The view over the Algarve is still as green as a month ago; it is really lovely as there has been a fair amount of rain, most of it during the night, fortunately. This month we introduce another fabulous view but one that you can take advantage of all the year round. This is The View at Salema Beach, recently completed by Vigia, the owners of Parque da Floresta and built to their very high standards. This 4* resort has, as its name suggests, fantastic views over Salema and the sea. All the houses are of the highest quality and are very well equipped; there is a beautiful pool and a restaurant with indoor and outdoor eating areas - to see more of this mouth watering resort go to The View.
Also, this month, we introduce another lovely apartment on the Marina in Lagos. Called Marina View, this two bedroom, fully air conditioned apartment is only a 10 minute walk into town and is now fully available for that holiday you are thinking of - see more of Marina View.
There are some very special offers for May and June at another great 4* resort, The Pestana Palm Gardens near Carvoeiro, well worth looking at for that short break or full family holiday.
Stop Press!
Special Offers at the Marina Club in Lagos just in!
Algarve Retreat's prices for the wonderful Marina Club are already the best in town; these special offers make it even better!
All prices for studios and one bedroom apartments are substantially reduced as breakfast is now optional. Take a holiday in May and get free use of the Marina Club Spa:
Book by 31st May to get a 5% early booking discount for June, July and August.
Book by 30th June to get a 5% early booking discount for September and October.
Finally, make a point of looking out for next month's Algarve Retreats newsletter, we have some very exciting news about a new website!
Take a look at www.algarve-retreats.co.uk for our full range of villas, apartments and 4/5* hotels in the Algarve.
We're in the 16th Century now and David touches on the Inquisition, introduced in the reign of Dom Joao III, recounts Dom Sebastiao's ill founded military expedition into Morocco and the dilemma of who would succeed Dom Henrique, who was unmarried and without an heir…………. but does Phillip II of Spain come into the picture or not? It's all there in the next installment of our Brief History of Portugal series.
Opened in 2007, this is a modern Portuguese restaurante & bar with a pleasant atmosphere, sitting on the corner of the main street and the left hand road down to the beach in Burgau. It is a relatively small place so it is probably best to book if you want to be sure of a table at Esquina.
This month we have another 20 minute recipe from Chef Peter. This time, his recipe is for a Tomato Salsa, served here with grilled mackerel but equally good with other grilled fish such as tuna or sardines. Try Cavalas com Salsa de Tomates the Portuguese way.
Julie has organised four great walks starting, on May 7th, with a superb outing through countryside, cliff tops and the beach, deep in the Cape St. Vincent Natural Park. May 10th and 12th see a walk in the heart of the barrocal from Boa Hora and on May 21st, the route will take you through valleys in the Monchique Hills. The final walk this month is the easy favourite through the Alvor Estuary to see the birds, salt pans and tidal flats. The May walks programme covers everything you need to know.
Loads of bands now confirmed for the 2008 Rock in Rio Lisboa, including Lenny Kravitz & Amy Winehouse (May 30), Bon Jovi (May 31st), Rod Stewart & Joss Stone (June 1) Metallica (June 5) & Kaiser Chiefs (June 6). Festival runs 30/31st May, 1, 5 & 6 June. Day ticket costs €53. Visit www.rockinrio.festivaispt.org
Algarve Concerts: July 5th: Herbie Hancock in Loule; July 12th: Manhattan Transfer in Portimao; August 1st: Simply Red at Albufeira Herdade dos Salgados - booking info to follow
6th FIESA International Sand Sculpture Festival opens near Pera on May 22nd - theme this year is Hollywood films. Open 10:00 - 24:00 hours everyday until 22 October.
