A well-deserved break
Quinta da Luz brings a little bit of luxury to the hills of Silves – July 6, 2021 A new five-star luxury Bed & Breakfast has emerged in the hills of Silves, and German couple, Kristin and Tobias, are stopping at nothing to give tourists the break they deserve. The couple met in 2015 in Turkey whilst on vacation. Although they both travelled alone, Kristin and Tobias soon found each other and met for dinner every day. Both...
The natural choice
As a wellness tool that comes directly from nature and has medicinal properties, essential oils have many benefits for the body and mind – July 6, 2021 The first reports of the use of plants and their oils date back thousands of years. In India, for example, there are medical documents referring to the use of cinnamon, myrrh, and ginger in treatments. Today, essential oils can be found in most cosmetic products, in syrups,...
Bon Bon is back
New chef and a new start for Carvoeiro’s only Michelin-starred restaurant – May 11, 2021 Getting ready to open Bon Bon for this season, owner Nuno Diogo was faced with the challenge of finding another chef and team. His last chef, Louis Anjos, moved on to pastures new at the beginning of the year but there was no shortage of candidates and he settled on José Lopes, a 31-year-old who appears to have the experience and the team...
Noble vines: Morgado do Quintão
Meet the man behind some historic grapes at Morgado do Quintão – May 11, 2021 Down a long, winding country road lined with wild flora and fauna is a large, family-owned, organic vineyard estate. Even with my Google map pin securely placed on the location, I was still not 100% sure I had arrived until reached the main house. I was taken aback by the feeling of peace and grace that swept over me when I arrived. Morgado do Quintão...
A country garden retreat
Inside visits Quinta Aida Boutique B&B and Cottages in Lagoa – May 11, 2021 Long-term residents Ida and Robert Harris are well known around Carvoeiro for opening Harry’s Bar some years ago. Robert is, in fact, a builder by trade and Ida is anexcellent cook and hostess, so they decided to leave the bar behind them and take on the mammoth task of restoring an old farm and turning it into a boutique holiday accommodation. The...
There’s Always Hope
The Algarve will be part of the setting of a new British feature drama. Shooting took place in Loulé and Lagoa, leaving producers overjoyed by the potential they see in the region as a filming location – May 11, 2021 The film, entitled There’s Always Hope tells the story of a successful author named Jonathan Stack (played by Colm Meaney), who has been “so obsessed with trying to pen his magnum opus” that he has let his marriage...
A bohemian by the sea
While travelling and surfing along the coastline of Portugal, Miguel Titéca rediscovered his creative side by photographing the surf lifestyle Growing up surrounded by art and artists in his Belgium home, Miguel Titéca soon began expressing himself on canvas, through music and with sculpture. The thought of creating art with a camera was somewhat alien to him, and he viewed the camera as a piece of technical equipment. In his adult...
Love in a bottle
Nestled in the countryside of Porches lays the sprawling estate of Quinta dos Capinhas Inside met the charming owner of Quinta dos Capinhas, Inês, who showed us around and told us about the neighbouring properties and the family’s evolution into a beautiful country vineyard. We were welcomed by Inês and the family’s dogs, who joined us on our walk around the vast 30-hectare estate. The property goes as far as the eye can see from some...
Staycation
A fabulous luxury staycation resort, right here on our doorstep Travel has become more complicated this year, but fear not, Vila Vita Parc has everything you need, spread through their lush 22 hectares of sub-tropical landscaped resort. Entering the main gates, you instantly get a sense of what lays within, the Algarvean architecture with touches of Moorish design leaves you in no doubt where you are. After a smooth check-in, the...
At the heart of the community
Inside visits Carvoeiro Clube de Ténis to discover its new facilities In recent years, there hasn’t been a time when community spirit and neighbourly kindness has been more important. Carvoeiro Clube de Ténis is one of the places in the area that is open all year, and you will always find someone to play a game with or have a chat and a drink. Under the watchful eye of manager Matthew Watton, who previously spent his career managing...
Outside the box
Juan Arias’ approach to Cubism Born in 1973 in Havana, Cuba, Juan Antonio Puebla Arias is a self-taught plastic artist. He left Havana and moved to the Algarve in 2015 and currently lives in Lagos. We first came across his work in the Lady in Red (LiR) gallery in Lagoa and got in touch to find out more about the artist and his style. “I brought a whole world of warm, Caribbean and very personal colours with me to Portugal,” Juan...
Rejuvenating retreats
Inside visits oasis of tranquillity that is Moinhos Velhos Detox Juice Fasting Retreat Slightly off the beaten track, in a secluded valley just south of Barragem da Bravura near Odiáxere lays a hidden treasure called Moinhos Velhos. This is not the kind of thing you would expect to come across in the Algarve, and I was thrilled when I did! I’d signed up for a one-week Juice Fasting Detox and Yoga Retreat to try and offset my...
Art is everywhere
Local artist Rita Silva introduces her crafts As a young adult, Rita Silva left her hometown of Lagoa to pursue her studies firstly in Portalegre, where she graduated in Graphic Design. With her passion for her chosen path intensifying, the young artist moved to Lisbon, where she gained a Masters in Design and studied Drawing and Illustration at the prestigious Belas Artes college. Rita then had the massively exciting...
Full speed ahead
The Algarve International Racetrack will host world-class events to round off the 2020 calendar. This year has certainly been full of surprises, albeit mostly problematic, but when we got the news that Formula 1 was confirmed back in July, for the weekend of October 23-25, it was just the fabulous news that the Algarve needed. Less than a few weeks later, we got even more great news, that MotoGP would be coming too. Motorsports lovers...
Living in a movie
Designing unique homes, cinemas and garages inspired by Hollywood blockbusters and attracting film productions to Portugal make up the core business at Spy Manor Productions. It all begins with an unfinished house with an incredible ocean view, near Ferragudo. Vanda Everke did not hesitate to design it, although her purpose went beyond looking at the sea from her window. A massive fan of the infamous James Bond, created by Ian...
Paradise unknown
Inside explores the glorious secret caves and beaches around Ferragudo Ferragudo is one of the most charming villages in the Algarve and home to local tour company Zip&Trip. Founded by Inês Nunes, a marine biologist, and Pedro Oliveira, a nature guide, they take small groups on walking, sightseeing, foodie and snorkelling trips around the picturesque fishing village and surrounding coast. As I know Ferragudo pretty well, I opted...
Colourful Algarve
Lagoa artist unveils mural showcasing Algarve life in vibrant shades A white wall near Lagoa’s Auchan supermarket has been transformed into a head-turning work of art by local artist and art teacher Ana Nobre, who has filled it with colourful illustrations of some of Algarve’s most iconic sceneries. From a surfer enjoying the Algarve’s waves to a couple dancing under the region’s starry sky, the mural showcases all the “wonderful...
2020 vision
Bespoke architecture, where dreams come true At the age of four, a young John Wilson came to live in Portugal with his Scottish father and Portuguese mother. He fit in immediately and adored the freedom and lifestyle here. Now, 40 years on, we meet with the local Architect and owner of Bespoke to find out a bit more about him and his practice. In a bright, open-plan office at the end of Rua do Barranco, you’ll find a young team of...
Familiar flavours at La Dolce Vita
A gourmet ice-cream brand sold exclusively in the Algarve makes use of a Portugues staple: Medronho Born in Italy, Roberto Balzer moved to the Algarve 30 years ago with the idea of creating his own brand: La Dolce Vita. He started with pizza and pasta restaurants, in 1987, and in 2014, his dream of making artisanal ice cream using his own recipes finally came to life. Located in Praia da Rocha, Portimão, the frozen treats factory can...
New faces at Lady in Red gallery
The Lagoa gallery introduces some of its new artists When you pass the Adega Cooperativa de Lagoa, you could easily not realise that there’s a fascinating art gallery housed inside the working wine co-op. The space is vast, with an industrial-urban vibe that would be more common in a big city than opposite the bus station in Lagoa. The Lady in Red (LiR) gallery hosts a fabulous range of local, national and international artists, all...
