This is Easter Monday and we are fortunate to be in the Algarve on holiday and not in the snow at home; the sun has been shining all day with temperatures in the T shirt and shorts range. This is the start of an absolutely wonderful time here; it is not too hot and the whole of the Algarve is as green as the UK will be in a couple of month's time but with an abundance of wild flowers in the fields and roadsides. This is not written to make you envious but, instead, to encourage you all to take a break in Portugal in the next two months! Take a look at a fabulous new 6 bedroom villa in Praia da Luz, Casa dos Passarinhos and, talking of quality, Quinta da Encosta Velha is right at the top of the tree with 2 and 3 bedroom village houses and villas available on the beautiful Parque da Floresta Leisure Resort. We have some wonderful special offers this month, including Parque da Floresta , Vilabranca, Casa Chrisanda, Casa Roda and Estrela da Luz . Have a good holiday!
Take a look at www.algarve-retreats.co.uk for our full range of villas, apartments and 4/5* hotels in the Algarve.
We have our 2nd online service to tell you about this month. You can now search for, book and pay for all your flights online with Flightline by clicking on the Flight Information banner on our Home page. Flightline supplies competitive flights, including no frills, charter and scheduled to Faro, Lisbon & many other places. There's still more to come so keep watching this space!
Ever wondered why Portugal ended up with a colony in India? Well, it's now 1500 and Dom Manuel I is on the throne. Another famous name from history, Vasco da Gama, comes into the picture and really does discover the prized route to the Indies. Read all about this exciting time in Portugal's colourful history in the next part of David's series. Have you emailed an answer to the man in the map quiz yet?
It's colourful and healthy, it's got 5 ingredients and only takes 20 minutes to prepare and make! Serve Chef Peter's Sweet Pepper Symphony as a wonderful accompaniment to grilled or barbequed fish and chicken.
No, it's all right; you don't have to dress up and swashbuckle! Explore the coastal caves around Lagos or Benagil on the Santa Bernarda Pirate Ship. Sailing 6 days a week from Portimao, choose from 3 half-day cruises or a full day BBQ cruise with lunch on a beach accessible only from the sea. Whatever you do, your trip on the Santa Bernarda Pirate Ship will be an adventure.
The let's walk with our dogs event on 16th March was a great success with some 40 to 50 people and 30 dogs turning up to support the Bamboo animal sanctuary in Raposeira. This month, there are walks up to Picota which is the second highest point in the Algarve, from Pereira through countryside, an absolutely fabulous cliff top walk near Carrapateira and Bordeira on the west coast and two opportunities to walk through countryside and eucalyptus woods near Alcalar. The April walks programme tells you everything you need to know.
Book now if you are planning a visit to Zoomarine to do the Dolphin interaction in July or August. Some days in the high season are already fully booked.
Don't forget that Vila Baia, with 1, 2 & 3 bedroom apartments only 200 metres from the sea, has opened in Praia da Luz.
Algarve concerts this summer include Manhatton Transfer, Lou Reed and Simply Red. More information next month.
Bands confirmed for the 2008 Rock in Rio Lisboa include Lenny Kravitz, Amy Winehouse, Bon Jovi, Rod Stewart & The Kaiser Chiefs. Festival runs 30/31st May, 1, 5&6 June. Visit www.rockinrio.festivaispt.org
