Our new website www.algarvevillasdirect2you.co.uk, which you can click through to from the home page of www.algarve-retreats.co.uk, has got off to a great start since its launch last month. For clients, the choice of over 700 villas and apartments at owner's prices is proving a real advantage; particularly useful is the ability to use a credit card to book a holiday with a private owner. For owners, without having to pay a joining fee, it means that they are able to put their property in front of so many more people, without penalty.
Further down this page, we have written about things to do while on holiday, including the very popular dolphin interaction at the fascinating Zoomarine Park. We have become very aware over the last few days that the Dolphin Interaction is getting heavily booked up in August and, if you wait until you reach the Algarve for your holiday before trying to get in, you might be very disappointed. Providing we have enough notice (four days minimum), Algarve Retreats will be able to check availability, book the interaction and get the tickets to you before you leave the UK, email us now on enquiries@algarve-retreats.com
And…..a special offer of 15% discount for the entire 2009 season on Villa Atlantida, a 5 bedroom villa in Albufeira old town. This offer is only for Algarve Retreats clients using www.algarvevillasdirect2you.co.uk - find property ref 53501 and enter discount code ukretreaters when booking.
We've reached the 1600s and Portugal is still under Spanish control as both Dom Felipe III & IV rule the country through a Viceroy but things are about to change. A revolt in the Alentejo preceded the main action in 1640 when, as a result of receiving orders from their Spanish Masters to go and stamp out a rebellion in Catalan, the Portuguese decided that enough was enough! Read about the overthrow of the Spanish and the return of Portuguese rule in David's latest installment. The photo is of the guy whose face, in profile, resembles the outline of the map of Portugal - who is it? The answer comes next month!
There was a bit of an obstacle course to overcome to get to Meu Limao when Jackie and Tony ate there in May, as there were road works right outside. While the works were there, eating outside was not really an option but keep your eye on Meu Limao over the summer - the road works can't last for ever! Pay it a visit if you can, as the food is excellent.
Algarve Concerts: August 1: Simply Red at Albufeira Herdade dos Salgados; August 11: The Waterboys (The whole of the Moon) at Campo de Rugby Vilamoura. Full details on www.allgarve.pt (in English) and tickets from www.ticketline.pt, Fnac & Worten shops, (00351) 707234234
1-31 August: Rock Opera Jesus Christ Superstar at Portimao Arena, nightly at 10pm, tickets €15 - €30, ticket info (00351) 282411320 or email jcs.portimao@gmail.com
8-17 August: live music at the Sardine Festival on Portimao Riverside, nightly 6 - 10.30pm, tickets €3.50
14/15 August: Super Bock Surf Fest at Praia do Tonel, Sagres
6th FIESA Hollywood films themed International Sand Sculpture Festival at Pera on Pera - Algoz road is open 10:00 - midnight everyday until 22 October www.fiesa.org
Let's walk in the Algarve re-starts in mid September
14 September: Madonna at Parque da Bela Vista in Lisbon www.ticketline.pt
