Luggage in cars

[alanr]

We are coming out again in a couple of weeks, on a flight which gets in at 9am and we can't get into the villa until 3pm. We intend going into town to have brunch and shop etc, but it means leaving bags in the car. I know there was a problem a few years back with car break ins etc, but what is the present state? We are a party of 6 in two cars, and some bags will need to go on the back seat. We could cover them with a sheet or something but I think this might just draw more attention to it. If we can get into somewhere with the cars in sight that would be ideal, but there aren't too many places like that. Any advice would be appreciated.

[widge]

As a villa owner we always encourage new arrivals to drop their bags at the villa and then go to the beach or the shops whilst the maid prepares the villa. We have a policy of leavers out by 10am and arrivals in by 2pm, leaving luggage at the villa anytime after 10am is never a problem.

[saint]

Think Widge has nailed that query.....have a chat with owner/manager.

[alanr]

We have done. They say we can't even dump baggage until after Noon (their check out is 11am) so we have a few hours to kill with 2 small kids

[widge]

Seems very unreasonable - book with me next year, I'll look after you !

https://www.affinityvillas.com/Villa_Colina

[cereza]

If your flight eta is 9-00 am and is on time then you won't arrive in CVO until 11 am at the very earliest so only 1 hour max to kill at the worst. Go to the back of Rocha Brava where you should be able to park right outside the row of shops and restaurants which include Helder's Bar Tropicana and Algarve 2000.
As a general rule I would never leave anything in the car if possible and I always take out the rear shelf so that any would be thieves can see there is nothing hidden.
Have a great holiday !

[sunman]

or go to the tennis club, you can put your suitcases in reception, get some drinks & let the kids have a splash in the pool; maybe even get some lunch there, it's a nice environment.

[alanr]

Many thanks for your replies. Helders seems the favourite.

Sad to hear that car crime must still be rife.

[bookbabe]

I wouldn't say that crime is "rife". It is no different here than in the UK. Would you leave your belongings on the back seat of the car covered with a sheet? I don't think you would so why think that it is OK here? Opportunists live and operate everywhere in the world. You just need to exercise due care and attention the same as you would at home.

[alanr]

I really wasn't wanting to cast any aspersions. I was just wondering if it was the same as a few years ago. Car crime in the UK is down 40.3% in the last 5 years (official stats) and I thought it might be similar out there. We used to have a major problem where I live but I don't know anyone who has had any problems for a long time.

[Farol]

Perhaps there would be a friendly forum member that is resident or visiting at the same time who would agree to look after your bags for you if you dropped them off.

[williew]

Have you asked if you can park your cars in drive of your villa then head into town for a beer?