Hi Gary,

I went to the algarve for the first time last year with my husband and 3 year old daughter. Having read a lot about the places to visit we decided to stay in Lagos which is about 1 hours drive from Faro airport on the west coast. This resort has a marina and lots of resturants and shops centered around an old walled town, which is good to walk around and try and decide where to eat. During our stay we drove to lots of other resorts including albufeira but preferred Lagos as it was a lot quieter, less touristy but still with lots of restuarants and shops. You can also go on boat trips to view dolphins or see grotto caves.

We stayed at the Vilabranca apartments which is about a 10 min walk to the town and beach although a courtesy shuttle bus runs 4 times a day. We had a 2 bed apartment which had all the things you need including satellite TV (cbeebies a godsend!) it has 2 swimming pools and a childrens play area. There is a supermarket and a few nice resturants close by.

For a really good day out I would recommend zoo marine which is a marine park which also has a funfair and swimming pools. We also visited the zoo in Lagos and a couple of water parks all within 30 mins drive of Lagos. The vilabranca can arrange trips to these if you don't hire a car. For the website see INVALID URL although it's cheaper to book through http://www.find-rooms.com or http://www.alpharooms.com

We are going back to Lagos in a couple of weeks and are deciding whether to go back to the vilabranca or try the jardim da meia praia which is a bit further out.

Let me know if you need any further info.

Jo

Ps For a good website to look for accomodation try http://www.holiday-rental.co.uk. Also http://www.tripadvisor.com for recomendations and reviews.
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hi jo thanks for the info it sounds great we will give it a try and will hire a car for the entire time we are there i agree cbeebies is a godsend when on holiday it keeps my two girls happy and us sane the whole place sounds like what we are looking for thanks gary...