Events in Algarve in November and December
If you are planning to make a great trip in November/December to the wonderful Algarve you will definetely want to know this awesome events that are taking place here. More »
9 perfect tourist attractions to visit in Portugal this summer – Part 3
Dear friends, we are back with the 9 perfect tourist attractions to visit in Portugal this summer – Part 3 sees us going through the last three attractions of choice on our More »
9 perfect tourist attractions to visit in Portugal this summer – Part 2
We have finally come to the essential: Part 2 of the 9 perfect tourist attractions to visit in Portugal this summer brings us to the seaside, the sunny, brilliant, shimmering shores of More »
10 Places not to miss in Portimao – Part 1
Summer is here and it is the very best time to be in Portugal, by the ocean, drinking a cocktail and reading a good book on the rocky beaches. Today we give More »
The golf season in Algarve is on! – Part 2
The golf season in Algarve is on! Spring is probably the best time to practice golf: picture an endless green field surrounded by the blue waters of the Atlantic, the mild More »
The golf season in Algarve is on!
Dear friends in love with 2 things: Algarve, Portugal and golf, we have great news for you. The golf season in Algarve is on! The sunny shores of southern Portugal are More »
Did you know golf…
Did you know golf is one of the most popular sports in Portugal? In fact, the sunny shores of the southern part of the country are the some of the welcoming regions More »
A romantic Valentine’s Day in Portugal – Part 3
From a romantic Valentine’s Day in Portugal we got to explore some of the most wonderful corners of this beautiful country. It might be interesting to remind that February is a pleasant More »
New discoveries at Alcoutim castle
A month of excavations at the Roman ruins of the Castelinho dos Mouros castle – or the Alcoutim castle, as it is known – have surfaced new and exciting discoveries which help to give a more in-depth idea of the place and its function.
Ericeira residents fight old law
This is a bit farther north than we usually talk about but it can become relevant for the Algarve as well.
A group of property owners from Ericeira – north of Lisbon – is contesting an ancient law which concerns waterfront properties being transferred to the Portuguese State unless one can prove in court that the land has been in private hands for at least 150 years.
Now if you think a little back, we talked about a controversial ruling which obliges owners of property in waterfront locations – such as those along the entire Algarve coastline – considered by the State as ‘hydric land’ in the public domain, to prove the public ownership of said land for at least a century-and-a-half in court before January 1, 2014, or it would revert to the ownership of the state.
The properties affected by this ancient law are those located on land within fifty metres from the sea or clifftop edge and within thirty metres in the case of a riverbank.
In the case of Ericeira, it is a coastal town – like so many in Portugal – with a history that goes back many hundreds of years and clifftops lined with very old properties, but not that many legal documents proving the ownership for such a long period of time.
The Ericeira group was formed back in 2005 – when this old law was reviewed – and comprised of twenty property owners. The group is now made up of more than 80 owners who with the assistance of lawyers and historians, meet regularly to discuss their actions against this preposterous measure.
Earlier this year the group sent a formal letter to the Ministry of the Environment, which apparently has dismissed the subject by passing it onto the Secretary of State for the Environment and no satisfactory reply to the letter was ever received.
Several political groups have also contested the complexity of the process for property owners to legalize their situation, but haven’t really said anything about completely abolishing this old law.
Rota dos Petiscos bring fun and food to the Arade River
There are seventy establishments that have signed up to take part in the Rota dos Petiscos – snack’s route, which will include the fishing village of Ferragudo for the first time.
This celebration started last Friday and will last till the 13th of October and was designed to discovers the flavor of the city, with eateries in Portimao, Paia da Rocha, Alvor and Ferragudo offering sample-size dishes of their local delicacies plus a drink for only 2.50 Euro. A regional sweet option will also be available for two Euros.
The Rota celebration will allow foodies to try a bunch of local specialties, savory and sweet, in mini-size portions while also exploring the surroundings.
The city of Portimao has 37 establishments taking part in the Rota, Praia da Rocha 16, Alvor will have eight and Ferragudo has nine. Ferragudo is the ‘Guest Area’ in this year’s celebration.
This inclusion is the result of a partnership between the village and the Portimao-based agency Teia de Impulsos, aimed to promote local food and drink as well as obviously encourage people to visit the village of Ferragudo.
The Ferragudo offer is quite appealing with the Sueste restaurant putting on a razor clam soup, while the A Ria restaurant will offer a cockle casserole and of course there will be sardines and red wine at the brand new Casa Grande while the Casa Verde will be occupied with octopus salad.
Cade Duplex will also offer some grilled octopus, while the restaurant Barril’s specialty is chopped pork with a Portuguese marinade, but if you’re interested in chicken head to the Tempo Bistrot. The Q Café will be completing the Ferragudo route with village-inspired canapés.
In order to take part on the route all you have to do is to purchase a ‘passport’ at one of the participating establishment and have some tasty fun.
Environmentalists look to stop Algarve olive grove plantation
Almargem – an environmental association – has asked authorities to prevent a project from starting which would involve the plantation of an allegedly organic Algarve olive grove on protected land in Vale da Ribeira da Fonte da Benemola, in Querenca the Loule district.
Algarve wins World Tourism Award
We like to talk about the Algarve region – both good and less good – because we believe in giving you a very complete picture of the region. Sometimes we report on the unemployment rate and the various taxes and tools, but sometimes we talk about great destinations, festivals and as is today’s case, about the Algarve winning a World Tourism Award.
The Best Wine of the Algarve in 2013
This year the 6th annual competition for ‘The Best Wine of the Algarve’ was held on the 17th of August at the Fatacil – which rand till the 25th in Lagoa.
