Discussion
I've just won the use of a 3 bedroom villa (sleeps 6) in the Algarve. The offers open until this time next year.
Now I've never been and don't know much about the place. From your experiences when is the best time to go and when to avoid the place. I've herd that we should avoid going during the Portuguese holiday period - but I don't know when this is!?
Recommendations of things to see and do whilst we're there and also, is a weeks break long enough, or should we extend the trip to 10 days?
David
Now I've never been and don't know much about the place. From your experiences when is the best time to go and when to avoid the place. I've herd that we should avoid going during the Portuguese holiday period - but I don't know when this is!?
Recommendations of things to see and do whilst we're there and also, is a weeks break long enough, or should we extend the trip to 10 days?
David
Have been there twice now, once in April (warm) and again this year in June (very warm, I saw 36 degrees on the rental car thermometer at one time). I'd quite happily go back again. English widely spoken although out on the west coast, French is useful (lots of French surfers). To the west of Faro which is the main airport there are long beaches, high rise appartments and lots of golf. Further west the coast turns to cliff with smaller beaches and more traditional villages/towns. Carvoeiro is nice but we've only seen it out of high season. Has the potential to be very busy in season, I'd imagine, but plenty of choice foodwise. Further on down the coast, Salema is small but ok with a couple of friendly restuarant/bars on the front. If you want really quiet beaches, try those around Aljezur on the west coast. There's a good east west motorway. Inland there are plenty of hilly areas. There's also the new race circuit in the hills outside of Portimao, signposted from the motorway. Watch out for car hire. Even if you pre book insurance with the car, they will try and sell you more and you end up paying more for the insurance than for the car. You have to balance the likelyhood of car damage against how much you're prepared to pay. Portugese drivers aren't, generally speaking, as bad as some people make out. Just be prepared for the odd bit of idiot overtaking. We found the portugese very friendly and helpful. Looking out of the window now at the rain and wind I know where I'd rather be.
The villa is situated near to Silves, on top of a hill I hear with great views. This is all I really know.
The girlfriend and I have been talking, and we are thinking of going out the last week/ 10 days in August. I hear that this will be hot hot hot and the flights more expensive than other months, but she's a teacher, so we're going to have to cough up.
The girlfriend and I have been talking, and we are thinking of going out the last week/ 10 days in August. I hear that this will be hot hot hot and the flights more expensive than other months, but she's a teacher, so we're going to have to cough up.
Flights from Southampton to Faro on Flybe couple of times a week, may be more in summer. Silves (Silvesh) about 40 minutes drive is getting up into the hills. Apart from a cork museum, have no idea what it's like. Interior Algarve not developed like the coast but still worth it. Monchique ok and hills around it. And you're ony 15 minutes from the beach there.
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