Portugal - The Algarve

The Algarve is the Portuguese equivalent to the American Florida or southern California. The sun and sea dominate the atmosphere of the Algarve, bestowing on it the ideal qualities of a holiday paradise and making it the "Garden of Portugal". The area has over one hundred miles of the finest beaches in Europe and where they have three hundred days of sunshine a year. The region is dotted with Moorish villages with white washed houses. Between these ancient towns are modern resorts catering to tourists. Some sections were over developed in the 60's and 70's but that is now changing due to new regulations. There are still some area's that have remained unchanged, such as Tavira -- to the East.

The Algarve has over 100 miles of the finest soft golden sand beaches in Europe and borders the Atlantic Ocean from Sagres in the West to the Vila Real de Santo António in the East - on the Spanish border. Include in this area are championship facilities for water sports, golf, tennis, fine restaurants and horseback riding.

The center of the Algarve is from Faro west to Lagos. Sandstone cliffs that open to modest bays and harbors line it. This area because, of it's popularity, also attracts the most people. From Lagos west to Sagres you have high granite cliffs, grottoes, small coves and especially scenic areas. It was here in Sagres that Prince Henry the Navigator resided and trained the Portuguese Navigators who participated in Portugal's Age of Discovery.