Travel News Sept/Oct 2022
PICTURE PERFECT PORTGAL 71 ALL ALONG THE ALGARVE
BY ERIN ENGLISH
erin@nitravelnews.com
WITH an ability to cater to most travellers’
desires,
jumpers and scarves we had been advised to bring, we fancied we could see shooting stars – or was it a space station? – as our eyes grew accustomed to the black velvet night. Yes, this was very far from the island’s famed beaches, in more ways than one. The ‘more’ of Tenerife, away from the surfing, whale watching and seafront pizzerias – as enjoyable and popular as they are – also includes Europe’s longest lava cave. Cueva del Viento-Sobrado (the Cave of the Wind), in the island’s northwest, is the largest of its kind in Europe. Here, you can visit and walk through the caves and tunnels where lava once flowed. And you may have heard of the Siam Park
the cloud to be welcomed with a flash of blue, rain-free, sky. Sunset tours are a feature of many visits to
what is still an active volcano, even though Mount Teide – Spain’s highest peak - hasn’t erupted since 1909. The landscape is volcanic, with giant craters and rivers of petrified lava, and other-worldly too, adding to be feeling that you could be on another planet. Following a post-sunset dinner in the restaurant of the Parador de las Cañadas del Teide - a mountain lodge-style hotel located within the park - and, approaching midnight (the Spanish famously like to eat late) we followed our star-spotting host from Starlight Guides, outside. He pointed out planets and galaxies as he
told us that at Teide, it’s possible to see 83 of the 88 constellations. Up here, the air is cold and pure, and as we wrapped up tighter in the
in Costa Adeje – named the best water park in the world by Tripadvisor - but did you know about Teno Rural Park (Parque Rural de Teno) in the northeast? It boasts dozens of hiking and walking trails, twisty roads with sharp bends, and traditional hamlets with cobbled streets. With adventure tourism activities in abundance in Tenerife, it may seem odd for me to recommend a long, lazy, indoor lunch. But one of my favourite afternoons was spent at El Calderito de la Abuela, a restaurant situated on the north coast, overlooking the Orotava Valley and the sea. The name translates as ‘Grandma’s Cauldron’ and over several courses, and a bottle or two of wine, my dining companions and I made the most of the ‘Slow Food movement’ ethos here. We swooned over the fresh local ingredients, some of which came from the restaurant’s own organic garden, and dived into starters such as Iberian hams, cured cheeses and garden salads. A selection of main courses offered up goat casseroles, rabbit stews, braised black pork cheeks and seafood, with side bowls groaning with papas arrugadas – traditional salty, wrinkly potatoes in the Canarian style. As much as I love Tenerife beaches, on
this trip my eyes were opened to just how much more there was to an island I thought I knew well. But that’s one of the pleasures of re-visiting a seemingly familiar destination. There are treats and surprises in abundance away from the main tourist paths if you look for them. In fact, there are probably as many different versions of Tenerife as there are tourists. Happy hour in a tapas bar or hiking an extinct volcano? You decide. Or try both!
Portugal is
undeniably a popular tourist destination for Northern Irish travellers. Travellers can experience a deluge of Portuguese culture, whether it be embarking on an exploration of Portugal’s finest beaches, making the most of what the sun, sea and sand have to offer. Or heading into Lisbon, the bustling capital of Portugal. The Algarve is one of Portugal’s most sought-after regions. Renowned for its pristine beaches, vibrant cuisine, and treasured coves. The Algarve stands as a magnetic force of attraction for families, friends, couples, and solo travellers. Upon my visit to the Algarve
in 2019, I was expecting the region to be like any other sunny destination, where a majority of the holiday is spent relaxing by the pool with a cocktail in hand. Instead, it was hard not to be awe-struck by the copious amounts to do in the area. While lazing by the pool is always a great option! There was something about the Algarve that awoke a sense of exploration within me. Our holiday was spent in Albufeira, a popular destination for families and a popular choice amongst those seeking to party in the Algarve! Walking through the old town of Albufeira, you find yourself getting pulled in by the quintessential Portuguese history that encompasses the area. The cobbled streets that weave through Albufeira act as veins leading to Albufeira’s Old Town Square. A square which is bustling with al-fresco restaurants and boutique shops, pays homage to Albufeira’s rich history as a fishing village. Albufeira’s main square is a true holiday
hub! A lot of our time in the town square was spent exploring the boutiques and stores that lined the streets of Albufeira. It was hard to pass on by the shops, which had attractive displays of jewellery, colourful beach bits and other holiday goodies. After all, is it really a holiday if you don’t come back with the obligatory fridge magnet or keyring? On a journey through the town, the social
buzz around Albufeira is undeniable. In the Old Town’s main square, both locals and tourists alike gaze upon the buskers and performers located in the atmospheric centre of Albufeira. Despite the buzz, my trip through the Old Town never felt rushed, instead it was quite the opposite. As a
traveller who had grown accustomed to the hustle and bustle of city breaks. The pace of this trip was relaxed, just what was needed to truly immerse myself in the culture of a sea- side sunshine break. In fact, on a visit to the Old Town Square, it’s difficult to avoid the temptation of extending your holiday. After a day of exploring the history and hidden gems of the Old Town, there was no better way to end the evening that grabbing a spot of dinner in an al-fresco restaurant located right on the corner of the square, enjoying the faint strums of a guitarist playing authentic Portuguese music. By far, the most memorable part of my trip
to Albufeira was an excursion that myself and my family booked upon arrival. Our trip was booked as a package through Jet2 Holidays, where we stayed at the Eden Resort. A fantastic accommodation for families as they offer both family rooms and villa-style accommodation. On our arrival to the resort, we were given the option of excursions to book throughout the course of our stay. One of which was Dolphin Sight-Seeing and a tour of some of the many sea-caves located off the Algarve Coast. The excursion was booked for one of the last days of our visit, so unbeknownst to us. We were saving the best to last. Departing
Albufeira Marina in mid-morning,
from the
sunny conditions and the blue waters was the perfect condition
to go and spot some Dolphins. Accompanied by an expert guide who knew the surrounding waters of the
Algarve like the back of his hand, and a few other families. Our journey to spot the marine life of the Algarve coast had begun. It didn’t take long for some of the friendly mammals to prop their heads (or fins) above shore level. Within twenty minutes of venturing out into the Atlantic, a pod of bottlenose Dolphins began to swim past our boat. Truly putting on a show for us as they emerged to surface-level numerous times. The excitement of seeing these wonderful mammals provided a truly unforgettable memory of our trip to the Algarve. Creating lasting memories that were sure to last for both me and my family. Not to mention the further tour that took us around some of the most breath-takingly beautiful caves on the Algarve. This excursion was truly the icing on the cake for this wonderful trip to the Algarve. With so much more to do in the region. A trip to experience the best of both Albufeira and Lisbon, located just a bus journey away, would be at the top of my future travel agenda.
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