Hi .We are looking at traveling from Canada to Portugal and would like some info on the best town to stay at in Algarve.The packages we are looking at stay in Albufeira,Portimao,Carvoeiro, and Vilamoura.We are looking at travelling in March 2005 (we know its not the best time to go but it is much cheaper)we have many different interests,sight seeing,culture, to shopping lounging on the beach and some night life.I know this forum is about Carvoeiro but any information would be great!!! Also typically what is the weather like in March.Thanks

The historic averages for March are: Daily hours of sunshine – 7; Average daily high shade temperature – 18C; Average monthly rainfall – 70mm (the highest of the year) ; and, average “dry” days (less than 0.25mm rain) – 21. Having said all that, we have had some glorious periods in March eating breakfast and lunch al fresco day after day and enjoying walks through the almond blossom and even sunning ourselves on the beach!

I would skip Portimao and Albufeira as places to stay. You can visit them but not the best places to stay. Vilamoura can be quiet in the off season.

Places like Lagos, Loulé are nice historical towns which are also Portuguese working towns so don't die completely in the off season. Carvoeiro, and Tavira (although on the far eastern side) are also nice places to try.

I also recommend a trip up to Lisbon for a couple of days. It's only 2.5 hours drive from the Algarve.

G

carvoeiro is the best choice for you

I would definitely say Carvoeiro, from there you have a wonderful base to go to Silves, one of the prettiest towns in the Algarve, full of history. Monchique mountains for the view from Foia and the wonderful drive up, can't remember if the Mimosa will be out then, but beautiful anyway. Lagos just down the motorway, not spoilt by to much tourism again a lovely place to visit. And then the West coast, easily driven to from cvo.
Carvoerio itself is really lovely, not a modern high-rise type holiday town but one that has been sympathetically built onto, alowing the character of the fishing village to survive.
Great places to eat, pretty little beach and many lovely walks along the cliff tops either towards Almancil or Portimao (both of which are worth going to once! to big and modern for me, except for a few good restaurants)
Enjoy your trip to Portugal, I hope you get to like it as much as we do.
Where abouts in Canada are you? if I may be so bold! My brother and family have lived in Toronto, Montreal, Calgary and now Nova Scotia.

And please go and find the less developed bits of Portugal, you'll recognise these because nobody (mostly) speaks English. It would be a shame to travel so far and then see just one aspect of the country.

Don't forget Paderne and Alte, Querença is a lovely little village way up in the hills, wonderful views (should have grown back by then) Tavira is nice. You could pop across to Seville,Spain only a few hours and it's a very nice city.

My wife and I have been going to the Algarve for the past 7 yeras from February to March. We have had only one bad year when we had about 2 weeks of rain but generally the weather has been warm (68 to 70) and sunny with evenings being a little cooler. We are from the Niagara area of Ontario and would compare the weather to late May early June. People in area are great, lots to do and the eating is great. I am sure you will enjoy. Have you checked "Eurosun Travel" on the web for possible apartments and rates. they have web site at www.eurosun.com and no I do not work for them.

Definetly cross Albufeira and Portimao off your list if you are looking for culture alongside the typical sun and beach holiday.

As someone already suggested Lagos and Tavira are top choices. If you stay in Lagos you'll have access to beautiful beaches, history and narrow streets full of shops and restaurants.

Also, if opting for Lagos make sure you visit the small village of Salema -and a bit further afield towards west - Sagres. Big must. The sights in Sagres (Cabo S. Vicente) are breathtaking.

As for Tavira, it's a pretty historical town with dozens (literally) of churches. It's situated at about 20km from Faro and not far from Spain either towards east.

Personally I'd go for Lagos

A few other suggestions:

Avoid AirTransit unless you are a slim trim 20 something unlike me. JM Vacations seem to be limited to AT flights. Unfortunately, as far as I know, they are the only direct flights to Faro. If not, I would appreciate someone enlightening me.

EuroSun and other companies run by Henry Lopez offer inexpensive flights via British Airways, Air France etc. Only disadvantage is they are not direct to and from Faro, I think. But then Henry's packages also offer stayovers, eg at the Royal National in London for a couple of days. Also, you may have to fly into or out of Lisbon (or, if you prefer, Porto). Again, consider it an opportunity to stay over in one of those fascinating cities at very reasonable rates. As someone has said, it's not a hard drive to the Algarve from Lisboa (Lisbon).

Also, consider staying at some of the beautiful Posadas on the way to or from the Algarve, eg from say Lisbon. If you are of a certain age, you will qualify for the "golden age" rates. A wonderful way to see many different parts of lovely Portugal and stay in some really magnificent old castles and monasteries. I can give you some suggestions if you are interested.

GandJ, BK and Canuckistanian (wow, what a mouthful), have a look in the "travel overseas forum" of this 50plus site, if you do a search on Portugal you will find lots of interesting postings, we usually even have a chat about Portugal in late Fall. Enjoy your trip GandJ.

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