Thinking of visiting Portugal for your summer holidays or might be considering visiting at a future date?

Personally, I love the Algarve in the south of Portugal and have just come across a really informative travel article for Portugal which may help you when planning your holidays.

The Algarve has everything, including beautiful beaches, great dining-out venues, 35 golf courses, watersports and outdoor activities, and lots of attractions for the whole family to enjoy.

With many tourist attractions, as well as the usual beaches, the Algarve offers a new world to explore if you book a holiday to this area, either for the renowned sports activities or just for a nice break away from home.

Trevor Butler set up his first ‘travel’ related business in 2004 and has written many other destination articles with tips and information. I have found these articles both interesting and helpful, hope you do too.

Review supplied to us by our reader Colette Moore

“We looked for cheap holidays to Portugal on the internet and found a week here at the Auramar was about the cheapest. We were a bit dubious as we had read some bad reviews but as it was so cheap decided to give it a go. We had a good clean room which was cleaned every day and a small kitchen which was sufficient for my mother and me. We had a lovely view and spent quite a bit of time just sitting on our balcony taking in the view and totally relaxing. Breakfast (we booked b&b) was plentiful and good and there were some very nice restaurants in the area where we ate in the evening, we particularly enjoyed the fish. Staff were friendly and helpfull although some struggled with our Yorkshire accent! We were told that you could walk along the beach to the old town but we didn’t try it as my mum wasn’t sure if she would make it!All in all we enjoyed our stay, you get what you pay for, and we will go back again one day and we do recommend the Auramar for a nice, cheap getaway.”

AURAMAR BEACH RESORT HOTEL OVERVIEW

Location

A few metres from the beach, 10 minutes away from Albufeira’s downtown and about 40 km from Faro airport.

Accommodation

All rooms have Air Conditioning, Bathroom with bathtub or Shower, Satellite or Cable TV, Telephone, Terrace Balcony.

Sport and Leisure

Aerobics, Aqua Aerobics, Beach Volley, Bike Rental, Darts, French Bowls, Gym, Mini Football, Mini Golf, Sauna, Swimming Pool for Children, Swimming Pool Indoor – Heated, Swimming Pool Outdoor – Fresh Water, Table Tennis, Tennis Court, Volleyball.

Facilities

24hrs Reception, Animation Programme (International), Bar(s), Buffet Restaurant, Car Rental, Childrens (Kids) Club, Childrens Playground, Conference Room Facilities, Currency Exchange Service, Games Room, Internet Services, Karaoke, Laundry Service, Massage, Mini Market, Parking, Pool Bar, Pool Table, Reading Room, Restaurant(s), Safety Box, Sauna, Snack Bar, Taxi Service, Turkish Bath, TV Lounge.

This hotel review was supplied to us by our reader Mark Walters

“The hotel was located close to the marina, restaurants and bars. We were on a bed and breakfast last minute holidays, so the hotel was ideally situated for going out for our evening meal. The buffet breakfast was ok, just the usual hotel offerings.Our room was clean, quite large and we had a good view of the marina and the sea from our balcony. The outdoor pool was quite large with plenty of sunbeds and there was also an indoor pool which we used once or twice.There wasn’t very much evening entertainment but we didn’t mind as we strolled into Vilamoura each evening, very pleasant. The hotel pool seemed very quiet during the day but we were told that the hotel is popular with golfers who are out most of the day! We would recommend this hotel and hope to return one day.”

VILA GALE MARINA HOTEL OVERVIEW

Location

100m to the marina, shops, bars and restaurants, 300m to Marina Beach, close to the casino, 2km to Falesia Beach, 150m to bus-stop, courtesy shuttle service to Vilamoura golf courses, 2.5km away.

Accommodation

243 rooms, all with air conditioning/heating, cable TV with radio channels, telephone, WiFi/internet access, hairdryer, minibar, safety deposit box, balcony.

Swimming pool

Swimming pool with terrace, indoor pool, sunbeds, towels and mattresses, pool bar (seasonal), outdoor Whirlpool Bath.

Dining

Restaurant with buffet service meals or table d’hote at dinner, a la carte menu available, snacks available 10:00-01:00.

Activities

Table tennis, pool table, video games, Health club with small gym, Turkish bath and whirlpool bath, spa, tennis and putting green available at sister hotel Vila Gale Ampalius, together with tennis and golf pro.

Entertainment

Daily entertainment programme, Evening entertainment includes live music and shows in high season only, lounge/bar.

For Families

Children’s section of pool, unsupervised Kids’ room (4 yrs and over), cots and highchairs.

Other facilities

Shop, laundry service, 24-hour room service.

The following review was supplied to us by our reader Ellis Ward

“Having read several reviews on this hotel we should not have been suprised with what we got! We booked the hotel for our last minute holidays and got a really good, cheap deal so we shouldn’t off been expecting too much. Still all in all we did have a good time and got what we paid for. The hotel was clean but a bit old fashioned. Tavira is a quaint, quiet little town but it was about a 30 minute walk and a ferry ride to the beach!We only ate at the hotel once as there were quite a few different restaurants close by, the food at the hotel was ok but nothing special. Wouldn’t like to go to Tavira with children because of the long drag to the beach but for us we had a nice relaxing break, not too sure if we would go again, but never say never”

Porta Nova Hotel

Situated near the centre of Tavira, the Porta Nova is just a short walk from the town centre and Tavira Castle. The beach is about 2 kms from the hotel.

Accommodation

All 137 rooms have a bath or shower, wc, satellite tv, internet access, minibar, safety deposit box, balcony or terrace.

Facilities and Activities

Pool and terrace, children’s pool, billiards, sauna, room service (8am-10pm), laundry service, baby-sitting (subject to availability).

Food and Drink

Buffet-style restaurant, a la carte dining on the outdoor terrace, bar serving snacks.

This review has been supplied by our reader Darren Hedges

“My partner and I booked our last minute holidays to the Aquamarina, not really knowing what to expect as we didn’t have time to do any research! How lucky are we….our 2 weeks were the best we have ever had.
Hotel, room, staff, food and surroundings were great. The complex and the room was spotless. We always managed to get a sun lounger by the pool and had the benefit of being right on the beach. There was a seperate pool for the children, leaving the big pool for us adults, which we liked. There was an indoor pool but we didn’t use it as we wanted to make the most of the weather.
In the evenings the entertainment team kept us well entertained, I even got up for a boogie which i don’t usually do!
We would definitely recommend this hotel to anyone thinking of holidaying in Portugal.”

Aquamarina Beach Club

The Aquamarina Beach Club is located between the resorts of Albufeira and Vilamoura.
The Aquamarina is situated just 200m from the beach, directly accessible via a staircase of 83 steps and about 4kms from the restaurants, bars and shops.

Accommodation
All 439 Rooms have a full bathroom, hairdryer, air conditioning, satellite TV, telephone, fridge and balcony.

Features
Two free-form outdoor pools with sun terrace and loungers, free-form heated indoor pool, three seperate children’s pools, two restaurants, three bars, satellite TV lounge, disco, hotel-run kid’s club for 4-12 year olds, souvenir shop, laundry service, internet access, 24 hr reception.

Activities
Six tennis courts, table tennis, mini-golf, pool table, bicycle hire, gym, keep fit, aerobics, beauty treatments, sauna, Turkish bath, whirlpool, massage, daytime and evening entertainments programme, sand court for volleyball and mini-football, French bowls.

Sagres is situated just a few kilometres from Europe’s most south western point, Cape St. Vincent. Although it is on the Algarve, Sagres is far less developed than other towns to it’s east, making it a popular destination for those seeking quieter, more relaxed summer holidays.

Sagres harbour

The town has a lovely beach, attractive square, a working harbour, restaurants that are well known for their fresh fish dishes, and bars. Most of the towns historic buildings were destroyed in the 1755 earthquake. How there is still plenty of history surrounding Sagres, making it well worth a visit.

Today Sagres is best known for its fine beaches which are popular with surfers all the year round. Because of the shape of the coastline here, sheltered beaches are very easy to find.
 

Praia da Mareta

Praia da Mareta, a popular family beach, is the town’s main beach. Just five minutes from the town on the more sheltered southern side, this 600 metre long beach is made up of sand and pebbles.

 
 Praia da Baleeira, situated on the eatern side of the harbour, is a small sandy beach. However, sometimes there can be problems with the water quality due to its proximity to the harbour.

Tonel

Praia do Tonel, located on the exposed northern side of Sagres point, is a large sandy beach, popular with surfers. The beach is patrolled by lifeguards in the summer.

Praia do Martinhal, located just outside Sagres, is a quiet sandy beach, surrounded by dunes.

 
During the 15th century Prince Henry the Navigator chose Sagres as his home and it is here that he founded his school of navigation. Famous people who attended the school include Fernao de Maglhaes (Magellan), Pedro Alvares Cabral and Vasco da Gama. The Henry the Navigator Fortaleza is located on the headland of Ponta de Sagres to the north of the town. The walls of this impressive 17th century fort only remain on one side. Inside these walls you will find the restored 15th century chapel of Nossa Senhora da Graça and the Rosa dos Ventos, a pebble wind compass (discovered in 1921) which has a diameter of 142ft.

Sagres headland

From the tip of Ponta de Sagres there are fantastic views of the coast, right up to Cape St Vincent, Europe’s most south-westerly point. The cape gets its name from the martyr St Vincente whose relics were allegedly carried to the cape from the Holy Lands by ravens. The ravens guarded these relics until 1173 when they carried them to Lisbon where they still remain.

 
Here on the cape you will find Europes second most powerful lighthouse. This lighthouse was built over the ruins of a sixteenth-century Franciscan convent in 1846 to guard one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes. The lighthouse has two 1000-watt lamps which can be seen up to 60 kms away.

Sir Cliff Richard

Associação Madrugada has announced that Sir Cliff Richard has agreed to become its first patron. The charity is currently planning its next stage of fund raising activities and development including Madrugada Day to be held on June 12 next year.

‘Having the Algarve’s most famous British personality on our side will do much to raise our profile at all levels’, states Association president Alison Blair.

Apart from usual fund raising activities, people have organized sponsored dining at home, donations collected at family gatherings such as weddings and funerals and the recent KissFM/PDM sponsored trip to Morocco. ‘We have to raise the bar now if we are to begin offering care in the home services and ultimately the construction of our own day care and residential centre for people affected with life limiting illness’, Alison explains.

Another aspect of the Association’s fund raising activities is its charity shop in Praia da Luz which has exceeded all expectations since its opening last June. Madrugada is currently looking for more shop sites along the Algarve.

Club Praia da Oura is perfectly positioned on the Praia da Oura – the Golden Beach of Albufeira in the Algarve. The Algarve enjoys the best all year round climate in Europe. With more hours of sunshine than California and only short periods of rainfall, the Algarve is the European paradise for sun-seekers.

The resort consists of 564 self catering apartments, all with amazing views to the Atlantic Ocean or the lush tropical gardens and the pools.

Facilities include  Adults Swimming Pool, Children’s Pool, Sauna, Jacuzzis, Restaurants, Bars, Bowling Green and much more.  Barney Bees Club in Clube Praia da Oura is designed with you and your children in mind. Barney Bees and their friends the caterpillar and ladybird will keep your children entertained while learning some amazing information about nature and wild life in Portugal and the Algarve. The adults swimming pool in the Clube Praia da Oura is a large pool situated among tropical gardens. There are plenty of free sun lounges, with drinks and snacks on offer at the Pool Bar.

 Club Praia da Oura is ideally suited for guests who require wheelchair access. 50% of the apartments are accessible by wheel chair & wheelchair guests have access to all common areas including the Restaurants, Bars and Swimming Pool via ramp or lifts.

My opinion
Complex and apartment were really clean and well maintained. People couldn’t have been more helpful and friendly, even the cleaners and maintenance men – nothing was too much for them.
Entertainment team were excellent – only moan is that there wasn’t enough seating or room in the entertainment bar – it must be really hard to get a seat or even get into the bar at the height of the season but that was only a small part of our holiday.
Top Tip:Excellent place to eat was The Sol Cafe – food was excellent and reasonable, staff were really chatty and friendly – we invaded the cafe everyday (sometimes twice a day) and with 22 of us in all they really coped well.