Old Village complex of Vilamoura. It is set amidst a large private garden with built-in barbecue and swimming pool.
Algarve Villas: Activities
There are a host of activities on offer in and around Vilamoura. If you like adventure sports, the resort has facilities for jet-skiing and parascending. The resort also has a sports club, a tennis centre, a lawn bowling club, a shooting club, a riding school, and you can take part in one of the organised walking and biking tours.
If you enjoy sight-seeing, there is a preserved Roman site in the centre of Vilamoura which includes the baths where the fishermen used to bathe. The museum of Cerro da Vila gives an interesting glimpse into Vilamoura’s past.
If you want to enjoy a leisurely trip around the resort, just jump on one of the tourist ‘trains’ on wheels which operate every half hour and cost about 3 euros.
Villas in Vilamoura - click here to browse our luxurious Algarve villas.
Monday, July 9, 2012
Villas in Carvoeiro - Why Choose a Holiday in Carvoeiro This Summer?
What Makes Carvoeiro a Great Holiday Destination?
Villas in Carvoeiro are the perfect choice if you want a holiday resort in the Algarve which is relatively unspoilt and still retains much of its original charm. There are many beautiful villas in Carvoeiro with swimming pools, ideal for couples, families and large groups. You will find the Algarvians very welcoming so any one of our villas in Carvoeiro will feel like a home from home!
Carvoeiro was originally a small fishing village where foreign villa owners were few and far between. When it was a little known resort it was not unheard of for a friendly restaurant owner to pay a visit to villas in Carvoeiro to ask if they could open their restaurant for you! Gradually Carvoeiro became increasingly popular with tourists and has grown into a lively tourist town (a town since 2001) enjoying a picture-postcard setting on the rocky Algerian coastline.
Along with many newer family-friendly villas in Carvoeiro, the older part of the village near the beach has lots of cobbled back streets weaving among the many charming Algarvian cottages. Carvoeiro has an interesting history dating back to the Roman times and involving pirates. There was also a famed battle in 1544 between Portuguese seamen and the notorious Turkish pirate Xarramet.
The Appeal of Villas in Carvoeiro
Villas in Carvoeiro are stunning and are well equipped with all the modern conveniences, the use of a swimming pool and secluded gardens or terraces. Whether you are a couple or holidaying with family and renting one of our stunning villas in Carvoeiro there is plenty to do here for people of all ages. Activities include relaxing on one of the many superb beaches, renting a boat and exploring the coastline, deep sea fishing, golfing, playing tennis, swimming in the fun-filled water parks, visiting the theme parks and small zoos, shopping as well as dining in the child friendly eateries. Carvoeiro has many fine restaurants offering a variety of different cuisines including Portuguese, Indian, French, Thai, Italian and Chinese.
Here were shall look at what makes Carvoeiro such great tourist destination and why it draws visitors year after year.
Villas in Carvoeiro - click here to view our full portfolio
Idyllic Beaches to Relax and Unwind on
Praia do Carvoeiro is a picturesque beach surrounded by a sheltered rugged rock formation where you can cool off in the crystal clear waters. Beaches are enjoyable for the whole family and if you forget your towel, flip flops, costume or swimming floats in Carvoeiro, you don’t have to worry as there are plenty of shops nearby where you can stock up on all you need. After catching some rays, just amble along to the one of the nearby restaurants to enjoy fresh fish for lunch or to cool off with an ice-cream.
If you are renting villas in Carvoeiro, the beach can get very busy during peak season so if you have hired a car and want a change of scenery head to the golden sands of Prairo de Centianes just east of Carvoeiro or Benagil (in the direction of Vale Da Milho Golf course) which has musical performances on summer evenings. Another interesting place to visit is the island beach of Praia de Barrill (part of Praia Ilha de Tavira) where you need to walk across a pontoon narrow bridge and ride a miniature train or walk across a track to get there.
Fantastic Destination for Families
Carvoeiro is a family-friendly resort which is easy to reach as it is just 30 minutes from the airport. Just 1 km east of the beach in Carvoeiro is an impressive rock formation called Acgar Seco where you climb down the steep steps and take a look at the grottos. You can also take a boat ride from the beach to explore the hidden coves and grottos or go deep sea fishing for swordfish.
If you want a more active holiday, head for Carvoeiro Tennis Club, at the resort complex Carvoeiro Clube, which has 12 courts and practice facilities. For horse, lovers, there are many riding places around Carvoeiro including the nearby Quinta da Gill Riding Centre at Lombos near Lago. If you are renting villas in Carvoeiro and the children are looking for adventure outside the town there are many fascinating places to visit including the Zoomarine, where you can see wonderful displays by seals, sea lions and dolphins. The children will also love a day at one of the many water parks such as Slide and Splash and Aqualand.
Equally Good For Couples
Couples can hire a car from Easygo Car Rental or Algarve Car Hire and explore the Algarve’s breathtaking scenery including the fascinating rugged coastline. For retail therapy you can visit the bustling nearby tourist towns of Lagoa, Portimao and Albufeira, or if you prefer sight-seeing take a trip to the historic town of Silves which is overlooked by a red sandstone castle.
For couples who want to try their hand at golf, the Algarve is famous for its golf courses so tee off at one of the many nearby golf courses such as Gramacho or Pinta golf courses (both 18 holes) or the nine hole Vale de Milho course.
Relax and unwind in the evening by having a chef cook in your villa or visit some of the town’s excellent restaurants such as O Indiano (O Castello) restaurant with rustic decor and a romantic setting including a small terrace where you can enjoy magnificent views over the beach. Restaurant Maxime is a Dutch/French restaurant using local ingredients. It is situated on the main strip of restaurants called the Estrada do Farol and is a bit more expensive than other restaurants but you can enjoy extras like an amuse bouche before starters and champagne sorbet in between courses. Happy’s is a busy family-friendly restaurant where you can expect to see swordfish, steak, mixed meat kebabs, piri piri starters and sardines on the menu.
The Weather is Glorious!
The Algarve has a wonderful climate with beautiful blue skies and 3,000 hours of sunshine a year. Temperatures average around 24-29C in summer and between 13-17C in winter. Temperatures are at their peak in July and August.
Algarve Villa Holidays - click here to view our full selection of Algarve villas and apartments.
Villas in Carvoeiro are the perfect choice if you want a holiday resort in the Algarve which is relatively unspoilt and still retains much of its original charm. There are many beautiful villas in Carvoeiro with swimming pools, ideal for couples, families and large groups. You will find the Algarvians very welcoming so any one of our villas in Carvoeiro will feel like a home from home!
Carvoeiro was originally a small fishing village where foreign villa owners were few and far between. When it was a little known resort it was not unheard of for a friendly restaurant owner to pay a visit to villas in Carvoeiro to ask if they could open their restaurant for you! Gradually Carvoeiro became increasingly popular with tourists and has grown into a lively tourist town (a town since 2001) enjoying a picture-postcard setting on the rocky Algerian coastline.
Along with many newer family-friendly villas in Carvoeiro, the older part of the village near the beach has lots of cobbled back streets weaving among the many charming Algarvian cottages. Carvoeiro has an interesting history dating back to the Roman times and involving pirates. There was also a famed battle in 1544 between Portuguese seamen and the notorious Turkish pirate Xarramet.
The Appeal of Villas in Carvoeiro
Villas in Carvoeiro are stunning and are well equipped with all the modern conveniences, the use of a swimming pool and secluded gardens or terraces. Whether you are a couple or holidaying with family and renting one of our stunning villas in Carvoeiro there is plenty to do here for people of all ages. Activities include relaxing on one of the many superb beaches, renting a boat and exploring the coastline, deep sea fishing, golfing, playing tennis, swimming in the fun-filled water parks, visiting the theme parks and small zoos, shopping as well as dining in the child friendly eateries. Carvoeiro has many fine restaurants offering a variety of different cuisines including Portuguese, Indian, French, Thai, Italian and Chinese.
Here were shall look at what makes Carvoeiro such great tourist destination and why it draws visitors year after year.
Villas in Carvoeiro - click here to view our full portfolio
Idyllic Beaches to Relax and Unwind on
Praia do Carvoeiro is a picturesque beach surrounded by a sheltered rugged rock formation where you can cool off in the crystal clear waters. Beaches are enjoyable for the whole family and if you forget your towel, flip flops, costume or swimming floats in Carvoeiro, you don’t have to worry as there are plenty of shops nearby where you can stock up on all you need. After catching some rays, just amble along to the one of the nearby restaurants to enjoy fresh fish for lunch or to cool off with an ice-cream.
If you are renting villas in Carvoeiro, the beach can get very busy during peak season so if you have hired a car and want a change of scenery head to the golden sands of Prairo de Centianes just east of Carvoeiro or Benagil (in the direction of Vale Da Milho Golf course) which has musical performances on summer evenings. Another interesting place to visit is the island beach of Praia de Barrill (part of Praia Ilha de Tavira) where you need to walk across a pontoon narrow bridge and ride a miniature train or walk across a track to get there.
Fantastic Destination for Families
Carvoeiro is a family-friendly resort which is easy to reach as it is just 30 minutes from the airport. Just 1 km east of the beach in Carvoeiro is an impressive rock formation called Acgar Seco where you climb down the steep steps and take a look at the grottos. You can also take a boat ride from the beach to explore the hidden coves and grottos or go deep sea fishing for swordfish.
If you want a more active holiday, head for Carvoeiro Tennis Club, at the resort complex Carvoeiro Clube, which has 12 courts and practice facilities. For horse, lovers, there are many riding places around Carvoeiro including the nearby Quinta da Gill Riding Centre at Lombos near Lago. If you are renting villas in Carvoeiro and the children are looking for adventure outside the town there are many fascinating places to visit including the Zoomarine, where you can see wonderful displays by seals, sea lions and dolphins. The children will also love a day at one of the many water parks such as Slide and Splash and Aqualand.
Equally Good For Couples
Couples can hire a car from Easygo Car Rental or Algarve Car Hire and explore the Algarve’s breathtaking scenery including the fascinating rugged coastline. For retail therapy you can visit the bustling nearby tourist towns of Lagoa, Portimao and Albufeira, or if you prefer sight-seeing take a trip to the historic town of Silves which is overlooked by a red sandstone castle.
For couples who want to try their hand at golf, the Algarve is famous for its golf courses so tee off at one of the many nearby golf courses such as Gramacho or Pinta golf courses (both 18 holes) or the nine hole Vale de Milho course.
Relax and unwind in the evening by having a chef cook in your villa or visit some of the town’s excellent restaurants such as O Indiano (O Castello) restaurant with rustic decor and a romantic setting including a small terrace where you can enjoy magnificent views over the beach. Restaurant Maxime is a Dutch/French restaurant using local ingredients. It is situated on the main strip of restaurants called the Estrada do Farol and is a bit more expensive than other restaurants but you can enjoy extras like an amuse bouche before starters and champagne sorbet in between courses. Happy’s is a busy family-friendly restaurant where you can expect to see swordfish, steak, mixed meat kebabs, piri piri starters and sardines on the menu.
The Weather is Glorious!
The Algarve has a wonderful climate with beautiful blue skies and 3,000 hours of sunshine a year. Temperatures average around 24-29C in summer and between 13-17C in winter. Temperatures are at their peak in July and August.
Algarve Villa Holidays - click here to view our full selection of Algarve villas and apartments.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Algarve Villa Holidays: Spotlight on Lagos Part Two
Here on this blog we produce monthly articles to help you plan your Algarve Villa Holiday or just enjoy a few moments day-dreaming on a dreary winter day! Last month we reviewed holidays in Lagos Algarve - looking at Lagos town, the accommodation, the beaches, the marina, the coastline and the dolphins. This month we continue our exploration - and look at what there is to do here in terms of sports, shopping, restaurants and nightlife.Algarve Villas - click here to browse our Algarve villa accommodation or click here to view our Villas in Lagos
The Sports
There are all sorts of sporting opportunities in Lagos from golf at the excellent courses of Parque de Floresta, Belavista and Palmares, to surfing including mountain biking, off-roading in buggies, boat and jet ski hire, water skiing, scuba diving, sailing, fishing and snorkelling, There is tennis and bowling, squash, swimming and of course, there’s always the gym. Horse riding is also available nearby at the Quinta do Paraiso, so whatever sport you’re into, you’re bound to find something to get the adrenalin pumping.
The Shops
Lagos’ fish market, in the centre of the town is second to none. A wonderful selection of fresh sea food is available and you simply wont buy fresher. Upstairs there’s a fruit and veg market and up another level is a terrace restaurant, so you can effectively make your food choices as you climb the stairs, to be seated and served when you reach the top. The top floor also gives you a great photo opportunity, as the view is lovely.There are two supermarkets in town. The Mondelo and the Intermarche, both with a good selection of all your favourite foods but if you want English imported foods, these will be more expensive. There’s a photographic store so you can have your snaps developed or buy another memory stick (because you are going to need it). There’s a post office or “Correios” where you can buy stamps to send postcards home and there’s an Aladdin’s Cave called “O Coixote” which stocks local arts crafts, antiques, gifts, jewellery and lots more besides.
Other stores include accessory and jewellery stores, women's clothing boutiques,
unisex fashion boutiques, shoe shops, leather goods stores, gift shops, wineshops, a bakers, a Pastelaria e Gelataria' featuring yummy cakes, tarts, ice creams and regional specialities, a ceramics, pottery and household furnishings store, arts and crafts stores, furniture shops, antiques shops, fabrics and soft furnishings, in fact, everything you’d imagine from a fully functioning, self sufficient, sizable, holiday town
The Restaurants
As you might expect, there are good quality restaurants a plenty in Lagos, so if you decide to go out for a meal a few times, rather than cook for yourselves, you’ll have plenty of choice. Arguably the best Italian in town is Borsalino, reasonably priced a child friendly, the food is excellent. If your preference is for something a little more Portuguese and romantic then try Restaurante dos Artistas, priced in the mid range, this is ideal for those lovely romantic holiday meals. It has been said that they serve the best food in Lagos, by far.
If you’re feeling a little homesick and fancy a good old English breakfast or brunch, pop along to Oasis where they serve up a cracking full English. The staff are very friendly and the food is excellent. Lagos is very family oriented with many excellent restaurants happy to welcome younger children and cater for all tastes and budgets.
Many of the restaurants have tables spilling out into the streets for that typically Continental/Mediterranean dining experience.
The Nightlife
The nightlife in Lagos is a mixed bag, but in a good way. Whatever your musical tastes, there is something to suit. The Duna Beach is a popular nightspot and arguably the best nightclub in the Algarve. Up to the minute tunes combine with a stunning beach location to make a great night out. The Wolfs Lair is another top spot with interesting decor that takes you to medieval times. It's open till 4am so you could stay there all night if you wished. Close by is the Bon Vivant rooftop terrace which is a great spot for a "sundowner" (a last drink as the sun goes down or, the first drink of the evening). A lot of the bars in Lagos are British owned so you wont have a problem with the language, even the German bar keep at Bar Terapia speaks perfect English. There are sports bars and karaoke bars, Irish bar, reggae bars and techno music bars, so there’s something to suit everyone.
You don’t even have to go in. For some, just wandering about and soaking up the atmosphere is an experience in itself. Check out the main square in Lagos, this regularly stages events, which are fun and exciting and lots of them are free.Algarve Villas - click here to browse our Algarve villa accommodation or click here to view our Villas in Lagos
Algarve Villa Holidays - Take the Family to The Algarve Next Summer for Sunshine, Beaches and Loads of Activities!
Looking at options for your 2012 family holiday? Have you considered Algarve Villa Holidays? Truly Algarve provides a wide range of well equipped Algarve Villa Holidays perfectly suited to families. The Algarve’s year round climate, beautiful beaches and local hospitality continue to make it a popular destination with visitors returning year after year. With many excellent resorts to choose from offering a wealth of activities for the whole family, you’ll be spoilt for choice.Algarve Villa Holidays - click here to browse our Algarve villa accommodation
Algarve Villa holidays offer a home away from home; each villa is individually decorated providing good quality and comfortable accommodation. For those families with babies and infants, highchairs and cots are provided on request. Many Algarve Villa Holidays offer private pools and barbeques, with well maintained surrounding grounds offering a safe haven for children. If you haven’t stayed in a villa before, you may not have considered the many benefits - there’s no fixed timetable as with a hotel, so get up when you want, eat when you want and relax in the privacy of your own surroundings without interruption from other guests. Welcome packs containing grocery essentials can also be provided, as can airport transfers.Year Round Climate
The Algarve benefits from the best climate in Europe, with year round blue skies, 3000 hours of annual sunshine and only a short period of rainfall between the months of November and March. Due to its location in the Atlantic, temperatures in the high season are slightly lower than other European destinations, offering perfect weather for tourism and making it particularly attractive to families with younger children. Sun worshippers need not be disappointed as the Algarve enjoys particularly long sunny days and glorious warm evenings.
Temperatures in the Algarve range from 15 degrees to around 31, but never dip below freezing in the winter. Such a pleasant year round climate sees increasing numbers of families visiting the Algarve, to maximise the long hours of sunshine. With almost guaranteed sunshine and a destination offering countless activities for all the family there will be no shortage of things to do and definitely no wet afternoons to fill with things to keep the children amused.
Even families on a tight budget will be assured of a fantastic holiday, the cost of living in the Algarve is renowned for being relatively inexpensive compared to neighbouring European holiday destinations and it’s many fine sandy beaches provide the perfect location for a family picnic, lazing in the sun, building sand castles and splashing in the beautifully clear water.
Beautiful Sandy Beaches
The Algarve’s extensive coastline is blessed with a wealth of long sandy beaches and small sheltered coves; a calm clear sea coupled with water temperatures of around 22 degrees in the summer months make it a bather’s paradise.
Whist there is no end of beaches for you to visit during your family holiday to the Algarve, our recommendations for the most family friendly beaches include:
Praia da Gale, an excellent all-round choice for families providing safe swimming and watersports. Offering a quiet, tranquil beach, Praia da Gale offers the perfect place to escape the bustling resort of Albufeira. The beach offers trouble-free parking, a friendly family atmosphere with ample places to eat. Better still the length of the beach means that it rarely feels overcrowded.
Praia do Vau - Alvor is a pretty sandy beach situated in a sheltered bay. Again this beach offers a fantastic choice for families, providing a good selection of places to eat, safe swimming and plenty of peace and quiet so you and your family can relax and enjoy the Algarvian sunshine.
The Eastern Algarve’s Praia Verde, which takes its name from the pine tree forest which borders the beach, offers sandy dunes, a couple of beach bars and a restaurant offering a relaxed day out for families with children.
Those families looking for a little more action in the way of water sports and other beach activities including diving should head to either Praia da Luz, a half mile sheltered sandy beach near Luz and Lagos or Meia Praia located in the West of the Algarve also near Lagos which offers miles of golden sand. Both beaches are well suited to those holidaying with children of any age providing plenty of activities to keep them occupied whilst you watch them have fun from the comfort of one of the many sun beds on offer.
Fun for all the Family
What better way to spend your summer holiday than visiting a destination with a reputation for its hospitality and family friendly atmosphere. Many of the locals speak either English or German as a second language, so language should not pose a barrier.
Children are welcome in restaurants and bars, allowing you to eat your evening meal as a family whilst sampling a glass or two of the good local wine. The Algarve’s extensive coastline also means that most restaurants have an excellent array of fish on their menus, most of which will have been caught only hours before.
The Algarve offers resorts to suit families with children of all ages. Those with younger children should look at the smaller resorts of Praia da Luz, Caroeiro, Vilamoura and Vale do Lobo, whilst those with teenagers perhaps better suited to the larger resorts of Albufeira and Lagos due to the choice of nightlife, shops and cinemas.
For the sports enthusiasts the year round sunshine means that the Algarve is able to offer a multitude of family friendly outdoor activities to suit all ages including fishing, horse riding and tennis. Many of the Algarve’s beaches offer an array of water sports including scuba diving and water skiing, and budding golfers can take advantage of one of the many fine courses on the island.Whatever resort you choose we are sure you and your family won’t be disappointed. The Algarve is truly a wonderful holiday destination offering fun for all the family.
Algarve Villa Holidays - click here to browse our Algarve villa accommodation
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Algarve Villa Holidays - Spotlight on Lagos
If you are thinking about an Algarve villa holiday next summer, then why not come and stay in Lagos? Read on to find out more about this popular Algarve villa holiday destination.Algarve Villa Holidays - Click here to view our large selection of Algarve Villas and Algarve Apartments
Lagos Town
The A22 motorway now takes you all the way from Faro International Airport to Lagos and without pushing it, the journey should take about an hour. You’ll pass some lovely scenery en-route but don’t worry; there are many more photo opportunities to come. The historic town of Lagos is now a lively and very busy place, popular among tourists and holidaymakers. This belies its quiet fishing village past, of which there are still plenty of reminders.
Lagos is in the western Algarve, not the point breaks and craggy rock faces of Sagres, where all the adrenalin junkies hang out, but a chilled out, more grown up version of its loud and kiddy-centric neighbour in central Algarve. The town is guarded by a 17thC fort, which was erected to protect the town and their piece of the coast. The building now houses a small museum with information about Portugal's maritime history and is worth a look if you’re into that sort of thing.
The third largest town on the Algarve, Lagos is a maze of winding cobbled streets, lined with pavement cafés, restaurants and bars. Some dimly lit, brooding and seductive, others laced with neon and pumping out eurotrash. Antiques and art shops abound here in a town desperate to cling onto its culture and history. Somehow though, this quaint old fishing manages to serve both masters, combining the charm of it's past, with the demands of a modern and popular Algarve holiday destination.
One of the ways Lagos manages this juxtaposition of both age and style, is by staging street entertainments on a regular basis. Throughout the year you will find buskers (some paid, some not) and performance artists displaying their skills, eager to pose for a photo or two. You’ll find street markets and a whole calendar full of festivals and many times the two will clash, filling the main square and streets with revellers. The Portuguese are also passionate sports fans, especially when it comes to their football, so if a high profile game were also to coincide with a festival, as often happens, there’ll hardly be room to move on the streets – It’ll be fun though.
The Accommodation
At Villa in Algarve we have a wide selection of Algarve villas and apartments for rent in Lagos, sleeping up to 10 people. Villas to rent and apartments for hire in Lagos in Portugal are extremely popular and are sure to suit almost everyone. In the beautifully landscaped Jardim da Meia Praia, development for example, you’ll find superb 2 and 3 bedroomed townhouses, sleeping 4 to 6 people respectively. Elsewhere in the town, you’ll find self-catering apartments for rent with fully equipped kitchens, comfortable beds and balconies, some affording superb views of the countryside, whilst others present breathtaking views of the coast. You’ll find individually styled Algarve holiday villas which offer a luxurious base, from which you can either explore the beaches or simply lounge around your own private pool surrounded by lush green gardens.Villas in Lagos - click here to view our Lagos Algarve Holiday Villas
The Beaches
Lagos lays claim to eight beaches, namely; Batata, Estudantes, Camilo, Dona Ana, Luz, Meia, Pinhão and Porto de Mós, though, it should be said that 1 or 2 of them are shared with the neighbouring town of Luz. Meia is by far the largest and most popular beach in Lagos, stretching from the edge of the bay, to the Alvor estuary. The beach presents miles of soft white sand and crystal blue waters, and there is a wide range of beach bars and restaurants to choose from.
The Marina
The recently constructed marina is postcard pretty and a wonderful place to while away a few hours people and boat watching. Besides its permanent moorings, many of which, themselves are not cheap, it is usually full of expensive yachts passing through on their way to or from the Mediterranean and the Americas. From the marina you can book boat tours, hire yachts and go on deep sea-fishing outings. Or if you’d rather stay on firm land, you could climb the steps of the 17th Century “Forte da Bandeira" which guards the entrance to the harbour. If you climb the steps, to the top of its outer perimeter the view from there is amazing. The Fort houses a small but very interesting museum which is dedicated to the Portuguese Discoveries.
The Coastline
The coastline here in Lagos is a great mix of soft sanded beach and rugged rock formations, making this location ideal for families and groups of mixed ages. You can choose between laying on a beach, reading a book and sunbathing, or clambering around the rocks, looking for sea creatures in the small pools of water left behind by the tides.
If you fancy going on a boat trip, pop down to the harbour at Lagos, you’ll find several guides there that will be only too pleased to take you for a tour to the many caves along the coast. They are very friendly and will happily regale you with stories of pirates and smugglers, some true, some maybe not quite so true. Other guides will give you a running commentary on the different rock formations, their names and the folklore that goes with them. These interesting and informative tours tend to last for around three quarters of an hour but the guides are more than happy to extend this, stopping to explain some of their favourite features in detail. They will navigate around and in some cases, under the intriguing rock formations and take you into caves, pointing out the many secluded beaches that surround the town.The Dolphins
If you do decide to go on the dolphin safari you really need to book the day before, as they tend to be very popular. Your party will be taken out in a rubber inflatable boat, with an outboard engine. The captains are very experienced and you are issued with life jackets so it is very safe. The boats can get up to about 40knots (46mph) which is great because even if its really hot, the breeze will cool you down. Remember to take lots of sun cream with a high spf number though because the sun reflects off the water, intensifying its power.
Dolphin watching is a truly exhilarating experience. The dolphin's relationship with man has been well documented throughout history and many stories are told of how these magnificent creatures have saved lives by protecting people from sharks and guiding lost ships to safety. Sadly, most people only ever get to see the dolphin in captivity but on a Dolphin safari, you get the opportunity to see the dolphin in its natural environment.
Villas in Lagos - click here to view our Lagos Algarve Holiday Villas
Algarve Villa Holidays - Spotlight on Luz
Luz is a great all round Algarve villa holiday destination in western Algarve. Read on to find out all about Luz town and the accommodation, beaches, coastline, sports, shops, restaurants and nightlife in Luz Algarve.Algarve Villa Holidays - Click here to view our large selection of Algarve Villas and Algarve Apartments
Luz Town
Luz is a resort town close to Lagos but a little further west along the A22. The motorway leading from Faro International Airport to the town of Sagres on the Algarve’s western tip, will connect you to Luz in a little over an hour, which is good news if you have youngsters because they won't have time to get fractious. They’ll be too busy looking out of the car windows and too excited about their holiday to worry about anything else.
Once you arrive in the town, you’ll notice how really quite different it is to the towns in central Algarve. Here it seems, there’s more going on. The sea is a little less quiet, not choppy or rough but just that bit more exciting. You can wind surf here and there are rocks to climb. The beach is clean and tidy and the waters are still very safe, but there’s more action here. There are banana boats and huge rubber rings, which get towed behind boats and there’s water-skiing and jet skiing.
It is a lively and popular tourist location, close enough to central Algarve not to be too rough and rugged and yet far enough west to be interesting. There is more to Luz than laying on a sun bed catching some rays while the kids play in the sand. You can do this of course, there’s nothing to stop you, but if you want to explore and clamber about the rocks and caves or go wind surfing then it is all here for you to do.
The Accommodation
Luz was once a quiet fishing village but over time it has become recognised as a favourite holiday resort and as a result, there has been some extensive development, particularly to the west of Luz Beach
At Villa in Algarve we have a wide selection of Algarve villas and apartments for rent in Luz, sleeping up to 10 people. Villas and apartments for hire in Luz are extremely popular as is the wonderful purpose built development called Estrela da Luz, which has a range of different sized apartments to suit couples, groups of friends and families alike.
Elsewhere in the town, you’ll find self-catering villas, townhouses and apartments to suit parties of up to ten people. Many of them are beautifully furnished and decorated to the highest standards, coming with their own, private pools. Some afford superb views of the countryside, whilst others provide wonderful coastal views. You’ll find unique Algarve holiday villas in Luz, which offer a luxurious base, from which you can explore the beach and the surrounding countryside or where you can simply lounge around poolside and get lost in that book you picked up at the airport.
The development of Luz, around the central beach or “praia”, is almost exclusively 'low rise', consisting of apartments and villas of all sizes with facilities principally aimed at family holidays. Many of our villas in Luz are beautifully located in the village itself so they are perfect if you are looking for a resort, which blends character and history, with the demands of a modern holiday destination. Luz has something for everyone and its safe, sandy beaches are a real boon for many visitors.
Villas in Luz- click here to view our Lagos Algarve Holiday Villas
The BeachThe beautiful beach at Luz boasts miles of soft white sand and crystal blue waters and there is a wide range of beach bars and beachside restaurants to choose from, serving up tasty lunches and evening meals.
The Coastline
The coastline in Luz is a mix of soft-sanded beach and rugged rock formations, making this location ideal for families and groups of friends of mixed ages. You can choose between laying on the beach, reading your book and sunbathing, or clambering around the rocks. Many young adults take this past time very seriously and you’ll often see them in Luz, as they prepare their kit for the rocks and rougher waters of Sagres and points further west.
The Sports
Water-sports are available including windsurfing and boating. Tuition is available for water skiing and diving if you fancy learning something new. The key to getting up out of the water, as the Luz water skiing instructors will tell you, is straightening your legs out in front of you. Sounds easy doesn’t it! The area is also good for surfing. The Luz Ocean Club offers tennis courts, a fitness gym and swimming pools, and the sports centre in Burgau offers squash, tennis, aerobics and other facilities as well as evening barbecues and live music.
The nearby riding centre in Bensafrim offers rides, instruction and day-long picnic rides. Bird watching can be arranged at various protected reserves in the area guided by experienced ornithologists. The Luz Water Sports Centre offers scuba diving, windsurfing, fishing, sailing and snorkelling. There are also 3 excellent golf courses nearby at Parque de Floresta, Bela Vista & Palmares.
The Shops
Luz supports quite a good range of shops that will provide for all of your shopping needs, whether that’s day-to-day food shopping or present buying for the folks back home. There’s a small café and cake shop on the left hand side (coming from the 'square') just past the Ocean Club, which is the best place to get bread and croissants first thing in the morning. There’s a bookstore, for those essential holiday novels and they will even do exchanges, so you can give them the one you bought for the plane, in exchange for something else. There are boutiques, fashion shops and beachwear shops for your flip-flops and beach towels. There is a butcher for all your barbecue meat and there are a number of craft shops selling genuine, and not quite so genuine, original artworks. There’s a car rental office in case you decide you want to trip around a bit and they also hire out quads, scooters and pushbikes too. There are furniture and soft furnishing shops as well as interior designers too. Luz also has two dentists as well as a pharmacy and opticians. There are supermarkets, a post office and a fresh fish, fruit and veg market, in fact, if you can imagine living here full time, which won't be difficult, you’ll have everything here that you’ll need for the home, and if its not here, its a quarter of an hour away in Lagos.
Restaurants and Nightlife
There are a number of very good restaurants in the village serving a variety of local and International dishes, There’s Italian and English as well as Portuguese. Check out Lote 1, Pastelaria Chicca, Cafe a Fabrica and Jake's Bistro, they all come highly recommended. As well as restaurants, there are some great beach bars too and in the centre, some lively pub type bars that turn into small discos or clubs later.
Villas in Luz - click here to view our Lagos Algarve Holiday Villas
Monday, December 5, 2011
Autumn and Winter in the Algarve
Arguably one of the best times to visit the Algarve, the autumn and winter months of September through to December are never what you’d call cold. They are at worst warm and you can still get a good colour with temperatures reaching the mid 30’s at times. This time of year many of the tourists and holidaymakers of the summer have disappeared, leaving miles of golden sanded beach for you to explore, at your leisure.Algarve Villas - click here to view our full range of Algarve holiday villas and apartments
Flights to the Algarve, from the UK and other parts of Europe are that much cheaper at this time of year, making for a great value break. There’s also less traffic on the roads so your trip along the A22, that glorious stretch of tarmac leading out from Faro Airport, will be a breeze and when you get to your destination, whether it’s a villa in the eastern Algarve town of Tavira or an apartment in the central Algarve golfing resorts of Quinta do Lago or Vale do Lobo, you’ll feel nicely refreshed from your journey.
The same is true if you’ve taken a villa in the western Algarve town of Sagres, or made it round the point to Castelejo or Arrifana, or stopped anywhere along that piece of the coast at Zavial, Mareta, Tonel or Beliche. Here the journey time from the airport might be that bit further, but it is well worth it, especially if you are into action sports like surfing and climbing or just prefer the more rugged scenery that this part of the Algarve is famed for.
During the autumn and winter months, there’s increased availability in terms of accommodation. You’ll find that you’ll be able to look at hiring a villa or renting an apartment that, during high season, might have been out of budget. You’ll find also, that pretty much everything else, drops in price too. You can hire cars and motorcycles cheaper, your can get a table at a restaurant more easily and the service is likely to be better, since they’ll have more time. This is great because you’ll often get an impromptu lesson in Portuguese thrown in to the bargain.If you’re into bartering, you won’t have to barter quite so hard and if you do, you can often come away with some good deals. The only price you pay for this increased flexibility and friendliness is the risk of the occasional shower and temperatures that are not quite as hot but it is still shorts and T-shirt weather here, most of the time.
Some people prefer the lower temperatures, making for a different style of holiday. Sports such as tennis are great played in the lower temperatures – and for golf enthusiasts lower green fees are charged out of season and there are fewer people to ‘play through’. This even applies to the championship courses of Vale do Lobo and Quinta do Lago.
If golf is not your thing; how about a pleasant stroll in the Algarve countryside? At this time of year, tramping around the Ria Formosa Natural Park is lovely and there is lots to see. The forty four thousand acres of wood and park land are largely protected by a string of islands that form a natural barrier against the off shore elements. This barrier shelters a large, tidal salt-water lagoon which is home to a diverse mix of wildlife, both animal and vegetable. The vast green space is of particular importance to numerous wintering waders and ducks and the reed beds here form important nesting sites for many of them.
During the autumn, the lagoon regularly attracts 20,000 or so water birds including; Eurasian Wigeons, Greater Flamingoes, White Storks, Eurasian Spoonbills, Little Bitterns, Purple Swamphens, Black-winged Stilts, Pied Avocets, Grey Plovers, Common Ringed Plovers, Kentish Plovers, Bar-tailed Godwits, Ruddy Turnstones, Dunlins, Little Terns and the bird that has become the symbol of the Ria Formosa, the Collared Pratincole.
If you are in Portugal and the Algarve for Christmas, you are in for a real treat. Things get started as early as December the 8th, that’s way before most of us in the UK have even got into the festive mood! Festivities and firework displays will generally happen throughout December but Christmas proper is celebrated on the evening of December 24th. This tends to be a comparatively quiet, family affair, but the celebrations kick off again afterwards, in the run up to New Year when there are yet more firework displays, culminating in the big ones which take place over the water.
All of the main resort towns will have their own highlights and the shopkeepers make a special effort with decorations, lights and trees. Goods wise though, you’ll find nothing much changes, there isn’t the big Christmas consumer push that there is in the UK. In Portugal, and even in the most Anglicised parts of the Algarve, Christmas is still, first and foremost a family affair. That’s not to say, they don’t like to party, of course they do and they love their festive treats too, but when it comes to buying presents and in particular, Christmas cards, the Portuguese are a little more, reserved.
Algarve Villas - click here to view our full range of Algarve holiday villas and apartments
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