Faro is definitely not a holiday resort - it is a working city.

I would suggest you look at Albufeira. It's only about 35 minutes from the airport.

Now anywhere down here in the Algarve (I live in Albufeira) is going to be quiet in January, but Albufeira is big enough (and has a lot of ex-pats like me) to ensure that restaurants and bars (or some of them at least) are open throughout. After the New Year's holiday many places catering mainly for the tourist hordes will remain closed until Easter at least.

You can get some good and really inexpensive hotel or self-catering deals during January.

If you like the idea of Albufeira try alpharooms.com - friends of mine often use them for last minute bargains but check carefully the location of the places offered, as some people's idea of Albufeira stretches a point to say the least.

Can't guarantee the weather however but if the sun's out the beaches are fine to walk along for some sea air but it won't be sunbathing weather. Last week you would have needed trawlermen's outfits!

Hope that helps and I hope you enjoy your trip.

Thanks for the quick response. Funnily enough I was looking at Albufiera this afternoon.... partly because the hotels were a lot cheaper than in Faro. I am glad you said it was still open-ish in January. If I fancied splashing out I think the Vila Gale Cerro Alagoa is about 150 Euros for a double/twin with sea view for 3 nights B&B. There are others quite a bit cheaper but with not quite so good reviews... but the Vila Gale has a sauna and heated pool which if the weather is bad could be useful.

If anyone has any other suggestions for places/hotels to stay or restaurants to eat at that would be great.

I have turned up at the Porta Nova in Tavira in the winter and got very good deals. Obviously Tavira is not as lively as Alberfeira and the breakfast is always cold at the Porta Nova but apart from that it's a nice hotel.

Don't expect loads of night life though.

I don't expect loads of nightlife... but would like to be able to go for a walk or two and maybe get out to different villages/towns (if possible without having to hire a car). I think the emphasis is on 'something of interest to see'. We certainly aren't going to sunbathe but it would be good to see some sun.

When 'expat' was mentioned I have to admit I wondered a bit. I lived in Barcelona and when I went on a sports holiday near Malaga I really didn't like the expat place it was e.g. most of the restaurants being in English as the first option and Full English Breakfast signs everywhere.

I prefer somewhere a bit more authentic if possible. I guess with Albufeira there is the old part of the town. As an example we are going to Florence and Pisa next weekend for 3 nights and there is no problem with finding things to do - it is fairly obvious. Faro was booked on impulse as the flights were £2 return.

Searcher

There is a Vila Gale in Tavira town centre which will pretty similar to the one at Albufeira. It has an Indoor pool (not massive but enough) and serves full breakfast. Tavira is still very Portuguese but I'm not sure how many of the restaurants etc will be open in January. Tavira does have the benefit of a railway station within a few minutes walk of the centre (and hotel) linking Faro to Vila Real at the Spanish border. It also has a fairly decent bus service on weekdays, so you can explore without a car. See cubsurs website for train and bus schedules. I posted some summer photos of Tavira in the Algarve gallery (use the menu at the top of this screen)

wherever you choose, don't rush in and book any Vila Gale from their website - first check how much the likes of Expedia will do it for (double check which rate includes breakfast, sometimes it works out free from Expedia). And don't book the Vila Gale Albaquora - that's miles outside of Tavira and isolated.

Searcher - the Vila Gale Cerro Alagoa in Albufeira is about ten minutes walk from the old town area. However, you won't really escape the 'Full English Breakfast' signs even down there. The good news is that you won't have to go inside, as most of them will be closed.

There are plenty of genuine Portuguese family-run restaurants for lunch and dinner however.

Thanks for your help so far. Looks like Albufeira or Tavira then. I'll give them a read up. As long as there are a few places of interest to see and more importantly a good local restaurant for the 40th brithday it willbe fine. :-)

Hi searcher

I have just come back last week from a long weekend in Albufeira...........we stayed at the Clube Praire do Oura, which is situated on the lovely beach. We booked our room on Quickrooms.com and we only paid £50.22 for the 2 of us for 4 nights. I cant recommend these apartments enough, they are immaculate.

If it's open try the Beira Rio in Tavira for the birthday. Phone number is 00 351 2813 23165.

http://www.beirariotavira.com Tavira is lovely. We have been in early April and it is a nice town to walk around, with great restaurants. Saying that, we are staying in both Albufeira (14 years since last vist), and Tavira in the Summer.

Thanks for everyone's input so far.. it's been a better response than I hoped for and very much appreciated.

Gut feel says that Tavira could be the winner - especially with the restaurant recommendation. The Vila Gale in Tavira looks okay too - though they are apparently charging 7.50 Euro per person per day to use the heated pool which is a bit steep.

I love Tavira. We stayed in the Vila Gale Tavira a couple of years ago ( January time) and it was really nice.
Depends on what you like but the same year, we stayed in Albufeira (new town) and couldn't wait to get back to Tavira......

Go wandering through the streets across the bridge and you will find "A Bica" restaurant which is also good, as is "O Arco" (cheap n cheerful but great food) just along from Beira Rio.

Pat

I see what you mean about the indoor pool - their website now advertises the new Satsanga Spa with the pool as part of it and presumably the €7.50 covers that. Then again, the pool used to be classed as part of the previous health club but they never charged me for just using the pool! And they never charged me for using the health club changing room, showers and towels after spending the day at the outdoor pool AFTER I'd checked out!

From various reviews on different websites regulars of the Vila Gale Tavira were less than impressed with the recently introduced 7.50 charge. It sort of takes away one of the main reasons for choosing that hotel in January really. Having said that there doesn't seem to be many other alternatives in the price range in central Tavira.

I think the Porta Nova mentioned above must be closed as it is not appearing on the hotel sites with availability but will look into it.

Anyway - no rush - I will wait nearer the time and check for late deals. At least I can focus on Tavira now.

The Vila Gale and Porta Nova are the only hotels of that type in Tavira. There also is one of the up market historical places (like a Spanish Pousada) and a few residencials but they may not be open in January. The pool charge is steep but I have noticed they have an offer on their website on accomodation at the moment for €22 per person - if you could get that price after New Year it would balance things out a bit. I've got 6 days off this weekend and I'm tempted!!

Can reccomend the Hotel Aldeia in Albufeira right on the strip.Plenty of shops and bars open and places to eat all on the doorstep.