Featured
Travel Article: Eco Holidays On The Algarve
by Mark Bartley
5
Facts about Algarve for your next Holidays
Hidden
Wonders Of Portugal's Sunshine Coast by Martin Thompson
In the
far south of Portugal the Algarve offers one of Europe's warmest and most
sunny climates with a breathtaking landscape of sandy beaches, forests
and hills. In recent decades it has evolved from it's agricultural and
fishing background to become a major tourist destination. High rise apartment
blocks and miles of villa complexes have spoiled large swathes of the region.
Nevertheless with a little insiders knowledge you can still discover certain
places where the beaches remain untouched and wild countryside coexists
with the warmth and tradition of the local culture.
Most
tourists are shuttled off to the central Algarve leaving the most beautiful
and unspoiled areas in the east and the west for independent tourists.
In the back country only miles from the tourist destinations many villages
and towns remain untouched with little known rural walks in the spring
flowers and shady woods.
 
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Most notable
in the eastern Algarve is the historic city of Tavira with it's multitude
of churches and a central castle. This area is close to the Ria Formosa
natural park offering miles of lagoons and barrier islands where flamingos
and numerous aquatic birds live and bread. The beach at the ilha de Tavira
can be reached in summer using a ferry from the centre of town or alternatively
take the 20m minute walk out of town towards the island and hop on a boat
that will take you across to the island. This stretch of sand is very popular
with the Portuguese but continues for miles allowing for solitude even
in the busy summer season.
In
the west the city of Lagos is a popular destination and with good reason.
The city has an important history as it is was from here that the Portuguese
began their expeditions along the coast of Africa in the age of discovery.
Lagos now has a completely pedestrianised centre within the old town that
is surrounded by the castle walls. There are many shops, excellent restaurants
serving fish and in the night Lagos is notorious for its bar scene. Don't
miss the market on Saturday mornings where you can purchase regional specialities
and freshly harvested fruit and vegetables before heading down to the fish
market for the days catch. Walk along the cliffs out to the Ponta da Piedade
(Mercy Point) with it's lighthouse or go swimming on the little known nudist
beach at Praia do Carnavial.
The
mountains of Monchique are easily reached by car from anywhere in the western
Algarve. The Caldes de Monchique are therapeutic thermal baths and the
area is ideal for a stroll in the wooded hills or down by the bubbleing
stream. Drive out to the village of Marmallate or climb to the top of the
mountain where you can take in views of the whole of the Algarve coastline
and enjoy the refreshing cool mountain air. Many local shops offer locally
produced hams and varieties of 'Medronho' (a brandy made from the Arbutus
fruit that symbolises frienship) as well as hand made craft items. Restaurants
either side of the main road offer up freshly grilled chicken, Piri Piri
style.
After
Lagos the Algarve coastline continues west towards Sages and the region
once called "the end of the world" as little was known of what lay beyond
the waves. Resort towns such as Praia da Luz with it's arced bay and black
rock headland give way to the natural park of Costa Vincentina where many
more secret beaches can be discovered especially along dirt tracks west
of Vila do Bispo. Atlantic rollers meet a wild landscape of immense natural
beauty. Popular with surfers the beaches at low tide have waves that collapse
on themselves again and again and sitting on the beach on a sunny afternoon
undisturbed by the modern world listening to the roar in the background
while looking out into the abyss one can see how sailors were captivated
to venture forth to discover what lay beyond.
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