PICTURE: ISTOCK An
DESTINATIONS PORTUGAL
Algarve
for
www.travelweekly.co.uk
all seasons
Paul Blaney fi nds something to keep everyone
happy on Portugal’s south coast
The season starts early and
ends late in the Algarve,
which enjoys more hours
of sunshine than California.
With only short periods
of rainfall, mostly between November
and March, and highs of between 15C
and 31C, the Algarve has the ideal
climate for visitors. Its reputation as a
golfer’s paradise is well established,
but not everyone is aware of the full
variety of holiday experiences off ered
by this diverse region.
From family breaks in Vilamoura to
the hectic nights of Albufeira and the
laid-back charms of Lagos, the Algarve
has a holiday to appeal to clients of
all types. So whether you’re talking to
older clients or families, active types
or romantic couples, there’s always a
perfect product to suggest.
OLDER CLIENTS
For clients in search of peace and
quiet, recommend the Monte do
Casal, inland from Faro at Estoi,
or the Hotel Vila Monte in
Moncarapacho. Those who appreciate
the region’s fantastic golf courses, and
are looking for spa facilities to match,
may also prefer a hotel located away
from the coast. Good options are the
Dona Filipa (next to the famous San
Lorenzo course), and Le Méridien
Penina (surrounded by three golf
courses and with preferential access
to San Lorenzo).
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reviews, go to
Renting a car allows visitors to see
some of the Algarve’s less-explored
highlights, such as the historic town
of Loulé, with its 12th century castle
walls. Loulé is a small, friendly place
that produces fi ne souvenirs in
copper, leather and wood. Its Saturday
fair attracts visitors from all over
the Algarve. Further inland, on the
border with the neighbouring region
of Alentejo, Monchique is a quiet
hill town of steep, cobbled streets
and spectacular views, that’s barely
been touched by tourism.
FAMILIES
There are plenty of fi ne seafront hotels
to choose from, all of which have great
facilities for children and ready access
to the beach. The Grande Real Santa
Eulalia in Albufeira has a gym, tennis
courts and four outdoor heated pools
(one saltwater) to choose from. Its spa
features thalassotherapy while the
kids’ club, the Realito, will entertain
children up to age 12 – and it’s open
from 10am to 10pm in the high season.
The luxury Sheraton Algarve and
Pine Cliff s between Albufeira and
Vilamoura has a secluded gold-fl agclassifi
ed beach, a nine-hole golf
course and academy, three outdoor
pools set in landscaped gardens,
and the Porto Pirata kids’ club.
A third good option is the Vila
Vita Parc in Porches, which has
an adventure playground in its
SAMPLE
PRODUCT
Cadogan off ers
seven nights in
a two-bedroom
townhouse (maximum
occupancy
fi ve persons)
at the Sheraton
Algarve and
Pine Cliff s Resort
this July from
£2,815. The price
includes return
fl ights to Faro
with easyJet
from Gatwick.
(0845 615 6793
8 cadogan
holidays.com
Sunvil off ers
seven nights’ bed
and breakfast
this July at the
rural four-star
Hotel Vila Monte,
Moncarapacho
from £921 per
person, including
car hire and
return fl ights
to Faro from
Gatwick with
British Airways.
(020 8758 4722
8 sunvil.co.uk
The marina in
Vilamoura
spectacular grounds plus two diff erent
kids’ programmes.
ACTIVE TYPES
More active travellers will fi nd plenty
to like at the western end of the
Algarve, a wild, stunning coastline
that’s less developed. An excellent
base is the Parque da Floresta Golf and
Leisure Resort, an hour’s drive from
Faro, with restaurants, golf, tennis,
fi tness centre and spa. There are
plenty of secluded beaches on this
stretch of coast, the surfi ng and sailing
are good, and horse riding and jeep
safaris can both be arranged.
The nearby town of Lagos mixes
quaint cobbled streets with a host
of bars, restaurants and nightlife
options, and a busy marina. Alongside
modern development, the town
still preserves architectural signs
of its medieval past.
Other highlights of the western
stretch of the Algarve include the town
of Sagres, with its imposing fortress
and laid-back cafes and restaurants.
A little further west is windswept Cape
St Vincent, the Land’s End of Portugal
and Europe’s most southwestern
point, marked by an iconic lighthouse.
SINGLES
With its cliff -lined coast of 23 golden
beaches and a never-say-sleep
nightlife, Albufeira is the
Algarve’s liveliest destination. ✈
July 3 2009 | Travel Weekly | 41
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