Fine Wines & Food Fair returns
The event on every foodie’s calendar is back at Vila Vita Parc Held every two years, the Fine Wines & Food Fair, currently the biggest gastronomic event in the Algarve, will return to Vila Vita Parc, in Porches, from May 5 to 13 for the fourth time. Living up to its name, the fair pairs the finest culinary creations from renowned national and international chefs with the best wines and producers, all under the same roof. For...
Escaping the Laboratory
Escape One bring us the first of their mystery rooms Some people will not have heard of an escape room and must think that it’s some strange kind of pastime, but in fact, it’s actually a great way to spend an hour as a group of friends or family. It’s essentially a team game, and, ideally, you should bring different types of people with you — someone with strong problem-solving skills, someone who is good with mathematical equations,...
Award-winning hikes
Lagoa’s Seven Hanging Valleys Trail is best hike in Europe Lagoa’s Seven Hanging Valleys Trail (Sete Vales Suspensos) has been named the Best Hiking Destination in Europe by online portal European Best Destinations. The ranking, based on votes from over 28,000 travellers from 153 countries, is led by Lagoa’s stunning coastal trail, which is described as “breathtaking, unforgettable and one of the most beautiful hikes in Europe”. The...
Portimão is the 2019 European City of Sport
Sports fans can enjoy a vast array of events this year Windsurfing World Championships©Rafal Czepulkowski Our neighbouring city Portimão has found its place on the map and will be hosting hundreds of sporting events to honour their European City of Sport status. Earlier this year, the opening event attracted over 4,000 people along with several of Portugal’s most iconic athletes, including former Olympic champion Rosa Mota, who is...
More fun in the sun
Zoomarine has new attractions and improved facilities Way back in 1991, Portuguese-Argentinean businessman, Pedro Lavia, opened the doors to his dream park, Zoomarine Algarve. Anyone who went when it opened probably wouldn’t recognise it now as it keeps evolving and growing into its 26-hectare plot, making it the biggest theme park of its kind in Portugal. The team was the first to introduce dolphins to the country and, in 2002,...
Urban regeneration
The future looks bright for Atrium Lagoa As we all know, the Algarve is a trendy destination for foreign visitors and investors, and thankfully, Dutch entrepreneur Erik de Vlieger fell in love with the region of Lagoa many years ago. Better known for his partnership with Carvoeiro Clube, where alongside his Swiss friend and business partner, Andreas Stocker, they have been rejuvenating many older properties along the coast and even...
Five stars for Monte Santo
Europe’s Most Romantic Resort of 2018 has a fresh new look When Monte Santo Resort opened its doors in August 2008, there was a lot of curiosity about the all-suite development behind the gates. Sprawling over a vast eight hectares of manicured and now mature gardens, the salmon-coloured collection of 113 suites and luxury townhouses have set themselves into the landscape and look as if they’ve always been there. In early 2018, the...
Local rider qualifies for Special Olympics
Lucélia Glória will be representing Portugal in Abu Dhabi in 2019 When Quinta do Paraíso Alto (QPA) Riding Centre and the Bensafrim non-profit association Riding for the Disabled Barlavento began hosting therapeutic riding sessions for local disabled people in 2007, little did they know that this charitable adventure would eventually take them to the Special Olympics World Games. But the credit for such an incredible accomplishment...
Retreat in style
Casa Xyza is a contemporary wellness retreat in Ferragudo Driving along the coastal road from Carvoeiro to Ferragudo, you could easily drive past the beautiful Casa Xyza, perched on the right side of the road, just before the entrance to Praia Grande beach. Architecturally, the façade is hugely sympathetic to the neighbouring properties and seaside location, and from the street view, you wouldn’t really imagine what is contained...
Cooking up a storm
Inside Carvoeiro visits some of the new restaurants in town This year has seen the biggest rush of new openings in Carvoeiro for as long as we can remember, and it’s not just restaurants – global brand Ale Hop also opened a shop in the old newsagents on Rua do Barranco, along with a couple of new wine shops. With around 100 restaurants in and around Carvoeiro, you would think that there were enough already, but it would appear that...
