However, the authorities in Albufeira have started a campaign to alert all beach-goers about the problem of possible cliff-falls, the campaign will be active till the end of August.

This campaign will be carried out across all the major Albufeira beaches so as to inform visitors about how to prevent accidents as well as warn them about various other hazards. The municipality authorities are distributing bilingual pamphlets and bracelets as well as organizing informative sporting activities in order to raise awareness about the potential dangers.

The authorities have been taking this problem very seriously for a long time, and they have been preparing the terrain long before the bathing season actually started. Quite a few controlled rock demolitions were conducted under the supervision of the environmental authorities in order to prevent as many possible accidents during the summer as possible.

The main alderman for the Albufeira civil protection – Carlos Quintino – stressed in a statement that despite the very active efforts of the authorities to minimize these risks, nature is still unpredictable – and so is human nature we might add – so respecting the warning signs is absolutely necessary.

We mentioned earlier that the Albufeira authorities have been looking at the problem for a long time, and 2013 will be marking the fourth consecutive year in which the ‘Proteja-se das Arrivas’ campaign will be organized by the Civil Protection of Albufeira.

For a bit of history, the campaign started because of the collapse of a part of a cliff on the Maria Luisa beach in Albufeira – four years ago – which killed five people, the gravest accident registered on Algarve beaches. If you want to visit Algarve beaches we suggest that you take an private Albufeira transfer so you can enjoy the best holiday.

It appears that a similar project is underway for regional tourism as well, because what better place to start promoting one’s touristic capabilities than in one’s own country.

The project is called ‘Rediscovering the Algarve’s Secrets’ and is part of the tourism authority’s push to show both journalists and tour operators alike some of the region’s hidden gems. Focusing on the ‘hidden’ part might just be one of the things needed to boost the region’s tourism, since the major gems are quite popular by now.

The first of these ‘familiarization trips’ will be held in Alcoutim on April 18 and the twenty participants will be exploring the region as well as its tourism potential as well as partake in a number of special activities prepared for their enjoyment.

A statement from Desiderio Silva – the president of the Algarve Tourism Board – said that journalists are needed to be made aware of the Algarve from a different perspective, so that they can then in turn help to ‘sell’ the destination much better through their own experiences. The idea behind  this initiative being that the Algarve has many more points of interest with high tourist potential that are not known to the wider holiday-making public, and this will definitely help.

Other familiarization trips are planned to take place until the end of the year, with the next one taking place in Albufeira in May.

A great idea, and quite an innovative one, showing that the Algarve Tourism Board is seriously looking into all sorts of solutions to their overall problems; the effects of this project won’t be very large and most likely won’t be seen for a couple of months at least, but they project is definitely a step in the right direction.

Tavira Castle

The current castle was built in the 13^th century after the Christina re-conquest of the region, it used to be a Moorish stronghold before that moment, and you can easily understand why once you get there. The stunning panoramic views that it offers of the surrounding countryside means that the defenders in the fortress could see enemy troop movements from afar, nowadays however the place features a wonderful garden inside with shaded benches, how the times have changed.

Roman Ruins in Vilamoura

Vilamoura is the location of a very well-preserved Roman Site with a dedicated Museum meant to privde a great insight into the area’s Roman past. Vilamoura actually started as a Roman fishing town and you can still see the ruins of the baths in which the mariners would bathe.

Roman Ruins in Faro

Staying in the Roman era, Faro is one of the central destinations for Roman-related ruins and history to be found in the Algarve. The old part of the city is actually still surrounded by the Roman walls which date to sometime around the 9^th century, however by that time the town would’ve already been occupied by the Moors so that’s a bit odd and interesting at the same time.

Actually most of the Roman ruins in the region aren’t exactly in Faro, but in Estoi, which is a smaller town located at eleven kilometers from Faro. This is where you can find Roman ruins dating from the first and second centuries AD with thermal baths, columns, mosaics, and a very well-preserved villa.

Keep some Algarve car rental services in mind when visiting the Algarve.

Actually the months of September and October are some of the best months to visit the Algarve – because during these months the average temperatures tend to hover around the mid to high 20’s, in the shade, so it will still be hot by pretty much most standards.

Yeah, there might be the odd shower now and again, on one of the few overcast days, but that is still nothing compared to the weather in the more northern parts of Europe, especially the British Isles.

But even in the case of rain, it won’t last nearly as long as it would in other parts of the continent, and usually after the rain the sun will come right up and make it possible to go out in a t-shirt and shorts, so you can still enjoy your day without that much of a hindrance.

One major advantage of visiting the region in these months is that the beaches will be considerably less crowded, and pretty much all of their attractions and activities will still be available, if anything the sometimes higher winds will make it even better for those who enjoy surfing, kite-surfing or wind-surfing.

On the other hand those who are more interested in exploring the Algarve will find it so much more pleasant to walk in the weather during these months. The much less hotter weather makes going on a castle tour of the Algarve with the help of some Algarve car hire services that much easier to undertake, because the very hot weather of the summer can be quite a problem for visitors from normally cooler countries.

As opposed to most other potential visiting places that you’ll find in the Algarve, Silves is set on the banks of the Arade River, a charming town peppered with orange and lemon trees and deeply steeped in history.

Actually the town was a very affluent Moorish capital in the past, it was known as Xelb back then, and it was so important because it was the main access to inland Algarve, thanks to the river. Unfortunately that did not last very long because the river is now too silted up to allow for large vessels to use it.

In any case, what you definitely must take away from visiting this town is its most prominent monument, the Castelo de Silves.

This is now the best preserved castle in the entire region – so just for that you should schedule an Algarve low cost transfer to Silves, but that is not all.

The castle sits upon the hilltop, overlooking the town, and beside it you’ll find the local Cathedral. Going up to the castle will offer you some spectacular views from the battlements. The castle has eleven towers, two of which are barbicans, and somehow the thick walls have survived, enclosing an area of 12,000 square meters. Four of the eleven were rebuilt during the 14^th and 15^th centuries feature Gothic doorways. During the Moorish period, the castle was the residence of the lord of the city.

The nearby Cathedral of Silves is one of the few remaining Gothic monuments in Algarve that still have ancient tombs.

The Algarve has long been a winter destination for many British holiday makers, but as global awareness of the region has increased, the region has started to see visitor from other parts of Europe visiting its beaches and waters during the winter season, because it is a relatively close-by destination.

There are many advantages for going on a winter holiday to the Algarve, the main one being that you’ll be avoiding the winter blues that you’ll surely to get a lot of while at home and there are very few things better than enjoying a drink or a meal at a sea-side restaurant while those at home are having to shovel snow from their driveways.

One other major advantage is that the prices will be considerably lower than they’d otherwise be during the summer months high season. The Algarve has indeed a lot of resorts, towns and cities to visit, but considering its popularity it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to realize that during the summer all of them will have higher prices because of the increased demand.

Visiting here during the winter will allow one to enjoy the wonders of the region on more of a budget than if you were to visit say, in June. On a similar note, you may not actually want to visit during the summer months because it can get rather hot in some places, sure the sea’s cooling breeze and waters are always close-by but some may not want to experience those types of temperatures.

While you are not completely guaranteed sunny days during your winter stay, you will more than likely get at least a few days of great weather, whether or not you can get any rays is arguable, however those slightly more adventurous will surely want to take a dip, and the water should be more than welcoming, despite the time of year.

Seeing as much of the region as possible during Algarve winter vacations can be done very easily with the help of our Algarve car hire services.

Especially the South-Western corner of the Algarve is very popular with surfing enthusiasts from Europe and all across the world, because it is very similar to surfing a peninsula. The over twenty beaches in the region are all within maximum a half an hour drive of each other or your accommodation and they feature reefs, points, bowling beach breaks, not to mention warm blue waters.

The Algarve is a great destination both for those who are already experienced surfers as well as for those who want to start, with the summer months actually being ideal for a visitor to attend some surfing school courses.

The extra advantage offered by these surfing schools or surf camps is that they know the area extremely well, and as you might expect they’ll know where and when to go for the best surfing experience possible. It can take a while, even for experienced surfers, to learn on one’s own how the local breaks work best with the tides, wind and whatnot, and that is time that comes out of your holiday, not to mention money that you’ll be spending on fuel for the Algarve rental car that you’ll most likely be employing.

On the other hand, beginners with zero experience who have always wanted to learn how to surf will benefit tremendously from the courses offered in these types of schools. Getting the basics down quickly, such as getting on the board safely, surely and quickly, with the right equipments and in safe and controlled conditions, are all crucial to a beginner enjoying this thrilling activity.

While most people will be familiar with the coastline of the Algarve and its many great beaches, there is much more to the region than just that. In fact the large majority of the Algarve is not made up of coastline, it is a landscape made up of rolling hills and valleys, all of which are dotted with almond, fig, olive and orange trees.

But the huge length of the coastline cannot be ignored when it comes to food, and this is where you can see how the Algarve cuisine has developed in two distinct directions. One is based heavily on using fish and shellfish, and the other focuses more on using a variety of meat, game and other local grown ingredients.

The Algarve culinary scene is still based a lot on traditional home cooking, with recipes being passed down through generations, but at the same time Portugal is the country through which a plethora of plants and spices were introduced to Europe, including pepper, tea, tomatoes and potatoes, just to name a few.

There are some foreign influences that have left their mark however, the oldest probably being the Goths who introduced stews to the region, and they still are a major part of Portuguese cooking.

Regardless of what you talk about when you talk about the Algarve, the Moorish influence has to have a say in it, and of course the culinary spectrum isn’t an exception from it. The Moors introduced a variety of cakes and sweetmeats, as well as a range of new plants.

We haven’t gone into detail yet as to particular recipes just because we felt that a general idea of what it is to eat in Algarve was a better choice, but stay tuned for future articles, and keep in mind that Faro Transfers services are a great way of experiencing as much of it as possible.

Many holidaymakers return to Albufeira city Portugal when they’re looking for a specific type of atmosphere which mixes great climate, lovely beaches and a plethora of eating establishments.

There are some who call Albufeira the St. Tropez of Portugal, while one must maintain the proportions in mind when making such a comparison, one also has to acknowledge that there are some similarities between the two. Our Albufeira city guide won’t talk about all of them however we will focus on a general outlook of the city.

The ex-fishing village is situated in the central part of the Algarve region, at about a thirty minute drive from Faro Airport, thankfully there are many Albufeira transfers from Faro Airport available for those interested in getting there quickly and in safe comfort.

Albufeira city

For those who have visited a bit of North Africa, coming here will offer a very interesting experience seeing as how Albufeira looks quite a bit like a village from that region. The city is home to one of the greatest beach-side tourist developments in the entire country, not only the region, however you don’t have to stay here if you don’t want to, the nearby locations of Quarteira and Almancilalso offer some great accommodation options.

On the other hand you could have a wonderful vacation and never leave the town or its surroundings, in such a case considering some Albufeira car hire services might prove to be a great idea, especially if you’re planning on cooking your own meals and if you wish to have the same flexibility of movement that you have at home.

Being the largest resort in the Algarve, Albufeira didn’t get that reputation for nothing, the wide variety of attractions, sights and activities that the place offers is appealing to a wide range of travellers, of all ages.

The city is split into two entities, the ‘old’ and the ‘new’, the first offering history and tranquillity while the other a constantly humming nightlife. Add to this some of the finest beaches on the continent, and couple it with the great weather, plus the local culture, one can understand why the atmosphere here is much sought after by travellers and holidaymakers of different ages and backgrounds.

Of course, considering the resort’s size and the plethora of offerings it has, one cannot think that it does not cater to those who love to shop while they’re on vacation. For those looking for some ‘retail therapy’ after a few days of lounging on the beach, rest assured that Albufeira’s main shopping street of Rua 5 de Outubro has pretty much anything that you may want or need, from a new outfit that you can wear on a night out in Albufeira to presents for your family and friends back home.

The resort doesn’t only offer great beaches, and wonderful eateries, golfing enthusiasts will also have a chance to play a solid number of holes at the Pine Cliffs or again, can take a ride to one of the top notch courses around Quarteira, like the Vila Sol and Vilamoura Old Course.

Albufeira guide – Albufeira beach Art

As far as the more traditional idea of an attraction goes, Albufeira has a few interesting places that will be ideal for a large percentage of visitors. For instance those who are traveling with their children will surely have to visit the Zoo Marine and the variety of water parks which can be found in and around the city.

More adventurous adults may want to visit Monchique and Foia, which are the highest points in the region, the views from here amaze every time, without fail. While on this trip make sure to check out a few local specialties, such as Medronho – a traditional alcoholic beverage – and Honey Cake, both of which are worth trying.

This has been just a quick look at what Albufeira has to offer its visitors, rest assured that once you’re there, you will surely find many more things to see and do.

The Algarve region of Portugal is considered by many to be the perfect holiday destination thanks to its great mix of characteristics. The Algarve has absolutely wonderful weather, modern amenities which make for a truly luxurious holiday experience, it is very family-oriented but it also offers a vibrant nightlife, great opportunities for practicing sports and other outdoor activities and last but not least, great food.

The Algarve packs a lot of fun for young and old alike

Algarve Beach

The way in which this happens is thanks to the size of the region itself, a bit over two thousand square miles, and directly linked to this the number of various resorts, villages and cities that dot its coastline and landscape.

As mentioned earlier, the reason why the Algarve is such a popular tourist destination is due to a combination of factors, main among these factors being the weather, however its location in Europe helps as well since it is reachable from most any spot in Europe in more or less three hours by plane.

Also, once you get there, regardless which airport in the region you touch down at, you are only a couple of minutes away from your accommodations by car, and whether you choose to rent a car while there or to employ some airport transfer services, they will all prove to be very good value for money.

The truth of the matter is that many people visit the Algarve because it offers such a wide variety of attractions, starting with the great weather – over three thousand hours of sunshine per year – continuing with the almost two hundred kilometers of great, clean beaches – which themselves can be categorized further – and of course you have to add to these the unique culture and history of the region, the great food and last but not least, the amazing golfing opportunities the region offers.

While the Algarve is a warm and sunny place for most of its visitors, for a serious percentage of those it is one of the premiere spots on the globe for their sport of choice, golf.

There are over thirty world-class golf courses that can be found in the region, most of them not more than a quarter of an hour’s drive from a main resort or city. In fact golfing is so huge in the region that you can employ special golf transfer services to take you to and from specific golf courses throughout the day, not to mention the services which allow you to rent golf clubs for your stay. And make no mistake about it, any golf enthusiast you will need these types of Algarve transfer services because there are so many courses to try out, you will not be satisfied with just the few that are in close proximity to your accommodation.

The great thing about the Algarve is that it is not just about one or two things, it’s not just about the golf, or the sunny weather, or the great beaches, it is about all those things together and much more that makes it such a popular holiday destination with people of all ages and interests.

Algarve Related Link List

Algarve Transfer from Faro Airport

Low rates for Faro Airport Transfers to anywhere in the Algarve, Portugal and Andalucia, Spain.

Algarve Car Hire, Portugal and Madeira

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Portugal car hire

Best car hire prices on the internet for the Faro, Lisbon and Porto areas.

The Algarve – Travel Guide VideoClip