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Craig
10th July 2011, 07:08 PM
Well just back from Portugal yesterday after 7 days... Never been a great fan of the European package holiday, but since my mum is on her own and with all her disabilities, it's kinda the only way she gets to the sun. (she couldn't go on holiday on her own or with people of her own age...)

Anyway, just thought I would share my thoughts on Portugal and also give a few photos... The first thing that struck me about Portugal is that it was ROASTIN ! :thud:

The next thing is that you can see there is not a lot of money there these days.... lots of broken roads, half built buildings and generally a run down nature of the places we went thro. Granted, in the main tourist areas, they look much better.. :thumbs up:

We rented a villa and we knew it was in the hills about 4 miles from the coast... Little did we know it was in a tiny village, with only a taverna in it and no road signs around it with part dirt/rock, part tarmac roads around it... This meant we didn't go out at night and I had to cook every night for dinner. (we got lost several times in the first few days and only came back into the village the same way twice !! :thud:)

Some of the nice things.... The weather was great all week, but got to 38 degrees one day until 9 at night....!

Vilamoura and Vale de Lobo are really nice little resorts. The marina was amazing and there is A LOT of money there... :cool:

Would I go back?? well, not to that villa, but maybe, as the people were really nice, even when you cut someone up on the road (by getting lost !) there were not honking of horns or shaking fists...:D

Craig
10th July 2011, 07:26 PM
Some Pics (Apologies for all the boat pics, I just love boats :rolleyes:)

Vilamoura Marina.

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj130/cadbed12/port2.jpg

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj130/cadbed12/port5.jpg

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj130/cadbed12/port6.jpg

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj130/cadbed12/port7.jpg

My Mum, Sister and Jude

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj130/cadbed12/port1.jpg

Me at the Beach :thud: (it was only 35 degrees)

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj130/cadbed12/port4.jpg

Carviero Beach

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj130/cadbed12/port3.jpg

Craig
10th July 2011, 07:28 PM
The state of the roads outside our Villa..... :argh:

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj130/cadbed12/port10.jpg

Our Villa

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj130/cadbed12/port8.jpg

The view down to the coast...

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj130/cadbed12/port9.jpg

The Sun setting behind the hill...

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj130/cadbed12/port11.jpg

GCA3N
10th July 2011, 07:33 PM
Looks like you had a good time bud. Those boats are amazing!

ianking
10th July 2011, 07:37 PM
If you think that road is bad you should see some of the roads we travelled on in Morocco last year.

To be fair Ive been to most of the European holiday destinations over the years and as soon as you get off the main touristy tracks the roads tend to be of that nature.
The villa looks very nice.

The Dogfather
10th July 2011, 07:42 PM
My Mum and Dad love Portugal, they go every year.

My Dad tells me that the prices (food/drinks etc.) have shot up recently as the country is really struggling, did you find it expensive?

KenL
10th July 2011, 07:43 PM
I have been to the Algarve loads of times. We usually go to a nice wee place in the west called Alvor. Loads of really good restaurants. The local fish and clams are fantastic

euan
10th July 2011, 07:56 PM
Been to Alvor, many moons ago now. I've not been over there for about 14 years, we used to go quite a lot when my folks knew someone with a villa in Vale Do Lobo.

Loved the golf over there, but it really struck me even then about the money side of things. I'd go back, some of the food is superb as is the weather most of the time. Short flight time too always helps!

Craig
10th July 2011, 08:35 PM
My Mum and Dad love Portugal, they go every year.

My Dad tells me that the prices (food/drinks etc.) have shot up recently as the country is really struggling, did you find it expensive?


No more expensive than the Uk... It's nearly 1 euro to the pound so that prob doesn't help.. I haven't been out to Portugal before so I can't say if it's got much more expensive

Craig
10th July 2011, 08:37 PM
I have been to the Algarve loads of times. We usually go to a nice wee place in the west called Alvor. Loads of really good restaurants. The local fish and clams are fantastic

Judes friend has a timeshare I'n alvor.. Fish restaurants aren't my thing. Steak, Italian or curry ;)

Stewart
11th July 2011, 03:32 PM
I always think a change of scenery does you a world of good, I’m sure your Mum appreciated the effort. I hope you’ve brought back the sun with you!