Portugal is a complete country to visit. Rich in history and culture, natural wonders, beautiful cities, a mild climate with many hours of sunshine, blue skies most of the year, beautiful beaches and the best cuisine in the world, with a great emphasis on fish.
The Algarve is a summer mecca. Even before Easter, the beach season begins, which lasts until October, but even in winter it is the perfect place to recharge our batteries, breathe fresh air, take a walk along the waterfront or even cycle along the trails and bike paths. And even go swimming!
Albufeira is the most central city in the Algarve region. About three hours from Lisbon, with many beaches, excellent restaurants, luxury hotels and a very lively nightlife. Of course, I highlight Falesia Beach. It is about 6 kilometers long, between Barranco das Bilharrucas, where, at low tide, we can reach Olhos de Agua, the famous land of fishermen, to the borders of the municipality of Albufeira, where the Ribeira de Quarteira separates us from the municipality of Lule, to the very elegant Vilamoura. The river is about 30 kilometers long and originates north of the small village of Paderni located within the Algarve region.
Mario Menezes
Falesia Beach is famous for its high cliffs and cliffs of yellow, red and even white colors, which contrast with the greenery of stone pine plantations. Walking inside, you can also see fig and carob trees, and of course orange trees. The sweetest orange in Portugal is produced there. There are also burdock trees that produce madronho, from which a distilled drink is made that should not be abused! And the almond trees are blooming!
This is my sanctuary, my sanctuary. About two kilometers from one of the entrances to Falesia Beach, which has been called Falesia Acotias, lies Aldeia das Acotias, one of the first tourist villages in the Algarve. The company that ran it went bankrupt in the late 1990s and is currently a private joint venture, where many “ALs” multiply. Its distinctive mosque is still intact. It was once a vacationing village for the rich, including politicians and athletes, and today it is an affordable tourist resort.
Mario Menezes
When I leave the house, I take the opportunity to walk to Quinta do Miel, passing by the place where the “Cross das Amendoeiras”, an annual sporting event, is held, and thence to Alfamar Beach, almost in the middle of the sea. The beach is next to the Alfamar Hotel, an old and famous hotel with direct access to the beach, which is currently closed. From here, heading to the left side of the beach, we come to the famous Praia dos Tomates. Turning to the right, there are two luxury hotels with direct access to the beach with its boardwalks, one with access to its own lift platform and views of the sea and the beach’s perimeter.
It is possible to travel by bike over several flat tracks to Vilamoura. The return trip can be made through the bicycle paths that surround the Strada de Vilamoura, passing one of the most famous wooden bridges in the world of cycling tourists!
At night, Bracita do Pinhal is a meeting point. Many restaurants, cafes and bars, where you can taste the best Pizza From the region and buy beautiful and mystical Souvenirs Coming straight from Bali.
To cook at home, on charcoal, of course, the best fish is right in the local market in Olhos de Agua. Ze da Luz is a man who understands the sea like no other, and in his stall we find sardines, mackerel, sea bream and sea bass, among other fish caught a few hours earlier. Better to go early in the morning. There are also fruit and vegetable stalls, a bakery, the aroma of regional bread can be felt several meters away, a slaughterhouse for delicious meats, where black pork stands out, and even a coffee shop, nothing is missing to start shopping in the best way of the day!
Mario Menezes
My cats are also a fan of the Algarve, although car trips in the box cause them a lot of discomfort. I don’t know if they can reason in terms of cost/benefit, but one thing is for sure, when you come back, you have to be discreet, because the Siamese senses that something is going to happen and disappears, and comes back in the wee hours of the morning. From the morning!
Long live our Algarve!
Mario Menezes (text and pictures)
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