Tag: Algarve Places

Algarve info

Discover the Natural Algarve

Now that Spring is here, Portugal is once again taking on its own special charm. The sun shines ever more brightly, there are flowers everywhere and the time is ripe for communing with Nature. Come and visit us and discover the pleasure of strolling around without any fixed timetable, enjoying new experiences and savouring some perfect moments. Take your inspiration from our suggestions and draw up your very own tour plans!

Come and stay with us to enjoy the nature of the Algarve. Check our website for great private villa’s in the Algarve!

We give you 4 suggestions of the many we have to explore the Natural Algarve:

Enjoy the nature of Rocha da Pena

1.

Rocha da Pena

Hidden paradise in the rich Barrocal countryside

Rocha da Pena is a protected nature conservation area which support ecosystems of great ecological interest.

Between Benafim and Salir, with an area of more than 600 hectares and rising to a height of 479 metres, the craggy terrain of the Rocha da Pena site invites tourists to go for walks and is great for rock climbing.

Alvor Beach

2.

Alvor Estuary

Sites of Ecological Interest

Remarkable Observatories

Places where you can see different bird species nesting include the Alvor Estuary, Paul de Budens and Leixão da Gaivota. These are places where you can follow the incredible beauty of birds in flight.

The Alvor Estuary, nestled between Portimão and Lagos, is the most important wetland area in Western Algarve.  A lagoon complex, it covers 1400 hectares of marsh and dunes, which makes the area an excellent place for bird watching.

Monchique Mountains

3.

Serras de Monchique Espinhaço de Cão and Caldeirão

Variations in landscape in a diversely charming Algarve

Acting as a gigantic amphitheatre, the Monchique, Espinhaço de Cão and Caldeirão hills form a protective barrier for the lowlands of the coastal region, providing shelter from the cold northern winds.  The breeze from the Atlantic also contributes to the unique vegetation of the area.

Monchique is like a garden with breathtaking scenery and unique plant life within the Algarvian landscape.  This north-western part of the region emerges with streams flowing down from escarpments, hills where the arbutus berry tree grows, and where oaks, pines and chestnut trees are to be found.

Ria Formosa Nature Park

4.

Ria Formosa

Natural paradise between land and sea

The Ria Formosa Nature Park is a unique lagoon system that is continually changing because of the movements of winds, currents, and tides.

A gift of nature, of approximately 18,000 hectares, it is an area of transition between land and sea skirting 60 km of the Eastern Algarve coastline, between the Ancão peninsula and the Manta Rota beach in the East.

As you can see, our idea is to invite you to appreciate the best of life, get yourself into a good mood and make sure that you go home completely rested and full of energy! We urge you to accept our invitation and let yourself be seduced by the Spring in Portugal.

As you can see, our idea is to invite you to appreciate the best of life, get yourself into a good mood and make sure that you go home completely rested and full of energy! We urge you to accept our invitation and let yourself be seduced by the Spring in Portugal.

Come and stay with us to enjoy the nature of the Algarve. Check our website for great private villa’s in the Algarve!

Subscribe to our blog, so you won’t miss any of our nice suggestions about the Algarve, our Special Offers, and things to do in the Algarve.

Contact me for any further information about our nice holiday villa’s!

Warm Regards,

Michele

Algarve info, Algarve Places

Algarve Places to Visit – Lagos, Jewel of the Algarve

Lagos Fort


Algarve Housing rents villas in the Algarve, and we like to tell you about the Jewel of the Algarve, Lagos. We rent two villas,one Town House and onecountry side farm house called Quinta Alfarobeira. More details later.

Lagos Marina


Lagos is a unique little jewel in the Algarve. It has chosen to develop its tourism with taste and class. It offers a balance of the charm and history of the Portuguese culture with a blend of creature comforts and facilities to please the desires of the most discerning tourist. The warmth of Lagos and her people make it difficult to resist falling in love with this seaside town. I can only say that Lagos has a special something that you feel when you spend time here.

Lagos is a city along the Atlantic Ocean, in the Algarve, south of Portugal. Lagos is an ancient maritime town with more than 2,000 years of history. Moorish and Renaissance, from its fortress to its plethora of magnificent churches. While Lagos’ history is rich, it is the area’s fine beaches and beach bars, such as Bahia Beach Bar and Retiro do Marujo, which attract many of today’s visitors.

Lagos Beach


The beaches around Lagos are some of the most beautiful of the Algarve, like Praia de Dona Ana, which can be reached after a 25 minutes walk from the centre of the town, Praia do Camilo, a bit further on, and Meia Praia, whose sands stretch for 4 km (2.5 miles) east of Lagos. However, it is the promontory named Ponta da Piedade and sheltering the bay of Lagos which is most admired by visitors, with its caves, rocks and wonderfully transparent waters. North of Lagos, Barragem de Bravura is a water reservoir offering fine views

Apart from its animated lifestyle, the one learns that this was a fishing village and that its importance grew under the Arabs, which built several fortifications. It turned into an important naval centre in the age of the Discoveries, in the 15th century; became the capital of the Algarve from 1576 to 1756 and was greatly damaged by the earthquake of 1755; thus its beautiful 18th and 19th century buildings. A fine new marina welcomes boats sailing in from the Atlantic.

Lagos Golf


Famous golf courses, looking over the Atlantic Ocean are all a short drive a way.

Algarve Housing rent a beautiful restored luxury town house in the centre of Lagos, called Casa Urbano, that sleeps 6 in 3 bedrooms, and has a beautiful Roman style private pool.

Quinta Alfarobeira, just outside Lagos, is a rustic farm style villa, that sleeps 4, with private pool in a beautiful garden. Please click on photo gallery (slide show) below to see the pictures and contact me for more details.


Would you like to keep updated about Places in the Algarve, Special Offers and Things to do in the Algarve, subscribe to our blog.

Warm Regards,

Michele



Would you like to keep updated about Places in the Algarve, Special Offers and Things to do in the Algarve, subscribe to our blog.

Warm Regards,

Michele

Algarve info, Algarve Places

Discover the Secrets of Olhao – East of Faro – Portugal

Ceramic tiles Olhao


Algarve Housing rents villas in the Algarve, and also near Olhoa, time to tell you more about this un-spoilt, un known place in the East of the Algarve.

Pronounced “oll-yow”, Olhão is the Algarve’s largest fishing port. A rare gem, its centre is crumbling, charming, faded, and stuffed full of appealingly batty characters. The occasional tourist wanders about, wondering quite why they’re here. Olhão is a top place for a relaxing. The jewel in its crown isn’t actually in town, but a lovely ferry ride away….

Culatra, board walk to the Beach


Ria Formosa is an estuarine national park, with Olhão at its mouth and the wild Atlantic beyond. Around 80% of Portugal’s clams are fished here, around its four low islands. Farol and Armona are where Lisbon folk maintain their holiday homes; Deserta is a sandy empty place for the Robinson Crusoe in you; Culatra is where the fishermen live, and they are delighted for you to be as active as you wish, as long as that includes watching the waves, counting your toes, playing dominoes, drinking cold drinks, and eating delicious fish….. and enjoying the white sandy, long stretched beaches….

Church in Olhao


Olhoa

There are two market buildings side by side along the water front, which are a ‘must visit’ for the huge variety of extremely fresh fish and sea food straight from the port and the vast array of locally grown fresh fruit and vegetables. Olhão is well known for it’s fish market, in particular and if you haven’t got anywhere to cook some yourself, then try one of the numerous local cafes along the roadside nearby – you won’t be disappointed!

Terraces between the Markets, Olhao


The market halls are surrounded by pavement cafes and it’s a great place to sit and enjoy the view of the boats moored along the water front in the marina and the sand spit beach of the islands Armona and Culatra. Walk along the water front and through the gardens, sit outside a jazz cafe watching the boats, people cycling around and local people going about their day.

Walk into the historic heart of Olhão and the easiest road to follow is directly across from the gap between the market halls. Here, many of the buildings are the elegant merchant’s homes with wrought iron balconies, carved stonework and tile decorations and are such a contrast to the busy port area of Olhão. At the centre of the town at the end of Avenida da República, in  the Praça da Restauração, is the church of Nossa Senhora do Rosário, built in 1698 with contributions from the fishermen when it was the first stone building in Olhão. It’s a very graceful building with a baroque facade and somehow quite a surprise!

In the surrounding narrow, cobbled streets are a wide variety of inviting shops and pavement cafes that tempt you to linger! Well, after the sightseeing you need a break! This historic area of the town is really rather picturesque and gives a totally different view of Olhão from the port and the fishermen’s quarter.

Olhão itself doesn’t have a beach as it is on the Ria Formosa lagoon system but the ferries for the Islands (Culatra, Armona, and Farol)  run from the quayside near the gardens at the eastern end of the market halls. There are regular services throughout the year, although fewer in number during the winter.

Olhao is a place not to be missed, something different and worth a visit. Algarve Housing rent a very nice country side villa close to Olhoa, Quinta Rustica

Please contact me for more information, and if you would like to subscribe to our blog you will be always updated on information about the Algarve, Special Offers of our villas and new special villas we take on,

Warm regards,

Michele


Algarve info, Whats on Guide

Music in the Algarve

Cesaria Evora

It is summer in the Algarve, and that means there will be great artists performing! We give you a list of a few coming up this summer in the Algarve. If you have not rent a villa yet, to enjoy this music in the Algarve, check out our website.

22 July, 10.30 pm
Cesária Évora
From the Cape Verde, this fantastic singer, always smoking on stage, but a great voice and fantastic music! Watch the video below! Fishermen’s beach Albufeira, entrance:FREE!

Part of tHe Al-buhera Festival which take place form 22 till 26 of July in Albufeira.
Don’t miss the chance to visit Albufeira. The Al’Buhera Festival is an entirely different kind of event, offering you 5 nights of great cultural enrichment.

A multicultural city like Albufeira fully deserves a festival of this nature – a handicraft fair with more than 50 stallholders, regional confectionery and gastronomy from other countries, all help to make this festival even more appealing.

Avenida Sá Carneiro will also be the setting for street entertainment every
night from 20.00 to midnight.

To make sure that everyone can have the chance to discover Al’Buhera, guided
tours of the city centre will be offered between 20.00 and midnight, and a shuttle service will also be provided, linking all the different venues of the Al-Buhera Festival.
Stage
Praça Pescadores, 10.30 pm

22 – Cesária Évora – Cape Verde
23 – Kumpanhia Algazarra – Portugal
24 – Natiruts – Brazil
25 – Aswad – Caribbean | U.K.
26 – Amália Hoje – Portugal

Stage Eng. Duarte Pacheco, 9 pm

22 – Eduardo Ramos
23 – Lume
24 – Bossa Nossa
25 – Raspect
26 – Banda Alhada

The following events coming up, and we will publish more information closer to date, for now to put in your diary:

29 July, 9.30 pm
Gilberto Gil and Martinho da Vila
Estádio São Luís, Faro
Price: €10 / €25 vip area with access to open bar

31 July, 10 pm
Joss Stone
Monumento Duarte Pacheco, Loulé
Price: €25 and €30

1 August, 10 pm

Seal

CS Herdade dos Salgados Resort, Albufeira

Price: €30/€35

10-15 August, every day from 19.30

Festival do Mariscos – Olhoa

With great artist, among others Brazillian singer Danielle Mercury (14 August)
Price: €8

14 August, 10 pm
Mariza and Guest
Zona Ribeirinha, Vila Real de Sto. António
Price: €15 and €20

15 August, 10.30 pm
Roger Hodgson – the Voice of Supertramp
Marina de Albufeira, Albufeira

18 August, 10 pm
Abba Gold
Vila Sol Algarve – A Renaissance Spa & Golf Resort, Vilamoura
Price: €25 / €60 with dinner (ticket with dinner available only at the venue)

Ticket sales:Ticketline network
www.ticketline.pt, FNAC,
Worten, Forum Algarve Faro
Reservations: T. 00351 707 234 234

You want to be updated of all this fantastic music events this summer in the Algarve, please subscribe to our blog, and you will never miss anything!

You can contact me for more information.

Warm Regards,
Michele

Algarve info, Whats on Guide

Algarve, Events you cannot miss this Summer!

It is summer in the Algarve, and there is lots of things to do you cannot miss. Algarve Housing rents special villa’s in the Algarve and will inform you about things to do and not to be missed.

7th INTERNATIONAL SAND SCULPTURE FESTIVAL in PERA
FIESA 2009 this years theme: “DISCOVERIES”

FIESA is a mega exhibition of sculpture in sand held since 2003 in Pera, Algarve. The festival is unique in the Iberian Peninsula and is considered the largest festival of sand sculpture in the world by the size of its sculptures and the area they occupy. In each new edition the exhibition is devoted to a different theme.

FIESA 2009 is a space where the discovery, the encounter and fun, co-exist in total harmony with the art, providing unforgettable moments. FIESA is shown to the public every day till 22 October from 10 am to midnight (from 22 September to 22 October from 10 am to 9 pm).

Due to the heat during the day in the summer, I recommend to visit the Fiesa at night, beautiful lit, stunning! There is a bar for drinks and food, music and entertainment events. Nice for both children and adults.

More information: http://www.fiesa.org/

10 July Esperanza Spalding – Sítio das Fontes, Lagoa

Esperanza Spalding is one of those rare examples of galloping success based on a genuine innate talent. Still only 24 years of age, she has received fulsome praise in the leading jazz magazines and at the same time seen the doors of many of the world’s most prestigious concert venues opening wide for her. All those who have seen her live version of the classic “Body and Soul” will confirm that the high energy and full commitment of her stage performance have helped them to discover the real essence of this jazz theme about the duality of human existence. A double-bass player and singer, Esperanza was to become the youngest ever teacher at the prestigious Berklee School of Music at the age of only 20…

Price: €20

Ticket sales:
Ticketline network
www.ticketline.pt, FNAC, Worten and Agências Abreu
Reservations: T. 00350 707 234 234
Notice: Tickets available at the venue only on the day of the concert (unless sold out).

Never heard of her, please check this video:

16 July, 10 pm

Glenn Miller Orchestra

Centro de Congressos do Arade . Algarve, Lagoa-Portimão

One of the world’s first truly great jazz idols, Glenn Miller was numbered amongst the great “monsters” of the swing period and became the leader of one of the most historical American big bands.

Do you remember his timeless hits as “In the Mood” or “Chattanooga Choo Choo”.

To refresh your mind:

Price: €20
Ticket sales:
www.blueticket.pt

Ticketline network
www.ticketline.pt, FNAC, Worten and Agências Abreu
Reservations: T. 00351 707 234 234

and at the concert venue:

Centro de Congressos do Arade . Algarve
Encosta do Arade, Parchal, Lagoa
T. +351 282 498 577
www.pavilhao-arade.com

18 and 19 July

Iberian Windsurfing Circuit Proam 09 (Lagos)

Meia Praia, Lagos

Officially recognised by the Spanish and Portuguese Windsurfing Federations, this circuit is considered to be the sport’s top competition in the Iberia Peninsula. It is certainly an event that has one of the highest numbers of participants, every year bringing new competitors and fans of this sport to the Algarve.

The three events held in the Algarve are all able to take advantage of the region’s exceptionally favourable conditions for windsurfing and extreme sports in general.

The event is open to all windsurfing enthusiasts, both professionals and amateurs alike.

This year’s entry is undoubtedly the strongest ever, and it promises to be the windsurfing event of the year!

18 and 19 July – Meia Praia, Lagos (Slalom)
14 to 16 August – Praia do Martinhal, Sagres (Slalom, Speed and Long Distance)

Did you enjoy this information? We will publish more information about What’s going on in the Algarve, things to do you cannot miss! Coming up is the Medeival Festival in Silves , Festival do Mariscos in Olhoa, both in August. Information about Dance Festivals, Gastronomic events, more Jazz and other music events and much, much more….

Algarve Housing rents special villa’s in the Algarve and will inform you about things to do and not to be missed. If you do not want to miss this information, please subscribe to our blog, and you will never miss things to do in the Algarve!

Warm Regards,

Michele

Algarve info, News, Whats on Guide

What’s on in the Algarve

Algarve Housing rent nice villa’s in the Algarve. Just recovering from the fantastic Festival Med, a five days world music festival in the Centre of Loule, that have attracted 25000 visitors! Don’t miss it next year! It is summer in the Algarve, and lots going on, we just give you a few tips for coming week:
Carvoeiro, till the 31st of August, Monte Santo will welcome the Belgian artist Michele Frederickx´s exhibit, entitled “Nature in Progress”. The Vermissage is scheduled for July 1st,at 6 p.m. and the painter will be on hand to share her inspirations with all guests. Admission to the event is free of charge and includes an enjoyable cocktail.
Call 00351 282 321 000 or visit: www.montesantoalgarve.com

Until 5 July – First gastronomic festival of seafood in Cacela, Vila Real de Santo Antonio. Special seafood and fish dishes on menus at participatin restaurants.

Call 00351 281 952 434


July 3-5 – Algarve classic cars event based at Tivoli Marinotel in Vilamoura. A total of 160 cars will be taking part in this event across the Algarve. For a full programme

visit: www.algarveclassiccars.com or call 00351 289 412 880/00 351 967 165 555


July 10 and 11 – Silves

Fashion weekend at Praca do Municipio de Silves from 10 pm. Catwalk shows with
clothing form local shops and young fashion designers.


July 11 – 25 July Dance of the bears exhibition will be exhibited at Praia do Carvoeiro. Inspired by the Buddy Bears exhibition in Berlin in 2002, Karl Heinz Stock has coordinated the works of a team of sculptors and artists to develop his own Dance of the Bears show. Free to visit. Call 00 351 282 431 036

July 4 – Café Ingles in Silves, Rua do Castelo. At 6 pm there is an opening of an art exhibition of Marion Riddering and sculptures of Petra van Allen . Plus wine tasting Barranco Longo. More information Silvio Silva: 00351 919 766 565



So, if you are on Holiday in Algarve staying at one of our properties or somewhere else we hope that you found this information useful. Why not subscribe to our blog tofind out more.

Warm Regards,

Michele

Algarve info, Algarve Places, Villa

Algarve, Great Place to Stay in Portugal, Villa near the Beach

Burgau Beach
Burgau Beach

Algarve is a great place to stay, to spent you holiday and Algarve Housing has a nice villa for rent near the beach, in the centre of Burgau, between Lagos and Sagres.

Casa da Praia, is a basic 2 storey villa, has 4 bedrooms, a private little pool and is 1 minute walk form the beach in the centre of Burgau.

Master Bedroom
Master Bedroom Casa da Praia

Burgau is a friendly and peaceful fishing village, ideal for families, nature lovers and walkers. Nestled on the edge of a national park, still a working fishing village, and watching the boats bobbing on the moonlit waters, makes Burgau a place you will never forget.

Casa da Praia
Casa da Praia - Open kitchen

Burgau and its unique charm is the village ability to appeal to everyone, regardless of age or interests. People who have been once usually come back time after time. It has an X factor that has to be experienced.

Heading west from Burgau, the next village is Salema. There’s an interesting coastal road from Burgau, or an alternative access route down an old river valley from the main road. Facing the glorious beach is a small jumble of restaurants and an occasional shop. The old village extends eastwards up a cliff-hugging road. There are several other beaches along this stretch of coast, most with a beach bar and all of them accessible by road. Surfers are recommended to try ‘Boca do Rio’ or ‘Zavial’.

Do you want to know more about Casa da Praia, please contact me for more information and availability.

Algarve Housing has more nice holiday villas in the Algarve, please check our website.

Don’t want to miss any news from Algarve Housing, our special offers or information about any of the beautiful holiday homes of Algarve Housing, SUBSCRIBE to our blog, if is for free, and you get it automatically delivered in your email inbox!

Warm Regards,

Michele


Algarve info, Algarve Places, Farmhouse

Alvor with its wide, fine sandy beach, one of the best in the Algarve

Alvor wide, sandy Beach

Alvor, close to Lagos has a wide, fine sandy beach, one of the best in the Algarve.

Algarve Housing rent very special villas in the Algarve, the most southern part of Portugal. One of our special villas is Quinta Bem Posta, close to Alvor.

Alvor

Due to Alvor’s peculiar and sensitive ecology, attempts have been made to protect the surrounding area from tourist development, which have only been partially successful. Alvor has, however, managed to retain much of its original style, with low buildings and open surroundings and the lagoon, which is a specially protected area of natural beauty.
The area around the old fishermen’s market has been developed greatly over the past five years. It now has a wide waterfront promenade, with restaurants and bars where one can sit and watch the fishing boats.
Behind the fish market is the old lifeboat station, which is well worth a visit.
Alvor’s main beach is just five minutes’ walk from the town. A favourite among windsurfers, it is four and half miles of wide open sand, offering enough space for beach volleyball, football, frisbee and walking. The beach is backed by dunes and has plenty of facilities.

Alvor, Beach front

Facilities
There are usually life guards on duty and sun umbrellas and sun loungers can be hired at a daily rate. Car parks are close to the beach. Several beach restaurants offer traditional grilled fish, lamb, piri-piri chicken and other delicious foods.
The beach is popular with Portuguese holidaymakers from the north who usually arrive in the Algarve in September, but due to its size Alvor Praia is never packed.
Tres Irmaos Beach, further east, is mostly backed by cliffs, with huge rocks scattered along the shoreline. It leads to Praia da Vau and Praia da Rocha. “Praia” is the Portuguese for “beach”.

Alvor, Church

Still a fishing village
Remember that Alvor is still a fishing village, talk to locals and find out what time the fisherman return from the sea. It’s well worth getting up early and watching them work with their catch. The Octopus is a real speciality.

Algarve Housing rent nice holiday homes in the Algarve, and also near Alvor with its wide, sandy beach! Quinta Bem Posta is only 5 minutes from Alvor. Contact me for availability and more information.

We regularly write articles about our holiday properties, special offers, information about the region and Things to do in the Algarve.

If you don’t want to miss it, subscribe to our News Blog, and keep updated!

Warm Regards,

Michele

Algarve info, News, Whats on Guide

Pack your Picnic and enjoy May Day in the Algarve

Gather your family and friends and experience the Portuguese May Day tradition.

The first of May is May Day, an international celebration of workers’ solidarity and has always been a festival of fun, right from its early beginnings and, despite isolated outbreaks of violence during political May Day rallies around the world, in modern times, it continues to be celebrated as a day to enjoy the open air, and a day to air opinions.

For the Portuguese it is a day to enjoy a good picnic, on the beach, in the forest, by a river, and sometimes just at the roadside. It is the one day of the year that normally unused roadside picnic spots fill with families and friends to enjoy simple food and wine, and cheer at the day long parades of fire engines, ambulances and police vehicles that animate the roads of every county. April in Portugal marks the change from winter to spring, bringing warmer weather and blue skies, and May Day is the perfect opportunity to get out and enjoy the first picnic of the year.

If you live here, or on holiday in the Algarve, we give you some popular places to go.

Most popular are the Fontes that can be found near Estombar (Lagoa), Alte and Benamola (Loule) and Caldas de Monchique. The rivers are very popular too, like the Arada and the Guardiana (river between Portugal and Spain) and the Baragems (dam lakes) which there are many, both large and small, throughout the Algarve.

So Pack your picnic and enjoy May Day in the Algarve!

For more information you can contact me.

This information is brought by you by Algarve Housing, which rents luxury holiday villas in the Algarve.

If you don’t want to miss our updates about what to do in the Algarve, last minute deals on our dream holiday homes or information about the area, subscribe to our blog, it is free, and you will never miss anything.

Warm Regards,

Michele

Algarve info, Algarve Places

Silves, a place in the Algarve not to miss!


Silves is a place not to be missed when you visit the Algarve, the most southern part of Portugal. Most of our villas for rent located close to Silves, time to write about historic town Silves.

Once the capital of the Arab kingdom. A once flourishing city of palaces, gardens and bazaars, Silves may have lost its influence but not its interest. The surrounding area is comprised of mile after mile of orchards – peach, almond and orange trees. The redsand stone fortress is open daily (09:00-19:00). A 13th century cathedral built of red and white sandstone has fine emblazoned tombs and should not be missed.

The best way to start your visit to the city is by going to Silves market in the morning. You will enjoy the aroma of the fruit, vegetables and fresh fish at this crowded, noisy but charming venue where you can buy everything you need to cook a delicious meal.

Silves, with its terraces, minarets, the façade of the Arabic palaces and streets complete with bazaars, make the city a great attraction for all visitors.

Walking on foot over the hills around the city, you will see flourishing orchards of almond, orange and fig trees.

Nowadays, Silves still maintains this medieval charm: from the 7-arched Roman bridge winding cobbled streets lead to picturesque squares fronted by churches and colourful cafes. Bars, shops and restaurants where local cuisine can be sampled at leisure, are interspersed with typical red roofed houses. The Fabrica do Ingles is a more recent social gathering point, offering restaurants, conference and exhibition facilities and during the summer months, concerts, laser shows, and theatrical re-enactments.

Silves has a great deal to offer, blending past and present to create its own unique atmosphere. Magnificent surroundings and the accompanying gentle pace of life combine to provide a memorable and truly remarkable visit.

AlgarveHousing rent various holiday homes in the Silves area, I just mention a few;

Casa Lavender, Casa Vilarinha, Casa Ceramica, Casa da Pedra, Casa Laranha, The Windmills, Casa Eucalyptus,Casa Barradas and Monte Boi.

Please contact me for more information regarding prices, availability or more information.

We regularly write articles about new holiday properties, special offers, information about the region and ‘Things to do in the Algarve’.

If you don’t want to miss it, subscribe to our News Blog, and keep updated!

Warm Regards,

Michele

Algarve Places

Loule, Place to be!

Algarve Housing rent many villas in the Loule area. Time to tell you more about this fantastic town.

SLIDE SHOW


An unspoilt town just north of Albufeira in the south of Portugal, the Algarve. The Saturday morning markets are famous for their fresh food and handicraft stalls. The Feira de Loule, a mainly gypsy market is well worth a visit. In the whitewashed, picturesque streets there are many artisans still producing beautiful lace, leather, painted clay, brass and copper goods. Do not forget to sample the local restaurants that offer excellent local dishes at very reasonable prices or just have a coffee in one of the local cafes with a “pasteL de nata” (custard cream tart).

Loule is lively, many festivals through the year, for various kind of people. Just off the top of my head, Festival Med, a 3-day multi cultural musical festival, a big Jazz festival and festival of White (dress code white) and last but not least, the highlight of the year in Loule is Carnival.

VIDEO

Algarve Housing rent very nice holiday homes in the area of Loule, like the farmhouse Quinta do Monte, on the hill of Boliqueime, top luxury villas lie Casa Saborosa, Bay Tree Manor and Quinta Margarida in the Boliqueime area as weel and last but not least luxury farmhouse Quinta Palmeiral.

Please contact me for more information, availability and prices.

Would you like to keep informed about Special Offers, more information about Places in the Algarve and new splendid villas for rent of Algarve Housing, subscribe to this blog.

Warm Regards,

Michele

Algarve Places

Holiday Homes Messines

Most of our Holiday Homes lie between Silves and Messines, Algarve Portugal. In hardly any ‘tourist book’ Messines is mentioned, Messines is short for Sao Bartelomeu de Messines and is a turn off from the highway the A22. 50 kilometres from Faro, the capital of the Algarve and 15 kilometres from historic town Silves.

Since 1988 I visit Messines, and to me it is a very special town, not because of its beauty, maybe it is ugly, but ugly can make beautiful! It is pure, it is a farmer’s town, and it is very Portuguese! You can get there everything you want, there is a daily veg and fish market, there are numerous pharmacists, little supermarkets, and a bigger supermarket, open everyday! There is a cinema (!), papelaria where you can even buy foreign papers, and an unlimited amount of pasteleria’s to drink a nice cup of coffee with a pastel de nata, and believe it or not in one of those pastelaria’s they serve a full English breakfast!


Joao do Deus

Messines is actually well known in Portugal because the famous Portuguese poet Joao de Deus (1830-1896) who has born and raised in SB de Messines, therefore there is a museum of his work, the museum is the house he lived and is next to the church. He is also famous of developing an education system for young children, which is still in use today!

Church

A beautiful church with Manueline (16th Century) details based in the centre of Messines, and next to it there is a covered space where the Portuguese man always playing cards, domino, or sit and watch life going by…. But not during almoço (lunch), lunch is the main meal for the Portuguese, therefore many shops will be closed during lunch, streets become quit…. but apart from lunch time, Messines is a lively town, Portuguese have a habit to drink coffee (bica) outdoors, they generally have no coffee machine at home. It is cheap (0.50 per bica) and a social habit. The Portuguese like to talk, talk, talk and drinking a bica outdoors, give them opportunity to hear the latest gossips of town etc…

The Old Man

Apart from the pastelaria’s, there are a million bars, and some do live music in the weekends. A few restaurants, where you can find mainly Portuguese food on the menu like chicken piri, lamb (Borrego) and various fish dishes, like the Cataplana dish which is a stew of shell fish/fish and meat.

Carnaval (February/March) is well celebrated in Messines! Two days long there is in the afternoon a parade with beautiful dressed wagons and people, lots of music, dancing and lots of bars on the street!

Every month there is the so called gypsy market, it is always on the last Monday of the month and also well worth a visit, as well gypsies, but also lots of Portuguese selling there products, from Portuguese crockery, chickens, house hold goods, tools, plants, vegetable and they grilling chicken, and of course you can drink a bica (coffee) or cerveza (beer) amongst the Portuguese. For the Portuguese a nice day out, they come from all over the area, dressed up to meet friends and family!

Messines lies in the centre of the Algarve, only 20 minutes north of, for tourist famous Albufeira, beautiful beaches like Armacoa de Pera, 1 hour from Lagos, Western Algarve, and 1 hour from Tavira in the east Algarve. A little bit north of Messines there are two baragems (artificial lakes), that supply water to various parts of the Algarve. Those lakes have beautiful mountainary surroundings, worth a visit.

A few little nice villages in same area with nice restaurants and bars like Vale Fuzeiros and Amorosa. Mountain village Alte is 15 minutes drive away, and historic town Silves is also 15 minutes drive away, all worth a visit!

So Messines is my place to live, away from the tourism, but close by if you want to visit it, enjoy the famous beaches and then back home to relax and enjoy the real Algarve!

Does this appeal to you? Please have a look on my website; there is a wide choice of holiday accommodations in this area, from rustic windmills to luxury villas! All with private garden and pool, in quit surroundings.


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Get the Best of Summer – Casa Barradas Holidayhome for Rent!

Algarve Villa for Rent – Casa Barradas in the Portugal’s Algarve.

About the Place
Located in a hamlet of a few houses, Casa Barradas is a very pretty 4 bedroom villa, with private pool and gardens. For max 8 people we offer peace and privacy close to the pleasant market town of Messines, which lies about 15km north of Albufeira (15 min by car) in the centre of the Algarve. Casa Barradas has some style when you enter the house in a large hall with lots of marble. Many windows, overlooking garden and pool, shady terraces with large dining table to relax, dine and wine.
Casa Barradas has everything you need for a nice holiday, a bit of luxury, nice interiors, lovely outside spaces, BBQ, big pool, nice lawns, close to beaches, golf courses and shopping areas…. An ideal place to stay!

The Accommodation
This stylish, Algarvian Villa has 4 bedrooms, of which 2 doubles, en-suite (with separate shower cubicles) and two twin rooms with shared bathroom with bath. The kitchen is well-equipped, nice dining room surrounded by windows, overlooking garden and orange grove! From the spacious lounge, with satellite TV, DVD and hifi, you overlook the garden with lush lawn, L-shape pool with huge covered area with massive wooden table with ample seating, built-in BBQ. Casa Barradas is an ideal family home for rent, with ample space for everyone, amid the real Algarve.

For more information,  availability and prices, please contact us:

info@algarvehousing.net or call on +351 962 603 480

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