One of the main tourist destinations on the Algarve, Portugal, Vilamoura is still a relatively new resort, only developed since the 1970’s, but don’t let that put you off, this is a splendid resort with a great range of facilities. A large and attractive marina provides a wide range of water sports facilities and a number of boat and fishing trips, the wonderful sandy beaches, perhaps the main attraction, and a number of fine golf courses all add to the attraction of the place. Although the resort is new, there are Roman remains at Cerro da Vila Archaeological Museum, plus some historic towns nearby for instance Portimao and Lagos. For families one of the major attractions is the Atlantic Park Waterpark and also the Roma Mini Golf course, both of which attract large numbers of visitors. The climate of course is wonderful, with Vilamoura weather being hot during the summer and mild through the winter, providing ideal holiday conditions.
May 14, 2010
April 18, 2010
Portimao Portugal
Tracing its origins back to the times of the ancient Phoenicians, the city of Portimao is the 2nd largest city in the Algarve region of Portugal (after Faro). A busy commercial port and tourist centre, Portimao is an ideal base for touring the Algarve, beimng within a hour’s drive of Faro International Airport and being close to some excellent sandy beaches including Praia da Rocha, Praia da Vau and Alvor. Perfect for a fishing or golfing holiday, Portimao harbour is the place to book deep-sea fishing trips and boat trips around the port and to neighbouring resorts. Golfing facilities are plentiful with fine courses such as the Alto Golf and Country Club and the Penina Golf Resort situated nearby. The are of course is renowned for its climate and the weather in Portimao is ideal for family holidays as well as being just the job for golfers all year round, with long hours of sunshine and low rainfall. Portimao can be reached from the A-22 motorway and is about 65 kilometres from Faro. Portimao Map.
March 13, 2010
Lagos Algarve Portugal
One of the busiest tourist centres on Portugal’s Algarve coastline, Lagos was in fact one the capital of the region and its harbour welcomed in the great Henry the Navigator as he returned from his historic voyages. The ancient fortress and sections of the old city walls survived the devastating Lisbon earthquake of 1755, as did a couple of its churches. In the old town, you will still find narrow, cobbled streets, which look much as they have for centuries. To view the best of the town’s attractions head for the Praça da Republica, the centre of life in Lagos. Modern day Lagos is a bustling holiday resort, popular with the younger set, it offers a superb sandy beach, plenty of bars, shops and restaurants, a good choice of facilities and a wonderful climate, with Lagos weather ideal for summer holidays and also suitable for winter breaks and sporting holidays. Lagos is at the western end of the Algarve, near to Portimao, and provides a good base for exploring this part of the region, other towns worth a visit include Sagres and Portimao.
Map.
January 22, 2010
Praia da Rocha Portugal
One of the best known and earliest established beach resorts on the Algarve coastline of southern Portugal, Praia da Rocha has attracted large numbers of holidaymakers since at least the 1930’s. Undergoing significant developed since those early times, Praia da Rocha draws an ever increasing multitude of visitors who arrive to delight in the superb beach, the bustling nightlife and the wonderful weather that the resort enjoys. No doubt the main attraction of all of these is the fantastic golden, sandy beach, which lies beside the attractive red sandstone cliffs another notable feature of the resort, the cliffs are formed into numerous weird shaped rock formations, some interesting subjects for a photo or two. The ancient city of Portimao is just a short drive or a good walk away (about a mile and a quarter), Portimao is a busy port and the 2nd largest city in the Algarve region of Portugal. You can view a map of the Praia da Rocha area here: Praia da Rocha Map.
August 31, 2009
Carvoeiro Portugal
If you are looking for a decent family resort for visiting the Algarve region of Portugal, you could do little better than the former fishing village of Carvoeiro, situated between Portimao and Albufeira. A charming little town with an emphasis on self-catering apartments, Carvoeiro has a friendly feel and boasts a fine sandy beach, attractive coastline and some decent facilities. A good base for touring some of the historic towns in this section of the Algarve, the town enjoys a super climate with Carvoeiro weather, sunny and warm throughout the summer months, and mild during the winter. One of the highlights of a trip to Carvoeiro is a boat trip to Algar Seco, a local beauty spot where cliffs have been moulded by the sea into stone arches, grottoes and fascinating shapes. Carvoeiro Map.
August 17, 2009
Alvor Portugal
In an estuary location between Portimao and Lagos on Portugal’s Algarve coast, the ancient fishing town of Alvor has recently developed into a significant tourist destination, whilst retaining much of its original charm. Thought to have been originally founded by the Carthaginians, Alvor Portugal has a long and rich history and saw much conflict between Moors and Christians during the 12th and 13th centuries. Present day visitors benefit from the wonderful golfing and spa facilities and the fine sandy beach while enjoying the fabulous Alvor weather and the peaceful fishing village atmosphere. Alvor is easily reached from Faro International Airport which is about 65 kilometres away. Alvor Map.
August 14, 2009
Portugal’s Western Algarve
The windward western section of the Algarve coastline of southern Portugal is rockier and more dramatic than the eastern areas,in the extreme south-west Sagres is the most south-westerly point of Europe, and battered by the Atlantic Ocean is a famous spot for surfing boasting some wonderful beaches ideal for this sport. Sagres has a number of surfing schools providing tuition as has Lagos a little to the east and neighbouring Luz. For the best beaches in the region head for Praia da Rocha, a bustling resort with a huge sandy beach one of the best in Portugal, nearby Portimao is a great place to enjoy a fishing trip or even a dolphin watching expedition, don’t miss out on the shopping while you are there, its centre is a great place for a bit of retail therapy. Sandwiched between Lagos and Portimao is the laid back resort of Alvor, dotted with luxury villas, it was formerly a small fishing village which still clings to its fishing tradition. Further east around Carvoeiro the coastline becomes a string of spectacular rock formations broken up by attractive fishing villages and sandy coves, Carvoeiro, another fishing village turned resort, still retains much of its traditional Portuguese charm. Golfers will not be disappointed with a visit to this region and a number of fine courses line the areas behind the coast. The western Algarve really has it all – stunning beaches around Praia da Roche, fishing and dolphin watching in Portimao, surfing in Lagos, Luz and Sagres, golfing around Carvoeiro and Alvor.