07/31/05

Water Parks and Adventure Playgrounds Etc.

These are located in the centre of the Algarve and are all fairly close to, or on, the EN125 main road (this goes the whole length of the Algarve). There are several water parks with chutes of various sorts, pools and water rides. There is also a park with a range of animals providing shows for the visitor. These attractions provide regular 'free' coaches to and from the attraction. Visitors can also travel by car as there is extensive parking in most locations. You will be able to find details in your resort, either at reception, or, from your tour rep. Information is also available in many shops and car rental places. Do note that prices for food and drink can be very high at these parks.
 

Aquashow

On the main EN125 to Quarteira road and with the largest wave pool in Europe or so they say.
 

Atlantic Park (was called Wet and Wild) - 1996

At Almansil on the EN125 which is between Faro and Quarteira. To quote a recent young visitor in summer 1996 - "tame, timid, naff".
 

Krazyworld 

"A combination of small zoo with crazy golf that started life as a restaurant! We went after lunch, and went 'oh no' when we arrived because it didn't look like much. By the time we left - some time after the official closing time - we wished we'd had the whole day there. If we'd been in the area for two weeks, we'd have gone for the 'annual pass' (less than two single visits) and returned on another day". Krazyworld is situated some 10km NNW (as the crow flies) from Albufiera near Algoz (Map)

 

Slide and Splash - 1997

At Estombar which is between Lagoa and Portimão. It is nearer Lagoa and can be seen from miles away. Generally this is rated higher that the Big One.
 

The Big One (Aqualand) - 2002

A few kilometres to the west of Alcantarilha and some 10km west of Albufeira. This is said to be Europe's largest open air water park. To quote a young visitor in summer 1996 - "Fantastic". More recently, (1997) visitors have reported that this park is showing its age resulting in scrapes and abrasions on several of the rides due to poor repairs though the gardens are very good. Generally not rated as high as the others by people who have tried more than one. In 2002 a visitor commented "I'm not sure about the prices, but it's a really good park. Lots of rides which are extreemly fun, and the queues are generally very short too. The park itself is nicely laid out with lots of attractions which are better than the average tubes or slides you get at most. Fun for all the family, although there are some height restricitions. The wave pool is also a lot of fun. However, I do believe food prices were quite high".
 

Zoo Marine - 1999

Between Albufeira and Porches on a very bad bend. The car park is often packed solid at peak times (1996) for the shows of seals, dolphins (Photo 65k) and parrots. There is also a mini funfair on this site plus swimming pools and a picnic area (Photo 265k). Out of the main season there are less repeat shows per day but also less people. In or out of season it is worth travelling by car and arriving early before all the coaches then have a high speed walk around and plan your itinerary. All in all, good value with well thought out shows. It is however not in the same league as the major USA water shows. If you have to miss a show then in 1998 the one to miss was the Seal show - mainly Sea Lions with a brief explanation of the difference between the two animal groups. In 1999 however this is reported to have greatly improved and to be well worth watching.
 
In 2002 a visitor commented "Zoomarine is a park which specialises in shows with marine animals such as seals, sealions, dolphins etc. The shows are roughly half an hour each, and there's enough of them to last you a day. The shows are very entertaining and original, which makes it good value. There are also a few other attractions such as Ferris wheels and a section where you can see animals in their tanks. A recommended day out".

Tourist Traps

There is an extensive range of tourist traps waiting for the visitor. (Tourist trap is not meant to be derogatory but some are just... well you know, lurking!)

The best advice is to shop around and remember that there is no such thing as a free lunch. If you visit a place as part of a tour then the tour guide or driver will almost certainly be getting commission on any sales made and you are paying this. I have yet to hear of a "reps" evening that was worth going to - these seem to be a way of getting more money into the "reps" pockets

Ceramics and craft wares

Portugal and the Algarve is famous for its ceramics and pottery. These can be found in almost any souvenir shop however there are a number of places around Almansil that specialise in pottery. Do remember to consider how you are going to get it home before you purchase something.

Apart from ceramics, there is the usual range of 'tat' available however you might like to consider some of the tableware (clothes etc.) and, if cold, the knit wear.
 

Wine cellars and roadside shops

There are a number of places selling wine, however the free samples are only free if you don't buy anything (someone has to pay for the samples). Generally it is cheaper to buy wine, port and other booze from supermarkets or a specialist wine shop ("Garrafeira"). Do remember that prices may be cheaper at home.
 

Coach Tours

Most tour operators offer their clients a range of tours around the Algarve and these can be an excellent way of getting to know the Algarve without having to drive. The same tours can often be booked via the hotel reception or in local shops often at substantial savings. The following list will provide some idea as to what is often available.
 

Monchique and the 'Mountains'

A trip away from the coast and into the so called mountains. This is an excellent trip in the middle of summer just to get away from the heat. This trip, like others, often includes a midday meal with... You guessed it - sardines, salad and probably some form of grilled meat or chicken along with both red and white wine.
 

Boat Trip

These can be for half day, a full day or just an evening in length. The quality does vary a lot with some obvious rip offs. Generally one is coached to either Portimao or Vilamoura. The trip often includes a lunch and on the longer excursions time to swim in a secluded cove often near Carvoeiro. In 2003 the following from Porimao was recommended by one visitor...

 

"We spent a morning visiting the sea caves on the Santa Bernarda, an efficiently run caravel sailing to Benagil from Portimao (Columbus’s ships the Nina, Pinta and Santa Maria were caravels) which involves a mid-ocean transfer into open boats to get inside the caves".
 

Algarvian Evening

This trip, again including a meal with sardines, soup, salad and cheap wine, offers a chance to hear and see some 'traditional' Algarvian music and folk dances. One of the major venues is at Alte (in the lower Monchique mountains) where there are several large establishments taking several coach loads at a time. Donkey rides, both by cart and saddle, can be 'enjoyed' from where the coaches drop people for the restaurants. A recent visitor commented...

"I am not sure it was worth the money we spent (about 20 pounds). The portions of food were generous but it is not true, as they say in the brochure, that you can eat as much as you like, and there is not much variety either. The entertainment was OK but lasted only three hours. At midnight they took us back home".
 

Seville or Lisbon

It is possible to visit either of these cities from the Algarve. It is however a long way by coach even with the modern motorways recently introduced. Both are spectacular places but one wonders how much justice can be done to them on such a short visit. These tours start early and return late. Some of them offer a two day visit with an overnight stay in the city.
 

Historical Algarve (Gira Tours)

"Especially good value for money. I liked Caldas de Monchique and Silves very much, a bit off the beaten track".
 

"Gipsy" market in Quarteira

"Was a disappointment. It is no different from any other market in Britain or Italy and Quarteira itself is not a very interesting place".
 

Other tours

Virtually all the major towns in the Algarve can be found included in a coach tour. Ask your tour guide or receptionist for details.
 

Sports, Hobbies Etc.

The climate of the Algarve is ideal for a large number of sports with golf being the most publicised. Today it is possible to find most popular sports catered for somewhere in the Algarve - the problem is finding a good and safe centre. With most sports there is an element of risk and this is reflected in the terms and conditions of holiday insurers. Do watch out that your holiday insurance covers the activity you want to do. A number of cheap, tour company promoted or travel agent policies do not cover you for sports and activities you may like to do. The following list shows some activities that may NOT be covered by a standard policy.
 

• Para-ascending
• Horse riding - including hacking
• Flying on non scheduled flights e.g. sightseeing flights
• Water skiing
• Scuba diving (may also have a depth limit)
• Parachuting (well someone will want to do it!)
• Jet skiing
• Racing - including go-carts
• Climbing
• "Other hazardous adventure" - They won't pay up if they can get away with it!

Fishing

Angling ranges from trout fishing in the rivers and lakes (man made in most cases), mullet fishing in the estuaries, crabbing around rock pools, shore line fishing and through to big game fishing for shark, tuna etc. well out to sea. Probably the most popular and easy to book are the game fishing tours out of Vilamoura marina or from the docks at Portimao.

The locals, plus a smattering of tourists, can be found on the groynes at Quarteira, the boom at Portimao and various other rocky coastal stretches. Popular baits are clams, or strips of fresh fish. Frozen clams (Berbegâo) from the supermarket also work well. Incidentally, the main fish you are likely to catch are Black Spotted Bream (Sargo) and Garfish

As for trout and coarse fishing, rods are supposed to be available for hire at the reservoirs. Look for the term "Barragem" on maps of the area.

Angling shops are few and far between. There is a general sports shop selling scuba and angling gear on the sea side of the the big hill in Carvoeiro and another on the main road between Albufeira and The Strip cross roads. There may be others!
 

Golf

If you see any expanses of bright green grass in the Algarve then it is almost certainly a golf course. There are a large number of international and lesser standard courses in the Algarve with the more exclusive, expensive and harder to book ones around Vilamoura and Quinta do Lago. New courses are springing up all the time with some of the newest at Cabanas. It would not be possible to provide a full guide to the courses in these pages however more information can be found elsewhere on the web.

Recent visitors have recommended the 9 hole course near Carvoeiro.
 

Water Sports

Virtually all water sports are catered for in the Algarve so whether you want to zip about on top of the waves or explore below, somewhere in the Algarve there will be someone who will take your money from you and help you get wet. The sea can be very chilly though as it is the Atlantic and not the Mediterranean.

The main centres are around the main tourist areas such as Albufeira, Praia da Oura (the beach at the end of The Strip) and the main beaches. Sailing including windsurfing and, I believe, water skiing can also be found inland at the reservoirs ("Barragem"). A good tourist map will enable you to find these venues.

The more adventurous might like to try scuba or snorkelling in the generally clear waters. Snorkelling gear can be hired in a number of places but Scuba gear (from reputable outlets) can only be hired providing you are already a certified diver and can produce your certification card. Non divers can get certification training or just try the fun PADI 'Discover Scuba' course at a number of places. The author has dived with the PADI 5* school at Praia Dos Aveiros and this offers a full range of courses and has its own specially built dive catamaran.

If you enjoy surfing then the western coast of the Algarve gets the best waves with the Praia de Casteljo beach on the west coast (some four km northwest of Vila de Bispo) recommended.
 

Tennis

It is possible to learn or improve your tennis in the Algarve and this can be arranged so that one partner plays golf while the other improves their tennis. In addition many of the larger aparthotels and hotels have their own tennis courts.
 

Riding

Travelling around the Algarve one will see a large number of places offering horse riding. It is regrettable, however, that there is no national body governing these stables as the quality and safety varies so much. Basically, the cheaper they are, the lower the quality of the animals, safety and facilities. If at all possible, look around before you decide to ride. Look at the state of the animals for rubs, sores, weeping eyes etc. and the general cleanliness of the yard and beds. An even better indication, safety wise, is if they insist on hard hats and a short check out ride to assess a clients abilities in advance. There are good centres, however, be careful.

If you can already ride well then there is a lot of fun to be had including gallops and beach rides and if you want it, tuition. It is possible to ride a range of excellent horses though these are generally only available from the better centres.

Do take your own hat, boots and breeches though better places may well have them for hire. If you have the chance then try to ride a Lusitano with their different action and conformation.

Comments have been made on the following establishments...
 

• Vale Navio -1997
  (Eastern End of Albuferia, on the Branquira road). "Had good quality horses and a well planned route for a two hour hack. Seemed pretty well managed to me but I am these days only an intermediate rider (1997)".
   
• Pinetrees - 1998
  (At the southern end of the Almansil to Quinta do Lago road). Run by a BHSIT (British Horse Society Instructor (Teaching)). This used to be based in the centre of the Quinta do Lago complex but, due to commercial pressures, moved some years ago to its present location. "I ride there twice a year and still get a safe canter along the beach on well cared for horses!!!! (1998)"

Bird Watching

Although not the first activity to be thought of by many visitors, bird watching can be very productive in terms of resident Southern European, over-wintering and migratory species in the Algarve. The many estuaries provide sanctuary for a wide variety of waders whilst the varied habitats inland hide many species. The Rio Formosa National Park, that stretches from west of Faro (Quinta do Lago) towards the Spanish border (Vila Real), is said to be very popular with both birds and watchers. If you want to know more about what can be seen then try Paul's Birding Site or for an Algarve based birding centre at Moncarapacho, close to the Ria Formosa reserve, see the Casa Rosa site

Night Life

There are Bars, Restaurants, Cafes (see the entries in the directory of places) but also Casinos, and Discos both small and large. The following comments have been received...
 

• Kiss Disco - 2002
  Kiss is found by going to the bottom end of The Strip (mini roundabout at the top of Cardiac Hill) and then turning right (West). Follow the road to the left towards the Auramar Hotel at Praia Dos Aveiros. Although it is only 5 minutes walk down to the Kiss Disco, walking back uphill afterwards takes a lot longer!
  
  (July 02) "You can get free passes at the Green Bar on the strip"
  
  (April 2000) "XXXX and I being born clubbers, excitedly staggered along at roughly 3 in the morning being slightly worse for wear due to copious amounts of alcohol and lack of sleep, (had been travelling all night) once we had found the place, it is off the strip by some considerable distance, at least it seemed that way at the time, we discovered the prices seemed to be in a different currency to the rest of the Algarve only explanation we could think of to justify the entry fee. Ok perhaps not that expensive but compared to what we had come to expect it is dearer than any ware else we visited on the strip. Roughly £6.00 entrance.
  
  The price of drinks were extortionate £2.00 for a coke similar prices for alcoholic ones. The club itself has a very impressive interior, air conditioned and lots of room to dance, on two levels. The music would appeal to the masses, usual commercial tosh, danceable to if drunk enough.
  
  Kiss club seemed to be used mostly by the locals and thankfully short on tourists (why do we never class ourselves as tourists?!) although this is probably due to us visiting before summer season hit.
  
  So overall fairly good club but be prepared to pay prices as those back home".
   
• Kadoc Disco - 1997
  (Take the road from "The Strip" Cross Roads towards and past Vale Navio towards the EN125. Kadoc is on the left side about 1.5 km before the EN125). 
  
  (1997) "This is by far and away the largest disco in the Algarve, and having tried all in my three years there, definitely the best and most varied".