Algarve Buzz

A Guide to the Algarve from TheAlgarveinfo.com

Eddie — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 12:23:49 +0000

With little time to write and wanting to bring you the great happenings in the the Algarve, we’re inviting guest bloggers to help share their love of the Algarve with you.

We welcome Neil, our first guest blogger from the Algarve Portal “TheAlgarveInfo.com” a travel’s guide to all things Algarve from restaurants to hotels. If you’re planning a trip to the Algarve, be sure to check out MyAlgarve trip planner.

(photo credit: scottx)

The Algarve is a foodies paradise. No matter where you are in the Algarve you are never too far away from some sort of eating establishment. A bit like Ireland and pubs. The choice of restaurants is simply staggering – from the simplest of “tascas” to the Michelin starred and everything in between – Indian, Chinese, British, Thai, French and Fusion. To select a Top 10 list of Algarve restaurants would be sheer folly as everybody has their own opinion on the subject. Plus to be fair one would have to eat in every restaurant around – and there is almost 100,000 of them.

For the absolute top end dining experience just follow the Michelin stars. The only restaurant in the Algarve to be awarded 2 Michelin stars, Vila Joya has a stunning location to complement the stunning food. With one star each, Willies in Vilamoura, Henrique Leis and São Gabriel in the Golden Triangle should be on your list of fine dining venues.

Most people associate the Algarve with fantastic beaches – so what about the beach restaurants? Years ago most beach restaurants were shacks, very vulnerable to the vagaries of the weather and with uncertain plumbing. Nowdays you can enjoy great food in beach side restaurants all year round. Check out Papagaio at the famous Vale de Lobo Praça – a great all day restaurants and bar. For the most stunning entrance Caniço in Prainha wins hands down – you take an elevator down through the cliffs to get to the restaurant which is carved out of the rocks. For the best rest and relaxation, and huge fish kebabs, visit Windsurf on Praia da Alvor. And if you really want to get away from it all we suggest the Ilha Deserta – Desert Island. The only building on the island is the restaurant.

Visiting the Algarve and not eating fish is like visiting Egypt and not seeing the pyramids. Look for the restaurants grilling the fish on outside BBQ’s. Check out the harbour side restaurants in Alvor, such as Ababuja, the “sardine restaurants” in Portimão, under the old bridge. Sagres in the Western Algarve offers some of the best fish around – straight from the sea and wonderfully flavoursome. You can’t go wrong at Fio de Pesca or O Telheiro do Infante. In the Eastern Algarve there are fantastic restaurants serving fish, eels, octopus and shell fish right by the waters edge.

Once you head inland away from the coast you can find some great restaurants serving hearty algarvian food. Wild boar, Lamb stew and goat kid stew – simmered for hours so that the meat falls of the bone, caldeirada and cataplana – traditional fish stews. The Monchique area is dotted with some fantastic restaurants - some with stunning views across the countryside as an added bonus.

For more great tips and suggestions, visit thealgarveinfo.com today and discover the best of the the Algarve has to offer.

Alvor, Algarve’s Anicent Coastal Village

Eddie — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 12:58:03 +0000

Alvor, is one of Algarve’s ancient coastal villages and a very popular holiday spot with narrow streets that have retained its own identity throughout the years. With tons of great restaurants and bars in the old street, including a Caipirinha’s bar called Bolans Bar, which plays salsa, soul, reggae and funk music (a favourite of ours), Alvor is a highly attractive place to visit, if you’re vacationing near Portimao.

We invite you to see Alvor through the lenses of publikaccion a photographer that we came across on flickr. The following photos have been shot by him.

For more photos of Alvor, visit the Alvor Flickr Stream.

More Info on Alvor

Portugal Info: “history about the town“

Alvor Uncovered: A little guide about Alvor

Algarve Things to do in March

Eddie — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 13:11:26 +0000

Spring has arrived early in the Algarve! So Algarvians are enjoying 20 Celsius days, and days of taking walks on the many sandy beaches have returned, a couple of brave souls may even dare a dip in the still chilly waters. Aside from beaches what is there to do in the Algarve?

Here’s the latest and greatest of things you can do and see in the Algarve throughout the month of March.

The Algarve March guide, is courtesy of the Algarve Tourism centre. Enjoy.

(pdf guide - download)

The Photo Gallery

Eddie — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 12:32:00 +0000

My first encounter with a camera – well what used to be a camera – was a tiny pile of metal rubble lying in a tray, resembling nothing that took or would ever again take a photograph. This was my father’s 35mm, bought on a trip to Hong Kong in 1972; repairing what went wrong and replacing every last miniature screw would take him about 15 years. Although now a relic, it still takes great pictures.

Fascinated and intrigued by what all those tiny pieces could do, when together, I developed a life long curiosity about photography. Five years ago, I discovered the digital camera; we fell in love at first sight. When we started Algarve Buzz, all the photos on the site were taken with our Canon PowerShot SD300, which we still use occasionally. But Last year a Canon SLR became part of my family, we’re hardly ever apart.

I often get asked about the photography on this site, so I decided it was time to dedicate a special place just for photography. Now that it’s ready, I take this opportunity to invite you to visit Edviges.com my personal photography site, where you’ll be able to see a range of photos shot over the past 12 months with my Canon SLR. I hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoyed taking them.

The Producers - A Musical in Portimao

Eddie — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 15:35:42 +0000

The Portuguese version of the popular Musical “The Producers” will be in Portimao, Algarve from January 7th to January 11th. Staring Rita Pereira, Miguel Dias and Manuel Marques, twenty-two actors, a live orchestra with twenty musicians and magnificent scenery are just a few of the reasons this is a must visit show for any musical fan.

(Download the January Guide for Things to do in Algarve)

Prices
Orchestra Seats - €40
Front stalls - €35
Back stalls - €30
Circle - €20

Organization: Cherry Entertainment and Portimao Municipal Council
Tel.: 914 411 566
Email: geral@cherryentertainment.pt

About Portimao
Portimao is one of the highly popular tourist destinations in the Algarve, located on the west side of Algarve and 40 minute drive from the Faro Airport.

What to do in Portimao
Golf, beach, restaurants, cafes and culture. You can find it all in Portimao. For more information on Portimao and things to do, visit Portugal Virtual.

Christmas in the Algarve

Eddie — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 10:45:54 +0000

What to do in the Algarve when it’s too cold to go to the beach in December? With mild days and cool nights, the Algarve in December is a great time to enjoy a few rounds of golf at one of the many courses like Vale Do Lobo and experience Portuguese culture from concerts to theaters.

(Download the PDF December Guide)

Inside the December Guide from the Algarve Tourism centre, you’ll find a bit of everything happening in the Algarve - concerts, the Nutcracker play, and of course New Year parties. Happy Holidays!

Learn Portuguese in Algarve

Eddie — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 18:37:15 +0000

It’s true, you can visit or live in the Algarve and get by without speaking much Portuguese since most Algarvians are very accommodating and speak English.

But if you’re looking for an opportunity to learn one of the world’s most spoken languages during your visit to the Algarve or if you’re moving down to the Algarve, then here are two good options to get you started.

Cial Language Center
Located in Faro, Algarve, Cial is a respected Portuguese language school that provides intensive Portuguese classes at all levels, with a complete cultural experience.

They are very flexible when it comes to planning your class schedule and you can even organize group or individual classes.

Downside: a bit pricey, one week goes for around €250. Discounts are also available.

Tel: 351. 289 807 611

www.cial.pt

Universidade de Algarve
Another good option to learning Portuguese in the Algarve, is at the Universidade de Algarve, where classes run yearly from February to May and October to January.

You can enroll in different levels depending on your level of Portuguese. There are 50 hours each level, 2 weekly sessions of 2 hours. Tuition fees is €275 which includes learning materials and certificate.

Tel: 289 800 100/900

www.ualg.pt

If you’re looking to take Portuguese courses outside Faro, please check with different local municipalities as in some cities, Portuguese classes are thought to expads for free. We’ll be sure to update this page with more information as we learn more about classes in the region.

Update: For those looking to learn on their own time, I’ve found www.learningportuguese.co.uk a great source of information.

Bio Fruits & Veg

Eddie — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 09:20:21 +0000

Are you looking out for both your health and the environment? If so, you might want to head out to Faro’s Municipal Market to pick up some great produce and kick off the Biologic Agriculture week that starts today.

(credit: doublebug)

More information is available through Universidade do Algarve at: 289 870 700

Things To Do in Algarve November

Eddie — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 15:59:36 +0000

In the Algarve we never really think Winter will arrive; our beautiful clear blue skies and sunny days, fool us into believing we’re a year round tropical local. With November’s arrival, we’re reminded that even with great weather, the days are getting cooler and the evenings even chillier. For cold feet sufferers like myself, socks and slipper time has arrived. But gorgeous sunny days and cooler evenings are hardly a reason to complain, especially when there is plenty to do, see, eat and drink. After all, this is the time of year to bring out the spirits and warm up, from muscatels to medronho.

If you’re stuck from something to do, now that swimming seaon is over, except for those brave brave surfers, check out this months calender of events to stay busy…and if in doubt about the weather, a scarf and sweater will get you through most days, and if you’re like me - warm socks!

Algarve Guide: Things to do in October

Eddie — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 06:56:53 +0000

The evenings are getting chilly and although there still some die hard beach lovers trying to get the last possible drop out of summer, reality is upon us, fall has arrived. This was cemented by smoking chestnut vendors on the streets this past weekend. But before we pack away all the summer cloths, it looks like we’re still due to have some warm summer days. So enjoy the last bit of summer, with this great calendar of events for October from the Algarve Tourism.