Horse Riding in the Algarve

I decided to find out what I could about horse riding in the Algarve recently, my family all love to ride and having booked a long weekend in Lagos I thought I had better find out what else we could do in December besides walking on the fabulous beaches of the western Algarve and playing golf.

I have to say that I was amazed at the choice of riding opportunities available, this is definitely the place to come if you want to include an hour or two in the saddle during your holiday.

You need to look out for a Centro Hipico - or Riding Centre. Most of the establishments in the Algarve have English speaking staff (after all a large number of their customers are indeed British), and offer several options for visitors from a full or half day hack to a formal lesson in an indoor arena.

A lot of the Centro Hipicos are located a few kilometres in land, so if you are staying in a seaside location such as Albufeira or Tavira you may find it helpful to know that many of them offer transport.

Lists of Riding Centres can be obtained from the Tourist Office and bookings could be made by phone or email before you leave the UK if you prefer.

Another great reason to visit the beautiful Algarve region of Portugal.

By Stephanie Johnson

Dreaming of a White Christmas?

News of snow in the UK this morning made me think of a white Christmas. A lovely - if rather chilly - thought!

When the novelty of the snow has worn off give some thought to our ‘white’ Christmas here on the beautiful Algarve in Portugal. It will be a long time before the novelty of an endless white sandy beach wears off.

Have a look at our fabulous properties in warm and sunny places such as Albufeira, Tavira and Vilamoura.

Turn up the central heating and imagine you are here. . .

By Stephanie Johnson

Another New Route to the Algarve

Budget airline Ryanair announced yesterday yet another new route to Portugal.

The flights from Derry in Northern Ireland to Faro in the Eastern Algarve begin in April next year and will provide a cut price service twice a week, proving, once again, that the demand for travel to the Algarve and the rest of Portugal is increasing.

As Portugal is now officially out of recession, is a safe and stable country with so much to offer and is so easily accessible from the UK, investing in this beautiful country is clearly a shrewd move.

Have a look at our properties in lovely locations such as Tavira, Vilamoura and Alburfeira, just a two and a half flight from the UK, and decide for yourself.

By Stephanie Johnson

Delicious Olive Oil from The Delicious Algarve

Amongst many other things the Algarve region of Portugal is famous for producing top quality olive oil, a bottle of which makes a lovely souvenir from your holiday here.

The health benefits of olive oil are well documented and are due to a high level of fatty acids and antioxidants providing excellent protection against heart disease.

The Portuguese enjoy a Mediterranean style diet in which olive oil features prominently, it is used in many recipes and also as a table condiment alongside salt and pepper.

This delicious and nutritious product is classified into three main categories:

Extra Virgin Olive Oil - Taken from the first pressing, this is the best quality olive oil made by mechanical means with no heat and no chemical additives, once pressed it is tested for oleic acid content which should not exceed 0.8%.

Extra virgin olive oil will keep well for up to two years but it is best consumed fresh. It has a delicate flavour that has been described as fruity, nutty or even grassy.

Virgin Olive Oil - This is made in the same way as the extra virgin olive oil but from the second pressing, it has less flavour and more oleic acid content of up to 2%.

Olive Oil - The most widely consumed product with more processing involved in its manufacture including the use of chemical solvents. However it is still very healthy and a great addition to any diet.

There are still artisan producers of olive oil in the Algarve using presses and equipment going back centuries such as the beautiful Viveiros Monterosa at Moncarapacho on the Eastern Algarve near Faro. The farm is a beautiful place to visit if you fancy a change from the beach during your holiday.

Local olive oil can be found in many shops in the Algarve region and is served in the fantastic restaurants in towns such as Vilamoura, Tavira and Albufeira, making your trip to Portugal not only lots of fun but healthy too!

By Stephanie Johnson

Something different at the Algarve Motor Park

It will almost be a normal day at the race track on Saturday the 26th of December . . . almost. There will be racers going round and round the track, there will be wheels and there will be hundreds of spectators coming from Lagos and Albufeira. However, the speed at which the racers will be moving will be considerably slower.

In an effort to raise health and ecological awareness the Algarve Motor Park will open its gates on Boxing Day as families will take to the track for free as long as they are not driving a motorized vehicle. Visitors to the motor track in the Western Algarve will be able to work off all the delicious food they ate the day before by walking, running, cycling or rollerblading round the track.

The Algarve . . . beautiful, warm and healthy.

By Dylan Herholdt

Portugal's oldest tree in the Algarve

There is an Olive Tree in Tavira on the Eastern Algarve that is estimated to be in excess of 2000 years old and is said to be the oldest tree in mainland Portugal. The majestic tree has been added to a list of 409 trees complied by Portugal’s National Forest Authority (AFN) deemed as being of public interest.

It is incredible to think that this tree was growing when the Romans inhabited this charming, historic town, leaving land marks such as the pedestrian bridge which still stands today allowing passage between the two banks of the Gilão River on which Tavira is built.

Tavira Heights is a new apartment complex built to a very high standard with quality fixtures and fittings. 2 and 3 bedroom apartments are available offering great letting potential and investment opportunities in this fascinating location. Why is this relevant? This development includes private roof terraces with spectacular views of not just the amazing Ria Formosa but also the surrounding fruit and olive tree plantations.

By Stephanie Johnson

Algarve football team does the impossible

After they received a hammering at the hands of Maritimo 6 days earlier nobody believed that the young lions from SC Olhanense had a hope against the superstars of Benfica. Benfica arrived in the Eastern Algarve on the back of an impressive 4-0 win over Academica and sitting pretty in 2nd place. This was not to be Benfica's night.

Over 8000 spectators were in good voice at the Jose Arcanjo stadium in Olhao and they were treated to an exciting game of goals, cards and drama. The young Algarve team came out fighting and took the lead in the 9th minute, Benfica fought back and equalized through Saviola. It took Olhanense just 4 minutes to regain the lead as they netted their second goal and went into the break 2-1 up. Fans visiting the stadium from Tavira, Vilamoura or Albufeira understandably were in high spirits while the visiting Benfica fans were not in the best of moods.

The game was certainly dramatic and aggressive with 10 yellow cards dished out and 3 players shown red. The dram did not end there. In the 92nd minute, with Olhanense fans celebrating what looked to be an unlikely victory Nuno Gomes turned back the clocks and scored the type of goal we became famous for rescuing a point for Benfica.

It was a fantastic result for SC Olhanense and another exciting night in the Algarve.

By Dylan Herholdt

SC Olhanense set for tough test.

Sunday the 7th of December was a tough day for any Olhanense fan, the young team based in the Eastern Algarve travelled to the beautiful island of Madeira followed by around 40 dedicated fans. The task was always going to be a difficult one as they were up against a confident Maritimo team riding high in 5th place in the Liga Sagres.

The visitors started well going toe to toe with the island team. It was 2-2 before a penalty decision and a red card tipped the scales in Maritimo’s favor, the game ended in a heavy 5-2 loss for Olhanense leaving them in second last place and deep in a relegation battle.

If that was not enough, just 6 days later, the under pressure Algarve team welcome Portugal giants Benfica and a team over flowing with star names and confidence as they share top spot in the league. You can be sure that Olhanense fans from surrounding areas will be there in force and it should be a well supported game as fans from Tavira, Albufeira, Vilamoura and even Lagos will come to see Portugal’s most popular football club.

I support 2 teams; Sporting Lisbon and any team playing Benfica . . . Força Olhanense!

By Dylan Herholdt

Madcon performing in the Algarve New Years Eve.

The Algarve has always been renowned for its parties and this year’s New Years Eve events will be no different. Visitors to the Algarve over Christmas and New Years are spoilt for choice as there are a number of ways to bring in the New Year, including a chance to be a part of history.

A huge party has been organized in Tavira, Eastern Algarve at Praça da Republica with a performance from local band LaPlante Mutante and a number of local and international DJ’s keeping people entertained into the early hours of the morning.

In Olhao, Jardim Pescador Olhanense will be the place to be as the bands Zeus and Iris will keep visitors singing and dancing all night.

At Largo de Sao Francisco in Faro the most popular rock and pop songs from the last 30 years will be performed and Spanish outfit La Selva Sur will play, followed by DJ Mr Kool.

A stage will be erected at Praça do Mar in Loule where fans can enjoy a musical treat from OqueStrada and well known singer Jose Cid.

The biggest celebration looks to be happening in Albufeira, Central Algarve, where the brilliant Portuguese band The Gift will perform followed by hip hop super stars Madcon. This will also be the setting for a Guinness world record attempt for the largest toast in the world.

In addition to the music visitors to the Algarve can expect delicious food, great people, plenty of drink and spectacular lighting up the Algarve sky.

By Dylan Herholdt

Flavor of the Algarve

Foodies may know about this product already, but I was intrigued to read for the first time the other day about a natural hand harvested product that hails from the Algarve - salt, or more specifically Flor de Sal, has been produced in the Algarve since Roman Times.

Necton is the second largest company in Europe to hand harvest sea salt, they operate from salt marshes in the beautiful Ria Formosa Nature Park in Olhao, about 80 kms from Faro and not far from the Spanish border.

Traditional methods are still used to gather the salt during the summer months taking five days to dry in the hot Algarve sun after harvesting. The methods of production are governed by Portuguese law which states that no machinery may be used, this therefore increases production time and coupled with the fact that the salt is a natural and finite resource results in a more expensive, exclusive product.

Flor de Sal is not washed so it retains more valuable minerals, not only giving a unique flavour but making it healthier as well.

Unlike regular salt Flor de Sal has smooth crystals which melt when coming into contact with heat, this means that it is unsuitable for cooking but leaves a wonderful slightly crunchy crust when sprinkled on something such as a hot steak, making it very popular with chefs around the world.

Around half the Flor de Sal produced in the Algarve is sold in Portugal while the remainder is exported to the rest of Europe.

Whether your holiday is in Tavira, Vilamoura, Lagos or Albufeira there are many high quality restaurants to choose from on the Algarve serving both Portuguese and International cuisine where you are sure to come across Flor de Sal. Or maybe pop into the local supermarket and take home a unique gift for a foodie friend.

By Stephanie Johnson

Direct flights: Porto to Algarve

Travelling between Faro, Eastern Algarve and Oporto has never been easier, Ryanair the Irish budget airline that appears to be taking over the world, has begun its first domestic route within Portugal flying between the two cities

The flight time is a mere 1 hour as opposed to the train or bus times of approximately 8 hours, and the cost is in the region of €30 one way. Launched at the end of October this year the route appears to be destined for success with a current 80% occupancy rate of mainly Portuguese nationals.

Such easy access to the sunny Algarve is proving popular with residents of the cooler north allowing them to indulge in weekends of sun and beaches in hot spots such as Vilamoura, Albufeira and Tavira.

By Stephanie Johnson

Snow in the Algarve

Vila Real de Santo Antonio is a town in the Eastern Algarve right on the Spanish border. The Algarve is renowned for its glorious weather but this Christmas there is a forecast of ice and snow.

This town is situated just 20 minutes from Tavira and hosts one of the best Christmas events on the Algarve calendar, attracting over 50 000 visitors. The Christmas festivities include jumping castles, a kiddies train ride, a Christmas fair and a 120 square meter nativity scene which includes over 3000 figurines. All of this Christmas magic surrounds a huge, beautifully lit Christmas tree which was voted the region’s largest tree last year.

And if that was not enough . . . the inclusion of artificial snow and a big, outdoor ice rink will mean visitors can enjoy a white Christmas.

By Dylan Herholdt