Insiders Guide to Top 5 Algarve Adventure Holidays

Flights are booked, you are in the process of looking at a cheap Algarve holiday villa but what to do once you reach your destination? Whether you have been to the Algarve before or are a complete newbie to the area, apart from the obvious days at the beach, hours lazing by the holiday villa pool or a round on the golf course, check the out the latest top five adventure holiday ideas.

Dolphin Tour and Caves

Taking to the sea allows Algarve visitors the perfect opportunity to see dolphins at play in the wild. Despite no guarantee of any sighting, these curious and beautiful creatures are not ones shy away from a chance to entertain willing onlookers with their playful antics. The warm waters of the Portuguese coastline the backyard of many a school of dolphins it is more than likely that visitors will come away with some fantastic photos. With several options of dolphin tours, one the most highly recommended comes complete with a tour of Albufeira caves, a series of natural and beautiful structures.  Perfect for all ages, any of the dolphin and caves tours make for a wonderful day out.

Catamaran Cruises

What better day off than a relaxing cruise along the shores of the Portuguese coastline. With lunch included and a stop at a scheduled beach a catamaran cruise is the best way to explore what the Algarve coast has to offer. Boasting some of the biggest caves and tunnels in Europe and stunning rock formations, there will much to see. Return to shore and spruce up at a luxury holiday villa ready for an evening out on the town.

Guadiana River Boat Cruise

For something really different why not sail the beautiful scenic Guadiana River and stop at the quaint and timeless village Foz de Odeleite or take the River Arade and head to the ancient Moorish town of Silves. Food and entertainment is provided along the way leaving nothing but getting to the meeting point to worry about. Enjoy views of the stunning and untouched Portuguese countryside, a perfect opportunity for flora and fauna enthusiasts to enjoy a spot of bird watching. There a number of companies offering a selection of riverboat cruise packages so be such to find the one that best suits your budget.

Faro City Tour

Built in the 13^th century, there is plenty to see in Faro and often requires a full day. Whether you hire a car or join an organized tour, some of the Faro must-sees include: the marina, old town, Arco da Vila and the Sé Cathedral, Capela dos Ossos (Bone Chapel), Archaeological Museum and the Teatro Lethes among other sites. Sight seeing in hot spring and summer months can be tiring work so be sure to plan your day before you go with regular pit stops for refreshments. If taking an organised took, look to really get your money’s worth with a tour that also includes other historic places such as the Moorish town of Olhao and beautiful town of Tavira.

Deserta Island

Also known as Barreta, Deserted Island or Santa Maria Cape Island, this small island is offers some of the purest and most pristine beaches in the Algarve.  Only 11 km wide, there is only one restaurant but despite being uninhabited it is not totally deserted, the Animaris beach offering deck chairs and awnings along with a handful of water sports. Enjoy a day of pure tranquility away from the busier more crowded summer beaches. A public ferry departs every day from Porta Nova Pier in Faro so getting there is easy and extremely affordable.

Relax in the shelter of your luxury Algarve villa upon your return or pick up sample of local food and wine for an evening soiree under the stars. With plenty to keep you busy, the Algarve is a wonderful place for a romantic getaway weekend or a family week of fun.

For up to date availability and further self-catering accommodation options in the Algarve, call Premier Holidays on 0800 047 0400 or visit http://www.premier-holidays.com.

Culinary Offerings in the Algarve Region

For avid foodies and those who love to cook up a storm in the kitchen, choosing a holiday destination can often hinge on the culinary offerings available. Those with a palate for frogs and snails would opt for France, whilst fans of spaghetti and pizza would head straight for the ristorantes of Italy. The Algarve, Portugal’s southernmost region, has a vibrant and exciting food industry, offering the traditional tourist fare as well as regional dishes and a delectable variety of Portuguese wine. Birthplace of ‘piri-piri’ chicken, home to the typical Algarvian dish, couvert, and with a thriving fishing and fruit-picking industry, the Algarve is one of the premier spots in Europe to enjoy fine food.

The farming of fruit and goods such as orange, strawberries, cork ark, carob beans and figs is essential to the Algarve economy. Many acres of land throughout the region are covered in greenhouses, as the southernmost tip of the country provides the perfect weather conditions to facilitate the growth of many of these fruits and foods. Figs are especially popular in Portugal, with Portuguese fig cake a highlight of the region’s culinary offerings. Orange rolls and orange cakes are also sold in many of the bakeries, both in larger resorts or in the quaint villages closer to luxury Algarve villas. Many of these residences are self-catering, so picking up some ingredients and attempting to replicate a local delicacy is encouraged!

Also crucial to the area’s economy is wine; grapes grown and wine made in this region are a huge export. Many tourists flock to the region every year to enjoy exclusive wine-tasting tours and to stay in the vicinity of some of the most beautiful vineyards in the world. Even Cliff Richard has chosen this region to produce his own tipple; his vineyard and occasional home is situated in the small town of Tavira, which is located within the vicinity of many luxury Algarve holiday villas in Guia.

Of course, no summary of the Algarve’s delicacies and major food exports would be complete without the now famous ‘piri-piri’ chicken. This dish can now be found everywhere within the Algarve, from the expensive restaurants located in plush resorts, to the local takeaways and eateries located near Algarve holiday villas and secluded getaways. The spicy flavour is beloved in this region and can easily be found or attempted at home.

Self-catering Algarve Villas Offer the Perfect Respite For Honeymooners

As all too many newly wed couples will attest to, planning a wedding can be a stressful and lengthy process. The few weeks prior to the wedding, which require finalising details with caterers, creating seating plans, going to dress fittings and making last minute changes to the guest count amongst a hoard of other things, is the most exhausting time of all. Even when family and friends have pitched in to help, the appeal of a quiet honeymoon starts to mean even more. With guaranteed magnificent sunsets, fabulous cuisine and heaps of sun, sea and sand, self-catering Algarve holiday villas make for the perfect honeymoon destination.

A honeymoon is a time for rest and relaxation, an important recuperation period. Where budget and quality time together are two of the main factors to take into consideration when booking the holiday, self-catering accommodation is the perfect fit.

Relaxing in the peace and quiet of a spacious luxury villa with private garden and private pool is a wonderful way to chill out after a busy wedding. Add into the equation romantic candle-lit dinners in the hot summer evenings, lazy days by the pool and an excursion or two to discover the Algarve’s beautiful coastline and a self-catering villa holiday in the Algarve suddenly starts to tick all the right boxes.

Without breaking the bank, the Algarve’s popular self-catering resorts offers the luxury that even 5 star hotels just can’t beat; the privacy and the freedom to do whatever, whenever. Midnight dips in the pool, romantic star gazing from the patio; who could ask for more following the prolonged stress-infused lead up to the big day?

The Algarve features everything any honeymoon couple could possibly ask for in one place. Suiting all personality types, the Algarve offers a wonderful variety of activities from eco-tourism, sunbathing and shopping to sports, adventure tours and plenty of sightseeing. Returning in the evening to a comfortable luxury villa with the option of dinning in or dinning out, a self-catering Algarve villa allows a couple to really balance out their holiday while helping to keep the budget in check.

With villas of all sizes and prices to suit all budgets, honeymooners will easily find themselves adapting to laid back Portuguese lifestyle filled with afternoon naps and sunset walks on the beach.