Local rider qualifies for Special Olympics
Lucélia Glória will be representing Portugal in Abu Dhabi in 2019 When Quinta do Paraíso Alto (QPA) Riding Centre and the Bensafrim non-profit association Riding for the Disabled Barlavento began hosting therapeutic riding sessions for local disabled people in 2007, little did they know that this charitable adventure would eventually take them to the Special Olympics World Games. But the credit for such an incredible accomplishment...
Retreat in style
Casa Xyza is a contemporary wellness retreat in Ferragudo Driving along the coastal road from Carvoeiro to Ferragudo, you could easily drive past the beautiful Casa Xyza, perched on the right side of the road, just before the entrance to Praia Grande beach. Architecturally, the façade is hugely sympathetic to the neighbouring properties and seaside location, and from the street view, you wouldn’t really imagine what is contained...
Cooking up a storm
Inside Carvoeiro visits some of the new restaurants in town This year has seen the biggest rush of new openings in Carvoeiro for as long as we can remember, and it’s not just restaurants – global brand Ale Hop also opened a shop in the old newsagents on Rua do Barranco, along with a couple of new wine shops. With around 100 restaurants in and around Carvoeiro, you would think that there were enough already, but it would appear that...
Art with history
Porches Pottery celebrates 50th anniversary. There is a long tradition of pottery in the Algarve. The Phoenicians, the Romans and the Moors, all of whom occupied the region at one point, were masters of the earthenware. There are ceramics shops all over southern Portugal, but the small village of Porches is considered the Algarve’s pottery centre. It’s precisely here that you can find one of the most renowned potteries in the region,...
Hikes with a view
New coastal hiking trail highlights Lagoa’s stunning cliffs and caves. A new coastal walking route named ‘Caminho dos Promontórios’ (headlands trail) will take hikers on a journey to discover the beautiful cliffs and caves of Lagoa. The trail was inaugurated earlier this summer, on the same day the local council unveiled the revamp of the borough’s iconic Torre da Lapa tower. The seven-kilometre route links Praia do Molhe, in...
Summer vibes
Your must-have guide to live music, DJ parties and festivals during July and August – July 19, 2018 | Text Mia Wallace We love to party in Portugal, and although Carvoeiro might look like a sleepy seaside resort during the day, you’ll be spoiled for choice for things to do when the sun goes down. There’s live music every night on the main square in front of the beach with the Arte Viva Duo on Mondays and DJ João Sousa on Tuesdays;...
A family affair
Inside visits the beautiful Quinta Dos Santos Originally from Cape Town, the dos Santos family spent many summer holidays in the Algarve. Three years ago, they began putting into action their plan of living in Portugal, on a farm surrounded by a vineyard, and are now the proud owners of their stunning creation – Quinta Dos Santos, in Sesmarias, Carvoeiro. The family consists of mother and father Ann and Eugene, two sons, Kyle and...
Magnificent mammals
Exciting new sightings of whales off the Algarve coast Historically, whale sightings have not been widespread in the Algarve, and you would typically have to travel to the Azores or Madeira for the opportunity to see the spectacular mammals in Portuguese waters. That is why we were so excited when we received the sightings report from local Marine Biologist, tour operators Wildwatch, in Ferragudo, stating that not only did they have a...
New chef at Bon Bon
Chef Louis Anjos takes the reins at Carvoeiro’s Michelin-starred Bon Bon restaurant The only restaurant in the Carvoeiro area with a Michelin star, awarded in 2016, Bon Bon has placed the town firmly on the gastronomic map, and owner Nuno Diogo has plans to build on the reputation with important changes taking place this year. Exit chef Rui Silvestre, who has moved on to pursue his own projects, and enter one of Portugal’s most...
Facelift for Ferragudo
Algarve’s riverside gem to get total makeover Ferragudo, known as one of the Algarve’s most beautiful and traditional riverside villages, is due to undergo a total makeover. Lagoa council has announced plans to remove all parking and most traffic from the village’s riverside, plant more trees, and transform the rundown and mostly dry canal that separates both parts of the village into a steady stream. The project is estimated to cost...
