Quiet around town

[Janet O]

Just looking at the web cam,it's just after 1.30 but there are no people either crossing the square or
standing outside the ice cream shop. Are they all on the beach or is it just very quiet at the moment?
I know it's only early May, the kids are all at school, but it seems very quiet.

Janet O

[Gary/Gaynor]

Just wondering with all these flight problems volcanic ash plus the economy in general whether the Brits are staying at home this year. Our cottage in Dorset is fully booked for the 3rd year running, so for us it's exellent news. We are flying over in two weeks time so hope this ash doesn''t start kicking off again. I see flights into Faro from the Uk have been affected. Living in Holland we fly from Rotterdam each time and I see flights into Faro today are delayed, it must make people think twice before travelling by air at the moment. Lets pray for wind change...
Gaynor

[laserblazer]

The Ryanair flight from Brum has been cancelled, transferred to EMA on Wednesday.

[EMM]

We are also fully booked this year ( Algarve ) and I do not see any reduction in enquiries.

The airlines have sales on and the booking levels are high.

Of course if it continues it will have an affect but we english are a stubborn bunch and it will take a hell of lot more than this for people to give up their holiday in the sun.

[pato]

Everyone is aware that the present economic situation will seriously affect the economy in the Algarve, visitors will cook at home as a preference to eating out, prices are high and sometimes laughable in Cvo, take Maximes for instance they're pricing themselves out of the market, I visited the establishment on my last visit a few months ago and was amazed to find me and the judy were the only customers, you can't deny the quality of the grub but the menu outside turns people away. The general concensus of the traders is, I feel, that because you can go there on holiday or you own a holiday home you're loaded.
It's going to be a long hard year at least for us Brits, and without doubt, a long hard year for the Cvo traders.

[EMM]

For once I may be in agreement with Pato , Why dont we ask the bar and restaurant owners to have a special meals and prices for us poor Brits on presentation of our passports.
They could also have special seating areas for us as well, ( out the back and out of sight ) so as not to upset the wealthier clients paying for the higher quality and choice.
Do the local supermarket have discount areas for out of date food like Tesco and Asda.

If not why not, they could do this but you have to be a brit to buy them.

[cereza]

We went to Bella Vita he other night and only 4 tables were being used. The food and service were great as usual but its still pricey. On the other hand we went to Happys on a Monday and as usual Lieber was turning people away - it was full - we had a great 3 course meal with drinks,wine and port for which he charged 35 Euros - great value and thats why he is always full up. Other restaurants should take note! I think that is what Pato is on about

[Gary/Gaynor]

Think we have gone over this many times but the economy does play a large part and Brits are having to tighten belts. Even the Dutch here are bedding in a bit more than usual. Even though we earn Euros here in Holland, every Euro is now accountable.
Gaynor

[wickhamwanderer]

We were over this weekend and on the hill Friday night seemed to be busy enough.Popoular haunts all busy. Although the sun was shining some of the time during the day there was a strong northerly wind which cooled things down and made sitting out not such an attractive proposition!
Flight on Saturday Ryan Air to Bournemouth( 13.55) cancelled but managed to rebook on the Sunday to Bristol ( 20.25) and other than the £140( twice the price of the airfare) taxi fare to Bournemouth at midnight was the only but obviously significant additional cost . Even managed to persuade Bournemouth Airport to give me the extra time spent in the Car Park for free( once I had found someone in the Airport office at 0220 Monday morning) .
Easy Jet customers did not appear to doing so well !
I think people who have not already booked by now or those who do not have their own places in CVO will definitely be deterred from coming in 2010.
Wanderer

[Gary/Gaynor]

Lets hope that we get some last minute holiday makers coming to the village as it is much needed this year. 2010 will be a tough one everywhere.
gaynor

[Lesley Jean]

Faro airport has been closed for most of yesterday and today according to the papers today so not surprising that there are few people around!!

[martin.cork]

Just back from an extended 10day break in Carvoeiro and have the following comments.

1. In comparison to last year visitors are down at least 50%.
2. Some restaurants have not reduced their prices so visitors are looking around for better value.
3. The charge for minerals in restaurants and bars are way too high.
4. The restructuring of the square is turning out to be a disaster. Even with visitors down by 50% not a parking place to be found with 500 metres.
The cobblestones are sinking in numerous areas and the sunken lights on the road are all broken.The area for sitting down outside the off lisence
is useless as there is plenty of room in the square before the beach. This area should be re-designed and reintroduce parking for a certain amount
of cars.I am sure Smilers will be delighted by my comments although some of the signs should also be removed from outside their premises.
Also get rid of those silly silver poles (some are gone already),some cars think its a racetrack especially outside Hemmingways.
5.One recommendation is to to try some restaurants in Lagoa, ie- Paletta- Excellent Food & value= eg 3 starters,3 Main Courses, 3 Coffees & 2 bottles
of wine for 50 euros, thats what I call good value.
6. Golf charges are also too expensive , then theres the rip off additional charge of 45 euros for a buggy which is of no use as the courses
are crammed and it takes 5 hours to get round, may as well walk.I would recommend a visit to Silves Golf Course, a hidden gem.
Overall I love Carvoeiro and visit 3 times a year ,the weather and especially the people are lovely, so lets go back to the good times when the visitors and businesses are all happy. Always remember Carvoeiro, you will never get a second chace to make a first impression.

[EMM]

First of all it will be quieter, there have been hardly any UK flights for days.
Secondly if visitor numbers are down by 50% how come the golf courses are crammed full.?
Silves is OK providing the wind does is not from the N/NW in which case its a course to be avoided as you will choke on the smoke from the cork factory other than at weekends.
As for golf prices they will not offer the best deals unless you ask, we have rarely paid the rack rate and Never/never paid 45 euros for a buggy.

As for the square , we are firmly in the camp that believes that Carvoeiro is a much better place now that people have been given percedence over cars.
You had to walk 500 mtrs from your parked car.
Why do you think you were born with legs!!.

But do agree with you that there is far more choice and better value away from restaraunt hill.

[fmm]

wot emm said. And allowing 30 cars to park by the beach area is NOT going to affect the number of people around the town.

[Lesley Jean]

Sorry but I also firmly in the camp that thinks the square (with some needed 'tweaks') is far better, it has smartened up the whole area and the fact that no cars are allowed to park is lovely, we have never had a problem finding somewhere to park and as said, what do you think you have legs for, a nice walk before supper is good for you!! I appreciate the problems for people with disabilities but there is parking for them by the chemist and other places around the 'village'.

Why should Carvoeiro stay in the dark ages just so you can park close to your favourite bar/restaurant? The problems with the lack of trade in the area is down to the ash problem, the Euro, people not having the money to take so many holidays and so many other things, it is not because you can't park!!!

If the restaurants in the area dropped their prices a bit I am sure they could attract more people in and there by increase their trade, putting up prices just makes people look elsewhere.