Winter-in-the-Algarve?

Looking for some winter sun?

Summer’s not quite over – but it will be soon. And then what? Cool, gloomy days. But don’t despair! Sunshine can always be found, regardless of the time of year – you just need to know where to look for it. Algarve Housing have put their heads together to come up with a short list of some nice villas to go to find winter sun. So, if you’re thinking of planning a sunny luxury winter break, read on! And don’t forget, if we can help you in any way with the planning of your next vacation, contact us and we’ll be delighted to assist.

Casa Vilarinha, located in the countryside, between Silves and Messines. The Moroccan interiors give a nice and cosy ambiance. The large lounge with satellite TV and wood burner, plus woonburner in the kitchen, and central heating, makes this an ideal winter holiday villa!

Luxury winter villaLuxury villa Casa Colina, located near little village called Vale Fuzieros, where you find 3 bars/restaurants, of which two within walking distance from Casa Colina. The luxury villa has a ice wood burning stove, satellite TV, large covered terrace with nice table and chairs, and a lounge corner, all looking over the garden and pool area, with some beautiful countryside views.

Located on a hill, with some superb countryside views and distance sea views. Casa Toia, a renovated farmhouse, with modern facilities like well equipped open kitchen, Dining area and lounge with large flat screen satellite TV and wood burning stove. Under floor heating all through this 2 storey luxury villa with 4 en-suite bedrooms.

luxury villa portugalThe most amazing sun sets you have at Casa Arrochela, looking over the river Arade, with Portimao in the distance. Beautiful restored farmhouse, with large, light open lounge, dining and well equipped kitchen. Wood burning stove, satellite TV. Another magnificent luxury winter sun villa.

How may I help you?

Hello, I’m Michele, your contact for Algarvehousing.net.
We pride ourselves in giving individual customer care, so if you have any questions please contact me.

Phone: +351 963 717 094 or Send an e-mail

August-in-the-Algarve?

August in the Algarve, means every day clear blue sky’s, daily temperatures average 30 degrees, a nice breeze in the afternoon….does this sounds good to you? We have a few holiday villas left available in August!!!

Farmhouse Bem Posta– 5 stars garden and pool

Book Farmhouse Bem Posta, 5 minutes drive to lively, picturesque Alvor, and large white stretched sandy beach with ample beach bars…. last available week 25 August. Sleeps up to 12p, now only 1500 euros!!!!!

Casa Carvoeiro– Location, location, location….

Nice holiday villa, walking distance to the so famous Carvoeiro Beach, walking distance to bars, restaurants, shops of the nice lively village of Carvoeiro. Only a few minutes drive to golf courses, tennis as well as water parcs and much more….

3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, so 6 lucky guests can enjoy this holiday villa. Available 18 -26 August, for a great discount price of 1450 euros (week price).

Casa Toia, new built renovated farmhouse

Beautiful restored farmhouse, in the green heart of the Algarve, with magnificent country side views and distance sea views. 4 en-suite bedrooms, all beautiful furnished and decorated to high standards.

Last available week, 25 August, now 1500 euros (week price).

Enjoy August in the Algarve!

Who will be the lucky guests that book our last available holiday villas in the Algarve? Please contact me for more details.

Warm Regards,

Michele

Algarve Housing – For-Better-Holidays-In-Portugal

8-12 August: Festival do Marisco Olhao

Today we invite you to visit the Shellfish Festival, taking place in Olhao, in the “Jardim Pescador Olhanense” near the “Ria Formosa”. The huge range of shellfish on offer, cooked in the traditional manner, regional sweets, handicrafts and concerts create a tourist event of the highest quality.
You’ll enjoy it!

The “cubist” town of Olhão is a special landmark on the Algarve tourist route. The typical ways of its people, the town’s exotic architecture, its cuisine and the islands nearby are all good reasons to visit.

Seafood devotees head to the fishing town of Olhão for the Festival do Marisco, for days of fresh cockles, conch, clams, oysters, conquilhas, octopus, squid and cuddle fish. Situated in the southern town in the Algarve region of Portugal, the festival celebrates the town’s history as a seaport and the subsequently delightful local cuisine – for those who love finger-licking good shellfish. Expect stall after stall of hot, grilled, steamed, sautéed and buttery seafood. And plenty of non-fishy smells and sights, too. In addition to the whitewashed walls and flattops of the Moorish architecture, folk dancing and concerts will keep visitors entertained as they eat.

Live music line up:

8 Tony Carreira

9 GNR

10 Beatles Tribute band

11 Rui Veloso

12 Banda Calypso

Opening hours: 7.30 pm – 1.30 am

Price: €8 for adults, children between 7 and 12 years: €3, under 6 years for free.

Algarve Housing rent unique holiday villas in the Algarve, Portugal. Please visit our website for more detailed information regarding the top holiday villas with private pools and gardens.

Warm Regards,

Michèle

Algarve Housing – For Better Holidays In Portugal

Medieval Festival Silves starting 28 July!!!

For the 9th year in a row the Town Hall of Silves will host the Silves Medieval Fair. Silves goes back to the medieval times!

9 days of entertainment are promised and this year the dates have been chosen not to coincide with any other major event in the Algarve. So there is no reason for you to miss out on this epic event.

Get into the mood of the time and hire a costume, wander the streets and alleyway where scenes of medieval times will be recreated. Use the money of the time and barter at the stalls. Eat and drink typical dishes of years gone by.

The Silves Medieval Festival is one of the most popular summer festivals in the Algarve and attracts thousands of visitors each year. This year promises to be a memorable event with lots of street entertainment and animation.

Tickets can be purchased at the castle or on entering Silves.

€2 – Day Ticket

€3 / €4 Bracelet

Start: 5pm

End: 1 am

Silves

Situated 15 kilometres from the coast and nestling in the valley of the Arade river, the fairy-like town of Silves Portugal is dominated by one of the largest and best preserved castles in southern Portugal – a constant reminder of almost 5 centuries of Moorish rule. This inspiring setting of Silves Portugal is a natural backdrop to a town steeped in history and the prize of successive conquerors. Silves is one of the most beautiful places to visit of the Algarve, Algarve Housing rent unique villas in the area of Silves.

Please visit our website for more information regarding Silves and the unique holiday villas in the area of Silves and the Algarve.

Warm Regards,

Michele

Algarve Housing

Livelike Dinoraurs in Portimao

The largest exhibition in Europe about dinosaurs, “O Mundo dos Dinossauros’ is on show this summer at the exhibition center in Portimão, the Portimão Arena. Not only the large-scale exhibition but also the dinosaurs themselves, like the T-Rex, Brachiosaurus and Oviraptor, life-size!!!!

Why takes this event place in Portugal? Not so surprising…. Portugal is in fact very active in identifying and preserving fossil remains of dinosaurs. Portugal is also famous for its many found traces of dinosaurs, such as those on the rocks on the beach of Salema in the Algarve.

 

A discovery in the world of the dinosaur
The website of the exhibition promises a spectacular journey into the world of the dinosaurs millions years back. First have a look in the cinema to see a short documentary, so you know more about the backgrounds of dinosaurs before you step into the exhibition space. Teeth, bones and even complete skeletons of dinosaurs can be seen in the “Fossil Gallery. The life-size dinosaurs you can discover yourself between the waterfalls, forests and deserts. And do not be surprised when the prehistoric creatures come to life itself: they can move and make sounds. At the end of the trip through the dinosaur era, you can still follow a workshop of paleontology.

Entrance prices and opening hours

This exhibition is on until September 9 th . Open daily from 17:00 to 24:00. A ticket for an adult costs € 7.00. Children under 3 are admitted free, between 3 and 11 years will cost € 5.00. There are also special rates for the cinema and for families and groups.

More information on the website (only portuguese)

This news is brought by you by Alagarve Housing, for better holidays in Portugal. Please visit our website for unique villas in the Algarve.

Warm Regards,

Michèle

Algarve Housing

Algarve’s Most Desirable Villa’s

Most popular villas of the Algarve!

The Algarve consistently remains one of Europe’s most popular holiday hotspots. And it’s easy to see why. The Algarve is beautiful, boasts spectacular beaches, over 30 renowned golf courses and has a host of truly amazing things to do and see.

Algarve has been scouring Algarve best, and most exclusive, rental properties. Get a sneak preview of the cream of Algarve luxury rental crop, as they rent very well, we like to get them under your attention now for next years holiday in Portugal. Don’t miss out, as these highly-desirable villas get snapped up very quickly! Take advantage and make your booking now for 2013, and enjoy the price of 2012!

Deluxe villa looking over Castle Silves

Befunky_dimalago_pool_077

 

Quinta do Castelo is THE most popular luxury villa! Almost all year round booked, so you need decide now to book this hidden fairy tale villa, with two pools, Jacuzzi, luxury outdoor kitchen, colonial terrace looking over the Castle of Silves. Lots of more luxury details to make this a 5 star rental property.  A true paradise!!!

Exquisite villa with children’s valley!

Befunky_2

The Round House is a luxury villa close to Albufeira, with 5 bedrooms, and very popular for families with children, as this top villa has a children’s valley, paradise for the young ones, with among others a trampolin, tree hut and real police van!

Luxury Manor in the center Algarve

Aanwsbrf2

Bay Tree Manor is a luxury villa with private tennis court, gym, pool, jacuzzi and gardens. A real treat if you order a private chef, why not? All possible with this luxury villa close to market town Loule and picturesque Boliqueime. Sleeps up to 10 lucky guests.

Moroccan Paradise

Befunky_5

Casa Vilarinha is a 6 bedroom, all en-suit, hidden paradise in tthe center of the Algarve. Beautiful furnished and finished with lots of Moroccan details. Secluded garden with large ‘swing’ bed to relax between the Palm trees, large colonial terrace for your lunches and dinners.

Hidden Oasis

Befunky_aaoutdoorliving

Enjoy Casa Ceramica  located in a greeen valley between historic Silves and market town Messines. Beautiful furnished and decorated luxury villa, with spacious outdoor living areas, from lounge bed, lounge sofa’s, outdoor kitchen, large table and chairs to enjoy dinners looking over the large pool area and lush valley. Casa Ceramica, a hidden oasis that sleeps up to 12 guests.

Magnificent rental with funky pool

Anwsbrf2

Vale de Vila, a top luxury villa in the countryside close to fairy-like Silves. Large, covered colonial terrace with comfi sofa’s and chairs, looking over a funky pool that changes colours at night. Large outdoor kitchen and dining area, 5 en-suite bedrooms, plus extra studio, meaning 12 guests can enjoy this beautiful decorated luxury villa.

How may I help you?

Hello, I’m Michele, your contact for Algarvehousing.net.
We pride ourselves in giving individual customer care, so if you have any questions please contact me.

Phone: +351 963 717 094 or Send an e-mail

 

Special offer for Morrocan Paradise!

Luxury villa Algarve

 

Only one week available 30 June- 7 July for this truly paradise between Silves and Messines. 6 en-suite bedrooms, large colonial covered terrace overlooking established garden and pool area, relax on the swing bed between the palm trees and children can play in the children’s play area…..

Enjoy the sun, the nice beaches of the Algarve combining a luxury villa Algarve!!!

More information and pictures

Please contact me for any further information,

warm regards,

Michele

Algarve Housing

 

 

Our hand-picked selection of new villas!!!

We like to share some new villas with you! As always hand-picked and something different and nice. As we get a lot of enquiries of villas ‘walking distance to the beach’, we have added some nice ones!
Plus we have added a wheelchair paradise!!! For sure something different here in the Algarve!
We still have some nice offers for May and June, please check our section
Special Offers for this!.

Luxury villa Algarve

Pura Vida, is the name of this villa, which basicly means, enjoy the real pureness of life. Located just above Almancil, part of the Golden Triangle, quiet and peaceful, but close to beaches, shops, restaurants and golf courses. The large fruit tree garden with various fruits to pick from such as peaches, oranges, figs and much more!

luxury villa algarve

Casa Moncharapacho, in the un-spoilt Eastern Algarve  is a very luxury villa in the countryside, close to the village Moncharapacho, 15 minutes drive to large, white beaches. The owner is an artist, which you can see in all decorations, furnitures and beautiful tiles. Walk into the gallery of an artist to rent this holiday villa!

luxury villa Portugal

Quinta Verde is a 3 bedroom villa, 5 minutes from the most beautiful beach of the Algarve, Praia da Marinha! A short drive from Carvoeiro. 6 lucky guests can stay and enjoy this pretty villa.

luxury villa Portugal

Carpe Diem, live by the day, and book this holiday villa close to beaches, lively Carvoeiro and many golf courses. With 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms this luxury villas sleeps up to 8 people.

luxury villa Albufeira

Casa Albufeira,, no surprise that this luxry villa located near Albuferia, still number one destination of the Algarve. Walking distance to the old town, the marina and praia Rafael! 4 large bedrooms, air-conditioning, jacuzzi, BBQ terrace, sea views and nice comfi seatings, all yours!

wheelchair friendly holiday

This Wheelchair Paradise, is unique in the Algarve! The luxury villa is completely renovated and furnished for wheelchairs. 5 wheelchair friendly en-suite bedrooms with each a private terrace, pool hoists. You can either rent the rooms individually, or have the villa private, with or without breakfast, drinks,lunch and/or dinner..

Warm Regards (very warm, 30 degrees now!)

Michèle

Algarve Housing

Do you know the Algarve nature is stunning and beautiful?

Algarvehousing rent unique villas in the Algarve, but what do you know about the nature of the Algarve ?  

Some facts and figures about the Algarve

With an area of 4,996 km2 and a resident population of 430 084 inhabitants, spread throughout 16 municipalities, the Algarve is located at Europe’s westernmost tip, in the south of Portugal. It has an average population density of roughly 80 inhabitants per Km2 and an entirely Atlantic coastline that measures roughly 150Km in length.

It is subdivided into three main areas, each of which contains some extraordinarily beautiful landscapes:

Beach algarve

 

The coastal area

The coastal area is where most of the region’s economic activity is concentrated. In terms of landscape, the Algarve coast is very diversified, varying between abrupt and jagged coastlines, extensive sandy beaches, inlets formed by lagoons, marshland areas and various formations of sand dunes. The predominant rocks are essentially of the sedimentary type (as is the case with the arenites and conglomerates). Morphologically, the coastal area has a low altitude and mainly consists of plains, divided into fields and meadows;

Limestone_cliffs algarve

 

The“Barrocal”area

The Barrocal area marks the transition between the coast and the mountains, consisting of limestone and schist. This area is also known as the “beira-serra” (literally the mountain edge) and is where most of the agricultural produce of the Algarve originates from;

Monchique mountains

 

The hills

The Hills occupy 50% of the territory and are essentially formed from schist and some granitic rocks (in this latter case, in Monchique, where there is an outcrop of nepheline syenite). The main ranges of hills are the Serra de Espinhaço de Cão, Serra de Monchique (where Foia, the highest point in the Algarve is to be found, at an altitude of 900 metres) and the Serra do Caldeirão or the Serra do Mú.

The Algarve’s geographical position gives it some special bioclimatic features. Although situated by the Atlantic Ocean, it has a temperate climate with Mediterranean characteristics, more than 3,000 hours of sunlight per year and a low annual average rainfall.

The most important sector of activity is the tertiary sector (retail and services), resulting from the region’s main economic activity – tourism. This sub sector of activity is so important in the Algarve that it accounts, both directly and indirectly, for roughly 60% of total employment and 66% of the regional GDP. It should be stressed that the Algarve receives roughly 5 million tourists per year.

Municipalities

No.ofinhabitantsin2008

Area(Km2)

Albufeira

38 966

140,6

Alcoutim

3 104

575,4

Aljezur

5 323

323,5

Castro Marim

6 472

300,9

Faro

58 698

201,6

Lagoa

24 875

88,3

Lagos

28 890

212,8

Loulé

65 444

764,2

Monchique

6 024

395,3

Olhão

44 319

130,9

Portimão

49 881

182,1

S. Brás de Alportel

12 569

153,4

Silves

36 165

680,0

Tavira

25 394

607,0

Vila do Bispo

5 421

179,0

Vila Real de Stº António

18 539

61,3

Total

430084 

4996,0

 Source: visitalgarve.pt

This is brought to you by Algarve Housing, THE company for better holidays in Portugal. We rent unique holiday villas in the Algarve, hand picked and careful selected for YOU! From luxury villas till rustic windmills. Please contact us for more information regarding the unique holiday villas in the Algarve and the nature of the Algarve.

Warm regards,

Michele

Algarve Housing

 

Cliff Walking Algarve

The Algarve has beautiful beaches, weather, nature and the Atlantic Ocean. The Algarve is the most southern part of Portugal. An ideal way to enjoy all this is a cliff walk!

Praia do Marinho

When you drive to Praia do Marinho (take the turn off from the EN125 opposite International school Lagoa, and follow the signs Praia do Marinho), park you car at the rather large parking space. From here you already have some spectacular views of the golden rock formations and the Atlantic Ocean.

Long and short walks

You can choose to follow the cliff paths to the left, direction Armacao da Pera, or to the right direction Carvoeiro. The paths are sign posted and very easy to find. During these walks you find amazing scenery’s of the magnificent rock formations, and the information boards told me they were between 160 and 180 million years old, amazing! The colours are stunning, and at the moment you find a lot of flowers, among others the blooming Mimosa (see picture). You can make the walk as long or as short as you want!

So get your walking shoes and enjoy some cliff walking in the Algarve.

Warm Regards,

Michele

Algarve Housing

Need a break? We have some great offers for May and June!

May and June coming up, and we have arranged a few nice discounts for you! So need a break? You best read on!
We had a great winter so far, since the end of November hardly a drop of rain! Although the country need rain, we best enjoy the sun in the Algarve.
Need some sun? (not guaranteed)  and a nice villa in the Algarve? And still want to see the European Championship in June? All possible with our unique holiday villas in the Algarve!

6 Unique villas on discount

We have selected 6 unique villas for you with some special May and June discount prices, but please feel free to have a look around on my website, and contact me for any of the other fantastic holiday villas and/ or more details regarding the Special Offers for May and June!

Algarve Housing rent unique holiday villas in the Algarve!

Casa Jacaranda, with private Jacuzzi, 1150 for up to 12 lucky guests
Monte Boi, between Silves and Messines, 750 euros for May

Spectacular Skydiving in the Algarve

The best parachute of Portugal will show this weekend spectacular aerial stunts for the Portuguese championships skydiving.
17 and 18 March, the free flyers jump from a plane to show spectacular tricks in the air. In this section, the parachutist is free in the execution of his jump. Blazing through the air with the head straight down, standing, on the abdomen, back or sideways … come and watch this event!
The event starts around 10 AM, Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 March depending on weather. The location is the airport of Portimão (Aeródromo Municipal de Portimão).

Warm Regards,

Michele

Algarve Housing for better Holidays in Portugal

50% discount for luxury villa Algarve!

Casa Santa Anna is a luxury villa Algarve, and we can offer this fantastic villa for a 50% discount price for March, April and May! The villa has a private pool, party room, magnificent views and sleeps up to 11 persons.

5 bedrooms, of which 4 en-suite, a party room with your own bar, pool table, music system, electric piano, for a real private party! Large covered terrace with superb views over the countryside, and only a few minutes drive to lively market town Loule.

If you want to leave this fantastic luxury villa for beach of play some golf, within 10 kilometres you can reach the most gorgeous white sandy beaches and renowned golf courses.

Be our guest and relax and unwind in Casa Santa Anna. (click link for more information and pictures)

March: 750 euros

April: 1000 euros

May: 1250 euros

Algarve Housing rent unique villas in the Algarve, the most southern part of Portugal. Private villas with pools, form luxury villas till rustic Windmills. Please visit our website for other nice hliday villas in the Algarve.

Contact me for any further information.

Warm Regards,

Michele

Algarve Housing

Carnival Rio de Janeiro or Algarve?

Of course Carnival in Rio de Janeiro is the most famous and colourful carnival of the world, but if you cannot make it to Rio de Janeiro, carnival in the Algarve can be entertaining too! Especially this year as the weather forecast is looking good, the last many years it has been cold, windy and wet!

The carnival in the Algarve this year will be governed by the EU’s crisis. But in a playful way. Satire always is plentiful during the carnival parades. The largest carnival parade takes place in Loule. And with the 106-year existence, making this one of the oldest Loulé Carnival parades in Portugal. A colorful celebration that a large number of visitors from home and abroad attracts.

Samba dancers and politicians
Except for ‘Angela Merkel’, ‘Nicolas Sarkozy and Portuguese politicians, there are samba dancers and musicians performing in and around the floats. They will be making stirring music by the Av. Jose da Costa Mealha of Loulé. The parades are in the afternoon on 18, 19 and 21 February. Entrance is € 2.00.

Carnival Celebrations in Loule
Apart from watching the carnival parades in the afternoon, you can also join one of the many parties in the evening. On Saturday, February 18 from 22 pm there is the traditional carnival gala at “Palácio do NERA” in Loule. Dress up and join the carnival gala! Monday night, carnival with a DJ. Admission to the carnival gala on Saturday costs € 15,- and Monday you can go in for € 7,-.

More carnival in the Algarve
Many other location in the Algarve, carnival is celebrated, including 19 and 21 February from 14.00 parades in Paderne and Alte. And in the town Odiáxere (near Lagos) there is a carnival parade on the 21st of February.

The traditional fisherman’s village Ferragudo, has Friday and Saturday night carnival party at the Tucabar with live music of various artists of the Algarve.

Saturday 18th of February there is a carnival party at The Santa Eulalia Club, Albufeira with a Brazilian Samba group and various DJ’s, start 23.30 till early mornings!

 There are loads more parades and festivities, we just mentioned a few we think is worth to try!

This information is brought to you by Algarve Housing, the villa rental company for better holidays in Portugal. We rent unique holiday villas in the Algarve, from rustic windmills till luxury villas. Please visit our website for more information.

Warm regards,

Michele

Algarve Housing

Love is in the air….

Algarve Housing wish you a Happy Valentine’s day and like to give some ideas for a lovely Valentine’s  in the Algarve.

Valentines day, Tuesday 14th of February, some romantic suggestions:

Cafe Ingles – Silves
S. VALENTINES ROMANTIC DINNER

LOVE MENU – FOR 2 PEOPLE

1 STARTER FOR 2 PEOPLE ( MOULES MARINÉRE ), 2 MAIN COURSES TO CHOOSE FROM ( SEABASS FILET WITH CHAMPAGNE AND ASPARAGUS OR PASTA WITH ANCHOVIES AND OYSTER SAUCE), 1 BOTTLE OF HOUSE WINE, 1 CHOCOLATE FONDANT WITH ICE CREAM, STRAWBERRIES, CREAM AND MINT & COFFEE.
PRICE 35 €

BIG LOVE MENU – FOR 2 PEOPLE

2 GLASSES OF CHAMPAGNE, 2 STARTERS ( MOULES MARINÉRE), 2 MAIN COURSES TO CHOSE FROM ( FILET STEAK WITH DRIED FIGS AND MADEIRA WINE, SEABASS FILET WITH CHAMPAGNE AND ASPARAGUS OR PASTA WITH ANCHOVIES AND OYSTER SAUCE), 1 BOTTLE OF WINE JOÃO CLARA, 2 CHOCOLATE FONDANT WITH ICE CREAM, STRAWBERRIES, CREAM AND MINT & COFFEE.
PRICE 65 €

Reservations: 282 442 585

A Lota Restaurant Alvor

All you need is love….A Lota Restaurant, with it’s excellent location down by the harbour in Alvor, is a wonderful choice of restaurant if you are planning an unforgettable night with the one you love on Februarty 14th.

Every attention to detail has been given to the romantic mouthwatering menu which will be available only for this special night.
Download the attachment for details of the menu that takes you from the First Look through to Dating and finishing with the Sweetest Sin !

And if that wasn’t enough, should you opt to enjoy a bottle of Monte Mayor wine with your meal, A Lota restaurant offers you one night of a weekend stay at Hotel Santa Beatriz in Monte Maior, inlcuding a guided visit and wine-tasting at the Adega Mayor
Reserve your table today and enjoy the experience.

For reservations just call: 282 458 444

No Patio Restaurants – Lagos
No Patio Restaurant are planning a feast for Valentine’s Night. Reserve your table now and enjoy a delicious meal full of romance and spice!! A romantic menu with plenty of choice to share with the one you love.
Cupid’s champagne cocktail on arrival
~~~
Love fruit soup
Tomato and roasted pepper soup with pesto croutons
Cupids arrows
Roasted green asparagus with a velvet hollandaise sauce
Pillow talk
Soft scallops pan-fried with smoked bacon
And a pea and mint puree

Main Courses
Between the sheets
Salmon supreme wrapped in filo pastry with Thai spices
presented on a lightly spiced coconut milk sauce
My Valentine
Loin of lamb pan-fried and placed on a bed of snow peas
served with fondant potatoes and a madeira jus
My hearts desire
Supreme of chicken with a smooth creamy sauce with vermouth
and mushrooms, served on rosti potatoes
All main courses are served with a selection of fresh vegetables

Desserts
Dark seduction
Rich chocolate mousse with a
liqueur centre
My heart is yours
shortbread biscuit with
a citrus mascarpone cream filling
Made for sharing
four individual berry desserts made for you
both to share
Coffee or tea
Enjoy a liqueur coffee for just
€4,00 extra

€35,00 per person

Reservations: 282 763 77

Algarve Housing rent luxury villas in the Algarve Portugal. Contact us for any information regarding the above Valentine’s suggestions or any detail for the unique and romantic villas we rent. Let us know about your Valentine’s day suggestions!

Happy Valentine!!!
Michele
Algarve Housing

Spring in the Algarve!

Can’t believe it is already January! January in the Algarve means start of the feeling of spring, as the beautiful Almond blossom is starting to come out, which gives some beautiful pictures! Next to the colourful oranges on the trees, and the lambs jumping up and down in the fields, this is always a nice start of the year! We just had a bit of rain, but looking at the forecast, the sun is back in the Algarve! It has been sunny since end of November last year!

Tip for coming weekend:
Querenca Sausage Festival 21 and 22 January
The Querença sausage auction in the church square in picturesque village of Querenca, is one of the highlights of the Querença Sausage Festival on the 21st and 22nd of January, continuing a long tradition for this traditional Algarvean village.

The festival is in honor of São Luís, protector of animals, and is considered one of the most important rural gastronomic events held in the region.
The celebrations on Saturday night start with fado in the ballroom of the Casa do Povo de Querença.

But the real meaty action takes place on Sunday, from 11.00am in the Church Square, with the opening of the exhibition ‘Tradições Serranas, a Matança do Porco’ or ‘killing of the pig’.

The exhibition aims to recreate this tradition, ranging from the rearing of the pigs, through to the time the animal is killed, and the various ways the animal is prepared for food. Starting early, the public is encouraged to taste the grilled sausages.

At 15.00pm there is a church service followed by a procession through the streets of the village. Then at 16.30 there will be the auction of sausages in Church Square.

This festival continues a centuries-old tradition and is the flagship festival of its kind in the Algarve and, as such, “is an important tourist attraction at this time of year, highlighting the religious aspects of food,” according to Loulé Câmara.

The roots of this event go back to a time when families used the pig for food throughout the year. It was also a tradition to ask São Luís, patron saint of animals, to keep the pigs in good condition to ensure a supply of food for the household.

In gratitude, families offer the best home-made sausages to the church if the animals have had a good life up until slaughter, the remainder being auctioned. (text: Algarve Daily News)

Enjoy the Algarve!
Warm Regards,
Michele

Algarve Housing – for better holidays in the Algarve

Christmas in the Algarve?

Christmas Algarve

How is Christmas in the Algarve? The Portuguese tradition is to celebrate with a family dinner on the evening of the 24th, with cod fish (Bacalhau). Not everyone, but most Portuguese will go at midnight to the church, after this presents can be opened, or the following day. Christmas day, the Portuguese have a lunch together. 26th of December, (boxing day), does not excist in Portugal, this is a normal day as every other day, shops open….

Around Christmas, there is much to do regarding entertainment such as concerts, and other type of performences. If you do not want to cook yourself, no problem at all, many restaurants in the Algarve organise Christmas dinners and lunches. Below we give a few options of the things to do with Christmas in the Algarve:

Dining and wining

23-27 Christmas Dinner Carvoeiro

Pimenta Preta Restaurant in Carvoeiro have prepared a mouth-watering Christmas Menu. This 4 course menu, which includes the traditional turkey along with a wonderful mixture of accompaniments is just €39 per person.

Where?

Pimenta Preta, Pestana Palm Garden Resort, Vale de Centeanes, Carvoeiro

Reserve a table: + 351 282 350 200

Price: €39

25 December – Christmas Lunch Almancil

Famous for their wonderful Carvery lunches, Restaurant Vaults in Almancil, has a great Christmas Carvery lunch on Christmas Day.

Where?

Vaults Restaurant, Ave 5 de Outobro, Almancil

Price: € 60

Reserveatable:+351289391883

Festivities and Events

16-12 Christmas Dance show Lagos

The show will consist of several choreographies such as, Classical Ballet, Contemporary Dance, Traditional Dance, Modern Dance, Ballroom Dancing Oriental Dance, Indian Classical Dance and Hip Hop, all of which will be presented by the students from the Lagos Dance Association.

Where?

Cultural Centre, Rua Lançarot e Freitas, No 7, Lagos

Time: 19.00

Price: €5

Orquestra_do_algarve

17-12 Christmas Concert Portimao

With the festive season almost upon us, the festive concerts also begin. Kicking off the season will be the Orquestra of Algarve with a series of Chrismas Concerts. Performing at the Tempo Theatre in Portimão the orquestra will interpret the works of renowned composers.

Where?

TEMPO, municipal Theatre Portimao

Time: 21.30

Price: € 10

Sleeping-beauty

22-12 The Sleeping Beauty Loule

The Sleeping Beauty has enchanted audiences for more than 100 years with its brilliant choreography and unforgettable score by Peter I. Tchaikovsky.

Based on a tale by Charles Perrault, Sleeping Beauty, is considered one of the greatest classical ballets of all time. Elegant costumes and magical sets complete this captivating world where true love really does conquer all.

This masterpiece, which has been danced by most dance companies throughout the world, is undoubtedly, one of the most beautiful from the illustrious Russian composer, Tchaikovsky.

Where?
Cine Theatro, Louletano, Ave Jose da costa Mealha, Loule
Time: 21.30
Price: from € 21

Algarve_-_weather

Weather

Winters tend to be mild averaging around 15º and this is the season with the most rainfall. The Algarve gets on average 50 days of rainfall all year, most of them between November and February. But very often the sun shines, and it feels like over 20 degrees! Breakfast and lunch can be easily taken outside in a t-shirt, enjoy the beautiful environment of the Algarve during a walk, play tennis or golf, all very nice during the winter in the Algarve.

algarve villa rentals

Accommodation

Algarve Housing rent villas in the Algarve, from rustic windmills till luxury town houses and villas, all with private pools and gardens, located in beautiful areas with nice decorated interiors and exteriors, most set up for outside living to make the most of the nice weather in the Algarve. Please check our Winter Rental section for our recommendations for winter let,

Merry Christmas!

Michele

Algarve Housing

https://www.algarvehousing.net

How to pay the toll on the A22 in the Algarve?

This article contains information about how to pay the toll for residents of Portugal and visitors to the Algarve.

From December 8 (2011) motorists using the A22 in the Algarve will be charged electronically each time they pass a toll camera.

This system involves a series of cameras placed along the motorway which will record all vehicles travelling the road.

Residents must buy a transponder which is fixed to the windscreen of the car behind the rear view mirror and sends a signal to the cameras.

Travellers are charged 0.07 euro per kilometre, so 128km would cost €8.96.

Locally registered residents with Portuguese registered car

The transponder costs €27.50 and can be bought from the issuers, Via Verde (www.viaverde.pt) or from local post offices (www.ctt.pt) in person.

Users can then pay by a linked bank account (Portuguese only) or by pre or post pay at the post office or payshops and Via Verde shops. The system is similar to how mobile phones are used.

If a charge is unpaid, the users then have up to five days to pay before additional fines are added. A minimum of €10 can be pre-paid.

In order to buy the device and register an account, residents will need the proof of residency status, fiscal number, car registration details and if using the automatic payment, a Portuguese bank account.

There are also discounts that will apply. Residents will be exempt for 10 uses each month and a further 15% on all other uses.

Foreign registered vehicles for residents and visitors

Users can pre-pay with their vehicle registration number at the post office (www.ctt.pt)

There will also be temporary devices available for hire, costing €27 and with additional administrative charges. These will be valid for up to 90 days after which they can be re-registered as they must be linked to an individual vehicle.

Registering for a device is possible online at Via Verde but currently it is only in Portuguese, English speakers should visit their local post office for assistance.

Rental car users

Visitors to the Algarve using rental cars can ask for instructions from the rental company.

Rental cars will be fitted with a transponder and charges will happen automatically.

Currently, visitors will be asked to pay for their use at the post offices and at pay shops or online using the post office website (www.ctt.pt).

In future there are plans to offer places to pay at service stations.

This news is brought by you by Algarve Housing. Algarve Housing rent luxury villas in the Algarve. Unique properties with private pools and gardens. From rustic windmills till luxury villas and town houses.

Next article we will inform you about Christmas in the Algarve.

Warm regards,

Michele

Algarve Housing