Hi,
Very rarely go shorthaul, but this Xmas, me, my partner, and our 18 month old will be going to Portugal to escape cooking & family duties and recharge.
We've done too much reading and are now confused. We want somewhere lovely, access to beaches, local restaurants, easy walking (don't want to hire a car), and away from clubs, pubs and the the masses. We've plumped for Tavira, but are struggling to choose accommodation. With our babie, we guess an apartment would suit us better as we'd have a kitchenette, and would be around the apartment a lot in the evening when she goes to bed.
During the day, we love to explore on foot, and love the idea of local fish, piri-piri chicken and a sagres (but not english breakfasts, irish bars etc).
But can't find accommodation. Needs to be clean, happy with basic, safe, swimming pool, could be privately hired, or part of a complex, or even a large hotel room. Basically were confused!
Help?!!!
Just one thing - Tavira is not on the coast. It is about 2 miles inland up a river. The nearest beaches are on the island (Ilha da Tavira) and the only access is by a foot passenger ferry from a landing down at the river mouth or by water taxi from the quays near the old fish market.
I don't know for sure if the ferries and water taxis run in December but I very much doubt it!
Other than that minor glitch Tavira is a good choice. December isn't really beach weather even here but there is plenty to see and do. Tavira also has reasonably good (and inexpensive) bus and train services along to nearby towns eg Faro, Monte Gordo and Vila Real if you need a change of scenery.
Some of the best bits of Tavira do involve a steep hill or two;the castle etc are in a good defensive position at the top!
I don't know for sure if the ferries and water taxis run in December but I very much doubt it!
Other than that minor glitch Tavira is a good choice. December isn't really beach weather even here but there is plenty to see and do. Tavira also has reasonably good (and inexpensive) bus and train services along to nearby towns eg Faro, Monte Gordo and Vila Real if you need a change of scenery.
Some of the best bits of Tavira do involve a steep hill or two;the castle etc are in a good defensive position at the top!
Thanks Cubsar!
We knew about the beach (you get a boat to Cabanas??) but my understanding is that it runs in December??
Also, does anyone have any accommodation recommendations?
Thanks again
Sam
We knew about the beach (you get a boat to Cabanas??) but my understanding is that it runs in December??
Also, does anyone have any accommodation recommendations?
Thanks again
Sam
The Ilha da Tavira ferry certainly stops operations in late September ( although whether or not it re-starts for the Christmas holidays,I don't know )
Sam,
First of all, are you going to Tavira itself or to Cabanas, 'cos if you've never been before, some people say Cabanas is in Tavira (it's full name is Cabanas de Tavira).......it's not, it's less than 10 mins by local bus and is a small fishing village.
We have been in these areas over Christmas and New year and neither place had the wee boat to take you to the beach.
If you really want the beach, I suggest Monte Gordo, 20 mins or so from Tavira where you can access the beach from the lovely long promenade.
If you need any more info on the area just ask.
Pat
First of all, are you going to Tavira itself or to Cabanas, 'cos if you've never been before, some people say Cabanas is in Tavira (it's full name is Cabanas de Tavira).......it's not, it's less than 10 mins by local bus and is a small fishing village.
We have been in these areas over Christmas and New year and neither place had the wee boat to take you to the beach.
If you really want the beach, I suggest Monte Gordo, 20 mins or so from Tavira where you can access the beach from the lovely long promenade.
If you need any more info on the area just ask.
Pat
Thank you Pat, it's great to get the 1st hand info re: the boat.
I'll do some research on Monte Gordo so I'm not asking silly questions - do you have a recommended place to stay?
Thanks again!
I'll do some research on Monte Gordo so I'm not asking silly questions - do you have a recommended place to stay?
Thanks again!
Sam,
My friend stayed in the Casablanca hotel in Monte Gordo and she enjoyed it.
These sites might help you as they have hotels that have apartments.
T0 = studio
T1 = 1 bedroom
T2 = 2 bedroom.
http://www.jptur.com/uk these are apartment blocks but don't have a pool but somehow don't think it will be warm enough to get much use and you are very close to the beach if you want to swim.
http://www.mpmtravel.co.uk/algarvehotels.asp
http://www.aparthotelguadiana.com/uk.reserva.html
http://www.hotels-telereserva.com
Hope this helps a little.
Pat
My friend stayed in the Casablanca hotel in Monte Gordo and she enjoyed it.
These sites might help you as they have hotels that have apartments.
T0 = studio
T1 = 1 bedroom
T2 = 2 bedroom.
http://www.jptur.com/uk these are apartment blocks but don't have a pool but somehow don't think it will be warm enough to get much use and you are very close to the beach if you want to swim.
http://www.mpmtravel.co.uk/algarvehotels.asp
http://www.aparthotelguadiana.com/uk.reserva.html
http://www.hotels-telereserva.com
Hope this helps a little.
Pat
The Hotel Vila Gale in Tavira town centre has a small indoor pool which would keep kids happy although I would't think the larger outdoor one would impress at that time of year. Even the standard rooms are pretty large and should fit you. It's just a few hundred yards to the quayside area and old town. They share a private boat with the Vila Gale Albequora (which is towards Cabanas beach and quite a walk to anything else) - this might be operating at Christmas. Before booking compare their direct price with the ones being offered by the well known online companies - I've always found Expedia to be cheaper, once by 40% !!
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