Christmas Opera in the Algarve

The well known opera ‘Christmas is . . .’ has been performed all over the world since it premiered way back in 1980. It has also been performed in 3 different languages; English, French and Dutch. Add Portuguese to make it 4 different languages because on the 5th and 6th of December the magnificent show will enthrall Algarve audiences with a mixed English -Portuguese production.

The show will be produced by Gita Nasta who is the Musical Director at the International School of the Algarve and the cast will include some of the talented students from the school and members of a local choir.

This show will take place at the Lagoa Auditorium in the Western Algarve and promises to thrill audiences coming from nearby towns like Lagos, Portimao and Albufeira.

By Dylan Herholdt

Healthy Living in Albufeira

My colleague and I were taking a drive through Albufeira in the Central Algarve this morning to take a look at the progress of one of our developments and I saw something that I had not noticed before. Minutes away from the beach front of Olhos d'Agua in beautiful, lush green surroundings there is a cross country running track available to the public, open all day, free of charge for those would-be runners and walkers.

At 9:40 am in the Algarve it is already warm, even now, so there were plenty of people jogging and walking along enjoying the fresh air and peaceful surroundings.

Seems like a good way to start the day . . .

By Dylan Herholdt

Algarve School breaks Guiness World Record

People said it could not be done, but they were wrong. A large crowd gathered at the Algarve Stadium on world Guinness Day in good spirit. Students, teachers, parents and Friends of the São Lourenço International School (Almançil, Central Algarve) joined forces to be a part of history.

The Algarve school was attempting to form the largest human domino line and they didn’t just break the previous record of 120, they shattered it, with the final figure being 244 people.

Cheered on by friends and family who came from as far as Tavira, Vilamoura, Albufeira and even Lagos the human dominoes put São Lourenço International School into the Guinness Book of Records, subject to official approval.

We are also pleased to report that nobody was harmed or injured.

By Dylan Herholdt

Bird-watching: The Algarve's latest attraction

The Algarve has for a long time been one of Europe’s top holiday destinations for a number of reasons. The weather, the night life, the golf courses, the beaches and more. But now there is something else that the Algarve is starting to receive world wide acclaim for . . . bird watching.

There are over 4 million dedicated bird watches in the UK alone and they would be pleased to know that the Algarve Regional Tourism Board (ERTA) will be dedicating funds and development to this popular hobby. ERTA recently organized a bird-watching press trip, the trip included visits to some bird-watching hot spots; Sapal Nature Reserve in the Eastern Algarve, Vila Real de Santo Antonio and the Ria Formosa. Plans were also presented for a new bird-watching observatory in Tavira national park.

Five bird-watching hot spots were identified, which added Salgado Lagoon near Albufeira to the areas that were visited during the trip. These five hot spots will be the setting for development towards the Algarve’s latest attraction. Hopes are that a fully structured project will be completed in under a year.

By Dylan Herholdt

The Algarve Motor Park scoops big award

“To see the name of our circuit and our work recognized internationally is without a shadow of a doubt an important moment. We are very proud of this award and honored our track is viewed so highly by the best in the business.” These were the words of Paulo Pinheiro, the delighted CEO of The Algarve Motor Park.

At the recent Professional Motorsport Awards, The Algarve Motor Park was voted by a panel of judges as the ‘Motorsport Facility of the Year’. The race circuit located in Portimão in the Western Algarve is considered by many to be one of the finest circuits at the moment and clearly the world agrees.

By Dylan Herholdt

Remembrance Sunday in the Algarve

A Remembrance Day memorial service was held at the Nossa Senhora da Luz Church in Lagos on Sunday the 8th of November. Hundreds of people gathered at the church in the Western Algarve for the anniversary of the end of the First World War.

It was also the final day of the Poppy Appeal, a two week fund raising drive organized by the Royal British Legion where money raised goes towards the welfare of ex-British military personnel and their families.
Algarve residents raised over 20,000 Euros during last year’s Poppy Appeal and that number looks to be eclipsed by this year’s efforts.

By Dylan Herholdt

One of the UK’s top beauty therapists operating from the Algarve

Susie Bell has been running the Senses Skin Care Centre for more than 3 years in the Western Algarve. For a long time she was considered by many as the best beauty therapist in the Algarve. Now she has been recognized by those outside of Portugal.

The 2010 Professional Beauty Awards are a big deal in the multi-billion pound beauty industry and Susie Bell has just been nominated for ‘therapist of the year’, she is the only beauty therapist to be nominated who operates outside of the UK which is a real accomplishment considering she has not worked in the UK for over 3 years.

Her beauty Salon is based in Lagos and is one of the most popular centers in the Algarve and she is also planning to write a book and opening up a training centre.

The Algarve . . . beautiful in more ways than one.

By Dylan Herholdt

Christmas shopping at ‘Tavira Treasures’

Eastern Algarve Christmas shoppers have the opportunity to do some Christmas buying and help the less fortunate at the same time.

Tavira Treasures is a charity organization that has a store we people can do their Christmas shopping in exchange for toys, appliances and clothes that they no longer have use for. The shop is by no means a second hand store with new toys, books and other Christmas goodies in stock. The difference is that people who wish to help under privileged children and old folk can now take their second hand, unwanted goods and exchange them for Christmas gifts.

The store is located in the heart of Tavira and has already been very busy as we approach Christmas, proving once again how much heart the people of the Algarve have.

By Dylan Herholdt

Another talented artist in the Algarve

The well known acrylic artist Elly Maessen will be showcasing her work in the Central Algarve this month.

Her work has featured in places like Holland and Belgium since 1989. Her strong colors, expression and interesting themes have become very popular in the Algarve since she started presenting her work in 2008.

Elly has made a home in the Algarve where a wide range of flowers, water and other natural beauty has been the inspiration behind her work for years. Fans have the opportunity to see more beautiful art from the 26th of November in Vilamoura at the Vila Sol Hotel.

Beautiful art in a beautiful place . . .

By Dylan Herholdt

Historic festival continues in the Algarve

The St. Martins Fair is a celebration that goes as far back m1662 and the celebrations continue this week until November the 15th at the ‘Parque das Feiras’ in Portimão, Western Algarve.

Thousands attend from all over the Algarve including Lagos, Silves, Lagoa and Albufeira proving how popular the event is, it is not hard to understand why this event has remained so popular for so many years; 10 days of music, food, drink, games, fair rides and yes ladies, shopping.

Good things never change . . .

By Dylan Herholdt

Charity fun run in the Eastern Algarve

The gorgeous Algarve sun shone down in the Eastern Algarve as thousands walked and ran around the beautiful Ria Formosa on Sunday the 1st of November.

The event was organized to raise funds for ‘ACCA’ an organization that aims to help underprivileged children in the Algarve. It was a great event as families from all over the Algarve like Albufeira, Quarteira, Faro and Tavira enjoyed the amazing surroundings and glorious weather.

More than 2500 Euros was raised and once again, member of the Algarve community showed their compassion.

By Dylan Herholdt

Algarve International School Attempts Guinness World Record.

Have you ever heard of human mattress dominoes? Basically you get as many people as you can to line up with mattresses, one person falls knocking over the person in front of them and so on.

The Guinness world record for the biggest human mattress domino is 100 people, held by the BBC children’s program ‘Blue Peter’. However this is all about to change. On Guinness World Records day, November the 12th at 2pm, The International School of São Lourenço will attempt to shatter the existing record.

Members of the community surrounding the school in the Eastern Algarve have been invited to the Algarve Stadium in Faro, and the organizers of the event are hoping to have a domino line of more than 200 people including students and people from other Algarve communities, like Tavira, Loule and Vilamoura.

By Dylan Herholdt

Olhanense update: Algarve football team in trouble.

Since losing 3-0 to FC Porto, the young players from the Eastern Algarve have continued the fight to stay up in the top flight of Portuguese football. However, life has been tough for SC Olhanense in Liga Sagres and they now find themselves in a vicious relegation fight with 6 other clubs.

After the loss to FC Porto they registered a draw away to Belenenses and a disappointing loss at home to Rio Ave, they also suffered a shock cup exit at the hands of Valenciano, a tiny club from the north who are in the 4th division.

Olhanense join 4 other teams on 7 points but lie second last due to goal difference.

Supporters across the Algarve from Albufeira, Tavira and Olhão will need to get behind the only Algarve team in Liga Sagres if they are to avoid the drop.

By Dylan Herholdt

Endangered Species Finds New Home in The Algarve

The Iberian Lynx Reproduction Center in Silves, Western Algarve will be the new home to 16 of one of the world’s most beautiful and most endangered species. The Iberian Lynx used to roam freely in Spain and still does in Parts of Portugal, but due to overdevelopment in Spain it has been decided that these amazing creatures will be moved to the reproduction center in Portugal and then released into the wild.

The center is far more sophisticated and prepared to rehabilitate these creatures than their current accommodations which includes various Zoo’s and centers in Spain, the center in Silves has more space and includes quarantine areas, a laboratory, a rehab area, a veterinary clinic and 80 closed circuit cameras to monitor the progress of the animals.

In addition and to the benefit of the Lynx, the center will not be open to the public which will improve the Lynx's chances of surviving in the wild and keeping its distance from humans. This is just another initiative that proves the sophistication and the heart of the Portuguese community.

By Dylan Herholdt

A month of sport in the Algarve

November promises to be an action packed month in the Algarve as a host of top class sporting events have been organized.

Things already began over the weekend with the annual youth tennis tournament held at the Portimão and Rocha Tennis Club in the Western Algarve.

Surfing is also on the menu as Faro hosts the second stage of ‘Four Oceans 2009’ which will see the world’s best Longboard Surfers hit the waves on the 7th and 8th. The third stage will take place in Estoril.

The Algarve Casinos rally will start next weekend at the Algarve Motor Park.

While for something a little different, indoor cycling in Tavira will be sure to attract plenty of interest as over 20 countries compete in the World Indoor Cycling Championships.

And if that wasn’t enough Olhos d’Agua, Albufeira hosts the Portuguese Super Cup of basketball as Lisbon giants Benfica take on Ovarense on Sunday the 8th.

By Dylan Herholdt