Portugal, The Algarve and Tavira
The Algarve Region
With its stunning coastline, excellent golf courses and pleasant year round climate, the Algarve's 200 kilometre stretch of southern shoreline has become one of Europe's most popular holiday destinations. Bordered on two sides by the Atlantic Ocean, the Algarve is divided from the rest of Portugal by a series of low lying mountains. In the east, the Guadiana River forms a scenic border with neighbouring Spain.
There is a clear definition between the Western Algarve and the East. Whilst the West shows more development towards tourism, the Eastern Algarve and its tidal marshlands still have a tranquil beauty, and the small resorts along the coast have retained much of their character, looking today as they must have looked long ago. Here, tourism blends in perfectly with local activities creating a relaxed way of life. There is a tinge of excitement and even romance about the ferry boat trips to the beach islands, where visitors are rewarded with superb, less crowded bathing beaches and warm waters.
Tavira…
When visiting Tavira, you will not fail to be enthralled by it's unspoilt charm, character and tranquility. As you wander along the cobbled streets, you'll see an abundance of history dating as far back as 2000BC. A Roman bridge links the 2 parts of the town across the River Gilao, its sides decorated with traditional old bars and restaurants where you can relax and enjoy a peaceful drink or meal. Horse drawn carriages and a small train operate around the town and are perfect for sightseeing and enjoying the peaceful ambience. The many churches (37 in total!), the town castle and the typical fisherman's harbour leading to the River Formosa Natural Park are all places to visit, along with the wonderful daily market selling fresh home grown produce. Tavira Island and its wonderful beach is accessible by ferry boat from the town and offers excellent facilities with a wonderful holiday atmosphere.
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...and Beyond - Going a little further afield......
Tavira itself is primarly a town for sight-seeing, dining and relaxing, however, by travelling a little further afield there are a good range of things to do to suit all tastes. For nature lovers there are forest walks, cruises along the River Guadiana or nature trails along the Ria Formosa Reserve where bird watching is in abundance! By travelling Westwards there are some excellent shopping centres in Faro and Ghia as well as the famous Water Parks and Zoo Marine (wonderful for children), all easily reached by car (around 45 minutes) or by day trip coach.
From Tavira and travelling in an Easterly direction, the peaceful fishing and beach villages of Cabanas de Tavira, Manta Rota and Altura can be found dotted along coast. For a little more shopping and ‘cosmopolitan’ atmosphere, Monte Gordo with its numerous restaurants/bars and the famous Casino along with Vila Real de St Antonio are definitely worth a visit where good local food is served and typical Portuguese handcrafts and goods are readiuly available.
The Spanish border town of Ayamonte is then a mere 5kms away where the delights of another country can be sampled along with wine, Tapas and shopping and can be reached by bus, train, ferry or car. Seville is around 150km. For budding historians, as well as Tavira, Castro Marim Castle is a must.
The Climate & The Beaches
Climate
The sea water temperature is around 14c in January and reaches a high 22c in August. A pleasant sea breeze refreshes the temperatures of the region, which are around 15c in January and up to 28c or more in July and August. The Algarve can also count on around 3.000 hours of Sun during the year which makes it a favourite destination for those who fancy such a delightful climate. The autumn and winter months are mild, but you will need a jacket in the evening and some kind of heating in your apartment or hotel room. January is the coolest month of the year.
|
|
Average Temperature |
Daily Hours of Sunshine | |
|
|
Centigrade |
Fahrenheit |
|
|
January |
15 |
59 |
6 |
|
February |
16 |
61 |
7 |
|
March |
17 |
63 |
7 |
|
April |
20 |
68 |
9 |
|
May |
22 |
72 |
10 |
|
June |
25 |
77 |
12 |
|
July |
28 |
82 |
12 |
|
August |
28 |
82 |
10 |
|
September |
26 |
79 |
9 |
|
October |
22 |
72 |
8 |
|
November |
19 |
66 |
6 |
|
December |
16 |
61 |
6 |
Beaches
In the Eastern Algarve beaches follow on from one another in the form of vast expanses of sand, and as you travel along the coast line from Faro through Tavira to the Spanish Border (around 50kms in total) there is a beach to be found every 2-3 kms or so! Some are very natural and therefore not very popular, but those that are developed are done so with consideration for the environment.
Ideally suited to people of all ages, and partciulary appropriate for families, are the beaches of Barril, Tavira, Manta Rota and Altura. All these beaches have been given the Blue Flag and Gold Quality awards, serving as confirmation of their environmental quality, as well the high quality of their water and facilities. They are supervised beaches, protected by lifeguards, with bars and a restaurant nearby, and offering sunshades, awnings or canvas beach huts for rent, as well as being equipped with toilet facilities.
Except for Manta Rota, all of them have showers and provide easy access for the disabled, whilst also affording the chance to rent the specialist equipment needed for engaging in different water sports.
The best way to get to the beach of Barril is to take the train that runs for roughly a kilometre through the marshland of Ria Formosa. In the middle of the beach itself is a bathing complex with a bar, restaurant, children’s playground and disco, ensuring all kinds of entertainment for visitors. Those who prefer some isolation only have to walk a short distance away in either direction.
The beach of the Ilha de Tavira is an excellent one, especially for those families that enjoy camping. The beach appears to be endless, the water is calm and clear, and the good bathing facilities meet all the requirements of bathers who are accompanied either by children or by elderly people.
The famous calm, warm seawater at the beaches of Manta Rota and Monte Gordo is an attractive feature that, together with all the amusements and entertainment on offer, is more than enough to satisfy the demands of those who are looking for the chance to enjoy themselves at the beach in an atmosphere of complete safety.
Wining & Dining in Portugal
Soups
The Portuguese are great at making tasty and nourishing soups. In Algarvian restaurants, it is highly unlikely that you will be presented with anything out of a tin. What you get will be made from fresh vegetables or fish. Be warned, however, soups are very often served tepid here. If you like your soup piping hot tell the waiter beforehand. Bem quente (meaning literally well hot) is pronounced ‘beng-kent’
Shellfish Starters
The cheapest and most common shellfish in the Algarve are conquilhas (pronounced ‘con-keel-yash’). These are like small cockles, cooked in wine, garlic and parsley – a must for shell fish lovers. Before you order prawns, check on the price which is often quoted per kilo.
Seafood Main Courses
A very wide range of fish is landed in the Eastern Algarve harbours, some with which you may be familiar, others not. Tuna, swordfish and Dourada (Type of sea bream) are great for people who dislike the bones! Other locally caught fish include sole, bass, sea bream and red mullet. Cheapest and most typical of all are sardines, and are to be cooked on a charcoal grill – definitely more tasty than the supermarket tins back home! The most popular speciality seafood dishes are Cataplana - clams, spicy sausage, tomatoes, sometimes also with pork fillet, then cooked in a sealed, clam shaped, copper pan, and Arroz de Marisco - several types of shellfish spiced and gently boiled with rice. You may need to order these types of dishes in advance as they can sometimes only be catered for 2 people.
Meat Main Courses
The most popular Portuguese beef dish is Bife a Portuguesa – sirloin topped with smoked ham, cooked in a clay dish and served on a bed of French fries. However, the Algarvians prefer Pork to Beef and you will see it on every menu! You will find Pork Fillets (Lombo), Chops (Costeletas) or Slices (Febras). Chicken (Frango) is generally cooked over a charcoal grill. If you see ‘Piri-piri’, this will mean a light coating of chilli and olive oil. Turkey (Bife de Peru) also appears on the menu all year round. Some restaurants will offer suckling pig (Leitao) and wild boar (Javeli) Most owners/waiters speak English.
Desserts
The Portuguese created their desserts with ‘sweet-tooth’ people in mind! You should try Pudim Flan (Crème Caramel), Tarte de Amendoa (Almond Tart) or Tarte de Natas (sticky chilled cream cake) – all mega calories!
Wines and Liqueurs
The most inexpensive way of buying wine in restaurants is to order the house wine (Vinho de Casa), either White (Branco) or Red (Tinto). Nearly all restaurants in the Algarve only stock Portuguese wines, of which there is a very wide range. Vinho Verde – Green wine is light and refreshing, especially good for fish or chicken dishes.
Highly recommended are Gatoa (Cat wine!) and Casal Garcia. Rose is also light and crisp, the most famous of which is produced by Portugal – Mateus Rose. You will also come across a great deal of wine from the Alentejos, just north of the Algarve which is renowned for consistency and good value. Names to look out for are Monsartaz, Borba, Redondoi, Reguerngos and Monte Velho. Higher quality and more expensive wines from the north are Ribatejo, Bairrada and Douro Valley.
You can dine from around 6.30pm in most restaurants, and last serving times are usually around 9.45pm – 10.00pm. Most Portuguese people dine between 8pm and 9pm, so if you have not reserved a table, we recommend that you arrive at around 7.30pm!
