The life of the song thrush – A regular winter guest to the Algarve
A Regular winter guest to the Algarve The male, which apart from the singing, can hardly be distinguished from the female, helps with feeding the young with insects, worms, caterpillars and smashed snails. The song thrush (Turdus philomelos or Tordo pinto in Portuguese) is closely related to the common black- bird, but it is a bit smaller. With its striking and beautiful, flute-like song in the spring, the song thrush is familiar to...
Endangered Feline
ON THE TRAIL OF THE IBERIAN LYNX The national breeding station of the Iberian lynx at the Herdade das Santinhas, close to Vale Fuzeiros near Silves, was set up in May 2009, as a compen- satory measure for damages to the environment during the construction of the Odelouca dam. Eighty five lynxes have been born there since then; 62 have survived. 44 cats were successfully released into the wild, most of them in Spain, but also in the...
Facelift for Ferragudo
The picture postcard village of Ferragudo is becoming increasingly popular and their forward thinking local council have unveiled some very ambitious plans that will breathe a new lease of life into the traditional village. A multi-million euro plan includes the renovation of the main northern entrance to the village, as well as the construction of a three-storey car park (with a capacity for 120 vehicles) that will also boast a...
Stronger together
Following last summer’s devastating forest fires, a group of around 40 volunteers gathered in Silves in November to plant nearly 6000 new trees as part of a reforestation initiative entitled Operação Montanha Verde, promoted and funded by Zoomarine and Silves council. The young trees were planted in Herdade do São Bom Homem and should go some way to replenishing the area. With special thanks going to the volunteers who included...
Winter Entertainment-Carvoeiro
Portimão has announced a new entertainment programme to keep the town buzzing throughout winter to May 2017. It includes three initiatives, one linking the “artistic and gastronomic aspects of fish” and the others bringing top-notch dancers and musicians to the town. The agenda is part of the wider Algarve 365 programme, designed to promote the region as a “year-round” desti- nation with over 1,000 events taking place in the Algarve...
Just Coasting
Rediscover life’s natural pleasures by exploring the heady high roads and cool coastal routes of the algarve on two wheels Portugal is perfectly placed to meet the needs of a fair-weather cyclist. The Algarve’s long, rolling roads satisfy a hunger for adventure and discovery; the terrain is an undulating rollercoaster that challenges the most experienced of cyclists, with its deep dips and steep climbs laid out in an open,...
From the life of the Flamingo
Next to the bee-eater and hoopoe, the flamingo, also referred to as the greater flamingo, is one of the exotic birds visitors to the Algarve would most like to see Until the 1980s, there were hardly any flamingos in the western part of the Algarve. Nowadays, this somewhat grotesque, but also elegant-looking large bird, can be observed at various locations. Since this species prefers brackish water or salt water, larger groups...
Southern delights in Ferragudo
O Canto in Ferragudo opened just before Easter this year and is a welcome new addition to the Ferragudo restaurant scene. A joint collaboration between Jimmy Cruz (formally the head chef at Taste, in Carvoeiro) and Tony Laginha (a local restaurateur), O Canto has put together a small and balanced menu that incorporates rustic Mediterranean flavours and specialties including delicious tapas, fresh fish and Argentinean ribeye steaks....
Local photographer exhibits in Lisbon
Well-known Aljezur photographer João Mariano, whose work often depicts the Algarve’s ancient traditions and livelihoods, is exhibiting his work in Lisbon until April 16. The exhibition, entitled O Conhecido Desconhecido (The Known Unknown), is dedicated to Lagoa’s beautiful coastline. The photographic works of João Mariano, who has also published books about Alvor’s shellfish catchers and Monchique’s...
A dream come true
The recently-renovated mezzanine extension of A Vela provides a fitting venue for a magnificent baby grand piano. The piano has long been a dream of owner Antónia Cobrinha, who is thrilled to finally be able to turn her dream into reality. A pianist will perform several times a week throughout the season, accompanied by a saxophonist on Wednesdays and a singer on Friday evenings, to elevate the dining experience. The plan is to have a...
Moving in the right direction
Algarve Removals has been successfully relocating its clients’ belongings and online shopping orders with its weekly service between the UK and the Algarve for 15 years. Increase in demand has seen some major expansion developments. In addition to the present Alcantarilha warehouse, where you can arrange pick-ups and long-term storage, two convenient new collection points have opened in Almancil and Tavira, to serve the Eastern...
New outside catering service
Galo d’Ouro branches out. Near the beginning of the “in road” of Carvoeiro, Ricardo Teodoro has run his very popular take away food shop for 15 years. Specialising in succulent chargrilled chicken along with a large selection of meat, fish, vegetarian and side dishes, Galo d’Ouro also offer a delivery service for larger orders and can deliver wine or other beverages with your take away. Having worked in catering for too many...
Eco Triumph
When Vasco and Filipa Chaveca started their electric Tuk Tuk business in 2013, the future was uncertain, given the negative response they felt in Portimão. They made the wise move of crossing the bridge and adapting their original plan to incorporate unique private tours, while forging great partnerships with local vineyards and businesses. We are proud to have supported them from the outset and to share the wonderful news that they...
Best in the world
Who would have thought that this small coastal area in Portugal could attract so many prestigious awards? Rei das Praias, on Caneros beach, has made it onto the Condé Nast Traveller Gold List 2016: Best restaurants in the world. One of only 18 restaurants around the globe to make it onto the list, comments about Rei das Praias included: “Come once and it will start a habit of a lifetime”. Located on the coastal road between Carvoeiro...
A star is born
First Michelin Star for Carvoeiro. In late November, restaurateur Nuno Diogo and chef Rui Silvestre received the news that they had been dreaming of for most of their professional lives: restaurant Bon Bon, in Sesmarias, was awarded a Michelin star. The news broke just as Bon Bon was closing for its winter break, which was probably just as well, as Nuno had some major renovations planned and what better way to open in 2016 than with a...
HQ – Celebrating new beginnings
Time has flown for HQ Furnishings in Lagoa (in front of Fatacil) as they are now celebrating their 2 year anniversary. The showroom opened without fanfare and has proved to be a welcome new start for Paul and Cindy Goodchild, who lost their original business due to a flood in 2011. The couple have created a virtual treasure trove of decor, furniture and fabric samples for all soft furnishings. With a great selection of smaller items...
Peddle power
Bringing us closer together. The joint collaboration between Lagoa town council and a Portuguese “start-up”, backed by a Canadian multinational, promises to bring 21 electric bicycles and a network of charging points to the borough by the end of November 2015. The brainchild of businessman Luís Cortes, it involves a global investment of €137,000 – 40% of which has been financed by the council. The plan focuses on the areas...
Carvoeiro Clube Expansion
On November 12th 2015, Quinta do Paraiso resort, was sold to Erik de Vlieger and Andreas Stocker, the owners of the Carvoeiro Clube Group. Caroveiro Clube will add Quinta do Paraiso to their already impressive portfolio of Carvoeiro Clube, Monte Carvoeiro, Algarve Clube Atlantico, Presa de Moura, Monte Dourado resorts and the real estate company Quinta da Palmeira. With almost 200 employees and over 300 managed properties in 6...
Happy Birthday Charly’s
Charly’s Gin & Cocktail bar sits in the privileged position overlooking the main square and beach in Carvoeiro and is home to some of the best sunsets around! Run by Kenny and Sophia from Belgium, the couple took over the bar 2 years ago and have never looked back. Kenny is a keen DJ and Mixologist so he’s perfectly at home behind the bar, creating amazing cocktails, using premium spirits and playing his vast selection of...
Coworking heaven
If your office is where the wifi is, then this could be the perfect winter escape for you! Work in Paradise Carvoeiro based company CoWorkAlgarve has secured One2Seven for the 1st co-working / co-living project in the Algarve that will take place throughout February 2016. One2Seven in Ferragudo is a luxurious venue with private bedrooms and bathrooms built around impressive onsite facilities. There’s a heated infinity...
