Life’s a Beach for Portuguese Explorers

 

By Chris Higgins

What would Magellan do? I was looking for the best home base to explore Portuguese Algarve, the European sunspot with its famous coastline. The Algarve boasts 155 kilometers of sandy beaches, cliffs and tall sea stacks beside the alluring Atlantic Ocean - lime green, warm and serene. But which charming seaside spot should I choose?

Google Earth

The ancient Portuguese explorers didn’t have Google Earth but I did. So I went cruising along a virtual Algarve coast and discovered Praia de Gale near Albufeira. A few clicks on pictures of golden beaches with unique sand formations and I instantly knew this was the spot. I barely broke a sweat. Eat your heart out Magellan.

Next decision – where to stay? I hit on a few of Google Earth’s red bed icons and Vila Joya, a boutique resort with Moorish architecture, caught my attention. Sometimes a special destination warrants distinctive accommodation. Vila Joya, with its 2 Michelin Star restaurant, award winning spa, luxury suites, and stunning sea views, called to me like a Siren.

2 Michelin Stars and 300 Sun Days

Vila Joya has put the Algarve and Portugal on the culinary map. Along with Portugal’s highest ranked restaurant, every January they host the Tribute to Claudia Festival, with top chefs from around the world. They were also named 2009 World Travel Awards’ Leading World Boutique Resort.

Overlooking Praia de Gale, Vila Joya sits on 3½ ha of lush aromatic gardens of palm trees, bougainvillea, and jasmine. A short path took us to the golden beach where we enjoyed the warm water even though it was October. The Algarve enjoys a microclimate with temperatures staying in the 20s C well into the fall, and 3000 hours of sunlight a year.

“300 sunny days a year is what brings people to the Algarve,” says Justin Ultee of Vila Joya Resort in Abufeira. “It is an excellent place to spend your winter. It is almost sunshine guaranteed. That is pretty much why we all travel to the Algarve.”

Discovering the Old World

Although we started our Portuguese exploring online, once we arrived we discovered the Algarve the old fashioned way, by exploring its historic and scenic nooks and crannies. We didn’t have to go far from Albufeira to enjoy some fish and unforgettable day trips.

Not surprisingly fishing has been a way of life for millennia in the Algarve and a visit to the Sardine Dock of Portimao, the biggest fishing port on the coast, is a must. The smell of charcoal and barbecued sardines fills the air.

Not Just Another Port

Another centuries old tradition in Europe is wine. Vila Joya has a new 12,000 bottle wine cellar with Portuguese and imported wines. While the Algarve is not traditionally a wine region, we took a trip to Adega Do Cantor (Winery of the Singer) Vineyards, which has been producing quality wine for 20 years. Three quintas (Portuguese wine growing estates) supply the grapes, includingQuinta Do Moinho owned by Cliff Richards, Britain’s perennial pop star.

Caramel Islands

A short ferry ride from Olhao, accompanied by friendly locals, dogs and chickens, took us to the peaceful sandbar island of Armona. Here we were greeted by the delightful butterscotch fragrance of mustard plants drying in the autumn heat.

We booked a house, aptly called Refugio dos Putos (Haven for Kids), for the night. There are no cars on this secluded oasis of sandy beaches and white rolling dunes. Refugio turned out to be the most stylish house on Armona with everything we could possibly need including children’s toys, iPod dock, you name it.

Armona and a collection of sandbar islands lie at the mouth of the Ria Formosa estuary. We took a motor boat tour to nearby Culatra with Steve of KT Algarve Tours. This tour company also offers kayak tours. Sleepy Culatra is the highlight, true Portuguese culture, a working fishing village. Steve was an exceptional storyteller, and touring the village we saw octopus hanging on clotheslines and were offered the sweetest tasting clams in the Algarve.

The charms of the Algarve are diverse, from rustic to lavish and from ancient to modern. You just need to take the time to become a Portuguese explorer.

 

IF YOU GO:

Vila Joya Resort
www.vilajoya.com

Refugio dos Putos
www.ownersdirect.co.uk/portugal/P7351.htm

KT Algarve Tours
www.ktalgarve.com

Adega Do Cantor Winery 
www.winesvidanova.com/vineyards.htm