All-Access Algarve
Portugal’s southern coast is perfect for sun-filled flop-and-drop breaks. But wait, there’s more, says Paul Rouse
Blessed with fabulous weather, an impressive coastline that hooks around southern Portugal, and a rich and varied landscape that takes in both the Atlantic Ocean and the Monchique Mountains, the Algarve makes the most of its natural assets. But it has also created equally impressive man-made ones. Many holiday hotspots have great hotels and spas, but the Algarve also boasts some of the most famous golf courses in the world, swish modern marinas and a host of sport and leisure facilities. So really, the only question is, what sort of holiday are you after?
FOR FAMILY FUN
The Algarve is wild about its waterparks, from Aqualand (aqualand.pt) to Slide & Splash (www.slidesplash.com) and Aquashow (www.aquashowpark.com) – which boasts Europe’s biggest water-coaster.
You can swim with the dolphins at Zoomarine (www.zoomarine.com), or hang onto your hats and see these amazing creatures in the wild on a bumpy but exhilarating boat trip with Dolphin Seafaris (www.dolphinseafaris.com).
Many of the larger hotels have excellent supervised kids’ clubs, allowing mum and dad a few hours to chill by the pool, while older children can reach for the stars and enjoy the hands-on approach at the interactive Centre for Living Science (www.cienciaviva.pt), which has exhibitions, games, an observatory and a flight simulator. And everybody can join in the festivities – and get all dressed up – at year-round events such as the carnival in Loulé (February), Festival MED (June), White Night (August) and the medieval fairs in Castro Marim and Silves (August).
BRILLIANT BEACHES
From sun-lovers to surfers, naturists to naturalists, there’s a beach with your name on it – and over 200km of stunning coastline to explore, from sheltered dunes, tiny bays, rocky coves and shallow lagoons to vast stretches of open sands and the crashing waves of the wild Atlantic.
The Algarve has more than 45 clean and safe Blue Flag beaches, many of them with shallow water ideal for toddlers and non-swimmers. Among the most family-focused are Meia Praia, Alvor and Ilha de Tavira, the latter recently named as one of the most child-friendly beaches in the world by Lonely Planet. For those seeking an all-over tan, there are also two official naturist beaches – Adegas and Barril – and dozens more where nudity is the norm, such as Beliche, Barranco and Praia Grande.
Great beach restaurants, meanwhile, include Bahia (Meia Praia beach, no telephone), Rei das Praias (Praia dos Caneiros, Ferragudo, +351 282 46100), and Evaristo (Apartado 193, Albufeira, +351 289 591 666) – try delicious Portuguese specialities such as freshly-caught sardines grilled on the barbecue, spicy chicken piri-piri, or mouth-watering fish and seafood rice dishes cooked in a steaming pot called a cataplana.
GOLF A GO GO
There are over 35 top-class courses, including renowned names such as Penina, Alto, Vila Sol, Quinta do Lago, Vale do Lobo and Vilamoura, and some of the greats of the game, including Arnold Palmer, Nick Faldo and Seve Ballesteros, have designed courses in the region.
The new Jack Nicklaus signature course at Monte Rei (www.monte-rei.com) is already winning plaudits from the world’s top players, and recently hosted the Grand Final of the Corporate Masters. For a 19th hole with a difference, admire the views at the resort’s stylish restaurant, the appropriately named Vistas, while enjoying the superb food: the executive chef hails from El Bulli, often rated the world’s top restaurant.
The weather in the Algarve is made for golf – why shiver at home when you can play (or watch top tournaments) with the sun on your back? Enjoy nine holes before lunch and still have the rest of the day to yourself, or tackle a different course each day. And if you’re new to the game, there are numerous driving ranges, practice greens and golf academies, with plenty of experienced coaches and golf professionals on hand to help you out.
ADRENALINE JUNKIES
Surf lovers will head for the wild west beyond Lagos. Sagres is the Algarve’s ‘surf city’, with a wide selection of training schools and surf shops supporting the best surf beaches in the region. There’s not much in the way of development once you ‘turn the corner’ past Cabo de Sao Vincente, but the waves get even better. Top surfing beaches include Carriagem, Beliche, Tonel and Lagos.
There are watersports concessions on most of the larger beaches, especially around Albufeira, Vilamoura and Quinta do Lago, so why not try kitesurfing, parasailing, waterskiing or jetskiing? Hop on a banana boat and splash through the waves, hire a motor boat or pedalo and head off to explore the coastline, snorkel to check out the marine life, or even learn to dive.
And there’s good news for Lewis Hamilton wannabes: the turbo-charged Racing School at the Algarve’s Formula One-approved race track (www.autodromodoalgarve.com) means that you can improve your driving skills or just enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime racing experience – on two or four wheels – with expert supervision.
BACK TO NATURE
The Algarve is peppered with rock pools, coastal footpaths, natural parks, walking trails, wide open spaces and unique flora and fauna. The protected habitats and unspoiled, peaceful environments – especially in the national parks of the southwest Alentejo, the Ria Formosa and Sapal de Castro Marim – are ideal for ramblers, walkers, bird watchers, botanists, painters, photographers or just anybody who wants to breathe in some wonderfully clean, fresh air.
For serious walkers, the new 240km Via Algarviana (viaalgarviana.org) path covers the entire length of the Algarve. Two shorter trails follow the coastline from Quinta do Lago towards Faro: the São Lourenço shows the contrast between the salt marshes and the freshwater lagoons, while the Quinta do Lago highlights the different ecosystems of woodland and marsh. Or book a personal walking tour with AlgarVerde (www.algarverde.com).
To see the countryside at a slightly quicker pace, try horse-riding or carriage-driving with Horses in the Sun (www.horsesinthesun.com), a cycling tour with Activity Algarve (www.activityalgarve.com) or a jeep safari into the mountains for the day with Geo Explorer (www.geoexplorer.pt).
LUXURY LOVERS
Looking for designer hotels, sumptuous spas and trendy marinas? The only two-star Michelin restaurant in Portugal? Luxury yacht charter, open-top sportscar drives, or exotic Arabian-style tents on the beach?
For hotel chic, check into Memmo Baleeira (www.thomascook.com), an all-white Design Hotel in Sagres that’s like a minimalist art gallery, which makes nature and scenery the star.
You’ll find wonderful hotel-based spas that also welcome day visitors, offering treatments that range from the therapeutic, like the Thalassotherapy Centre at the new-look Vilalara (www.vilalararesort.com) to the sensual, such as the outdoor massages in the pool house overlooking the lake at Monte do Casal (www.montedocasal.pt). And for Bedouin chic, you’ll find tents at the beach bars at Vila Joya (where the two-star restaurant is) and Nikki Beach.
Charter a luxury power boat from Champagne Cruises (www.champagnecruises.net) for tours of the coastline complete with skipper, crew and bubbly. And the annual gourmet festival at Vila Joya (www.vilajoya.com) brings together Europe’s top Michelin-starred chefs for a hedonistic nine-day celebration of the best in food and wine. Put 16-23 January in your diary: the New Year’s resolution diet can wait.
GETTING THERE
For more about the Algarve, visit your local Thomas Cook or Going Places store, call +44 (0)844 412 5966, visit www.thomascook.com or tune in to Thomas Cook TV on Sky channel 655
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