Aqua Portimão, a new shopping centre near Portimão, opened its doors. The largest center in western Algarve, with 132 shops, including Primark and H&M, more than 20 restaurants and a Jumbo supermarket. Primark is one of the UK’s top clothing chains and this will be its first store in the Algarve, covering 4,200 square metres and creating 250 jobs.
H&M, also the first shop in the Algarve, a Swedish clothing company, is best known for its fast fashion offerings and will have a 1,980 square metre store at Aqua Portimão.
Other shops are: Stradivarius, Blanco, Bershka, Centroxogo, a Loja do Gato Preto, Massimo Dutti, Pull&Bear, Kiko en Seaside.
The shopping centre has three floors above ground and an underground car park with spaces for 1,800 cars.
Aqua shopping is open 7 days a week, Sunday till Thursday from 10 am till 11 pm and and Friday and Saturday till 00.00!
As March now draws to an end and Easter holidays are just around the corner, we are thrilled to say that the Algarve is set to give visitors a lovely warm welcome! The countryside is flourishing and the bright sunny days are offering nothing less than the perfect setting to enjoying all that the region has to offer. The April events calendar is full of Easter festivals, concerts, sports and gastronomy fairs and it is the ideal time of year for long walks, outdoor activities and family fun on the beach. So if you haven’t booked your holiday villa for Easter yet, Algarve Housing have some nice deals for YOU! Please contact me for more details.
A few events in the Algarve during April/Easter:
Coppelia by the Moscow Ballet
Venue: TEMPO (Municipal Theatre), Portimão on 8th April
Tickets available from TEMPO, Portimão Arena, FNAC, ABEP Agencies, Alvalade, www.blueticket.pt & www.ticketline.pt
Tel. (+351)707 234 234,(+351)707 234 234 (Reservations)
Expomar – Fair of the Sea and Nautical Activities
Venue: Jardim Pescador Olhanense, Olhão from 7th to 10th April
Duke Ellington Orchestra
Ready for some Jazz in the Algarve?
Venue: Portimão Municipal Theatre on 14th April at 21.30
Reservations: (+351) 282 402 475 (+351) 282 402 475 / 961 579 917
Equestrian Tour Vilamoura 2011
Venue: Vilamoura Riding Centre from March 30th to April 24th
Competitions – Tuesday to Sunday from 09.00 to 18.00. Grand Prix events on 3rd, 10th, 17th and 24th April
The 4 Week International Showjumping Event is composed of six competitions qualifying for the FEI ranking.
Algarve Folar (Easter Loaf) Fairs
Paderne 16th & 17th April Barão de São João (near Lagos) on 23rd & 24th April (15.00 to 24.00) 8th Folar challenge in Guia on 24th April (16.00 at the Football Club grounds) – making the biggest Easter loaf you have ever seen!
Festa das Tochas Floridas
Venue: São Brás de Alportel on Easter Sunday, 24th April
9.30 – Opening of the streets to see the carpets of flowers
10.00 – Eucharist at the Parish Church
11.30 – Hallelujah Procession and the Flower Torches
13.00 – Eucharist at the Parish Church
15.00 – Churchyard: Fair of regional confectionery, Cultural afternoon with traditional music groups, Prize giving ceremony for Flower Games, Best Flower Torches and Balconies.
Festa da Mãe Soberana in Loulé
A major religious festival that attracts thousands of faithful followers as well as tourists every year. The festival starts on the 24th April with the Festa Pequena (small feast) and finishes on 8th May with the Festa Grande. The high point of the celebrations is the procession through the city carrying the image of the Sovereign Mother
3rd Portuguese Wine Show
Venue: EMA (Multi-use space), Albufeira from 30th April to 2nd May
Time: 14.30 to 20.00 (to 19.00 on May 2nd)
A perfect opportunity to try some Portuguese wines!
The EMA is in the Caliços area of Albufeira at the junction of Estrada de Caliços and the Avenida dos Descobrimentos.
“Soul of Fado” Concert by Cristina Nóbrega
Venue: TEMPO (Municipal Theatre) Portimão on 23rd April
Spring has arrived early in the Algarve! So Algarvians are enjoying 20 Celsius days, and days of taking walks on the many sandy beaches have returned, a couple of brave souls may even dare a dip in the still chilly waters. Beach bars starting to open up, with some nice live music in the afternoons. Aside from beaches what else is there to do in the Algarve?
Walking! At the moment the orange blossom is full on, and this gorgeous sweet smell is everywhere, plus lots of blooming flowers everywhere, this is the time of the year, to enjoy the beautiful nature of the Algarve!
You don’t like walking?
There are a few nice shopping centers near Guia and near Faro, open 7 days a week, from 9am till 12pm, so you can shop till you drop! Plus there are nice, large cinema’s!
But there is more to do in the Algarve!
The list of things to do in the Algarve is endless. We do a few suggestions.
For a great day out take a boat trip along the coast, enjoy dolphin watching, go on jeep safari or learn to surf. Visit one of the Algarve water parks or enjoy some top pampering at a luxury spa.
The excitement of the World Rally Championship-WRC is back with the classifying stages being held in the Algarve. With a distinguished entry list and its traditional flair and passion, this year’s Vodafone Rally de Portugal looks to be an absolute classic.
The Vodafone Rally of Portugal, the most important motor sport event in Portugal, is already one of the flagship events for the promotion of tourism in the country.
Theatre in the Algarve
When: 25 to 27March
Where: Theatro Lethes, Faro
Price: Price: €12 adults & €7 children and students
More information call +351 910037151
The A Portada Theatre Group is now preparing for their next production, the amusing romantic comedy, “Twelfth Night” by William Shakespeare. Following on from their runaway success in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and “The Real Inspector Hound” these highly talented actors are supported by lavish costumes and professional set design. Rehearsals are now underway and the show promises to both intrigue and entertain the theater lover.
Exhibition in Portimao
When: till 30 April, Turesaday 2pm uintil 6pm, Wednesday to Sunday: 10am until 6pm
Where: Museum Portimao
Price: Free
More information: +351 282405230
Due to popular demand and interest, the exhibition, “Portimão at the beginning of the 20th Century” has been extended for a second time until April 30th. The exhibition promotes some of the key aspects of the evolution of the former “Vila Nova de Portimão” in the first quarter of the 20th century during it’s transition from the Monarchy to the Republic regime, focusing on the most significant changes made during this period.
This information is brought to you by Algarve Housing, we rent special villas in the Algarve. Please contact me for more information.
This year that will see the end of 2010 and the begining of 2011 and will bring to everyone living in the Algarve or who are visiting the Algarve especially for the New Years Eve, a fantastic array of parties, festivity and fireworks.
Algarve Housing give YOU a few options of the many there are….
Albufeira
New Years Eve in Albufeira is always one of the highlight of this city and it has been confirmed that this event is the biggest of it’s kind on a national level.
In partnership with the local Town Hall of Albufeira and SIC TV, the grand final of “Idols” will take place live from the Fishermans Beach. With over 1 million viewers in Portugal, “Idols” is one of the most popular shows on TV and this unforgettable final will make New Years Eve an unforgettable night. At mid-night there will of course be a spectacular display of fireworks and the entertainment will continue on into the early hours with fabulous DJ’s and live music.
New Year in the Algarve
Ferragudo
ClubNau is famous for great food, great music and excellent parties. Join them on NewYearsEve for a fabulous evening of food and fun. The fantastic 5 course meal includes wines, champagne at midnight and an open bar until midnight. The entertainment is by Accrinton Stanley – the Beatles tribute band, and DJ Miguel. Advance reservations …
Portimao, Praia da Rocha and Alvor
Portimão will have a fantastic Fireworks displays as it has 3 sites for the fireworks – along the river front at Portimão, along the beach of Praia da Rocha and the waterfront at Alvor! The night will start with music from different artists and after the fireworks the partying will continue into the early hours in the nightspots of Praia da Rocha and Alvor!
Paderne
From Dec 30th until Jan 2nd the the Parish of Padern will “return” to Medieval Times” The historicial village will revive the times of the middle ages with parades, tournaments, medieval market, musical performances and many other historical moments.
Lagos
Lagos will be celebrating New Year’s Eve with fireworks along the waterfront! So if you are going to be in Lagos don’t miss out on the New Year celebrations…bring your bubbly with you and join in the celebrations on the Avenida dos Descobrimentos. After the fireworks the party will continue in the bars both on the marina and in the town!
Or have your private party in your private holiday villa, Algarve Housing rent luxury villas in the Algarve, please visit our website for more information.
Finally, where ever you decide to party on 31st December 2010 we hope you have a safe time, and enjoyable party and not too bad a hangover on January 1st 2011
December is a month full of festivities, also in Portugal we celebrate Christmas and New Year, why not combine some nice weather and your Holidays in the Algarve?
Algarve Housing rent fantastic villas in the Algarve, and have a few villas left for YOU to enjoy Christmas and New Year in the Algarve. With mild days and cool nights, and very often we get sunshine, and you can even enjoy some sunbathing at the beach. But I have to be honest, it can rain too, and therefor we supplygorgeous villas, with nice wood burning fires to enjoy with a nice glass of Portuguese wine!
Spending Christmas and the New Year in the Algarve is a great way to enjoy the festive season. More and more people choose to spend Christmas away from home. Some want to avoid the fuss, others are looking for a different Christmas experience. The Algarve is an ideal destination as it caters to both traditional and alternative tastes.
Great time to enjoy a few rounds of golf at one of the many golf courses, enjoy one of the many Christmas Fairs, Concerts, Exhibitions, party nights and Christmas shows. The Algarve is foodie paradise, no matter where your are, you never far away from some sort of eating establishment. From the simplest of ‘tascas’ to Michelin starred and everything in between; Indian, Chinese, British, Thai, French and Fusion. Most of our villas located inland where you can find some great restaurants serving hearty algarvian food like Wild boar, Lamb stew and goat kid stew – simmered for hours so that the meat falls of the bone, caldeirada and cataplana – traditional fish stews. Bom Apetit!
And one of the nice villas to book in December…Casa Lavender. A very nice, cozy villa, that has a nice woodburning stove to keep you warm in the cool evenings, and fantastic terrace, south facing to enjoy the sunny days! Have a look, and let me know if you need any more information.
More holiday villas of Algarve Housing you find on our website. Please contact me for more information,
At the moment we have 25 degrees of sunshine, do I have to say more?? But next to that there is still lots to do, see, enjoy… I picked a few things, but if you want to see more, please visit ‘My Algarve’-website.
Another good reason to visit the Algarve in November is the villas to rent are very cheap, check out our website and contact me for good deals!
From Nov 5th until Nov 14th
Fair of Sao Martinho (St. Martin’s)
St. Martin’s Day is commonly known as a celebration of the maturation of the year’s wine, with this day traditionally the first time the new wine can be tasted. It is celebrated eating roast chestnuts. Friends and families, or even whole villages, get together for this Autumn season festival, which are known as magustos.
Once again Portimao continues the tradition by hosting the Fair of São Martinho a tradition since 1662. An open air affair which attracts people of all nationalities. An atmosphere not to be missed where the smell of chestnuts roasting hangs in the air.
Lots of stalls to choose from and a fun park. Portimão will be livened up for 10 days
First day opens at 4pm until mid-night
Every other day from 10am until mid-night
Where: Portimao
Entrance: free
21 November
Jazz Club @ The Museum: I-Tento-Trio
After the Spanisch “fury” in October we whole-heartedly welcome a Trio from the Algarve: In-Tento-Trio. This trio was born in 2005, created by Fernando Pessanha a pianist in cooperation with João Melro on drums and Pedro Reis on bass.This band will play originals, a mixture of Jazz/Rock and Classical music.
This exhibition stems from the initiative taken by the publishers Tugaland to start a process of promoting and republishing part of the discography of the artist Amália Rodrigues. In parallel and following the same path, twelve young Portuguese artists were invited to make their contributions to a project reinterpreting these twelve themes based on key topics from the singer’s repertoire, in order to emphasise the contribution of the work of Amália Rodrigues as a structural influence on our contemporary cultural fabric.
Time: Monday to Friday from 09h00 to 13h00 and 14h00 to 17h00. Closed Saturdays and Sundays
Where: Silves, Misericordia Church
Price: Free
Telephone: 00351 282 440 832/ 282 440 832
When: until 31 January 2011
Rallye Casinos do Algarve Overview
Where:
International Autodromo of Algarve
When:
Nov 13th Super Special –Autódromo Internacional of Algarve
Nov 14th Special competition in Monchique Mountains
Prize giving at Hotel Algarve, Praia da Rocha
World Artistic Roller Skating Championship
Where:
Portimão Arena, Portimão
When: 24 November-4 December
Top skaters are expected from 32 countries – including world leaders such as Italy, Argentina, Spain, the United States and Germany – with the Portimão Arena playing host to over a thousand competitors between the 22nd of November and the 5th of December.
October in the Algarve, means a fair bit of sunshine, so ideal to spent you Holiday in the Algarve. What to do in October in the Algarve? Never a dull moment…..
I give you a few of the many options.
Dance
Michael Jackson Tribute at Vilamoura Casino from 9pm from October the 18th till October 31st.
Exhibitions
Algarve Animals sculptures and paintings by Sylvain Bongard and Tara Esaguy Cohen in Cnvent Sao Jose in Lagoa until October 30th. More info: 00351 282 380 434.
Ten Monumental British Sculptures exhibition at Cerro da Vila Roman Archaeological Cdntre in Vilamoura until December 31st.
Music
New Orleans Jazz at Casa Inglesa restaurant in Portimao every Thursday. Every Saturday at Tivoli Hotel in lagos from 8.30 pm. Call 00351 935 086 365.
Saturday 23 October, Winterblues in Tempo, Teatro Municipal de Portimao
DE VIENA A BUDAPESTE
Orquestra de Câmara Portuguesa More info: 00351 282 402 470 or email:
Sportive Sailing with Algarve Ocean from the Marina Portimao.
October 20 – Bike Ride starting at the Fat Frog in Almancil. Meet here at 5.15 for a 5.30pm start. Fairly challenging.For more details call Paul Beesley on 00351 913226954 or e.mail paul.beesley@sapo.pt or join “Algarve Bike Rides” on Facebook.
Market
Monday 25th October monthly gypsy market in SB de Messines
Carboot sales
Saturday 23rd October, Monte Gordo, Sunday 24th of October, Lagoa and Monchique
«Gnosis» – La Fura Dels Baus (Catalunha, Spain)“Gnosis”: travels and knowledge provide the theme for this grand show by the company La Fura dels Baus, one of the most prestigious in the world that has been seen by audiences totaling 3 million people. With a 31-year history, the Spanish company works in a range of impressive styles.
If you’re in the Algarve at the end of August (28 August), don’t miss the all-night summer party known as Noite Branca or “White Night.” It takes place throughout the city streets, which are all decorated in white, and features live music, international DJs, street entertainers and eye-catching urban art. Entrance is free – just come dressed in white.
Noite Branca or “White Night” first took place in Loulé in 2007, and is based on the White Night concept which started in Paris and is now held in cities all over Europe. Thousands will flock to one of Portugal’s biggest chill-out events, with Loulé’s streets decorated in white, and shops and restaurants staying open late, with special white window displays and discounts to customers wearing white.
The central part of the city will be transformed into a huge “living room” with the colour white being the connecting factor between the different areas, music stages and themed features. There will be live music, international DJs, street entertainers and eye-catching urban art, and you’ll find pianists, saxophonists, jazz bands, jugglers, fire eaters, human statues, clowns, magicians and a host of other entertainers, all dressed in white.
Street entertainment
Entrance is free and all that is expected of you is that you dress in white and enjoy everything that this superb night has to offer. White Night is held on the last Saturday of August – another great event of the Algarve summer.
So do not miss this special night out this Saturday 28 of august!
This post brought by you by Algarve Housing, a villa rental company in the Algarve. Algarve Housing rent holiday villas, form rustic Windmills to luxury villas. Please visit our website, or contact me for more information.
The summer has ended, with full of entertainment, but only the summer ended, not the entertainment and neither the sun disappeared! We give you a few suggestions for things to do in the Algarve in October. And of course Algarve Housing has nice villas to rent in the Algarve, check our website and book your holiday villa in the Algarve and enjoy the sun and the entertainment!
Mozart
Opera Evenings From 10
October
What:
Scores from some of the world’s most famous operas performed by the Orquestra do Norte under the baton of Jose Ferreira
Where:
Auditorio Municipal, Portimao
The details:
The Marriage of Figaro by Mozart (10 October),
Music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-91)
Libretto by Lorenzo da Ponte (1749-1838)
To refresh your mind, have a look and enjoy the following You Tube video:
Otelo-Verdi
Otelo by Verdi (16 October) and Samson & Delilah by Saint Saens (23 October)
Prices:
€15 per single opera, €35 for all three performances combined
Contact: + 351 282 418 547
Theatre
The Real
Inspector Hound From 9 October
What:
The Real Inspector Hound by Tom Stoppard
When:
9-11 October (Faro) and 16-18 October (Lagoa)
Where:
Lethes Theatre in Faro and Municipal Auditorium in Lagoa
The details:
The Aportada Theatre Group present Tom Stoppard’s classic murder mystery spoof, teamed with a one-act play, Snakes & Ladders by Nick Moran. Times vary.
Price:
€12 for adults, €7 for children and students. The proceeds from the performance on 16 October in Lagoa will be in aid of the Run4Rod appeal (www.run4rod.com).
Charity Dinner in aid of the Portuguese Home for the Elderly (ASCA) in Almancil
When:
19 October at 8pm
Where:
Florian Restaurant, Vale Verde, Quinta do Lago
The details:
There is no set price for the dinner. Patrons will be invited to contribute to the charity an amount corresponding to what they feel the dinner is worth. All proceeds will go to ASCA. The evening will include a wine auction, a raffle and a wine tasting organised by Chris Williams from the South African wine producer Meerlust in the Stellenbosch region.
Numbers are limited to 50. The event hopes to raise €10,000.
The wine is organised by Prime Wines. For more information contact Bill Godley, bill@primewine.eu.com
To book: + 351 289 396 674
Golf
Portugal Masters Golf Tournament
When:
15-18 October
Where:
Oceanico Victoria Course, Vilamoura
Details:
Leading European Tour event, with prize money of €3 million attracting some of the world’s top golfers
