The Algarve: One of Europe’s Cheapest Self-Catering Destinations

A poll taken by Post Office Travel Money over the summer indicated that the Algarve was one of the most budget-friendly places in Europe to take a self-catering holiday. The study found that a basket of twenty typical supermarket items, which would cater for a small family, came to just £57.78 in the Algarve, whereas in other holiday hotspots such as Corfu, the prices for a weekly shop soared well over £100. The western Mediterranean resorts fared much better than those located in Greece and Italy, and the south of Portugal is now being celebrated as one of the best locations in Europe for a family holiday.

Many families who wish to go self-catering opt to spend their holiday in one of the Algarve’s stunning self-catering holiday villas. With over one hundred miles of stunning coastlines, interspersed with quaint villages and bustling resorts, staying in an Algarve villa offers families the chance to enjoy the region in the way that they see fit, whilst conforming to a comparatively low self-catering budget.

Each region of the Algarve offers something different which all families can enjoy without overspending. Those with a steeped interest in history might find themselves drawn to the areas of Vilamoura and Praia da Luz, where many Roman ruins still remain. These attractions are free to view and offer a fascinating insight into the history of the region, which used to be one of the busiest port towns in the Mediterranean. Many of the Algarve holiday villas in the region overlook these ruins and can be surveyed from the outside pool or eating areas which many of the properties boast. So far as I am aware none of our villas overlook Roman ruins.

Guia is a more quintessentially Portuguese town, with traditional restaurants and cafes lining many of the streets. The town is 6km inland from the coast, but many Algarve self-catering villas are located nearby so there is easy access to a number of typical Algarvian restaurants, serving local cuisine at lower prices than many of the larger resort towns. Villas in this region can sleep from five to nine people across two to four bedrooms, meaning that families looking for a holiday can pair up if they wish to facilitate extra savings on their basic shopping expenses.

Carvoeiro is one of the main family-friendly resorts in the Algarve, and the continuous tourism in the area means that many restaurants, cafes, bars and supermarkets provide budget options. The dramatic cliffs in this region are offset by stunning white beaches and azure ocean, making it a picturesque spot for a family holiday, and there are many cheap and cheerful ways to keep the family entertained, including water parks, crazy golf courses, tennis courts, animal shows and a so-called ‘smuggler’s beach’ called Alfanzina. The villas in this region can sleep up to thirteen people, so the spending costs can be split across a much larger number of people for a memorable and fun budget holiday.

The Algarve Rates As One Of Europe’s Top Holiday Destinations

During the recent World Travel Awards hosted by Europe’s popular holiday destination, the Algarve, on October 6, Portugal graciously accepted a stunning total of 12 awards including Best Beach and Golf Destination. Such prestigious awards, as voted by travel professionals from around the world serve to further confirm that the Algarve is considered as one of Europe’s most attractive stretches of coastline and a top choice for holidaymakers year round.

Designed to accommodate all manner of tourism from beach, to water sports, culture, golf and family friendly adventures, it is this versatility that has landed the Algarve with such world renown. Not only is the striking coastline proud to offer miles of beautiful beaches and a range of sun and water fuelled activities, it is also home to historical villages, stellar vineyards, a range of wine tasting and sight seeing tours and wonderful array of flora and fauna. Bringing together wine connoisseurs, ornithologists, water sport fanatics, golf enthusiasts and those arriving to the sun for some rest and relaxation, it is understandable why many tourists choose to repeatedly return to the diversity of the Algarve region.

From top-class hotels to Algarve holiday villas of all shapes, sizes and styles, this part of the peninsular has something to offer even the most budget-conscious of travellers. With a large selection of villas for all size of groups, the most popular areas include the bustling Quinta do Lago, Dunas Douradas and Vale do Lobo resorts where self-catering villas are definitely the most popular style of accommodation. Located within walking distance of the main amenities, golf courses and excursion meeting points, the selection of stunning holiday villas offer a certain level of freedom and privacy that the hotels are unable to match.

A range of beautifully decorated, family-friendly properties in the quieter, more rural locations of the Algarve, such as Albufeira, Carboeiro and Vilamoura, also cater for those wanting to be a little further from the hubbub of activity of the resorts. Only a short drive from both the coast and quaint inland villages, these holiday villas are perfect for anyone wanting to soak up typical Portuguese culture while surrounded by nature, open countryside and some great views.

The Dunas Douradas beach resort, however, was proud to receive the wonderful acclamation as Europe’s leading villa and apartment resort at this year’s Global Travel Awards. Having won the Bloomberg Best Development Europe Award less than two years ago, such continued recognition definitely puts this area at the top of the leader board and makes an Algarve Dunas Douradas villa a hot pick for visitors.

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.

Take Up An Equestrian Hobby And Enjoy Portugal’s Algarve From The Luxury of An Algarve Holiday Villa

Of the many sports taking place in this year’s Olympics, one discipline has found itself with many new fans. Team GB have taken the equestrian events by storm, with gold medals in team show jumping and dressage and individual medals still to compete for. At 54 years of age, and competing in his sixth Olympics, Nick Skelton proved that it’s never too late to become a medal-winner, and many across the country are sitting up and taking notice of what has long been considered a sport from bygone eras.

Many will be wondering how they can get involved or take up such a sport, and there is a surprising answer coming from southern Europe. The Algarve, on the south coast of Portugal, is a fantastic hotspot for horse riding, with many specialist schools and riding centres for beginners or veterans. Premier Holidays is an experienced provider of luxury Algarve holiday villas for anyone vying to stand on the podium in years to come, and has a portfolio of properties situated in prime horse riding areas.

The Albufeira Riding Centre, also known as Vale Navio, is situated in a prime location, set amongst stunning Portuguese countryside whilst also being easy for tourists to find. It’s said that horses here are the fittest in the Algarve, and with horses and ponies to choose from, there is a steed for all the family. The Casa Belmira Algarve villa is located in the nearby town of Guia, and is large enough to accommodate an average family of five. The private swimming pool and outdoor terrace area are perfect for winding down after a long day on horseback, and the villa is within walking distance of some of the most authentic Portuguese restaurants in the Algarve.

The area of Lagos also has a renowned horse riding school in the form of Tiffany’s Riding Centre, which gives tourists or residents the chance to explore relatively unknown countryside from horseback. The staff are experts in assisting children and those who have never ridden before, and have fifteen years of experience in the industry. Premier Holidays’ lavish Algarve villas are located just a short drive away from this horse riding school and many other sporting activities, with accommodation for up to eight people. Villa Silvester and Casa Ventana are both spacious, old-style Portuguese villas with private pools and a great location with views of the surrounding countryside. The living rooms in both properties are situated on the upper floor to give guests stunning vistas of the Funchal Ridge, and a wonderful view of the walled town of Lagos itself.

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