Algarve - January 2014

Using a well worn phrase, I have a bucket list, and on that list the Algarve has always sat near the top. This is the story of our trip in unprecedented detail compared to previous blogs. We flew from Birmingham on Monarch Airlines flight number ZB402 on January 4th 2014 and arrived about 11am. The weather was beautiful and about 15 degrees. It was like being transported into April. Upon arrival we picked up the car, a black Fiat Panda and drove to the self catering apartment in Olhao where we met the owner and paid the rent for the week. First duty was to find some lunch so we walked around the town taking in all the new sights in particular the market building on the shoreline. Walking back into town we saw many restaurants but settled on O Bote Restaurant where we had fried fish and potatoes. On the way back to the apartment we stopped at Pingo Doce to get some groceries for the self catering side of the holiday.

January 5th we headed out east to the Spanish border and the town of Vila Real de Santo Antonio. We parked and relaxed with a coffee at Pastelaria Carol  before heading up the high street. A major stopping place was Casa Caravella which was an excellent souvenir shop. We walked on taking in the sights, a view over the river to Spain and Santo Antonio's lighthouse. On the way back we stopped at Tavira and walked around the town, castle and had lunch at Tavira Romana Restaurant. In Olhao we shopped once again at Pingo Doce.

January 6th we decided to go to the westernmost extreme of Portugal today so headed out along the I125 and except for a coffee at Mcdonalds in Lagos we drove all the way out to Sagres point where a large Napoleonic fort is located. This is the open Atlantic with only Cape St Vincent between us and America and the waves were huge. We sat for a while just watching the breakers in the huge swell on an idyllic day. To be able to say we'd done it, we parked in Sagres and had a look at the harbour. This is essentially a tourist town and pretty dead in January. Lovely and clean like all Portuguese towns. We drove back to Lagos and parked on the riverside promenade. We walked around the old streets of the town and sat out in a patio coffee shop. We shopped at a small Intermarche on the promenade. Chris wanted to see the breakers hitting the harbour wall so I dropped her off while I went around, got lost in Lagos old city and then picked her up. We also visited Dona Ana cove to see the rocks made famous on so many Algarve brochures, before driving back home. On the way I filled up with petrol at Compañía Española de Petróleos, S.A (CERPA) in Lagoa. This is the flagship gas station in Portugal

January 7th we split into two outings, first to Faro starting with the station and I saw a selection of

Portuguese rail transport then around the old town checking out the Cathedral of Faro and a got lost at the lovely Jardim de Alameda Joao de Deus Park. We had parked near Egreja de Carmo on a parking meter run by Masitrave, a major sign and parking management company. We then returned to Olhao and headed for the Ria Formosa Park. We first ate at Restaurant Vista Formosa the best fried fish meal of the holiday. Then a wonderful day wandering around the trails of the park seeing wildlife and plantlife that we had never seen before, massive cacti, olive trees, spoonbills, flamingos. On the way home we again shopped at the Intermarche in Olhao

January 8th saw us heading inland to Silves and Monchique, the latter being up in the mountains at the top of a 15 kilometre winding road. We again wandered the town and got right up to the famous ruin of the 17th century convent (Nossa Senhora de Desterro- our Lady of Exile). We drove back to Silves and stopped for coffee just below the castle at Cafe Ingles. Then a highlight we went into Silves cathedral and saw the five tombs of the crusaders in lovely yellow Sives limestone. We bought some souvenirs at Cantinho Das Tradicoes and got a free pen! We stopped to take in the city near the Roman bridge.

January 9th and we decided to see a resort. Albufeira has a huge beautiful beach and we wandered over a

mile along its shore and could have gone much further. Albufeira also has an old sector but it has grown hugely to serve the tourist industry and whole streets of retail properties some with familiar names. We found a quiet street and had a another lovely fish supper at Adega De Pipas Restaurant. We stopped at Lidl for some groceries and Jumbo Petrol Station run by the supermarket chain Auchon.

January 10th being our last proper day we tried to cover a few outstanding sites. First the beautiful church at Amancil which was closed but has a famous trompe l'oeil inside. Then on to Loule to see the market, buy a plate at Idalecia Correia  and coffee and cake at So Sweet Cakes. We then went on to Estoi and visited the grand Palacio de Estoi. The evening was our last supper and we went to Restaurant Petisqueira in Olhao. We enjoyed it but not the best meal we had, I won't order skate again, boiled with potatoes.

January 11th and time to go, we filled the car up at BP of all places and then to the airport where we had a Costa coffee, bought some souvenirs and boarded the plane home. The Algarve is now officially one of my favourite places and I hope to return one day.