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Previous issues for Faro

Whilst every effort is made to ensure accuracy, please confirm event/venue details in advance.

Portugal : Faro - January 2010

Country Code: Dial 1 for Portugal

The stars are out this month in the Algarve, as some of the world’s top Michelin chefs gather to cook up a storm at the Vila Joya Gourmet Festival (16-24 January), or if you’re a fan of the more traditional local cuisine, bag yourself a meaty feast at the Querenca sausage festival on 24 January. Paul Rouse prepares to tuck in, but also explores a more sedate side to the Algarve

Getting around

Faro International Airport

Bus: Eva Bus connects the airport with the city centre. Services run every 30 minutes from 7.05am to 9.15pm. The journey takes 20 minutes and a return ticket costs €4 while a single ticket costs €1,55.
Train: A single journey from the airport to Faro for up to four passengers costs around €15 and takes 15 minutes.
Tourist information: The main tourist office is at 8-11 Rua da Misericordia (tel. , visitportugal.com).

FARO AND THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE

You can still get sunny days on the region’s famous golf courses and, if not, try some of these winter warmers.

Sleep soundly – The spacious apartments, huge gardens and wellthought- out design of As Cascatas (Rua do Brasil, Vilamoura, tel. , ascascatasvilamoura.com, apartments from €62,50) make this modern resort an ideal option for families. It shares facilities – including restaurants, bars, swimming pools, kids’ club and a luxury spa – with the adjacent five-star Hilton Vilamoura (Rua da Torre d’Agua, Vilamoura, tel. , hiltonworld resorts.com, rooms from €172).

Culture vultures – The Querenca sausage festival (24 January) has a unique atmosphere. There are tastings of secret homemade specialities, a sausage auction in the main village square, processions and musical entertainment. Bizarre but fun.

Must eat – At Bistro des Z’Artes (69 Rua Calvario, Almancil, tel. ), talented Irish chef-patron Jonnie Pratt offers inventive and beautifully presented food at great prices, amid the gallery art. Try the six-course Fridaynight seasonal tasting menu at just €18. Affordable Michelin-starred food at Henrique Leis (Vale Formoso, Almancil, tel. ) comes courtesy of the starter/main lunchtime menu at €13. The foie gras, followed by golden bream with saffron, oranges and capers is sublime, while the tempting chocolate trio is well worth paying the extra for dessert.

Dance the night away – Round off a night of dining, gambling, floor shows and live music at Blackjack in Vilamoura’s casino, one of the Algarve’s liveliest and longest-established discos.

Shop til you drop – Head to upmarket Quinta Shopping in Quinta do Lago if you want to dress to impress. There are 60 stores packed with designer fashion and jewellery, plus a range of restaurants.

ALBUFEIRA AND ARMACAO DE PERA

Out of season, the old town areas of these popular resorts have a more laidback feel. Appreciate the whitewashed houses, churches and stunning sea views without the crowds.

Sleep soundly – The stylish Vila Vita Parc (Porches, tel. , vilavitaparc.com, rooms from €155), set in tropical gardens and with its own beach, has a choice of restaurants, spa, tennis, putting green and a luxury yacht for charters. At the Sheraton Algarve (Praia da Falesia, tel. , sheratonalgarve.com, rooms from €155), stay in the hotel or the home-from-home Pine Cliffs Residence apartments, and enjoy the onsite golf, tennis, beauty salon and other resort facilities, including a dozen dining options.

Culture vultures – Running from 16-24 January, the Vila Joya Gourmet Festival (tributetoclaudia.com) brings together some of the legends of haute cuisine, and allows paying guests to sample the very different skills of an array of international Michelin-starred talent.

Must eat – At the beach-front Arte Nautica (Praia de Armacao de Pera, tel. ), the array of fresh fish and seafood is more than matched by the lamb and wine pairing, both from the company’s country estate in the Alentejo. Perfect for quiet dinners or family occasions, Solar das Oliveiras (Estrada de Vale Parra, Albufeira, tel. ) is old-fashioned in a reassuring way. The beef and pork from Portugal, Brazil and Argentina (try the secretos) is superb and is complemented by the best Alentejo wines.

Dance the night away – The Rock Café, situated on the main square of Albufeira’s old town, has DJs and live music every night. Look out for covers band Stone, playing everything from Snow Patrol to Led Zeppelin.

Shop til you drop – Enjoy the vibrant colours and rustic charm of the designs that are created using traditional methods in the thriving craft workshop at Porches Pottery (Porches, porchespottery.com). Then have a browse in the showroom, buy a gift or treat yourself, and relax in the café.

Previous issues for Faro

Whilst every effort is made to ensure accuracy, please confirm event/venue details in advance.

 

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