Wednesday, July 29, 2009

The Algarve " The Jewel in Portugals Crown

By Jennifer Davis

Whether you want a beach holiday of a family holiday with plenty for the kids to do The Algarve at the Southern side of Portugal is a perfect choice. Theres a multitude of Algarve hotels, resorts, theme parks, beaches, and outstanding natural features to give all holidaymakers a great deal of choice. When you combine all of these things together in one area, you have a destination that literally has something for everyone. Add this to the beautiful climate with temperatures ranging between 15 and 28 degrees centigrade, and The Algarve makes a perfect holiday destination.

Accommodation on and around the beaches consists of Algarve hotel resorts, single family villas and apartments " with a range of catering options. Hotels in The Algarve have a wide array of prices for cheap basic rooms that offer a place to shower and change between your activites, or lavish Algarve hotels that offer spa treatments and closeness to the major attractions. You can stay in modern Algarve hotels or older hotels that have years of history to add to their charm. An alternative to staying in an Algarve hotel is to rent an Algarve apartment for your time in the area. Apartments in the Algarve offer you the chance to save some money if you are travelling with a few friends. Families with small children may also appreciate the fact that they do not have to stress as much about their children making a noise which may annoy other hotel guests.

There beaches in the Algarve offer good opportunities for water sports " if youve never snorkelled before, now could be your big chance! If exploring the past is more your thing then you shouldnt miss out a trip to Faro, the capital of The Algarve. Here, the one must-see is the Nossa Senhora do Carmo. This old church has some of the regions best gold leaf. It also houses a good collection of religious iconography.

ZooMarine and Lagos Zoo are two good places to take children. ZooMarine offers the best value for money as this is not only a zoo but also a theme park. Your children will learn much about such animals as sea lions and dolphins as they watch their antics. If you, or your children, love nothing better than clambering over rocks, looking in rock pools, and generally exploring the seaside then the western side of the Algarve has the best opportunities for this. You wont find the best sunbathing beaches here, but if you enjoy natural rock formations and discovering grottos and caves, then this is an experience youre sure to enjoy!

Lisbon, Portugals capital, isnt as close to The Algarve as you might like " but if youre planning a two week holiday then you could consider a mini-break to this beautiful Portuguese city. It takes 3-4 hours by train but youll see a lot of the Portuguese countryside that you wouldnt otherwise experience and trains are clean, efficient and not too expensive. Consider keeping your Algarve hotel room and increasing your accommodation budget to allow for the night in Lisbon so that you can travel light on your mini-break.The Algarve is a beautiful part of the world to visit. It offers you the opportunity to experience a beach holiday without the party atmosphere of islands such as Ibiza. If youre looking for more peaceful holiday that allows you to relax in stunning surroundings, The Algarve is a perfect choice.

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