Summer fair

Lagoa’s popular fair for 35 years running is an excellent value for money with regional handicrafts, gastronomy and delicious displays of smoked hams, cheeses and dried fruits, and some good wines and local liqueurs and plenty of restaurants with specialties from all over Portugal as well as live music that makes it a wonderful event until the 24^th of August.

Celebrating excellence

Portugal was honoured with 16 top awards by the prestigious 2014 World Travel Awards Europe at the “Oscars” of world tourism industry ceremony held in Athens, Greece. Established in 1993, the World Travel Awards honours and rewards excellence across all sectors of the tourism industry offering one of the most prestigious and comprehensive awards program in travel and tourism, recognized worldwide as the hallmark of industry excellence. The winners are determined by an online vote cast by hundreds of travel professionals and consumers around the world.

The fruits of the sea

Traditionally the cataplana was made out of beaten copper in the shape of a clam shell, this made it easy for hunters and fishermen to fill it up with the essentials like garlic, onions, olive oil, and the vegetables of the season to take with them in order to cook their fresh game and catch right there over a fire, be it just off a boat or out in the forest. The cataplana would act much like a pressure cooker in that it would steam the fresh food inside, locking in the flavors and juices while cooking. This made the process fairly quick without too much extra effort other than throwing everything into the pan and letting it simmer away.

Nowadays, you can find the cataplana in many restaurants in the Algarve as well as outside it. Served to the table inside the uniquely Portuguese pan, the dish usually includes clams, fish, mussels and shrimp but even that varies depending on the region. With its seafood concentrated robust sauce, it’s wonderful served with al-dente rice or boiled potatoes, and crusty bread.

Rochelle Ramos in catavino.net

It's barbecue time!

Sardines are at their best in summer, grilled outside and eaten in the sunshine. Brush them with olive oil and grill for 4-5 minutes each side until the skin is scorched and bubbling and add a colourful salad. The most delicious and traditional barbecued fish you could wish for when in Portugal.

A menu experience

Vila Joya’s renowned restaurant has once again been voted into the ‘World’s 50 Best’ list - but this time it has climbed 15 positions to come in 22nd place.

It’s an accolade that speaks volumes for the skill of chef Dieter Koschina and thus puts Portugal firmly on the five-star gastronomic map.

Elsewhere, in the World Travel Awards, the Vila Joya resort has won a place for the 8th year running as a World’s Leading Boutique Resort.

As the Vila Joya publicity machine proclaims, both awards “encourage a visit to this country of tourists with the highest level of spending power. Vila Joya is proud to contribute to the modernisation of national gastronomy and to the elevation of the name of Portugal”.

in Portugal Resident

A coup like no other

On April 25, 1974, a revolt by idealistic young army officers quickly turned into a popular uprising when the troops were joined by jubilant crowds in bell-bottomed jeans and striped sweater vests. They took less than 24 hours to bring down Europe's longest-lived dictatorship and signal the end of the last colonial empire in Africa.

Nicknamed the Carnation Revolution after flower venders handed out seasonal blooms to the soldiers, the almost bloodless uprising remains a source of immense pride in this country of 10 million.

The country is marking the anniversary with rock concerts, TV series, special edition magazines, book launches and an endless series of tributes to the now grey-haired "Captains of April" who spearheaded the coup.

in globalpost http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/europe/140424/portugal-april-25-anniversary-worlds-coolest-coup

Have a wonderful Easter everyone!

Winter walks

The story of the princess and the King is well known in the Algarve. The King's beautiful Nordic Princess was crying away the long winter nights as there was no snow on the ground to give joy to her heart. The King ordered thousands of Almond trees to be planted across the realm and soon the gorgeous white blossoms fell gently to the ground, coating the earth like snow. The Princess was happy and the magic returned to the kingdom.

Today, hundreds of years later the almond trees remain to remind us of this lovely tale. And the beauty products produced from the tender almond are much sought after: aromatic soaps and oils, luscious almond creams, and almond milk. The almond itself is a special treat enjoyed best with a good glass of port.

In free maps

Fruit section

The Algarve is well-known for its delicious, juicy oranges – the EN125 being lined with dozens of roadside vendors. But next week in Portimão, and all under one roof, the citrus fruit becomes king for the ‘Festa da Laranja’ being held at the local market for the seventh year running.

Taking place between February 11 and 15, customers will be able to purchase the fruit at low prices, as well as participate in cooking demonstrations and tastings.

in The Algarve Resident

Merry Christmas

Leading golf destination

The Algarve was voted Europe’s Best Golf Destination for 2014, beating off challenges from several illustrious destinations across Europe.

The awards, staged in Tarragona, Spain are voted for by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO) from 62 different countries. They considered criteria such as customer satisfaction; quality of golf courses and accommodation; value for money; support from suppliers, tourist boards & airlines; professional conduct of suppliers; and accessibility to tee times, when casting their votes.

The IAGTO awards are the highest accolade for golfing destinations. The Algarve beat off the challenges of other nominees which included Dublin and Central Ireland, Gran Canary, the Scottish Highlands, the French Riviera, and Lisbon’s own Golf Coast.

Mediterranean diet

The Mediterranean Diet was nominated, World’s Intangible Cultural Heritage by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

The recommendation was submitted by Portugal, Cyprus, Croatia, Spain, Greece, Italy, and Morocco. The nomination took place at the 8th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, being held in Baku, Azerbaijan, this December.

According to a prepared statement by UNESCO, “The Mediterranean diet is a set of traditional practices, knowledge and skills passed on from generation to generation and providing a sense of belonging and continuity to the concerned communities.”

The Mediterranean Diet emphasizes primarily plant-based foods like fruits, vegetables, and nuts, healthy fats, such as olive oil, eating fish and poultry and limiting red meat, reducing additional salt intake and drinking red wine in moderation.

Benefits include the decrease in the risk of heart disease, increases life span, reduces internal inflammation, slows cognitive loss that leads to Alzheimer’s disease and a may prevent and help cure Type II Diabetes. 

Autumn highlights

As I make my way across the fields I can only be thankful for the late autumn that has been such a blissful time. After another busy season, it’s a pleasure to slow down and explore for the sake of witnessing the beauty of the deep tones of nature, before it slides into winter. The gold, red, and orange hues are even more beautiful when they contrast against the blue sky, throughout rows of twisted vines, and old thick posts, as well as the luscious wild grapes that the bright sun seems to illuminate. 

The greatest get-together

Loulé white night is an evening of family entertainment where the centre of town turns into a stage for a wide range of performances including live music, parades, street artists, jugglers, fire eaters, human statues, clowns, magicians and a host of entertainers.  Shops are open until late and the windows are decorated in white while the streets become a giant chillout lounge with seating spread around. This is indeed a special evening enjoyed by all generations, residents and visitors that marks the end of the summer season for tourists and where as a tradition the dress code is simply white!

Europe’s best beach destination

The Algarve has won five prestigious awards in what is now known as the ‘Oscars’ of tourism, the World travel Awards, after being nominated in fourteen different categories.

The rest of the country also made a good impression, with Lisbon taking the title of Europe’s Leading City Break Destination and Madeira taking the title of Europe’s Leading Island Destination.

The complete list of winners can be seen at: www.worldtravelwards.com

Joining the festivities

Silves returned to the past, recreating the history, culture and traditions of the centuries gone by, during the Medieval fair, which took place between the 2nd and the 11^th of August in the historical town centre. Both resident and tourists were able to step back into the sights, sounds and flavours continuing the tremendous success of previous years.

Bloom season

While looking ahead to the magic of summer, a morning walk in the fields with Rico and my little friend Lily, reminds me of how we all need to recharge our lives, every so often, and how simple pleasures can turn an ordinary routine into something extraordinary. For some of you spring does not arrive as early, but I do hope that so far everyone has enjoyed the days getting longer. All these vibrant colours certainly make me wish for time to halt so that all the flowers would remain bloomed all year around… It’s so pleasant to be able to set up the outdoor table and chairs by the garden and grill spicy piri-piri chicken served with a salad of local produce, and wine from Portugal’s best vineyards, while the sun comes down through the bougainvilleas. It’s amazing how year after year so many people return. Have you yet? I am where I want to be and hope you’ll find the inspiration for your next holiday right here in the Algarve!

When fun begins

With a tradition that is over 100 years old, Carnival at Loulé is an event not to be missed in the Algarve that will welcome once again the traditional parade of allegoric floats, street entertainers, samba schools and giant puppets with hundreds of people taking part to bring colour and excitement and sharing a general feeling of joy.

Out and about

This time of the year is truly magical. Impressive almond trees along the paths or overlooking the sea certainly highlight the scenery around. Totally immersed in nature I particularly enjoy watching the winter white and pink blooms giving way to tiny tender green leaves letting me know that spring is not too far away. If you are not a fan of short days, and bone chilling weather is not for you, get in touch for our special off season offers and join us for the intensity of the moment. You’ll be over thrilled!