Lots of questions - 1st time to Portugal - Algarve/Portugal/Madeira/Azores Discussion Forum, Holiday Forums

Lots of questions - 1st time to Portugal

kazd

2006-01-04 10:03:34

I hope some of you old timers can help me with my many questions.

My keyboard has been zinging whilst trying to decide where to go for a holiday this year.

As I am new to this board I will tell you a little about myself so that hopefully will aid you in advising me on where best to go.

Have spent the last couple of years holidaying in Florida, large villas both in Disney (just for a week) and on the gulf coast, Marco Island and Sarasota. Not into the rustic thing I am afraid, like modern well planned villas. However, I am considering an apartment because this will hopefully have children for ours to link up with. Ours are 11, 8 and 6.

Would like to be close to the waterparks and believe Albufeira would be quite a central location. (please correct me if I am wrong). Quite like the look of the Club Nauticlus apartments as these are right on the beach.

So basically what I am looking for is nice quality modern apartments with large shared pools and close to the beaches and restaurants. Not to close to the nightlife though as in discos etc.

If we opted for a more central apartment would we need a car to get about, I am thinking more about the parks etc here. Or do you think we would be better off with a villa.

My reasoning for the apartment is that despite the pool etc my children do get very fed up with just their own company.

Sorry this is such a bitty post, hope someone can help.

Also just thought of something else, a lot of the villas and apartments seem to have a Thursday changeover day, is this a common day.

Many Thanks

Algarveaddick

2006-01-04 10:28:52

Hi Kaz,

I would recommend somewhere like Paraiso in Albufeira. They have a lot going on, Thompson provide entertainment during the season, the apartments are apparently very smart, only a few years old, and situated half way between the Strip (new town) and the Square (Old Town). Customers of ours who have stayed there speak highly of it. It is a short walk to the beach though - 10-15 minutes.

If you can afford it, I would hire a car - for the freedom it gives you if nothing else. All the major attractions offer transport from your hotel, but then you are tied in to their pick up and drop off times, and with three youngsters...

Whatever you choose, have a great time!

Perry

kazd

2006-01-04 12:13:49

Thanks Perry, are these apartments available diy, I had already priced up flights and a car on the assumption that it would be cheaper than going via a travel agent.

kazd

2006-01-04 12:32:25

Hi Perry

Just found them on the internet and that is eaxctly the type of complex that I would be interested in, however, it seems a bit pricey as there seems to be a rate of £223 per night or am I reading that wrong. This was for a duplex although not sure what that is, do not think the 2 bed apartment would be big enough.

kaz

robbyw

2006-01-04 13:59:42

Hi Kaz, have a look at http://www.wintersunshineholidays.com/

I'm going to the Algarve for the first time as well in February and I'm staying at the Paraiso, booked through the above link.

Best of luck,

Robby :wink:

kazd

2006-01-04 14:26:24

Hi Rob

Thanks for that, it does not seem to come up for the summer months, put in Feb and it came up. The other thing is that I think we really need a three bedroom apartment and I don't think they offer three bedrooms. So I think its back to the drawing board, may end up having to get a villa again which I really wanted to avoid.

Kaz

robbyw

2006-01-04 14:36:52

Maybe the major operators have it allocated for the summer months.

Try Orada - Marina de Albufeira, they do 3 bedroom apartments and can be booked on the link I gave. They also have villas.

Robby :wink:

kazd

2006-01-04 15:56:40

No joy with that one either. Is there any other recommended sites that have villas and apartment complexes that are safe to use.

Thanks

Sagres

2006-01-04 16:08:42

kazd,
The Paraiso will accept d.i.y. bookings, as we went d.i.y. there for Christmas. Try their website < http://www.paraisodealbufeira.pt >they have an enquiry form on their resevations page and we found that they were quite quick in replying to e-mails. If there's anything else you want to know about the hotel, I'll try to help. Good luck.

kazd

2006-01-04 20:19:03

Hi Sagres

Do you know if they have three bedroom apartments, not sure what size the duplex is.

Have a feeling though this may be a little more expensive than we were hoping to get away with this year.

We had three weeks on the gulf coast in the summer holidays this year with a couple of trips to waterparks thrown in, so as you can imagine it was quite expensive. The idea was that this year we would go the cheaper option, which Europe is not proving to be. Possibly because we are a bit picky. When the cost starts crawling towards the £4 - 4.5k we start thinking that maybe we should just go to the US.

At the moment we are either looking at two weeks beg of June or three weeks in the summer holidays. However, I have just costed easyjet and the flights in aug are coming out at about £1500, I can get five flights plus car (minivan) with Virgin for £2100 to Orlando, admittedly thats in June but do you see my dilemma. Flights in June are coming out though cheaper with Easyjet than BA, but must admit have never flown easyjet before and would be a bit scared.

Just call me Mrs Bucket! :oops:

Sagres

2006-01-04 20:49:31

kazd ( or should I say Hyacinth! :lol:

)
Can't help re the 3 bed apartments, but can tell you that we had a 1 bed apt and that had two pull out sofas in the living/dining room, so the apt would have comfortably taken 2 adults and two kiddies. Haven't seen a 2 bed apt but, if it's in proportion to the 1 bed one, I would have thought that it should be plenty big enough for your needs. There were other H.T. members staying at the hotel, so why don't you post a specific question re the 2 bed apartments and hope that they can shed more light on the subject for you.
Best of luck !!

robbyw

2006-01-04 21:11:14

Kaz, no problems with Easyjet ( don't blieve all on those tv programs) :lol:

A few more booking sites to look at:

http://www.travelrepublic.co.uk/

http://www.medhotels.com/

http://www.hotelconnect.co.uk/

http://www.venere.com/

http://www.activehotels.com/

Best of luck,

Robby :wink:

roseweb

2006-01-04 23:24:18

Hi Kazd,

We've used EasyJet lots of times and never had a problem - hope I'm not tempting fate! Just be sure to arrive at the airport on time, with your passports!!

kazd

2006-01-05 00:17:40

I spoke to my Mum tonight and she said they haven't ever had a problem with Easyjet. So I think when we eventually sort out what dates we are looking at I will book with them. I was quite surprised at the different prices at the various airports.

I have seen some lovely apartments on various sites although I think they are probably not updating their availability calendars as some show them vacant for the whole of 2006. Some of these are exceptional and I find it hard to believe that they haven't been rented out already.

roseweb

2006-01-05 07:56:46

Hi Kazd,

Don't forget, EasyJet's prices go up as the flight date approaches so don't delay in booking your flight as soon as you find the right apartment.

I agree with you that it's unlikely that good properties will still be free for the whole of 2006 but it's very easy to send the owner an email asking about availability, and at the same time you can ask about location, need for a car, kids' facilities, distance to waterparks, etc. etc.

Hope you find somewhere fun for the kids and relaxing for you! :gluck

kazd

2006-01-05 09:35:16

Well I have had a reply back from someone in Clube or Club Albufeira. Has anyone any experience of it or knows where its is, ie close to facilities, will we need a car etc. Still debating the car issue, seems crazy to hire a car for the whole time if we are just going to be mainly trotting back and forth to the pool and beach. Although we will have the odd trip, however, if we need to drive out to get to the town for dinner etc then maybe we should go for a car.

Thanks for all your help

doe

2006-01-05 13:16:08

Hi kazd
Not sure if you are set on the Albufeira area, but if not, we had a good holiday with our two kids at the Ocean Club and Waterside Village in Praia de Luz. We stayed in an apartment in the waterside village part of the complex. It was on two floors (ie duplex). 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms on the ground floor, along with an outdoor terrace and a large lounge, with sofa bed and full kitchen, ie cooker, washing machine, fridge feezer, plus furnished balcony on the first floor.

Its walkable to a nice beach and quite a few restaurants plus you are 4 or 5 kilometers from Lagos, much bigger but also nice with a huge selection of restaurants, shops etc. Its quite away from Faro so you would need to get your car at the airport and drive yourself or organise a transfer.

We went with a Tour Op not DIY but most of the apartments/villas are privately owned. If you are interested try googling the name and see what turns up. Or perhaps someone else on here has a link.

Algarveaddick

2006-01-05 13:29:46

Kaz,

Clube Albufeira is a timeshare resort, so if you go there, be prepared to be pestered...

Perry

mandii

2006-01-05 18:22:02

Hi Ya, we go to portual with easyjet all the time no problems at all, but this year i feel their prices have jumped up, at the moment, BA are giving better deals, so before you jump into booking easyjet have a good search around because i am sure u can pick up cheaper. Accomodation wise,
you could try Club Praia de Oura it is a timeshare resort but some tour operators run it or you could try contacting them direct. Another good one is Villa Petra very nice apartments, or Jacaranda Villas, worth a look at
is San Rapeal resort they have pools and near to the beach but you would need a car to get into town. Any more advice just ask.

tinagina

2006-01-06 04:38:57

Try this site as well
http://www.algarvehoneymoon.com

I booked a nice oceanview apartment directly from the site a few months ago.

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