Faro

on their bargain holidays often miss out on this fascinating town by rushing off to the beach resorts of the Algarve.

Faro has an array of restored buildings of varying architectural styles which are surrounded by crumbling medieval walls. The historic old town, the Cidade Velha, has charming cobbled streets with white-washed buildings, a town square lined with orange trees and surrounded by elegant buildings including the Bishops Palace, a cathedral, the 16th century Convent of Nossa Senhora Assuncao, museums such as the Museu Infante Dom Henrique and the Museu Etnografico, and beautiful churches, including the amazing Igreja do Carmo. The old town is reached via the Arco da Vila, an 18th century arch where storks nest, built on the site of a medieval castle gate. Visitors

Faro Cathedral

can take a relaxing wander through the many gardens and pedestrianised streets to discover this vibrant town.

A great feature of Faro is its atmospheric harbour which is lined with attractive waterfront cafes. The traditional restaurants and bars of the town offer visitors the chance to sample authentic Portuguese food and hospitality. With an excellent choice of shops and a daily market, this is the place to pick up your souvenirs and gifts at bargain prices.

You will be spoilt for choice when it comes to entertaining nightlife as Faro offers a vibrant nightlife scene with trendy clubs, music bars and street entertainers. Faro plays host to many colourful festivals, hopefully you will be on your holiday packages to Portugal when they are taking place.

Although Faro isn’t a beach resort, there are still plenty of beaches to visit in the surrounding area. Just a short bus ride from the town is the

Praia de Faro

long sandy Praia de Faro which is backed by dunes with plenty of restaurants and bars. To the west of Faro are the beach resorts of Albufeira, Vilamoura and Quarteira with Tavira to the east. Quarteira is a bustling town with an attractive seafront, busy fish market and gypsy market where you will get the chance to haggle over the goods on sale. Tavira, famous for its Roman bridge over the River Gilao, is just half an hour from Faro. Here you can take the short ferry ride to the quiet unspoilt golden sandy beach and enjoy a relaxing break before returning to the town where you can enjoy a seafood meal at one of Taviras excellent restaurants.

There is so much to do and see in the area surrounding Faro. Rich in olive groves, fruit orchards and almond trees, the surrounding countryside is just waiting to be explored. The Ria Formosa Nature Reserve, a haven for migrating birds, is a major attraction for birdwatchers. Discover the villages of Almancil and Estoi with its palace and Roman ruins. For golf enthusiasts there are more than six golf courses with amazing views of the sea and the surrounding countryside within a thirty minute drive from the town. The whole family will love a day-out at the Atlantic Park. Located close to Faro, the park is set in subtropical gardens with huge ‘water-coasters’ and numerous other water rides.

The Algarve enjoys a mild climate with long hours of sunshine. During June, July, August and September Faro enjoys temperatures around 26C, often rising to 30C in July and August. Between December and January Faro still enjoys temperatures around 20C but with more risk of rain.

Jet2.com’s popular Edinburgh to Faro service will now operate four times a week during the summer period (Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays) helping people in the region to get away for less next year. The summer season departures have also been brought forward to start 1st May 2010 and extended to 31st October 2010, giving even more choice for holidaymakers in 2010.