December 27, 2012Special Offers

Special Winter Offer: € 500,- per week!!!!

Enjoy the mild winter climate of the Algarve in the winter.

For 2 persons we have arranged a luxury villa for you for only 500 euros per week, for the available weeks till 1^st of April. This excludes costs for heating.

Casa Arrochela, enjoy the stunning vieuws over the river Arade, 5 minutes from historic Silves, 15 minutes to the Beach.

Casa Colina, countryside villa, walking distance to nice bars and restaurants,

Casa Toia, renovated Portuguese farmhouse, 10 minutes from Silves, 20 minutes to the coast.

Casa Jacaranda, with private Jacuzzi, short drive to Silves, beaches and golf courses.

Casa Bordeira, close to Faro and golden triangle, beaches, golf courses…

Please contact me for anymore details regarding this Special Winter Offer for the luxury holiday villas in the Algarve. Visit our website for many more nice holiday villas in Portugal.

Warm Regards,

Michele

T +351 963717094
E michele@algarvehousing.net

December 21, 2012Luxury Villa, Special Offers, Winter Rentals

Goodbye 2012, Hello 2013!

H A P P Y H O L I D A Y S !!!

We are heading towards the end of 2012, and coming up a new year! We like to share with you some new, unique holiday villas in the Algarve! As usual they are hand picked by Algarve Housing, meaning they are private villas with private pools and gardens, some have a private tennis court, others have a jacuzzi and/or outdoor kitchen, some have it all. But we should not take the holiday villas on our books if they were not unique and will give you an unforgettable holiday in the Algarve. Find your own paradise in the Algarve, we always willing to help you with your choice. Please contact us for any further details.

Special Winter Offers, only 500 euros per week!

Besides the new holiday homes, we have some special winter offers for you!
For 2 persons we have arranged a luxury villa for you for only 500 euros per week, for the available weeks till 1st of April. This excludes costs for heating.
Please click on the following links to view the participating villas:
Casa Colina, Casa Arrochela, Casa Toia, Casa Bordeira and Casa Jacaranda.

Rest me to say: Have a great Christmas and a fantastic New Year!

Our new villas:

Casa Bougainvillea

Location: Carvoeiro
Bedrooms: 4 en-suite
Beach: 1 km
Golf: 3 km
Shopping: 1 km
Extras: private tennis court

Villa Alportel

Location: Sao Bras de Alportel
Bedrooms: 4, of which 3 en-suite
Beach: 20 km
Golf: 20 km
Shopping: 3 km

Casa Salvador

.Casa Salvador

Location: Carvoeiro
Bedrooms: 4, 2 en-suite
Beach: 2 km
Golf: 8 km
Shopping: 3 km
Extras: Private large jauzzi

Quinta Verde

Location: Carvoeiro (Benagil)
Bedrooms: 3, all en-suite
Beach: 0.5 km
Golf: 2 km
Shopping: 3 km

Casa Toia

Location: Silves/Messines
Bedrooms: 4, all en-suite
Beach: 15 km
Golf:12 km
Shopping: 7 km

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

Phone: 00 351 963 717 094 • Skype: algarvehousing

Website: https://www.algarvehousing.net/

November 29, 2012Algarve info

Christmas-in-the-Algarve?

Have a Christmas break to remember…

Wrap up your Christmas and celebrate your Christmas in style with a nice holiday home in the Algarve!

If you fancy getting away from the hustle and bustle of Christmas, then do try the Algarve! Christmas decorations go up in the towns and villages and the palm trees along the water front promenades sparkle with Christmas lights. There are plenty of restaurants open offering traditional Christmas dinners or have a nice, cosy Christmas dinner at your holiday villa!

All the traditional foods for Christmas are available – turkey, cranberry sauce, bread sauce (if you don’t make your own!), stuffing mixes and chestnuts aplenty. Turkeys are usually fresh and in all the supermarkets and butchers.

Portuguese Christmas

Christmas celebrations in Portugal traditionally start on December 8th, (the day of ‘Our Lady of the Conception’) and end on twelfth night. Christmas itself is celebrated on Christmas Eve night with a big family meal, traditionally of ‘bacalhau’ (salted cod fish), and lots of delicious savoury and sweet nibbles. (‘Fatias Douradas’ – slices of bread dipped in a milk, sugar and egg mix, fried and dusted with cinnamon are one of the favourite Christmas nibbles in Algarvean homes along with various almond sweets.) Presents are opened at midnight and then Christmas Day is for relaxing with family and friends.

Christmas Weather

We cannot guarantee sun, but it will be warmer then in Northern Europe. It can be nice and sunny during the daytime , but from 5pm onwards, it will get fresh. Therefore you need a good, quality holiday villa!

We like to suggest you few villas, but please contact me for more suggestions and any further details!

Casa Lavender

Located between market town Messines and historic Silves. Casa Lavender has 3 en-suite bedrooms, large open lounge, dining and kitchen area. From you doorstep you can make fantastic walks through the green valley, and meet a local farmer or shepherd.

Casa Colina

Located walking distance from some Portuguese bars and restaurants, with superb, magnificent countryside views, Casa Colina, ideal for large groups, but also fine for a couple. Enjoy every day fresh eggs from the chicken in the garden, the Moroccan style bath rooms, wood burner, large colonial terrace with lounge cushions….

Casa Tootsie

Have your own cinema, gym and pool table, underfloor heating and wood burner…. 8 lucky guests can enjoy Casa Tootsie, central in the Algarve, close to picturesque Boliquieme.

Casa Arrochela

This luxury villa is a you must seen to believe, as Casa Arrochela is located at the river Arade, just a 5 minutes drive a way from historic Silves. The amazing sunset over the river Arade is not to be missed! Sleeps 8 in 4 en-suite bedrooms.

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 3, 2012Special Offers

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

August 2, 2012Algarve info, Whats on Guide

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

July 26, 2012Algarve info, Whats on Guide

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

July 13, 2012Algarve info, Whats on Guide

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

July 6, 2012Luxury Villa

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

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!

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

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

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

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

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

June 20, 2012Special Offers

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

May 9, 2012Luxury Villa

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!.

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!

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!

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.

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.

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!

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

April 14, 2012Algarve info

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:

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;

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;

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

March 23, 2012Algarve info

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

March 16, 2012Special Offers

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

Farm House Bem Posta, near the beach of Alvor: 10% discount
Algoz Residence, between Albufeira and Algoz, 10% discount
Casa dos Avos, countryside, modern villa, close Silves: 720 euros
Quinta Eucalyptus, between Monchique and Portimao, 700 euros
Algarve Housing rent unique villas in the Algarve, please visit our website for more nice holiday villas in the Algarve, and contact me for any information.

Warm Regards,

Michele

Algarve Housing

February 16, 2012Whats on Guide

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 21^st 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 18^th 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

January 16, 2012Algarve info

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

December 7, 2011Algarve info

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

H A P P Y H O L I D A Y S !!!

Special Winter Offers, only 500 euros per week!

How may I help you?

Have a Christmas break to remember…

How may I help you?

Most popular villas of the Algarve!

How may I help you?

Go-To

Algarve Housing

Contacts

Newsletter