Are you looking forward to a holiday in the Algarve? You probably have a vision of long days by the pool interspersed with trips to the beautiful, golden sand of the beaches…early evening meals in fine restaurants and finding your way around the nightlife in your resort. There is a lot more for you to experience in the Algarve than you may imagine so why not take the opportunity to get involved in some activities that are not available at home? Go on, get involved and take some pictures along the way. Create some memories!
Zoomarine, Guia – Just outside Albufeira, the Zoomarine park is a mainly water based theme park. You will see seals and sea lions, dolphins and birds of prey up close. There is also an amazing aquarium featuring terrifying creatures of the deep…including sharks! The amazing 4D cinema and a range of amusements will ensure you are never bored here. You can even get the chance to have a thirty-minute accompanied swim with the dolphins!
Faro City – is a vibrant city that has an interesting mix of old and new. The place has great history and culture with an old town criss-crossed with tiny cobbled streets. Visit the Capela dos Ossos, (Chapel of Bones) – a small chapel with walls and ceilings that are lined with the skulls of exhumed monks…truly spine-chilling! The Cathedral of Faro is a captivating building. Climb the steep stairs to the top to get a beautiful, panoramic view of the city. The Municipal Museum was adapted from a sixteenth-century convent and now houses a collection of art and artefacts that reflect the history and culture of the city. And while in Faro, please take your pick of some of the fantastic restaurants on offer.
All Terrain Vehicle Tours – There are lots of tours available taking in the wonderful unspoilt Algarve countryside. Try the Quad Ventura Tour (Albufeira)…you will be collected from your hotel and driven into the country to meet up with your quad bike. After some safety instruction you are away on your off-road adventure. Or how about the Bulldog Buddies Tour (Silves) – through hills, dips and water pools you will feel like you are on a fair ride, where you control the vehicle! Tours like these get great reviews and have the potential to be a highlight of your stay. Check out what is on offer in your resort at your hotel reception.
Boat Tours – Every resort in the Algarve has a range of boat tours on offer. You have not truly experienced the rugged beauty of the Portuguese coastline until you have seen it from the ocean. Boat trips will take you into coves that are virtually inaccessible on foot. Some include drinks and snacks or even a barbecue meal. Algar Experience (Albufeira) takes you in a comfortable catamaran with indoor bar and a comfortable mattress on deck for a luxury sunbathing trip along the coast. Their Beach Barbecue Trip is a six hour excursion that takes in hidden grottos and a secluded beach location for eating. There is time for swimming and to relax on the beach before the return. This is a really memorable trip. Alvor Boat Trips (Alvor) takes you on a solar powered boat, the first of its kind in Portugal for fishing, sea trips or an inland river cruise. The capacity is only 12 passengers so you are assured plenty of attention from your captain.
Water Parks – Slide and Splash (Lagoa) and Aqualand (Silves) are parks full of exciting water slides, wave pools and other water-based fun activities as well as reptile and bird shows. You can relax on a sun bed with parasol and let the kids enjoy the fun in the knowledge that the park is well patrolled with lifeguards. Each of these parks has on site restaurants, snack bars and bars so you don’t have to interrupt your day out. This will be the best day of the holiday for many kids. Parking is free and entrance and sun bed hire fees are reasonable. Check in your hotel reception for opening times and directions.
Parque Zoologico do Lagos – is a small, intimate zoo with a range of smaller animals such as monkeys, lemurs, birds and reptiles. The park works towards the goal of animal conservation. It is possible to get up close to some of the animals and pet them and the park advertises its feeding times for individual animals so you can plan your day to witness these. There is a snack bar and a restaurant onsite and also a picnic area for those who wish to bring their own food. In addition, there are two playgrounds, one for children up to the age of six and one for older children and plenty of free onsite parking available.
Article provided by Mike James, an independent travel writer working alongside a handful of travel companies, including the complete traveller’s guide to the beautiful region of the Portuguese Algarve – For Airport see here.
