We hope you are healthy and coping with the corona situation. We are sure better times will come!
Last few months Algarve Housing had a few Portuguese celebrities in our villas in the Algarve! Time for an update!
Tag: Portugal villas
Five reasons to visit the Algarve
What is the new normal in the Algarve?
Keep a social distance of 2 meters, wear face masks in a public area, and hygiene like wash your hands regularly.
On daily bases, people ask me how is it to be in the Algarve? To me, it is still heaven! The new normal does not really affect me. You can still go to the beach (plenty of sun lounges to choose from), bars and restaurants are open. Make sure you always have a face mask with you, as when you enter a restaurant, you need to wear a face mask. Once you sit down, you can take it off and enjoy the lovely food and drinks. The sunsets are still stunningly beautiful, the temperature nice, the beaches sandy, and the seawater refreshing!
In March this year, I wrote the article below, but at the same time, the coronavirus hit Europe! It was not a good idea to promote the Algarve. But it is August now, and the Algarve is safe and clean, and with respect to the new normal, we can handle Covid-19 in Portugal! Algarve Housing like to remind you why to visit the Algarve!
48% of Tourists Would Still Visit Portugal in 2020 If Restrictions Were Lifted
Please find below the results of a survey done by the Portugalist, a leading blog about Portugal.
Almost half (48.3%) of tourists who had planned to visit Portugal in 2020 would still visit if travel restrictions were lifted. Of those that plan to visit this year, 52.7% hope to visit Portugal in the autumn or winter compared to 30.4% who hope to visit in the summer.
Top 9 of Portuguese foods you should definitely try when you visit the Algarve
Food for thought!
A great part of the pleasure of a holiday in Portugal is to have all the time in the world to enjoy the local food of the Algarve. Preferably accompanied by a glass of good wine. Good news: you are in the right country! Portugal has a wide variety of savoury dishes that are both influenced by the Atlantic Coast, and by the inland farmer’s food. Enough to try throughout Portuguese food during your time in the Algarve, washed away with one of the many quality wines of Portugal!
History of Portugal in a nutshell
History of Portugal in a nutshell
Did you know that Portugal was once a powerful nation and one of the leading powers of the world?
While you are on holiday in the Algarve, you will see many historical remnants of different eras. Algarve Housing has put the main historical era’s that had a great influence on what Portuguese culture is today, in a row. Let’s talk history of Portugal:
What do you know about Portugal?
Portugal is the hidden gem of Europe and the Algarve is the hidden gem of Portugal. We know by now, the Algarve has a breath-taking coastline, best beaches of Europe, best golf courses of Europe… but what do you actually know of this beautiful country?
You have made the decision to spend your holidays to Portugal, or maybe even a longer period, or you live in Portugal?
Algarve Housing has put some social and geographical facts of Portugal, for you in a row.
Christmas and New Year in Portugal
Slowly, the shops are changing their assortment, lights appear here and there, supermarkets start to promote presents heavily and the first Father Christmas dolls make their glorious entrance in the shop windows…Christmas in the Algarve is approaching! Algarve Housing has put some facts of this universal celebration in Portugal in a row.
Christmas in Portugal
Christmas In the Algarve is in the first place, about spending time with family. And about traditions. On Christmas Eve, families will come together and have their Christmas dinner, the “Consoada”, consisting of “bacalhau”, the famous codfish, with boiled potatoes, cabbage and eggs.
Autumn in the Algarve, St Martin’s day and low season in the Algarve
Autumn in the Algarve
Autumn has arrived in the Algarve, there is no doubt about that! Although the weather in Portugal, is still very pleasant and the sun still keeps us company, the temperatures have slightly dropped, and we even experience the occasional humid or wet day, although more rain would be more than welcome at this point of the year! But let us rejoice the splendid weather and look forward to one of the most traditional Portuguese days of the year: the day of São Martinho (St Martin’s day) on the 11th of November. Most Saints are celebrated during the summer, yet this one is the only one being celebrated during autumn, although the warm and dry November days have given that period the name and fame of “the summer of São Martinho”.
Treat yourself during your Holiday in the Algarve?
Holiday in the Algarve
There you are, in the Algarve in Portugal. You have one week (or maybe more, lucky you…) to recharge all batteries during your holiday in the Algarve, so you can go home after your holidays feeling ten years younger, ready to lift the world all by yourself. Now is the time to really give yourself some sweet treats, and here are some of the most regenerative possibilities in the Algarve:
Top 10 Summer Festivals in the Algarve 2019
Summer has hardly begun or festivals follow up each other at high speed. You will not be bored and have plenty to choose from during summer 2019, to make your Algarve Holiday experience even more unique.
Algarve Housing made a top 10 of festivals in the Algarve for YOU!
Albufeira, Place to be in the Algarve
Albufeira has it all!
Located in the centre of the Algarve, on a beautiful coastline, at only about 40km from the nearest airport of Faro. Albufeira has become the hub of tourism from where you can easily explore the rest of the Algarve. Albufeira offers all you could wish for: from the most amazing beaches, to an endless choice of activities in and around Albufeira. Going through a wide range of restaurants in the charismatic old town Albufeira, and the possibility to shop till you drop.
What time can we arrive at our Holiday Villa in the Algarve?
What time can we arrive at our Holiday Villa in the Algarve?
This is a question we very often get, and I do understand why. Weeks, if not months, you are looking forward to your holiday to the Algarve, and finally you arrive at Faro airport, but the villa you have booked is not ready yet! Or you are with a large group, the whole family from grandparents to baby’s, and you arrive 9am at the airport and the villa is not ready till late in the afternoon! WHAT A BUMMER!!! It is hot, sweaty weather in the Algarve, and the baby is crying, and need changing, granddad really need his afternoon nap!!!
What to do???
Easter Holidays in the Algarve
Easter Holidays
Portugal is a catholic country (above 80% of the population is catholic). The Holy week (or, as the Portuguese call it: Semana Santa is celebrated with just devotion and has a predominantly religious character. Although it is less intensive than in Spain, you will still find traditional festivities in the Algarve that are fascinating to attend.
It all starts forty days before Easter, when the period of soberness and fasting is begun and many people abstain from eating meat. Easter Sunday 2019 is 21 April.
Carnival in the Algarve 1-5 March
This year Carnival in the Algarve is in March. A traditional and colourful event not to be missed. Most towns has the traditional celebrations with colourful parades and samba music in the streets. The best and largest is in Loule, but smaller towns like Messines, Alte, Moncarapacho, they all celebrate carnival. It is hard to miss this nice yearly event in Portugal. This article of Algarve Housing, will tell you all about Carnival in the Algarve, the carnival programme, other things to do in March and a private paradise in the Algarve.
February in the Algarve
February in the Algarve
February is a bit like January, nature is unfolding with many nice flowers blooming, and spreading nice smells like the Mimosa, the poppies and the daisies. Weather can be nice, very nice, with lots of sunshine, BUT it can be stormy and rainy too. Be aware!
February is the perfect month if you like hiking and biking (watch our next blog!) and playing golf.
What else can you do in February in the Algarve?
Algarve Housing like to share a few events in February with YOU!
Spring break in Portugal, and soak up some sunshine in the Algarve!
Spring break in Portugal
It’s March, and spring has already knocked on the Algarve’s door. Nature is waking up, and there is no better season and place than to also awaken after your own winter sleep. Algarve Housing would like to share with you some nice facts about spring in the Algarve. Why not have a spring break?
January in the Algarve
January in the Algarve
Happy New Year!
‘Algarve host 150 events in January’ I just read at the front page of the Algarve Resident…who think January is a dull and boring month in the Algarve, is completely wrong. Today it is 3 January, and up until today I had every day breakfast and lunch in the sun! Lovely temperatures, and plenty to do in January in the Algarve. Music, art, gastronomy, a variety of cultural events in January. Algarve Housing like to share with you a few events in the Algarve for this month!
Christmas and New Year in Portugal
Christmas celebrations
Although Christmas celebration is somehow universal, you do get the small and bigger differences per country or culture. Christmas in Portugal, is mainly a time to spend with family. Although Christmas trees have been more popular since the 70’s, the main decoration still is the “presépio”, the nativity scenes, that each home will have, and that towns will display in larger sizes and sometimes even with real people and animals playing out the roles. The Portuguese love to go and visit them. You will witness plenty of light decoration during December in the cities too, and although palm trees with Christmas lights might not give you the same feeling, it does get you into a winter atmosphere. Plenty of Christmas trees though during Christmas in Portugal!
