Anyone been to the Algarve?

miracleboy · 25 Jul 2006 at 16:34

Looking to book a last minute 7 day holiday for next week to the Algarve.

Looked at a few places, need somewhere quiet as it's kind of a convalesence (sp?) for my wife who has been ill.

Albefuera is pretty loud and busy so I've heard so that's out - but I've seen good reviews of Vilamoura which is just down the road. Has some nice hotels around the marina, a good sandy beach and a small fishing village 5 mins walk down the coast.

Anyone have any experience of the area?

Jambo · 25 Jul 2006 at 16:38

I went to Alvor about 6 years ago and it was really quiet.

ScarySquirrel · 25 Jul 2006 at 17:00

I have, don't remember it though.

Rotty · 25 Jul 2006 at 17:02

Lagos is very nice

Vilamoura is lifeless and can be expensive to eat and drink, it is mainly a golf/marina resort

st00dent · 25 Jul 2006 at 17:28

Vilamoura is great if you just want to relax. Wouldn't want to spend more than a week there though.

miracleboy · 25 Jul 2006 at 17:36

Basically want somewhere with a nice hotel (4 star or more), uncrowded pool, very close to sandy beach, and nice places to eat out in the evening. As I said this is a recovery trip, so it's all about quiet and relaxation.

eidolon · 25 Jul 2006 at 18:21

Jambo said:
I went to Alvor about 6 years ago and it was really quiet.

I went there a few years ago and it was still quiet which was perfect as I just wanted a nice relaxing time on hols.

dannyjo22 · 25 Jul 2006 at 18:29

miracleboy said:
Basically want somewhere with a nice hotel (4 star or more), uncrowded pool, very close to sandy beach, and nice places to eat out in the evening. As I said this is a recovery trip, so it's all about quiet and relaxation.

Just been looking for exactly the same scenario, as my wife has had a bad year health wise. We looked at 4/5 star hotels in the same resorts as you are looking. When talking to the guy finding what we wanted he said, why not go to the dominican. For the same price you can go all inclusive and have a top relaxing holiday 5 star.

So we took that option and only spent £100 in two weeks and that was on tips. Its was the most relaxing holiday ive ever had. It was not somewhere I'd have ever considered but it was better than our honeymoon in Mauritius. I'd recommend it to relax and forget all about the fast lane.

Spanker · 25 Jul 2006 at 23:29

Heard it is beautiful, hope so as me and the mrs are soon spending a week in Vilamoura, staying in a villa though.

Welshy · 26 Jul 2006 at 00:13

went there yeeeeeeeeeeeeears ago when i was little, had a whale of a time

miracleboy · 27 Jul 2006 at 17:25

Thanks for everyone's replies - we booked a week in Alvor, based on personal recommendation of a relative - sounds exactly like what we're looking for!

axe · 27 Jul 2006 at 17:47

Vilamour has some nice restraunts ... Albefuera loud :confused:

i went there a few months ago and have been at peak and i wouldnt call it loud i would just say its like any tow/ city in england really with not much to do

miracleboy · 27 Jul 2006 at 17:56

axe said:
its like any tow/ city in england

More than enough reason for me not to want to go there!

Groovington · 27 Jul 2006 at 18:03

Villamoura for *** win

lovely place, lots of great places to eat (The villamorua steak house is the business!) pretty cheap, nice beaches, and not tooo packed!

miracleboy · 27 Jul 2006 at 18:06

Yeah we looked at there but it was slightly out of our price range, and we found a great deal in Alvor flying from our local airport so it's really convenient. Alvor is supposed to be a nice quiet fishing village with the larger town of Portimao up the road for shopping etc.

Rwac · 27 Jul 2006 at 18:13

The tivoli marinotel on the marina in Villamoura would be a lovely place for your wife to relax, if you want you can also pop down to the Hotel's private beach, or lounge around their pool next to the sea.

It offers a variety of relaxing luxuries if i recall as well, the staff are excellent and the food is very nice aswell. There are some fantastic restaurants along the marina aswell. It is not just a golf resort.

bitslice · 27 Jul 2006 at 18:15

anyone been to Faro ?

anything to do there ?

I am supposed to be going there in September, but haven't organised any flights/car yet.
I hate organising stuff, would rather just drive somewhere in the UK...

.

Rotty · 27 Jul 2006 at 18:19

bitslice said:
anyone been to Faro ?

.

Faro is just a medium sized city , bit of shopping but nothing much really ( not a holiday destiniation )

Quillian · 27 Jul 2006 at 18:19

Well, I was born in portimao and lived there until I was 7... return there every few years just to see whats goin on.

Rotty · 27 Jul 2006 at 18:21

Quillian said:
Well, I was born in portimao and lived there until I was 7... return there every few years just to see whats goin on.

]
is that the place with the big bridge ?