Hi markas,
Portugal, well at least the Algarve, is not a particularly expensive holiday destination, especially if you have access to "no-frills" air transport.The major resorts have huge capacity in terms of beds and bargains are almost always available especially if you're prepared to book early.
Once there, the cost of living is less than in the U.K., and,if necessary, you can limit the cost of airport to resort transfers by choosing a resort fairly near to the airport. As far as the children are concerned, the Portuguese people welcome youngsters, so, if you're thinking of eating out, you'll have no problem with restaurants.
Hope this has set your mind at rest and best of luck with your search.

I've done the Algarve for the first time, well twice this year markas, and I found it very similar to Spain in general regarding prices. The plus side though is the the Algarve is, in my opinon better quality than Spain. I've put off the Algarve for one reason or another in recent years, and now regret it. It's worth a visit.

Robby

Great replies, but nobody has given any prices or recommended anywhere!
Went to Algarve 20 years ago, so things would have changed now....

Mark

mark,
It's a bit difficult to quote prices before flights are published.As far as acommodation is concerned you should be able to get a good idea from requesting a quote from,say,alpharooms, for August this year.

Its difficult to give prices. But if your on a budget you can get a 3 course meal and a drink for 9.95 euros near us, and the food is very good.
If you want to eat and drink on a budget on the Algarve you can. But I suspect you can do the same in Spain.

Mark,
Portugal is like everywhere else..... you can do it cheap or expensive!!!!!!!!
Look for the places where the locals are eating and you will get a good deal. Ignore the main touristy places as they will be the most expensive.
It would also help if you said what kind of things you like to do on holiday.
Do you want lively or quiet or are you hiring a car to travel around or just staying put?
You might get a better response if you give a rough idea of what you are looking for.
Pat

I would recommend doing a diy holiday.

I don't know where you live but if you can use one of the 'no frills' airlines such as Easyjet then so much the better. Remember though that they do need to be booked as soon as they are released. They will not be very, very cheap because you need to go in school holidays. Alternatively if you are in the south of England BA from Gatwick are very competative. You won't be able to book Easyjet very early as they won't release their schedules for next Summer until Winter 2006/2007. BA however can be booked almost a year in advance. Excel are another alternative but they don't get brilliant reveiws! Also take a look at the various other charters - Thomson, First Choice etc.

You might be better to try and get a private apartment/villa. Try Owners Direct, Holiday Lets or one of the many other sites where you deal direct with the owners. Do a search on Google.

Car Hire is fairly reasonable in the Algarve so this might be your best option. Try Carjet although they will not have prices out for next year yet.

Now, where to stay. Well it does depend on what type of resort you like.
We like the Western end of the Algarve best - far more scenic. Resorts like Alvor (superb beach) or Lagos might appeal. These resorts are a little quieter than Albufeira but will still have plenty to occupy you. Albufeira old town is nice but 'the strip' will certainly be very busy and probably be very noisy in peak season. Carvoeiro is a nice small resort with plenty of restaurants although not much beach - we stayed at the Colina Village apartments which were really nice - they can be booked on Medhotels or Holiday Hotels. There are also the Colina da Lapa apartments which get good reviews. If you want a resort near the airport then probably your best option is Vilamoura - a purpose built resort with a very nice marina. Lovely beach and loads of places to eat - is is a little more expensive there - golfers and boating fraternity paradise!

I would echo the comments that the food is of a higher standard than some of Spain - lots of fish!!

Hope all this helps,

Pippa

Mark, not sure if it'll fit the bill but I can let you have a resort report on Carveoiro when I get back. I'm off there on the 1st of July - it will be my first visit to Portugal.

Hi

I have recently booked the paraiso de albufeira 4 star accomadation for Aug 07 with my wife and two kids (3x adult and one child price) for £2403.
This was with Thomas Cook.

Hope this helps.

Hello, do not know of how much things cost out there as we've not been to The Algarve before but have booked to go late June next year, we've paid £594 (total for 2 adults only) for a weeks s/c at a named hotel, usually we pay no more than £150 each as we usually go to a Greek island and get some great deals. However, we fancied a change and chose The Algarve, just looked with who we've booked with and for 2 adults and 2 children for late May/early June the best price is £1414 and then in August £1645, mind you, July and August are very profitable months for the travel agents as obviously everyone wants to take their children away then.

Hi Mark - following on from my earlier post, we stayed at the Monte Dourado in Carverio. I've done a hotel report so you can check that section out.
As far as costs goes there were 2 adults and a toddler self catering and we spent £400 in a week - including all meals & drink. Generally I found prices reasonable. Also if you need a cheap lunch you can always get stuff from the supermarket and take a picnic.
I would certainly go back as I'd love to explore the area more.
As someone has mentioned if you can fly "no frills" from a local airport, then book up as soon as the seats go on sale (you can sign up for email alerts) and you'll get a great price.
You'll be able to find accommodation really easily as there are plenty of search sites on line from villas/apartments to hotels.

Try aspro online you can get some good offers,
hope this helps.