LAGOS
LOCATION
Faro International Airport 78 kilometre - easy motorway all the way about 1:10 hours
Lisbon - 260 kilometres - motorway all the way about 4 hours
Ayamonte (Spanish border) - 131 kilometres - motorway all the way about 1:30 hours
Seville - 268 kilometres - motorway all the way about 3 hours
Santander or Bilbao ferry ports - about 1,200 Km (with motorway all the way)
PORTUGAL
The Algarve is famous for its reliable Summer weather which makes it the holiday choice of many families who love the uncrowded beaches.
In comparison to other destinations, Portugal is also safe from the threat of natural disasters and terrorism. At our end of the Algarve the streets and promenades are also free from the 'booze brigade'. Locals have seen what has happened to Albuferia, Praia da Rocha and the like and have developed their towns to maintain a more traditional attractiveness. Old fashioned family values mean a lot to the Portuguese. Children of all ages are welcomed anywhere, anytime and it remains a safe place to let them run around in freedom while parents relax. We are on British Summer Time so evenings are light and there are spectacular sunsets.
CLIMATE
Hot, dry, reliable summers April through September with temperatures ranging from the 25C (77F) to 31C (88F) and beyond. Our solar pool is normally swimmable by mid April through mid October with temperatures between 25C and 31C. Winters temperatures in November through March drop to an average daytime of 18C (65F) down to 13C (55F) on cold days. So eating al fresco at lunchtime in the sun is pleasant and a log fire essential past 5pm. We get occasional frost at night. The rainy season in October depends on the Azores high which can bounce the depressions up to UK quite nicely.
LAGOS FOR A HOLIDAY
Lagos is a perfect centre for a family holiday. Local beaches range from the cosy Praia D'ana to the 4km emptiness of Meia Praia. The town lies on the river with a wide palm lined promenade, castle, fishing harbour and marina complex.
Great effort has been made to preserve the character of this ancient town with its narrow streets and many sidewalk restaurants. Disco's and live music bars provide plenty of life but they are discreet leaving the centre to the artists and street vendors. During the summer there are plenty of events in town most of which are free. Portugal is famous for its child friendliness. Your children are welcome everywhere at any time and the streets and beaches are safe. Food and wine are cheap from the large supermarkets and the gypsy markets and fairs offer local handicrafts at bargain prices. Children's clothes and shoes are good and cheap. Stock up.
In the past year Lagos has opened its own sports stadium and is now building a public swimming pool and an indoor sports gymnasium complex. Winter visitors can swim in the heated indoor pools and sauna for very little cost.
WHAT'S ON
A visit to Cape St Vincent for the sunset after a day on Sagres beach is a must. The artists village of Monchique with its old spa village is close by; Silves and its dramatic moorish castle, cork museum and daily summer show, visit Silves Cafe des Ingles on Sunday at 3pm for live Brazilian music on the terrace for free : Odiaxere horse fair ; the empty and rugged west coast surfing beaches - all worth a visit. We now have a very active boating scene with trips to watch dolphins at close quarters; which children adore. A few kilometers east at Zoomarine there are daily sea life shows with an option to swim with the dolphins.
A trip over the mountain range into the Alentejo region gives a different picture of rural Portugal. It is well worth a trip along the new motorway East to the old Roman town of Tavira and the fishing village at St Lucia. Olhao, the regions biggest fishing resort has a fine market and great fish restaurants and the opportunity to take a ferry boat out to the quaint fishing villages on the Isles of Armona and Farol with their fine beaches. More local are beach villages at Salema and Burgau.
For more action there are boat trips, wind- surfing, tennis, horse-riding, two big 'slide and splash' centres and flying, either micro light, sight seeing or aerobatic. We can arrange a day Surf Safari. Even a day sail on a 42 foot yacht.
There are good cinemas at Algarve shopping, Modelo Portimao as well as Lagos.
During the summer there are music and cultural festivals. Most Sunday afternoons a Brazilian band plays outside the Cafe do Ingles in Silves. The gypsy market visits Lagos on the first Saturday of every month. The horse fair and morning market on the fourth Monday of every month in Odiaxiere and is good for kids . Try the chicken and chips cooked al fresco, the cost is peanuts and you won't need dinner.
The area has plenty to offer apart from just lying in the sun and doing nothing at all...
Nearest Airport: Faro 74 kms
Nearest Beach: Meia Praia 1 kms
Nearest Shops: 8 mins walk
Hire Car: Recommended