Enjoy A Taste of Portugal With a Food Experience in the Algarve

Food can play a huge part in a family of holidaymakers deciding where to go on their holidays. Families who love pizza might head straight for Italy, while fans of bratwurst and pretzels would be in food heaven in Germany. The Algarve region in Portugal has a thriving food industry, with something for everyone. From the harvesting of figs and oranges to the birthplace of ‘piri-piri’ chicken, the southernmost area of Portugal can please even the most demanding of palates, all washed down with a signature Algarve wine.

Much of the economy in the Algarve depends on the farming of oranges, strawberry trees, figs, cork oak and carob beans. Large areas of the land are covered with greenhouses to ensure the strong growth of these products, and as a result, many of the dishes Portugal is renowned for feature these foods. Portuguese fig cake is a favourite of many in the region, while orange rolls and orange cakes are sold in many bakeries in the area. As many of the tourists who visit the region shun hotels to stay in luxury Algarve villas, the self-catering aspect means that any budding bakers will have access to prime ingredients should they wish to have a go at creating these Portuguese delicacies themselves.

The Algarve is also renowned for its invention of the famous ‘piri-piri’ chicken, which can be found everywhere from roadside takeaways to the most exclusive of restaurants. Anyone staying in an Algarve holiday villa will have easy access to this regional dish, which has been exported across the world and even has chain restaurants dedicated purely to the spicy flavour which is beloved here. Aside from chicken, the proximity to the coast means that the Algarve also specialises in seafood dishes. Conquilhas are small clams and incredibly popular in the Algarve, with bags of them at every fish counter, while many starters and main courses in restaurants feature sardines, prawns or monkfish.

Wine in the Algarve is also a huge export, and draws many tourists to the region on specific wine-tasting tours. Lagoa, Portimão and Tavira are the main areas within the Algarve which produce most of the wine; Cliff Richard’s vineyard is situated just a little way outside of Tavira and close to the quaint town of Guia, where many luxury Algarve holiday villas make it a perfect hotspot for those on a wine-tasting trail. Other alcoholic favourites in the area include the fiercely potent fruit brandy ‘Medronho’ (better known as ‘fire water’) and port, Portugal’s best known drink. Many restaurants offer Portuguese wines and beers as their house options, so the chance to introduce your palate to these beverages need never be far away.

For up to date late availability in the Algarve, call Premier Holidays on 0800 047 0400 or visit http://www.premier-holidays.com.

September In The Algarve Is The Perfect Late-Summer Getaway

The Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals have revealed research which proves that September is the most popular month of the year to go on holiday. Their report states that of those who responded to the CIPP 2012 Holiday Survey, almost a quarter (23%) indicated that September was considered the best month to head for sunnier climes. August, June and July followed, with August receiving 17% of the vote and the two earlier months averaging 13.6% each.

With temperatures still hitting up to 26 degrees throughout the whole month of September, Portugal’s Algarve is a popular pick as the proximity of the Mediterranean Sea creates incredibly mild temperatures enjoyable for those who prefer to avoid the hottest months of the year. The lowest average temperature is still a fairly warm 21 degrees; this makes it a perfect holiday destination for those looking to book time off work and escape to the sun during the popular month of September. Rainfall averages at around 5mm for the entire month, and each day sees up to 9 hours of sunshine. There’s also a huge range of great value Algarve holiday villas to choose from, perfect for sharing with a large group of friends or a smaller family gathering.

Falling prices are also one of the biggest reasons why many opt to take their holidays in September; last year’s peak prices dropped by around 30% in September and around 40% in the period October – December because of the schedule of the school summer holidays. The first week of September sees all school terms start once more, and holiday prices drop as companies understand that families are strongly discouraged from allowing their children to miss school to go on holiday. The demand is less, and prices will drop enough for many couples, friends, or young families with children not old enough to attend school, to book their cheap late summer getaways.

September in the Algarve also offers the chance to witness some of the country’s most popular events and festivals. As part of the International Powerboating Championship, the town of Portimao hosts the Portuguese Grand Prix of the Sea every year, bringing high tension and excitement to the banks of the River Arade. Alvor sees more watersporting events, hosting the Formula One Wind Surfing Championships, while one of Portugal’s most popular gastronomy events takes place in the popular resort of Albufeira, as part of a fisherman’s festival. One of the most exciting events taking place in the Algarve in September is the Alcoutim Festival, which features five days of sports, dancing, music, food and entertainment for all the family, and is situated on the banks of the river Guadiana, just an hour’s drive away from the coast. Any self-catering Algarve villa makes a perfect base but for those who want to make the most of September’s budget-friendly appeal and still be in the thick of the action, choose an Algarve villa in one of the central resorts such as Vale do Lobo, or Vilamoura and the surrounding area.

The Algarve’s fantastic facilities are not limited to September; luxury spas, children’s funfairs and amusement parks, the best in swimming facilities, sports centres and a multitude of restaurants and shops are open all year round, and the region hosts an assortment of festivals and special events over the course of the year. Whenever the visit, the Algarve is an exciting and luxurious place to take a holiday.

For September availability in the Algarve, call Premier Holidays on 0800 047 0400 or visit http://www.premier-holidays.com.

Algarve: Port Town To Holiday Hotspot

Portugal’s Algarve region is nowadays renowned for being one Europe’s most enduringly popular tourist hotspots. With miles of stunning beaches, beautiful mountaintop vistas, family-friendly activities, charming towns and a warm climate to boot, it is perhaps no surprise that the southernmost region of Portugal has shown itself to be a favourite among holidaymakers. The many holiday villas which have sprouted up along the coast over the past decades are testament to the thousands of people who love to call the Algarve home for a few weeks every year, but how did this picturesque region become the holiday haven that it is today? The history of the Algarve is a colourful and interesting one, and there are a great number of fascinating historical sites that still attract tourists to the region to this day.

In the sixth century BC, Portus Hanibalis (nowadays known as Portimao) was founded and became a popular Mediterranean trading port. Over four hundred years later in the second century BC, a Roman occupation left behind many Roman ruins including bath complexes and fishing salt tanks, especially in the towns of Vilamoura and Praia da Luz. These ruins are still a major tourist attraction for many in the area, and are overlooked by some beautiful modern Algarve villas, popular with holidaymakers.

Visigoths and the Moorish invasion saw power over the Algarve change hands numerous times over the next thousand years, and in the 12^th century, the Moorish reign came to a close as a result of a military campaign by the Kingdom of Portugal.  The King of Portugal, Afonso III, began referring to himself as the King of Portugal and the Algarve, and this title was in use until as recently as 1910, when the proclamation of the Portuguese First Republic meant that the existence of the Algarve as a separate state in Portugal came to an end.

The great Lisbon earthquake and the consequence tsunami of 1755 destroyed many of the Algarve’s largest cities and caused mass reconstruction throughout the entire area. This left many of the towns with a very distinct architectural style which many tourists come to marvel at.

The Algarve wouldn’t see such mass regeneration again until the 1960s, when the surge in the availability of air travel meant an influx of holidaymakers and tourists from Britain, Holland, Ireland and Germany. Northern Europeans have little experience of the mild Mediterranean climate and the long stretches of south-facing coastline, so the Algarve firmly cemented itself as the holiday destination for many Britons. Tourism plays a large part in the economy of the Algarve region; the property market is in full swing due to the popularity of Algarve holiday villas, there is continuous investment in leisure facilities such as golf courses and spa retreats, and thousands of seasonal jobs are created every summer by the arrival of holidaymakers looking to enjoy the natural delights of the region.

For up to date late availability in the Algarve, call Premier Holidays on 0800 047 0400 or visit http://www.premier-holidays.com.

A Footballing Break In Portugal’s Algarve

After what feels like the shortest summer break ever, due to the excitement of Euro 2012 and the tournament within the Olympics, the football season has now returned. The summer signings have been wrapped up, the pre-season tours have been completed and teams are back in action, ready to battle it out for the trophies that they chase for ten months of every year. The return of the football season clashes with some of the busiest weeks in the year for family holidays, but in Portugal’s beautiful Algarve region, both football and holidays can be easily combined. Premier Holidays has an extension portfolio of stunning Algarve holiday villas for those who wish to combine a love of the Beautiful Game with some of the continent’s most beautiful vistas.

Many of the world’s finest ever footballers have hailed from Portugal, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Luis Figo and Eusebio, and their immense talent has left a legacy in the country. The Algarve is home to a huge football stadium, Estadio Algarve, which purpose-built when Portugal hosted Euro 2004, and there are countless soccer schools up and down the stunning coast for children and adults alike. Players such as Paul Scholes, John Terry and Michael Owen have been known to holiday in the Algarve themselves, taking time to stop by certain football-related attractions.

In the Albufeira region, a specialist football tour company offers tailor-made tours and special tournaments on professional-standard pitches. Hosting anything from stag parties to children’s training camps, and in close proximity to some of the Algarve’s most picturesque coastlines, the area is ideal for a footballing vacation. With almost enough room for a full football squad, Casa Prado is a conveniently located villa which is situated close to Albufeira and is well-equipped to deal with a family of football enthusiasts. A satellite TV ensures that any games won’t be missed, and the gated swimming pool is perfect for a warm-down after a tough day out on the pitch.

Luis Figo is one of the footballing greats, not just in Portugal, but across the world, and chose Vilamoura in Portugal’s Algarve region as the place he wanted to open his own bar as he settled into retirement. The upmarket Bar Sete is located on the marina front in Vilamoura, just a five minute drive away from the luxurious Villa Oraya, which sleeps up to eighteen people. The vast holiday villa is spacious and elegantly furnished, with features such as a private swimming pool and a traditional charcoal barbecue on a sun terrace. The well-kept gardens and lawns are south-facing and are perfect for a sun-drenched kickabout, while the nearby towns and villages are home to some of Portugal’s most authentic and traditional restaurants and bars. 

For up to date late availability in the Algarve, call Premier Holidays on 0800 047 0400 or visit http://www.premier-holidays.com.