has anybody been to portugal,

[diannepoxon]

Hi, thinking of going portugal in May, any tips, places to see. eat, things to do.
Would love some ideas, not really a sit on the beach type so we love to look around and visit places. Really need help, also any good places to eat,
Thanks,
DIANNE

[susieb]

I went in june 4 years ago this june. I stayed in Algarve about 15 min drive from albufera, cant remember where. Also went in Nov 2005 for a long weekend.

Its a very civilsed place with lovely seafood and fresh ingredients cooked simply. Portgal does not do elaborate food but rather fantastic stuff done simply.

You really need to hire a car to do any activities. Zoomarine is good for kids and the towns are good for people watching. There is a lot of golf too.

I wouldnt say there is a huge ammount to do, its more of a relaxing place.

[diannepoxon]

Thank you susieb, after Orlando neally everywhere seams a little second best, regards
Dianne

[Carlmelia]

We went to the Algarve last November and loved it.

Stayed a hotel booked with First Choice called the Pestana Delfim near Alvor. In the Western end of the Algarve.

Beach is just outside the hotel down a path. Fabulous restaurants dotted along the beach (try a Cataplana if you get a chance). Beaches so clean and were very quite when we were there. It's not in the middle of hussle and bustle so you need to walk or get a bus into Alvor or to Portimao, but the bus stops were in the grounds of the hotel and the hotel laid on free buses to Portimao.

We we're that impressed that we're seriously thinking of going back this autumn for a week, and we've never done that anywhere in Europe before.

[sparklepants]

I know what you mean, the past 3 years we have gone to Orlando but this year we decided to go somewhere closer, cheaper and a bit more relaxing, always fancied Portugal so we booked then I panicked that i'd done the wrong thing and that nowhere would compare to Fl but thankfully now i'm really looking forward to it, booked into a 5* hotel right on the beach with a seaview room and am so looking forward to 2 weeks relaxing instead of rushing about trying to fit everything in!

[travelmam]

We went to Albufera in 2000 we loved there.:d:
If you can go to the Chinese royal there the food is Fab :tounge: and the manager make different things out of napkins for you, they are very friendly.:d:

[diannepoxon]

Thanks everyone, I start and make some plans now,
regards
Dianne

[travelmam]

The hotel we stayed in was owned by Sir Richard Branson, but he don't own it anymore can't remember who does.

[ju_itfc]

Been twice to the Algarve, once in early October and the other time in the middle of March. First time (oct) we stayed in the heart of Albufeira between the old and new towns at the Perola De Algarve which was very nice despite a few indifferent reviews posted on the internet. The 2nd time we stayed out of Albufeira in Sao Rafael (about 5-10mins drive) for a measly £9per night in the 4 star Maritim Hotel.

In hindsight we wouldn't have gone in March but it was the year (2005) when Easter was early and we thought we'd give it a whirl but the temps were very disappointing, much like they were in the Med this weekend.

October weather was great though, temps of mid 20's every day and not a rain cloud in sight.

Albufeira is quite nice and you do have the option of partying (New town) or the more sedate nightlife of the old town. Beaches are very nice as well, especially Praia Da Oura (I think) and Fishermans Beach which you will have seen in all the pictures and postcards.

I would go back for sure but not sure it would be such a great idea at the height of summer, in May you should be just right.

We also did a day trip to Lisbon by hire car which was about 2hrs (if memory serves me correctly) on a fairly dull toll road which was quite expensive. There is the standard non toll road up there but it is supposed to take ages.

Lisbon is magnificent, a great capital city.

All in all I don't think you can fail with Portugal.

[diannepoxon]

Thanks JU itfc, we are hiring a car so will go to Lisbon,
regards
Diabbe

[K Walshe]

Club alto colina just ouside Albufeira or half hour walk or 5 euro in a taxi, fab new accom everything is modren fiber optic lighting , light sencors in hallways to light up coridors when walkin through . Big modren rooms with kitchen with touch screen cooker, microvae etc bright and airy, loads to at night good entertainment. mini water park, tennis courts, astro pitch, 3 pools 1 to front and 1 to the back and an indoor 1, and a mini water park. No rush for sunbeds will deff go again.

Visit Albufeira shopping center some good shops there but dont go on a dull day as most portugise tend to go and there is one road to it so masive traffic.

Zoomarine aswell is good day out or 2 as we love it so much been there 4 times for 20 euro an adult . Book your own travel do it downtown for about 10 euro you can have as long as you want compare to the tickets with transport where you have many stops and might take 2 hours to get to zoomarine waisting a bit off time and leaving the park early. There are Dolphins,birds,sharks etc and shows thempark rides etc...i would also recomend the dolphin swim 30-40 minnets with a dolphin for aroun 150 euro but if booking book the day you get there otherwise before hand.

Slide and splash is good aswell but can get rather hot


Praia da rocha is very good for nightlife and fab beach. We satyed in the club praia da rocha wich was very basic and tired looking but only 5 min from town beach , bars and restraunts. We were in the block that looked old i think it was block 2 the 1 that had a water slide in the pool it was actually the newest but wasnt done up. The 1 that looks new was looking nice but we herd loads of people complaining how unsafe they were and not nice.
Even though holidays from hell have showed it a few times we realy enjoyed it one of the best places.

Hope this helps

[diannepoxon]

thanks K Walshe great write up, with lots of good tips,
regard
Dianne

[K Walshe]

thanks K Walshe great write up, with lots of good tips,
regard
Dianne

Thanks, any more info you want i would be happy to help if i no, just pm me.

[mouse]

Recommend Alvor it is wonderful and the restaurants on the beach are brilliant also use suncars for car hire after an accident they are the best, no fuss no hassle just a new car and they even took everyone back to the hotel as I was taken to hospital.

[ladyholiday]

hi we stayed in thomson superfamily about 4 years ago called the villanova apts and villa in sao joao which is about a mile and a half outside albafeira. great for kids would definatly recomend upgrading to a vila which are like little bungalows around the gardens. each one comes with its own little patio and garden area. we had a 1 bedroomed which had the bedroom upstairs they are a little basic but the facilities on site made up for that. the indian restuarants in the area are fab and the sealife centre is definatly worth a visit.

[floridasoon]

we stayed in thomson superfamily about 4 years ago called the villanova apts and villa in sao joao which is about a mile and a half outside albafeira

Same we've stayed there for a couple of years now and its great!!!!

[LBV75]

Lisbon is a fantastic city, loads to do.

If you are staying in the Algarve, make sure you drive up in to the mountains, the views are great and the piri piri chicken is lovely.

[alijolly]

Last time we went we drove to the western most point, Cape St Vincent once believed to be the end of the world. We really enjoyed it and managed to go up the lighthouse, whose light can apparently be seen something like 30 miles out to sea. Next stop west is America. Unfortunately the opening hours for the light house can be pretty random but you can get great views anyway. Portimao is great for wandering around particularly if you like shoes and/or seafood restaurants.

[Chris25]

Carvoeiro is a good place to stay - not too busy buts lots of nice restaurants.This will give you an idea http://www.carvoeiro.com
Tavira is a lovely place to visit, picturesque, lovely cafes and has a camera obscura.
Sagres is on the western tip of Portugal and has a old fort with a nice cafe and small art gallery. Ther's a cliff-top walk but it's extremely windy - but a nice trip out.
Caldes de Monchique is a lovely spa area in the mountains (not to be confused with Monchique which is the nearest town to it) it has some lovely walks and is very pretty especially at dusk when the lights on the trees are lit. It has a brick oven at the side of one of the roads and it's still in use today.
Silves http://www.portugal-info.net/algarve/silves.htm is worth trip for a couple of hours it is a Moorish town with a castle, a cathedral and a pottery.
All of these are on the Algarve and as others have said Lisbon is a great place too.

This site has free downloadble maps http://www.algarve-maps.co.uk which might help.
*****not sure whether the above link for maps works but you could try this one instead http://www.freemaps.net/en/index.shtml

[Rafi Cat]

Villamoura is a lovely place to visit as is Tavira. Another vote for Zoo marine

as a day out but book it yourself as more expensive through reps.


we stayed at a lovely hotel on the beach in the east so it was lovely and

peaceful :cool2:

we hired a car so made trips up and down the coast as the

roads are very clearly marked. Beaches very clean too..