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...
The black cat of Silves
A secret adults-only culinary escape in the countryside Take two passionate young Italians, a love of rural living, a taste for all things delicious, a valley of orange groves and cats, and you’ve got Gato Preto de Silves. Just a little inland from the stunning old Moorish capital of the Algarve, Silves, lays a secluded, luxurious and adults-only B&B with guest cabins occupying a tranquil spot in the heart of the countryside....
A feast for the eyes
Inside Carvoeiro took a tour around the area to find out what’s new on the dining scene We are blessed with an abundance of excellent eateries in this small part of the Algarve — with more than 100 just in Carvoeiro, we are already spoiled for choice. Inside ventured around over the winter to find some exciting new restaurants that are bound to become local favourites in no time. Here, you’ll find a brief overview from Carvoeiro...
Karma Skincare
It’s what’s on inside that counts At the age of 40 and still battling with her skin, Lesley decided to leave her life in finance and retrain in the beauty industry, where she began studying therapies and ingredients. She was shocked, as most of us are when we start to think about what we are actually being sold in the pretty packaged bottles. The inclusion of, more often than not, bovine, fish or porcine sources, preservatives and...
The One
Fine dining at Tivoli Carvoeiro With one foot firmly set in Portugal, The One Gourmet Restaurant of the Tivoli Carvoeiro Hotel & Resort enjoys a spectacular view out over the glistening Atlantic. Here, the chef and his team celebrate the abundantly available fruits of the nearby sea and countryside to the north. Dining at The One is a journey through Portugal, with recipes full of considerable ethnic influences. Executive chef...
Artistic licence
Long-time local resident and highly skilled craftsman David Pearce opens a portrait studio in Ferragudo Staying with the theme of the 50th edition of Inside Carvoeiro magazine, we stopped by Ferragudo to see our old friend David. Having presented his stunning handcrafted wooden boats in a previous edition, we were pleased to hear that he was doing something a little less physical now that he’s in his 70s. David now dedicates his time...
Retreat in Alamos
The new adults-only B&B is perfect to recharge and enjoy some precious relaxation time When we heard that one of our favourite hotel managers was setting up a boutique retreat, we were very excited to see what Lourenço Ribeiro and his lovely wife Luisa had created. Positioned in between the Atlantic Ocean and Guia, Lourenço and Luisa have taken their extensive travel knowledge and experience and made great use of it. What they...
Family tradition
Herdade Barranco do Vale is reviving an old family tradition Dear Grandfather, the farm is still beautiful. The cork oaks you have planted are strong and healthy, the olive trees large and firm and the “medronhos” are simply divine. The old vineyard was carefully cultivated, and the planted area expanded. The grapes from which this wine was made have been carefully handled and selected, and the production carried out to the highest...
Natural wonders
The unexpected beauty of the Algarve’s hidden wildlife. They are not the most commonly spotted animals in the wild, but if you’re patient enough and enjoy birdwatching/photographing from a hide, you may be surprised by some truly amazing wildlife sightings. From red fox cubs exploring the Monchique hills to a black pig roaming freely around the countryside in Sagres, or even rarely seen rabbits hopping around just before sunrise in...
