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Portugal : Faro - July 2010

Country Code: Dial 1 for Portugal

Summer in the Algarve means it’s time to hit the beach, get out on the water or simply sit and enjoy the sunshine at a great bar or terrace restaurant and watch the world go by. Paul Rouse chills out in Portugal’s beautiful south

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

Romantic getaway? Family vacation? Adventure holiday? From chic bars and restaurants to theme parks, fantastic beaches and a host of watersports, the Algarve’s most exclusive enclave has it all.

Sleep soundly – For sea views over the Ria Formosa Nature Reserve, the Ria Park Hotel & Spa (Vale do Garrao, tel. , riaparkhotels.com, rooms from €100) takes some beating. Relax by the outdoor pools, play tennis, or treat yourself to a pampering in the spa. Its sister hotel the Ria Park Garden offers great-value family suites from €276 for up to four.

Culture vultures – The multifaceted Aquashow (Quatro Estradas, Quarteira, tel. , aquashowpark.com) is a family water park, theme park and zoo, featuring animal shows, a wave pool, a lazy river and Europe’s biggest water roller coaster.

Must eat – The cool, modern interiors of Paixa (52 Quadradinhos, Vale do Lobo, tel. ) are as stylish as the food – a Portuguese take on tapas, with xerem (corn meal) served with prawns and cockles among the highlights. Choose from the champagne bar, formal dining inside or al fresco in the garden.

Must drink – The Chill Out B&G with T-Club Space (Lake Resort, Vilamoura, tel. , thelakeresort.com) has become one of the places to hang out in summer, with entertainment from resident and guest DJs combined with appearances by top solo artists from the worlds of jazz and soul.

Dance the night away – A popular steak restaurant that cranks up the volume as the evening progresses, Monty’s (Praça, Vale do Lobo, tel. ) has karaoke, live music and dancing every night.

Shop til you drop – A cut above most hotel-based shops, A Bússola (Sheraton Algarve, Praia da Falesia, Albufeira) sells tasteful, original and sensibly priced gifts, jewellery and locally made arts and crafts that you can be certain you won’t find in a hundred other places.

FURTHER AFIELD – WEST ALGARVE

Once you’re beyond Portimão, life slips into the slow lane – unless you include the F1-approved motor-racing track and its brand-new karting facility.

Sleep soundly – The west has been waiting a long time for its first five-star hotel. Step forward the boutique Martinhal (Quinta do Martinhal, tel. , martinhal.com, rooms from €148) in the new resort of the same name close to the surfing beaches of Sagres, complete with ocean-view rooms, upscale restaurant and children’s club.

Culture vultures – High-speed thrills and an ultimate test of endurance driving come together when the Autodromo do Algarve (Portimão, tel. , autodromoalgarve.com.pt) hosts the Portuguese leg of the international Le Mans Series (15-17 July).

Must eat – There’s great fish and seafood at Ababuja (11 Rua da Ribeira, Alvor, tel. ), as you would expect from its picturesque waterfront location. Don’t miss the excellent Mozambique-influenced prawn curry – enough for two. For an eclectic mix of Portuguese favourites with an international flavour, and vegetarian options, try Vila Velha (Rua Patrao Antonio Faustino, Sagres, tel. ), Dutch-operated and indicative of the wilder west, it’s the ideal escape.

Must drink – The best of the town’s riverside bars, Cafe Na Ria (Zona Ribeirinha, Alvor) attracts a hip crowd with its inventive cocktails, cool jazz and a great late-night vibe. Alcoholic ice creams are a speciality for those with a sweet tooth.

Dance the night away – After a night on the town, fall into Dromedário (Avenida Comandante Matoso, Sagres), the focal point for nightlife in the Algarve’s own ‘funky town’ and the in-place to party until dawn. Watch out for the wicked caipirinhas.

Shop til you drop – Hand-made jewellery from owner Nuno Tovar is one of the hallmarks of Cocoshells (Praia da Luz, cocoshells.com), along with belts, bags, wind chimes and even hammocks. Plus the online store means that you can order heavier items for home delivery when you get back from your holiday.

Compiled by Paul Rouse

Previous issues for Faro

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

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