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Algarve
Stretching for 100 miles along the southern coast of Portugal, the Algarve offers glorious year-round sunshine, countless sandy beaches, hidden coves, fresh Atlantic waters and a sultry Mediterranean feel, not to mention an abundance of internationally renowned championship golf courses.
Today as a meeting point between Europe and Africa, the Algarve is a fascinating mixture of Moorish, Portuguese and European cultures with a landscape more North African than European. Fig trees, orange and almond groves and meticulous vineyards dominate the gently undulating hills a few miles inland from the sea, bringing welcome bright colours to the landscape. As well as beaches, gentle countryside and charming, unspoiled old-fashioned villages a major attraction of the Algarve is its towns. Faro, Lagos and Tavira have evident Moorish influences, whilst Silves, Salir and Alte are quiet mountain towns and a throwback to a time when life moved at a gentler pace.
ALGARVE PRAIA DA ROCHA
PORCHES ALVOR ALBUFEIRA PRAIA DA FALESIA LAGOS PRAIA DO VILAMOURA CARVOEIRO CANAVIAL VALE DO LOBO SAGRES QUINTA DO LAGO
PRAIA VERDE VILA NOVA DE CACELA OLHAO TAVIRA Faro
When to visit
Activities
With more than 250 days a year filled with sunshine the Algarve has a consistently good climate and thanks to the Gulf Stream a fresh, springtime breeze permeates the winter months.
The Algarve is a top destination for sports and activity based holidays. With great weather and superbly designed golf courses, the region has developed a well-earned reputation for offering world class golfing opportunities. Tennis also has a loyal following with many hotels offering excellent facilities. Given the large number of glorious southfacing beaches watersports enthusiasts will never be disappointed. Jet-skiing, sailing, windsurfing, big-game fishing and scuba diving are all readily available, although options might be more limited in the winter months. Adrenaline junkies might prefer to move inland to try abseiling, caving, paintballing, archery, mountain biking, trekking, horse-riding, white water rafting, or take to the wheel and go karting at the outdoor track in Almancil. Tailor-made four-wheel drive safari trips can meet almost any request.
Cuisine An expansive range of fresh fish and seafood heavily influences the area’s cuisine with freshly caught sole, tuna, sardines, lobster, crab, squid and crayfish the mainstay of most menus in hotels and restaurants of the area. The traditional dish of the region, cataplana, comprises a succulent mix of ham, sausage, cockles, clams, onion, garlic, white wine and spices and with a ready supply of almonds and figs, Portugal excels at sweet desserts. Restaurants range from rustic taverns to elegant restaurants offering modern twists on national cuisine, and at lunch there’s often a prato do dia, dish of the day, or a set three course meal, ementa turistica; menus often list two sizes, meia dose, a half portion, or uma dose, a full portion.
Atlantic Ocean
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CLASSIC CONCIERGE For further details of excursions and sightseeing possibilities, and to book prior to travel, please call our dedicated team on 0800 008 7289.
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