Area in Focus: The Eastern Countryside

The Algarve’s Eastern Countryside is the perfect place to visit for your next holiday, as it offers a slow and unhurried pace of life. There’s a good reason for this: it’s simply much less well known than the West with its assortment of tourist resorts and Algarve villas. Shorn of the Western part of the Algarve’s mass tourism developments, the Eastern Countryside offers a wide range of delights.

The Algarve’s countryside is full of secluded villages that have been untouched for centuries. If you want to sample some of this preserved history, then why not start your trip around the area at the pretty fishing town of Tavira? With its whitewashed houses adorned with decorative chimneys and pyramid shaped Roman-tiled roofs nestled amongst orange, fig and almond trees, Tavira can trace its history as far back as around 2,000 BC. It also has a Moorish Castle, as well as many fine 18^th century buildings dating from the period after the devastating earthquake of 1755.

Other must-see stopping points as you journey around the Eastern Countryside from your Quinta dos Alamos villa include the historically important town of Castro Marim. Situated near the banks of the Guadiana and in close proximity to the coast, the remains of the first settlements in the area date as far back as about 5,000BC, and for many thousands of years it was a port that offered shelter to the ships that sailed the Guadiana collecting metals and other wares from Alcoutim. Attractions to see now include the town castle’s 10^th to 12^th century remains and the 17^th century fort of São Sebastião.

Nonetheless, if there’s one reason you choose to come to the Algarve’s Eastern Countryside, it is naturally to get close to nature, so it makes sense to look out for the countryside’s most notable flora or fauna whilst out and about. A typical Loule Algarve villa will give direct access to the stunning scenery while also offering plenty of space to relax and enjoy the sun.

The Algarve has an amazing variety of wild flowers that make for a changing landscape the whole year round. Discover the yellow ‘Bermuda buttercups’ on the cliffs and in the fields at the start of the year, which give way to giant fennel plants as the months pass. The Eastern Countryside is also a paradise for bird spotters, offering another great way to get back to nature. Or why not explore the cork plantations or sample the fine brandy made from locally grown fruit?

Despite its secluded position and undiscovered feel, there is a huge choice of Algarve holiday villas to be found in or around the Eastern Countryside. Villa Mateus is a four bedroom villa just a ten minute drive from the beautiful town of Loule, sleeps eight and also comes with air conditioning and a private pool. Set in 1700 square metres of lush, sub-tropical gardens, this villa also offers truly spectacular countryside views.

The Villa Adriano, meanwhile, is another charming Algarve villa ten minutes’ drive from Loule boasting unbeatable panoramic views. With its six bedrooms and private pool, it is also just a short drive away from the charming town of Almancil and its famously superb restaurants.

Alternatively, look out for Quinta dos Alamos villas such as Villa Alamo. This is a beautiful two-storey property, has three bedrooms and sleeps seven. It has a private optional heated pool and is not only situated in the desirable area of Quinta dos Alamos but is also in close vicinity to the charming village of Guia with its traditional restaurants and cafes.

To take a closer look at Premier Holidays’ range of Eastern Countryside villas and to book online, visit http://www.premier-holidays.com. 

Resort in Focus: Lagos and area

There are few holiday destinations that offer quite as exceptional a variety of attractions and things to do as Lagos in the Algarve. Lagos is situated 10 miles west of Portimao and 50 miles west of Faro, on Portugal’s south west coast. Holidays in Lagos give you the opportunity to enjoy the best of everything in a sun-drenched holiday, from charming market town architecture and seaport to the vibrant beach. Lagos is one of the most ancient towns in the Algarve, consisting of a fishing harbour surrounded by crumbling walls, on a gorgeous wide bay.

So, what are the best things to see and do in Lagos for those staying in Algarve holiday villas? Well, there are certainly plenty of great beaches, meaning that there is something for every kind of holidaymaker. You may for example want to relax in a more secluded spot, in which case you’re sure to love the intimate slither of sand at Praia de Dona Ana, complete with its little grottos and coves. If you’re more interested in joining the tourist throng, though, you can head to the two-mile long beach at Meia Praia, which is a great spot for windsurfing and jet-skiing and is the longest beach in the Algarve.

Lagos also offers a great nightlife, with trendy bars, pavement cafes, late night jazz bars and nightclubs. There is something to suit everyone here, though, including an exciting range of first class restaurants that serve both traditional and international dishes. There are also some great seafood restaurants to be found around the harbour.

Lagos is great for more active holidaymakers, too. You can do everything here from playing tennis and going scuba diving to sailing or horse riding. There are also many top class golf courses in the area, offering both great weather and spectacular views. 

But regardless of how long you spend in Lagos, don’t miss out on the opportunity to enjoy the region’s folklore – Algarve is a great choice for a variety of dances and festivals, particularly if you head into the Serra hills during summertime feasts and saints days.

So, what are the best villas to be found in and around Lagos for a variety of party sizes? The Vale do Lobo villas from Premier Holidays include Villa Filomena, which is a fabulous purpose built accommodation that is contemporary and stylish whilst also offering a high level of comfort. Beachside dining and entertainment, shopping, tennis and golf are all close at hand.

The best Quinta dos Alamos villas, meanwhile, include Casa Prado. This four bedroom villa has a gated private swimming pool. Slightly smaller villas in the area include the three-bedroom Villa Alamo, which sleeps six adults and one child.

To browse more Algarve villas and for further information, visit http://www.premier-holidays.com. 

Enjoy a stress-free pace of life with an Algarve villa holiday Quinta dos Alamos in detail

Sometimes going on holiday is so stressful you almost need a break when you get back to recover from it all. If your last getaway felt more like an extension of the usual whirlwind of daily life, step away from the hustle and bustle and relax in Quinta dos Alamos this summer instead. Villas in the Algarve specialists Premier Holidays have a number of properties in Quinta dos Alamos in their luxury holiday villas portfolio, all of them hand picked for their tranquil settings and gorgeous views.

Quinta dos Alamos is off the tourist track, in a traditional whitewashed village that few holiday makers uncover. It is all the lovelier for its undisturbed air and finding an Algarve villa to rent in the area gives you the sense of being handed a key to a secret club. Shrouded by almond and carob trees, the resort is the ultimate in laid back chic.

No bars or restaurants line the cobbled streets, but wander up the road to the nearby village of Guia and you’ll find all you need to eat, drink and be merry – there are shops, bars, cafes, a cinema and supermarkets. But when you’ve had enough socialising, you can slope off to the solitude of your private villa, dip into your private pool or even take a picnic to the large village green.

 If you’re unsure whether a slower pace of life is for you, renting an Algarve villa in Quinta dos Alamos is actually a perfect compromise as its just a short drive away from the popular resort of Albufeira. With sandy beaches and bustling nightlife, Albufeira is more than just a tourist hub and tearing yourself away from the peace and quite of Quinta dos Alamos to travel the few kilometres to Albufeira is rewarded with a town that fuses popular culture with a strong presence of the past.

Able to trace its history back through the Romans, Phoenicians and Greeks, remains of aqueducts, roads and bridges dating to those ancient civilizations can still be found.

Premier Holidays has a selection of 11 Algarve villas in Quinta dos Alamos and the nearby village of Guia. They range from two to four bedrooms, with private pools and air conditioning. Phoenicians,Phoenicians, Greeks and Carthaginians

To browse Premier Holidays’ range of villas in the Algarve and to book online, visit http://www.premier-holidays.com. 

THE ALGARVE: Try an Algarve Villa Holiday for a Getaway That Isn’t At All Taxing

Planning a summer holiday or late spring getaway doesn’t have to be taxing – not even if you’re one of the 750,000 Britons facing a higher rate of taxation thanks to last week’s Budget. The Chancellor may have announced almost 1 million will be moved into the 40% tax bracket but, you can still save a fortune by choosing an Algarve villa holiday and planning a fun self-catering break for this summer.

The annual Post Office study into best value holiday locations pegged Portugal as the cheapest family holiday destination anywhere in the world for 2011. That means that great value essentials in the resort, affordable accommodation and pocket-friendly holiday luxuries regardless of what this year’s Coalition Budget means for your personal finances.

If you’re already thinking about where to take your family this summer, Vale do Lobo in the beautiful Algarve is a top pick. The resort, smack bang in the middle of the ‘Golden Triangle’ is home to miles of sandy beaches, water sports aplenty, boutique shopping, delicious restaurants and bars and world class golf and tennis facilities.

Premier Holidays specialised in villas in the Algarve and has a number of properties in Vale do Lobo, all suitable for family holidays. Choose from a selection of apartments, townhouses and villas in Vale do Lobo. With private pools and stunning views, it might even be a stretch to tear yourself away and head out to explore.

Top picks include Vista Bonita, one of the most popular villas in Premier Holiday’s Algarve villa portfolio. With sweeping views from the roof terrace, the two bedroom property is a stone’s throw from the sea and La Praca – the hip beachside shopping area.

If you’re planning on travelling with a larger group of family and friends, the self-contained Algarve Villa Cipres  is the epitome of luxury. With five bedrooms, the cost of the property can be split between guests, making for a high end break on a budget. With a large heated pool, separate splash pool, gardens and patios, you’ll never want to leave.

To browse Premier Holidays’ range of villas in the Algarve and to book online, visit http://www.premier-holidays.com. 

THE ALGARVE: Vale do Lobo Villas Offer a Perfect Summer Holiday Solution

If the recent spurt of sunshine has got you thinking about your summer holiday, villas in the Algarve specialist, Premier Holidays is recommending Vale do Lobo as the perfect resort for families with children and sport’s enthusiasts.
Situated in the ‘golden triangle’, Vale do Lobo occupies one of the most sought after locations in the peninsular, with miles of clean, golden sandy beaches and top class tennis and golf facilities. With an abundance of leisure and dining choices, the resort caters for all tastes and pockets and boasts activities to please children and adults alike.
A family-friendly resort, Vale do Lobo is really the perfect place to enjoy a summer break with friends and relatives. Its beachside location will keep sun worshippers happy from morning to night, while the more adventurous can enjoy a game of golf, explore the nearby villages or simply stroll through the town centre with an ice cream.
With so much to see and do, the best way to enjoy a summer holiday in Vale do Lobo is to rent a villa in the Algarve and set your own timetable. Going self catering in dedicated holiday accommodation also gives the freedom to enjoy local delicacies, try traditional Portuguese restaurants or relax with a picnic on the beach. Renting a larger Algarve villa like the five bedroom Villa Cipres often works out cheaper than hotel accommodation for larger groups and means you have the privacy of a private villa to come and go as you please.
For rest and relaxation, head to Praca near the beach which is a dining and entertainment centre with bars, restaurants and boutiques. The social hub of Vale do Lobo also offers life music and sea views so is a perfect first night destination to help you relax into the Vale do Lobo pace of life.
For sports fans, Vale do Lobo prides itself on its selection of first class sporting facilities and boasts arguably the best golf and tennis amenities in the region. The Royal and the Ocean golf courses are based on Sir Henry Cotton concepts and have played host to the Portuguese Open twice in recent years. Both courses terminate at the Atlantic and cater to golfers of all abilities.
The city of Faro is around a half hour drive from Vale do Lobo, making it a convenient day’s excursion for those who prefer sight seeing and shopping to greens and fairways. Faro has both Moorish and Roman influences, with old city walls, cathedrals and picturesque old quarter testament to this heritage. Faro is easily accessible from any of Premier Holiday’s Algarve villas and can be reached via public transport fairly easily.
To browse Premier Holidays’ range of villas in the Algarve and to book online, visit http://www.premier-holidays.com

Prices are falling but summer is looking up – book your Algarve villa now!

THE ALGARVE: If you’re one of millions looking forward to the warmer weather of summer but also facing the reality of a credit crunch that continues to bite, new research shows that an Algarve villa holiday is your perfect summer holiday match.

While many of us welcomed in the New Year still feeling cash strapped as a result of the outgoing 2010 and made resolutions to save not spend, you’d be forgiven for thinking that budget restrictions would put a dampener on your annual pilgrimage to warmer, sunnier climes. But, new figures confirmed by Algarve villa holiday experts, Premier Holidays shows that prices in the Algarve have fallen by around 49%.

Ian Fox from Premier Holidays has been working with Algarve villa owners and holidaymakers since 1994. He says, “Research carried out by the Post Office shows that the price of holiday essentials like coffee and an evening meal with wine have fallen quite dramatically. Even cosmetics like sun tan lotion which tends to be more expensive in poplar holiday resorts than in supermarkets at home have shown a marked decrease in price.

“This is great news for the British holidaymaker looking for a gorgeous holiday destination with guaranteed sun, clean beaches, great food and lots to do – all at an affordable price.”

There are 75 Algarve villas to choose from on the Premier Holidays web site, with accommodation ranging from cosy two bedroom holiday rentals to sprawling six bedroom Algarve villas boasting private pools and luxury living. Properties are located throughout the region with choices including Vale do Lobo villas which nudge some of Europe’s best golf courses, to hidden away gems in the undiscovered Eastern Countryside.

Self-catering is often the cheapest option for those watching their budgets so a holiday villa rental in one of Europe’s best value destinations is the ideal solution. Ian Fox adds, “To really make your budget go further, consider teaming up with a larger group of family or friends and splitting the cost of a large villa. Our four, five and six bedroom Algarve villas are very spacious and most are located near to golf courses, sporting facilities and beaches. Booking self-catering accommodation with friends and finding cheap flights separately is a great way to keep costs down.

“Low prices on food, drinks and sightseeing as well as green fees and equipment hire when you land means you can still enjoy a great holiday in Portugal in high season on a modest budget.”

Too browse Premier Holidays’ range of villas in the Algarve and to book online, visit http://www.premier-holidays.com. 

Preview the FIFA 2011 Women’s World Cup in the Algarve This March

THE ALGARVE: If you’re already missing the adrenalin fuelled rush of the World Cup, consider a week’s Spring break in your very own Algarve villa this March. The popular holiday destination plays host to the annual Algarve Cup where the cream of international women’s football battle it out ahead of their own World Cup, to be held in Germany in June. Four teams take part in the cup and this year they have been named as World Cup favourites USA, Japan, Norway and Sweden.

Premier Holidays specialises in providing holidaymakers with villas in some of the best locations around the world, including the Algarve. They have a total of over 600 villas, 75 of which are hand selected villas in the Algarve, ranging from great value choices to luxurious properties for the ultimate European getaway.

The Algarve is literally a hundred or so miles of pure, stunning seascape, earning it a well deserved reputation as one of the world’s most beautiful coastlines. Algarve holiday villas give you easy access to azure waters, miles of soft, golden sand and glorious sunshine.

For those on a budget, the Apartments Praia Mar from £330 per week are ideal. Featuring a private terrace and a gorgeous view overlooking the golden sand beach, you’ll never want to leave. The apartments are just a hop, skip and jump away from shops, cafes, beach bars and restaurants serving a wealth of local delicacies. If you’re feeling adventurous, the Praia da Luz region offers several water sport options. Nine golf courses are also dotted around the region and the delightful town of Lagos is easily accessible by bus. The apartments allow secure entry to residents only.

If you’re planning on going in a group to enjoy the Algarve Cup, go for the Casa Gillian Algarve villas from £520 per week. An attractive villa based in the Quinta dos Alamos community just outside of Guia, it features a spacious living and dining room with a wood burning fire for those cosy evenings in after matches. The villa sleeps seven people and is close to local attractions such as Aqualand Water Park and the Zoomarine Theme Park for the kids, as well as a host of Portuguese restaurants.

The Villa Cipres is the ultimate in luxury Algarve villas. Situated in the renowned Val do Lobo region of the Algarve, this gorgeous villa features a large heated pool, a separate splash pool and a huge, private outdoor space, and is ideal for those who want to splash out with a group of friends at the Algarve Cup. The spacious living room features a wall mounted flat screen TV, a fireplace and French doors leading out to a large, covered terrace overlooking the private pool. It also features a rustic kitchen, five beautifully decorated bedrooms and five bathrooms. Enjoy the Algarve Cup in style and luxury in this stunning villa!

If however, you want a luxury Vale do Lobo villa with views, the Villa Filomena is the one for you. This stylish, contemporary holiday home looks out on to miles of golden, sandy beaches and the distinctive red cliffs of the area. If you can manage to tear yourself away from the stunning views, the villa is just a short walk from beachside dining and entertainment, shopping, health and beauty spas, plus tennis courts and golf courses.

For more information, or to book any of these beautiful villas in the Algarve visit http://www.premier-holidays.com.