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xxThe
Algarve, in southern Portugal, is one
of Europe’s most popular coastal holiday
destinations. The long sandy beaches are amongst
the finest in the world and the coastline stretches
161km (100 miles) from Cape St. Vincent to Vila
Real de Santo António on the Spanish border.
Many of the holiday resorts are located in little
fishing villages, which have retained much of
their old world charm and character, with white
washed houses, narrow cobbled streets and ancient
churches.
xxAway
from the tourist hub, explore the quaint unspoilt
villages, the
breathtaking Ria Formosa Nature Reserve, the majestic
Monchique Mountains or the rugged beauty of the
South Westernmost tip of Europe, Sagres and Cape
St Vincent. Click
for map of Algarve >>
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Climate
The Algarve has a temperate climate almost all
year round and boasts over 300 days of sunshine
a year. The tourist season extends from March
to October and it only really quiets down in
the dead of winter. Even then, there are many
days when it is warm and sunny enough to sunbathe
or sit outside at the pavement cafes and enjoy
the balmy weather. Click
for weather chart >> |
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Time
The Algarve observes Greenwich Mean Time during
the winter months. During the Summer, the times
is put forward 1 hour from 2am on the last Sunday
in March until 2am on the last Sunday in October,
which makes it GMT plus one hour. |
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| Sports
Water sports such as swimming, snorkelling,
surfing, parasailing, windsurfing and big-game
fishing are popular along the Algarve coast,
as are champagne cruises and boat trips exploring
the caves and grottos. Local riding stables
offer beach rides, hacking and pony trekking.
Water parks, karting tracks and swimming with
dolphins will thrill kids, teenagers and adults
alike. |
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Food
Restaurants and bars vie for business and the
food is delicious and served in huge quantities.
Most restaurants have charcoal grills, turning
out some of the best barbecued food you're ever
likely to taste, such as freshly caught fish,
chicken piri-piri and mouth-watering steaks
and kebabs. Enjoy cheap local wines and freshly
squeezed local orange juice. |
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Shopping
The lively Algarve Shopping in Guia, near
Albuferia, has a hypermarket, many different
line shops, an amusement arcade and 8 cinemas,
most showing English language movies. Forum
Algarve in Faro is another large centre which
also has ice skating in winter. Local markets
sell an abundance of goods at bargain prices.
In the narrow cobbled streets of the Old Towns
and villages, boutiques and stalls sell clothing,
gifts and souvenirs to the tourists, their
wares spilling out onto the streets. Click
here for local markets >> |
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Carnival
Every February, the Algarve comes alive with
the celebrations of Carnival Week in many towns
and villages. The oldest and most famous is
Loulé Carnival; with a history spanning
over 100 years; which attracts thousands of
visitors each year over three days of colourful
parades and partying. One of the many highlights
is the Battle of Flowers with elaborately decorated
floats and beautifully costumed dancers. |
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