hilton villamoura - what can i look forward to?
Discussion
we are heading to portugal on the weekend and stayng for a few days at the hilton villamoura.to be honest i'm not relly excited by the thought but mrs orse wants to go and has organised it.so what can i look forward to?
i hear that the beaches are good and i'll be taking my bodyboard for a bit of surfing and getting a car so we can wander.
any tips regarding the beaches and the roads very welcome.
thanks.
i hear that the beaches are good and i'll be taking my bodyboard for a bit of surfing and getting a car so we can wander.
any tips regarding the beaches and the roads very welcome.
thanks.
I've stayed right by the marina in Vilamoura. It's not a traditional Portuguese town to be fair since it is relatively new, but that does of course mean that it's spotless, albeit a little lacking in character. The prices for food and beer are quite a bit higher than in the rest of the Algarve, for example a large SuperBock (500ml) was six euros at one of the waterside bars, and this is to capitalise on the golfing/yachting crowd, however it is still comparable to the UK in most respects.
I can't comment on the beaches (as I spent far too much time in the bars with colleagues...) but we did do a high-speed boat ride that goes west along the coast to Albufeira, which was fantastic. On request you can even get off at Albufiera and go exploring. On the journey over ask the driver to point out some of the mansions on the cliff tops - Louis Figo and Christiano Ronaldo are just two of the owners of villas around the coast.
Overall I had a throughly enjoyable, relaxing-but-not-adventurous couple of days there - if you've got a week-long stay planned then I'd look into hiring a car and trekking a bit further afield, otherwise if your plan is to just relax and watch the yachts gently bobbing up and down with a cold lager by your side you'll not be dissapointed.
Have a great time!
I can't comment on the beaches (as I spent far too much time in the bars with colleagues...) but we did do a high-speed boat ride that goes west along the coast to Albufeira, which was fantastic. On request you can even get off at Albufiera and go exploring. On the journey over ask the driver to point out some of the mansions on the cliff tops - Louis Figo and Christiano Ronaldo are just two of the owners of villas around the coast.
Overall I had a throughly enjoyable, relaxing-but-not-adventurous couple of days there - if you've got a week-long stay planned then I'd look into hiring a car and trekking a bit further afield, otherwise if your plan is to just relax and watch the yachts gently bobbing up and down with a cold lager by your side you'll not be dissapointed.
Have a great time!
As you have a car, go have sardines on the dockside in Portimao (about 40 minute drive).
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=s_q&a...
Also go have chicken piri piri up in the Monchique mountains. Pass through the village of Monchique (worth getting out and having a wander round, but not very big (point of note, Monchique is where the fabled Medronho is made, the Algarve's answer to moonshine if you get the local, non touristy stuff) and head up towards Foia. Any of the 3 or 4 restaurants are worth a shout, not fancy but good food and a great view (from memory the 3rd one up is the best). If you go as far as the big TV mast, you missed it by about 1km.
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=s_q&a...
Between Portimao and Monchique is the Portimao race track, if you can persuade the Mrs
If you want a more natural beach, head further west and go to Meia Praia just outside Lagos (about an hour's drive). Plenty of small beach bars and about 20kms of golden beaches. Lagos is also a nice place for a walk around one evening (gets hot in town during the day)
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?utm_campaign=en_GB&a...
Staying a little closer to Villamoura but heading inland, the old town of Silves (has a locally renowned market in the week) has its charm
http://www.silvesuncovered.com/
Personally, I'd avoid Albufeira like the plaque, unless you have a par chant for characterless cities full of Germans
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=s_q&a...
Also go have chicken piri piri up in the Monchique mountains. Pass through the village of Monchique (worth getting out and having a wander round, but not very big (point of note, Monchique is where the fabled Medronho is made, the Algarve's answer to moonshine if you get the local, non touristy stuff) and head up towards Foia. Any of the 3 or 4 restaurants are worth a shout, not fancy but good food and a great view (from memory the 3rd one up is the best). If you go as far as the big TV mast, you missed it by about 1km.
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=s_q&a...
Between Portimao and Monchique is the Portimao race track, if you can persuade the Mrs
If you want a more natural beach, head further west and go to Meia Praia just outside Lagos (about an hour's drive). Plenty of small beach bars and about 20kms of golden beaches. Lagos is also a nice place for a walk around one evening (gets hot in town during the day)
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?utm_campaign=en_GB&a...
Staying a little closer to Villamoura but heading inland, the old town of Silves (has a locally renowned market in the week) has its charm
http://www.silvesuncovered.com/
Personally, I'd avoid Albufeira like the plaque, unless you have a par chant for characterless cities full of Germans
Vilamoura ? Golf and I dont mean VW. A marina that is a less monied version of Puerto Banus, a casino which is fine when you are drunk and some good beaches nearby. A great Thai restaurant oppoasite MacDonalds. Hmmmmm can't think o much more. It will be very busy so avoid obvious tourist stuff.
Monchique is a nice drive if you can get a hire car with a bit of zest. Fubar's chicken Piri Piri places are a good call. Our favouiite is Rampa. Between Monchique an Foia on the right goin up the hill. Great view and great chicken. If you do that on Sunday then head back down and go to Ferragudo Beach to the Bar Nao. Live Jazz Sunday evening. All being well I should be there Sunday evening at about 8.00pm. Picking up daughter and b/f at Lisbon at 5.30.
If you need to know more then pm. I have lived there for 8 years.
Ate lago
Bob
Monchique is a nice drive if you can get a hire car with a bit of zest. Fubar's chicken Piri Piri places are a good call. Our favouiite is Rampa. Between Monchique an Foia on the right goin up the hill. Great view and great chicken. If you do that on Sunday then head back down and go to Ferragudo Beach to the Bar Nao. Live Jazz Sunday evening. All being well I should be there Sunday evening at about 8.00pm. Picking up daughter and b/f at Lisbon at 5.30.
If you need to know more then pm. I have lived there for 8 years.
Ate lago
Bob
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