Horse Riding in the Western Algarve

We all know that the Algarve in the South of Portugal is great place to take a family holiday, and once you have discovered the Algarve for yourself you may consider investing in your own holiday home in the sun allowing you to return again and again.

Lagos in the Western Algarve is a beautiful area and a good choice for family holidays offering lovely countryside and sandy beaches. There are also plenty of other activities away from the beach including walking or perhaps horse riding.

New Forest Lodge is a riding centre with an imaginative range of equestrian adventures on offer. There are carriage rides where you can actually take the reins and learn the basics if you wish. Or perhaps the kids might like a ride in a miniature pony and trap. The glorious surrounding countryside offers many opportunities for trekking and hacking through the forest taking along a picnic lunch to enjoy in the Algarve sunshine.

There are also occasional events such as The Cowboy Club, a day of fun for children that includes instruction in riding and caring for horses.

Prestige Portugal Property is proud to offer villas and apartments for sale in Lagos and throughout the Algarve, maybe it’s time you took a look. . .


By Stephanie Johnson

More Algarve Golf

While we are on the subject of golf in the Algarve, (see yesterday’s blog), I wondered if you have heard of The Pine Cliffs Golf Course. This is a fabulous nine hole course, considered by many to be one of the finest in Europe.

Located near Albufeira in the Central Algarve the Pine Cliffs Golf Course is built in some beautiful pine woods on the edge of a cliff and enjoys fantastic views over the ocean.

The course was opened in 1990 and designed by Martin Hawtree who showed great empathy with the surrounding landscape creating a stunning course which along with the glorious Algarve weather ensures a great day’s golf at any time of year.

Owning a holiday home in Albufeira would mean you could become a regular player at the Pine Cliffs ensuring every holiday would go with a swing!


By Stephanie Johnson

A Stunning Algarve Golf Course

A golfing holiday in the Algarve is a popular choice for many and an obvious choice when you consider that there are almost 40 golf courses throughout the Algarve region.

The most Westerly golf course is also one of the best known, Parque da Floresta has a reputation as one of the most picturesque courses in Europe set in beautiful countryside with glorious landscaping. The 18 holes are famously diverse and run alongside eucalyptus, olive, palm and pine trees presenting challenges to golfers of all abilities.

The highly regarded 71 par course at Parque da Floresta was designed by Pepe Gonzalez and opened in 1987 adding yet another reason to visit the fabulous Western Algarve.

By Stephanie Johnson

The Algarve is Shocked by News from Madeira

The news on the Algarve in the south of Portugal has been dominated by reports from the Portuguese island of Madeira and the terrible flooding over the weekend.

The hilly landscape in Madeira appears to have significantly contributed to the devastating effect of the torrential rains resulting in the disaster.

Many people here have friends and family in Madeira which was discovered by the Portuguese in 1418 under command of Henry the Navigator the famous Portuguese explorer. It was colonized shortly afterwards by people from the Algarve later followed by other Portuguese settlers.

Madeira is famed throughout the world for the production of fine linen and fresh flowers and also for its distinctive wine, particularly enjoyed by the British for hundreds of years.

Fundraising for Madeira has begun in earnest in the Algarve with locals both Portuguese and ex-pats pledging help in any way they can.

By Stephanie Johnson

Algarve Locations Shortlisted in the New7Wonders of Portugal Competition

The New7Wonders of Portugal is a competition aiming to raise awareness and appreciation for some of the marvelous natural sites to be found throughout Portugal.

There are seven categories in the competition:

• Caves
• Marine
• Forests
• Fresh water lakes and rivers
• Protected areas
• Beaches
• Peaks

And it is no surprise to learn that the Algarve is proud to boast a total of 49 out of the 230 locations shortlisted from the original 800 entrants submitted by councils throughout Portugal, the Azores and Madeira.

The Algarve beaches are justifiably considered to be amongst the finest in the world, and four of the best are in the Central Algarve region. The national park at Ria Formosa is also short listed as is Ria de Alvor estuary due to its diverse ecosystems.

This is a wonderful competition which ensures the future for such fantastic natural locations and a boost to tourism as visitors to the Algarve and throughout Portugal are encouraged to appreciate nature at its best.

By Stephanie Johnson

Cycling in the Algarve

Taking a cycle tour of the beautiful Algarve region in the South of Portugal is great way to spend a holiday.

The pretty landscape is perfectly suited to cycling, although it’s true that one or two hills may pop up from time to time, you can generally negotiate most routes without a problem.

Cycling through the quiet little villages tucked away from the main Algarve tourist trail is a great way to explore things you would be certain to miss when travelling by car. The locals are always friendly and welcoming and stopping for a refreshing cold beer in the village café is the best way to make new friends.

The Algarve enjoys more sunshine than anywhere else in Europe, averaging 3000 hours per year making the climate ideal for cycling most of the year. The Algarve area has been visited by many civilizations over the centuries most notably the Romans and the Moors who brought with them the array of exotic plants that now flourish is this ideal climate. Almonds, figs, citrus fruits, olives and vines have all been introduced over the years and are now grown as profitable crops lending a charm and beauty to the picturesque landscape.

Get on your bike and discover more of the Algarve. . .

By Stephanie Johnson

Try Some Cataplana When You are Next in The Algarve

The Algarve in the south of Portugal is a great place to visit for many reasons, and one of the best has got to be the food!

Portugal is a land of plenty and the surrounding sea provides endless varieties of delicious fish and seafood, so it is no surprise to find that often land and sea combine to produce many tasty Portuguese dishes.

One such dish is Cataplana, a hearty combination of seafood, wine, garlic and herbs cooked in a vessel bearing the same name.

The Cataplana is a domed copper pan bearing a strong resemblance to two woks placed together in which the fresh ingredients are placed and cooked quickly either on top of the stove or in the oven. It was introduced to Portugal by the Moors during their occupation from the 8th century AD.

The result is a delicious lunch or supper dish eaten with rice and bread and washed down with plenty of Portuguese wine, served in homes and restaurants throughout the Algarve and the length and breadth of Portugal.

Yummy!

By Stephanie Johnson

Algarve Carnival Weekend

The whole of Portugal is alive with carnival fever and no where more so than in the Algarve.

The various towns and villages throughout the Algarve region enjoy the celebrations with a whole host of parades taking place over the carnival period which began in earnest last Friday.

The biggest and most flamboyant of all the parades is held in the town of Loulé in the central Algarve with thousands of visitors flocking to the area to marvel at the spectacular display.

Rental apartments and villas in and around Loulé are always in demand as eager spectators prepare for a short break of nonstop party and celebration. The council close the roads in parts of the town to allow the lavish parade, which features at least fifteen gigantic floats, to pass through.

The nearby towns of Vilamoura and Albufeira have their own carnivals as well and buzz with excitement throughout the holiday which generally comes to a close on Tuesday.

By Stephanie Johnson

Algarve Actors Wanted!

Big news from the Algarve, a new musical is to be staged at the Lagoa Auditorium in the central Algarve district later this year.

Churchill – The Musical, is an idea conceived by a couple of British ex-pats who researched and wrote the show and are confident that it will become an international hit.

The Algarve is a lively place to be all year round with events such as this offering opportunities for the ex-pat community to mix with the locals. Auditions for the cast are being held in March so if you fancy a new career on the stage make sure you are in the Algarve and in good voice next month!

By Stephanie Johnson

Algarve Property, Exciting Opportunities

Purchasing a property in the Algarve region of Portugal is a clever way to sensibly invest your money whilst providing many years of fabulous holidays for yourself and your family.

Here at Prestige Portugal Property we have many stunning villas and apartments for sale in the Algarve at excellent prices. Our new build apartments are finished to the highest standard with top quality fixtures and fittings ensuring a comfortable place for you live, holiday or let.

Property in the established holiday region of the Algarve has proved an excellent investment for thousands and will continue to do so for many years to come. The Algarve is rightly famous for its fabulous beaches and stylish resorts enticing a loyal following of visitors year after year.

Investing in property is not just for the rich and famous, check out the exciting opportunities at Prestige Portugal Property.

By Stephanie Johnson

Historic Tavira, a Beautiful Town in the Algarve

The pretty town of Tavira in the Eastern Algarve is a place well worthy of yet another blog.

Dating back to the Bronze age, Tavira is particularly noted for its Roman bridge that links the two parts of the town which lie either side of the river Gilhao. It is possible to take a pedalo trip along the river giving sightseeing a whole new twist!

Tavira was considered to be a very important town in the 17th century with its Port playing a significant role in shipping salt, wine and fish from the Algarve to all corners of the known world.

Tavira is blessed with numerous churches, 37 in all, which are well worth a visit along with the remains of the 13th century castle.

The long sandy beach at Tavira lies past the salt pans on the Ilha de Tavira and is reached by ferry from the centre of town.

Tavira has many riverside cafes and gardens creating beautiful places to sit and enjoy the glorious Algarve sunshine.

By Stephanie Johnson

Valentine's Weekend in the Algarve

The Algarve in the south of Portugal is a romantic place to spend this coming Valentine’s weekend.

The Algarve has so much to offer with plenty of romantic things to do from strolling hand in hand on a long sandy beach, to dining in one of the numerous restaurants overlooking the ocean, you really are spoilt for choice.

But for a Valentine ’s Day to remember you need look no further than an enterprising Algarve company called Zebra Safaris. They are offering a trip up into the mountains inland from the Algarve coast passing through tiny villages well away from the tourist trail. The trip takes in a Moorish Alambique where you can taste Medronho, a local honey liquor, and a picnic by a stunning waterfall. The grand finale is a stop at the Moon Viewpoint where you can enjoy a glass of champagne while gazing at the outstanding view, quite possibly the finest in the Algarve.

By Stephanie Johnson

Albufeira, a Perfect Algarve Holiday Destination

The coastal town of Albufeira in the Algarve region in southern Portugal is well known throughout the world as a fabulous holiday destination, and when you arrive in this delightful town it is easy to see why.

Albufeira began attracting tourists in the 1960’s boosting the local economy which up until then had been relying on fish and dried fruit.

Since the 1960’s Albufeira has emerged as a top Algarve holiday destination with plenty to attract the occasional and regular visitor. The recent completion of Albufeira Marina has added another dimension to this wonderful location attracting sea farers from around the world.

Albufeira also boasts fantastic beaches, bars, restaurants, coffee shops and ice cream parlours, which together with the 3000 hours of sunshine every year add up to a pretty perfect holiday.

By Stephanie Johnson

Algarve Animal Rescue

The Lagos Animal Protection Society is a wonderful charity that cares for abandoned animals in the Algarve.

Founded more than 30 years ago by Bridget Hicks who is now 82 years old, LAPS has rescued thousands of stray animals and found them homes with caring owners.

The charity has recently been given a boost by the global snack corporation Mars, who have a branch in the Algarve. The international giant has begun an initiative they call the Mars Volunteer Programme the aim of which is to help animal associations throughout Portugal.

The Algarve branch will close for the entire day on February 12th with all the employees taking part in the renovation programme at LAPS in a wonderful example of generosity that proves that not all global giants are purely out to make a profit.

Lagos has a strong maritime history and dates back more than 2000 years. It is a charming town in the Western Algarve about an hour’s drive from Faro airport, enjoying fabulous beaches and plenty of bars, restaurants and cafes.

By Stephanie Johnson

Algarve Beaches

Portugal is a small country with a huge coastline. The 800 kilometres of coast along the Western and Southern sides are a huge attraction for tourists with long stretches of golden sand and breathtaking scenery.

The Algarve beaches are particularly stunning offering swimming, sunbathing, surfing and diving opportunities for holiday makers and locals alike.

Everyone has their favourite Algarve beach and Praia da Luz near Lagos is top of many lists. This glorious sandy and sheltered beach is great for families offering safe swimming and lots of room for the kids. It is also known as a good spot for diving with the dark rocks at one end providing lots of interest.

Situated just 5 miles west of Lagos in the Western Algarve, Praia da Luz is just one of the many Algarve resorts to which you will want to return time after time.

By Stephanie Johnson

Vila Joya Restaurant

Vila Joya Restaurant in Praia da Gale, Albufeira is the only restaurant in Portugal to have two Michelin stars, an accolade it has been awarded every year since 1999.

The world class chef Dieter Koschina hails from Austria and started his career in 1982 at the Suvretta House, St Moritz. He has since gone from strength to strength and having worked all over Europe decided to settle in the Algarve in 1991. Koschina sources ingredients from the local markets and combines freshly caught fish with luxury international produce such as truffles and caviar especially flown in.

The terrace at Vila Joya is an unbeatable setting in which to enjoy the outstanding cuisine, with superb panoramic views over the ocean, ensuring a world class dining experience.
If you are looking to treat yourself on your next visit to the Algarve this is surely the place to come.

By Stephanie Johnson

Presidential Charity Golf

Antonio Cavaco Silva, the President of Portugal is a bit of a golfer.

He, along with many other players took part in the fourth Taça Portugal Solidario charity golf tornament at Vale do Lobo in the Central Algarve last week raising an impressive 67,000 euros for Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s sufferers in Portugal.

Golf is hugely popular in the Algarve and enjoying the fun of a competition while raising money for worthwhile causes such as this is clearly a winning combination.

There are more than 30 golf courses in the Algarve region so if you fancy a game in a stunning location with unbeatable weather, you know where to come.

By Stephanie Johnson