Thank you for your comments

We were delighted to received this comment from guests who spent two weeks with us from 14th December until 28th December.

Our Holiday at the Hotel Garbe has been without doubt one of our best.

We couldn't find fault with anything or anyone. We would like to come again, our last time here was in 1985. We will recommend the Hotel Garbe to everyone.

Many, many thanks

Swim for Shoes Video

Click here to view Christmas Day Swim for Shoes Video .

Thank you to one of our regular guests, professional photographer, Mr. Peter Phelan of Prophoto International www.prophoto-international.com for filming and uploading for us.

Nativity Scene - Armacao de Pera

Not so long ago, the Nativity Scene was the only Christmas decoration in Portugal. Every house would have one. These pictures show the Scene set up by the local Scout Group outside the Church of Armacao de Pera.

Christmas Day Swim for Shoes

More than 50 participated in the Christmas Day "*Swim for Shoes*" on the beach in front of the Hotel Garbe in Armacao de Pera, Algarve and help to raise more than 600 Euros to buy new shoes for children in an Algarve Orphanage.














The sea was surprisingly warm and as one swimmer said very exhilarating!!!! Certificates were awarded to all those who got wet and everyone enjoyed a very welcome glass of Mulled Wine in the Hotel Garbe bar afterwards.














Thank you to everyone who participated.

Thanks also to the Classic Car Club who collected 250 Euros and to WineMine who gave the proceeds from their Christmas Raffle. Which boosts the current total to more than 900 Euros.....


In order to raise more funds - there is another "Swim for Shoes" on 1st Janauary at 11.00am - just the way to recover from the festivities of New Years Eve - welcome in 2007 by paddling or swimming in the Atlantic Ocean - what an achievement ! Please join us - Fancy Dress Optional.

Finally our thanks to Mr. Dean Lindemann of Dean Lindemann Photography dlindemann@sapo.pt who came along to take photographs for us.

Alfies' 80th Birthday Lunch

We were very pleased when Barbara Dyson chose our Restaurant Por do Sol to celebrate her husbands 80th Birthday - here a a few photos:-

Christmas Decorations, 2006

An Introduction to Travel Photography

New for 2007

Wednesdays, 7th and 21st February and 7th and 21st March, 2007

This 4-hour course starts at 9am at the Hotel Garbe

Have you ever wished you knew more about your camera so that you could take better photographs?

This course is designed to help you develop your camera skills and techniques to enable you to create images which capture the real mood and atmosphere of your travel destinations.

After a short introductory talk, we will visit a variety of local locations where you will be guided through different approaches to photographing selected subjects and scenes. At each location the emphasis will be on composition and exposure and we’ll explore areas such as directional light, colour, tone texture and pattern, among many other topics.

With a maximum of only six participants, you will be assured lots of individual attention and there will be ample opportunity for questions and answers. We’ll also provide you with a set of course notes so that your new camera skills can be applied in any location.

Your course tutor is John McKinlay, one of the UK’s leading landscape and travel photographers. John has more than 17 years experience of teaching photography and he runs photographic courses and tours in Scotland, Portugal, Cyprus and North Africa.

Bring along your camera, whether it’s film or digital and enjoy a fresh approach to your photography.

Price per person 40 euros

For more information or to book, please send e-mail to info@hotelgarbe.com or telephone 282 320260.

FRIENDS LUNCH CLUB CHRISTMAS LUNCH

Last Friday the "Friends Lunch Club" held their Christmas Lunch here at the Hotel Garbe:-

The beach this afternoon - 4.00pm

Christmas Quiz

Win a weekend for two

1. Who is Santa Claus named after?

2. Boxing Day is also the Holy day for which Saint?

3. "Something stupid" was a Chrismas hit in 2001. Who sang it originally?

4. Who introduced Christmas trees to England?

5. Which actor played The Grinch in 2001?

6. How many drummers were drumming in the "Twelve Days of Christmas"?

7. On what date is Epiphany?

8. What are the names of the three Kings?

9 How many times is the word Christmas mentioned in the song "Jingle Bells"?

10. Who was crowned King of England on Christmas day 1066?

Send your answers by e-mail to info@hotelgarbe.com before 31st December, 2006 - all correct entries will be placed in a draw. The first one drawn will win a weekend for two in the Hotel Garbe. Answers will be posted in early January.

Christmas in Portugal

Here in the Hotel Garbe we have our four day Christmas programme which includes many traditions from Christmas in the UK.

Portuguese Christmas celebrations are a little different.

The main meal is on Christmas Eve(called "Consoada"). The meal consists of codfish with boiled potatoes and cabbage. After the meal, people eat traditional fried desserts: "filhoses or filhós" are made of fried pumpkin dough; "rabanadas" are similar to french toast; "azevias" are round cakes made of a crust filled with a mixture of chick peas, sugar, and orange peel; "aletria" is a vermicelli sweet with eggs (typical of Douro and Minho region).

Another traditional dessert is "Bolo Rei". This is a fruitcake that is typically a New Years cake, but is becoming popular during Christmas Holidays. In the cake there are two surprises: one is a little present like a fake ring, or a little doll, or a medal. The other is not as welcomed. There is a raw broad bean. Whoever gets this bean has to buy the "Bolo Rei" in the coming year. In addition to these desserts there are many other that differ from region to region.

On Christmas Day, people eat stuffed turkey for lunch and the traditional desserts.

During the holiday season towns are decorated with lights.

The festivities end on January 6, "Dia de Reis".

The Perfect Present

for 'him' or for 'her'
Only €199 euros per person
(approx £135 pounds)

The Hotel Garbe
Golfers Special Offer
Stay 3 days in
December 2006 or January 2007
€199 euros
(£135 pounds approx)

2 rounds of Golf
(choose from 9 different courses)
~
Car hire
~
Bed & Breakfast
in a twin seaview room
~
Welcome drinks
~
Fruit & Water in room on arrival
~
Dinner in The Raj Indian Restaurant on one evening
~

No hidden extras

E Mail us for further details golfdesk@hotelgarbe.com
or visit our website http://www.golfatgarbe.com/

AFPOP Christmas Dinner - Silves area

Last Saturday, about thirty AFPOP members enjoyed the Silves Area Christmas Dinner which took place in our Restarant Por do Sol. Our thanks to Area Representatives Jan and Jim Cobley for holding this evening at the Hotel Garbe. If you would like information about future AFPOP events please contact Jan Cobley at janc@paws4pets.net.

Christmas Fair Raffle and Tombola

Here we can see Network President Linda Smith, (right) Vice President Renette Joubert (left) and Chairman of the Fiscal Board Silvia Smeman (centre), at the Raffle Table. Vice President Sam Felisberto organised the Tombola. Thanks go to all who donated prizes.

The monies raised from the Raffle and Tombola went to the Network Charity of the Year, Riding for the Disabled, who were thrilled at the funds raised( €1630) for their well deserved cause.

Thank you for your comments

From: Dave
Sent: segunda-feira, 27 de Novembro de 2006 22:18
To: hotelgarbe@mail.telepac.pt
Subject: Re: Re-MABEY booking 4th Nov-21 nights


Thank you so much for a wonderful stay , and we did so appreciate our room allocation .

I had room to do my daily exercises and cannot thank you enough , what a wonderful

team you have no wonder so many people return year after year . We look forward to

seeing you again . Mr & Mrs Mabey SWANAGE

Network Spirit of Christmas Fair

A Great Success

Last Friday, 1st December our annual Christmas Fair took place in the Hotel Garbe. Taking over the Bar, Reception, Chelb room and Raj Indian Restaurant there were more than sixty stalls for visitors to browse.

The fair is held each year in conjunction with Network - the Association of Working and Business Women in the Algarve. http://www.networkalgarve.org/

One of the popular attractions on the day were the carol singing sessions, kindly staged by members of the Silves Keep Fit For Charity Club who were delighted with the generosity of the crowd in their fundraising efforts for Castelo dos Sonhos.

Christmas Bar Snacks were available in the Bar Boa Vista and a buffet Curry was served between 12.00pm and 8.00pm.

Bank Holiday - 1st December

This day is the celebration of the patriotic movement that placed the dinasty of Braganza on the throne of Portugal.

The restoration of the independence from neighbours Spain was iniciated in Lisboa on the 1st December, 1640 by a group of nobles that proclaimed D. Joao IV, king of Portugal.

The beach today - 1.30pm

From our Golf Desk

From:
To: Golf Desk
Sent: Friday, November 24, 2006 12:07 AM
Subject: Re: RECENT ALGARVE GOLFING

Hi Helen

I meant to write to you earlier to thank both yourself and Jane and the rest of the staff at Hotel Garbe for a really enjoyable break. We were sorry that we didn't get to meet you, but we were very busy and just didn't manage to say hello.

We were very pleased with all the arrangements that you made and given the courses you arranged to our specification we have to say the value was excellent. The rooms were excellent, the car hire arrangements and golf were also as we sought, so we very satisfied with what you had prepared for us.

We were a little under the weather alright on the last day at Palmares and when we arrived it started raining very heavily so we didn't go up to the reception and check in. It is a course I have previously enjoyed and to be frank it wasn't easy to skip it, and maybe we should have played but given the conditions and our own condition at that stage we decided to give it a miss. However we also must say we had great weather for the bulk of our stay, with the only substantial rain on our day off.

We certainly will keep you and the Hotel Garbe in mind for any future golf trips to the south of Portugal that we may arrange in the future and many thanks again.

Cheers and all the best
Sean

Theatre Dinner Review - Contributed

We had been basking in glorious sunshine under cloudless blue skies and then the rain came! We were feeling blue. What was on the horizon?

A visit to Hotel Garbe situated on the beach at Armacao De Pera. A table for 10 was booked and we all met up to support The Royal British Legion in their quest to feed and entertain us but most of all collect funds for the needy ex servicemen and women.

We feasted on a 3-course meal in the hotel’s Raj Indian restaurant. What a feast it was too, washed down with wine followed by coffee. All diners were ably looked after by Paulo and staff.
With tummies full to bursting, we then sat back to be entertained.

President of the local British Legion, Harry Warner, was Compere/Master of Ceremonies for the evening and got all theatre-goers into the right mood by telling a few jokes and distributing the raffle prizes.

This was followed by 2 One Act Comedy Plays, “Dinner for One” and “Plaster”.
“Dinner for One” was acted by Alf and Barbara Dyson. The play was a trifle slow and it was thought that the non-speaking part of Butler James should have been allowed a few “um’s” and “ah’s” to “ginger along” the audience with the plot.

“Plaster” brought together David and Sue Butler, both of whom gave sterling performances of this most hilarious “husband and wife” scenario. Set in a hospital ward where poor David was plastered from head to toe. His facial expressions when wife asked those “wifey-type” questions were unforgettable.

Both plays were directed by the well-known Jenny Grainer.

Last on the bill was the very talented artist/singer Graham Cooper who had us all laughing/singing and tapping to his selection of good “oldie songs”. Watch out for this man, he will go FAR. Well I know he’s been to FAR-O, ’cos he told us so!

The original plan was for 2 shows on 9th & 16th November. However, as both were “sell-outs” a further evening’s entertainment has been arranged for Thursday 23rd November.

These “Dinner/Play” evenings are excellent value for money and because of their popularity, if repeated in the future, it is recommended seats are booked early to avoid disappointment.
Total contribution towards RBL funds was 1267 Euros.

Pauline Thurman. 20 November 2006.

Christmas Fair - Next Week

SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS

CRAFT AND GIFT FAIR
at

Hotel Garbe

Armacao de Pera

December 1st 2006
Doors open to the public 11am – 5pm

make sure you visit the Algarve’s best Christmas Craft and Gift Fair

Fashion * Pottery * Bed Linen * Christmas Cards & Wrapping * Toiletries * Cosmetics * Wine * Furnishings * Books * Woodcraft * Toys * Health Products * Tombola * Raffle

Swim for Shoes

JOIN US!
Two opportunities to SWIM FOR SHOES where you can have a dip in the Atlantic Ocean and help to raise money for children here in care who are in need of new shoes.

These will be on Christmas Day and New Years Day at 11.00 a.m. on the beach at Armação de Pêra in front of the Hotel Garbe.

All you need to do is turn up with swimwear, towel and go in for a full swim or just a paddle – the choice is yours as long as part of you gets wet! Then we can all recover in the Hotel Garbe bar with a drink of mulled wine on Christmas Day and hot chocolate on New Years Day, generously donated by The Hotel Garbe, to everyone who has taken part.

Buying shoes for the children who are in care is an ongoing expense and we want to help as many as possible start 2007 with a new pair of shoes. Each child of school age needs a pair of gym shoes and a pair of trainers. Whilst some clothes can be second hand owning a pair of new shoes helps to ensure the children feel good and fit in at school.

Adults and children are all welcome to take part on the understanding that you do so at your own risk. If you have family and friends staying over the festive season it will certainly be something different to do!

As this is a charity event we will gratefully accept all donations offered

For further information please contact
Vicki Good 282 320 260 mail@hotelgarbe.com
Verna Kinder 282 449395 pvkinder@mail.telepac.pt

Picture - Christmas Day - 2005

The Royal British Legion

Following the two theatre dinners that recently took place in the Raj Indian Restaurant we were delighted to receive this letter - many thanks to all of you that attended these events.

ALGARVE SUB-BRANCH.
Tel: ** 351 289 791699
e-mail: thewilkinsons@iol.pt
Chairman:
Peter Wilkinson
Casa Al Gharb
Sitio dos Calicos
8700-069 Moncarapacho
Algarve, Portugal

Dear Vicki

On behalf of the Royal British Legion and in particular the Algarve sub-Branch I wish to thank you and all your staff for ensuring the success of the two evenings of plays last week at your hotel.

The productions raised the sum of euros1267 for British Legion funds which will assist us in our commitment to the welfare and support of ex members and families of our armed forces.

Perhaps you would kindly pass on those thanks to your customers by including this letter in your hotel information sheet,

Thanks once again to the Hotel Garbe and indeed for the ongoing support of many of our functions throughout the year.

Best wishes


Peter

Introduction to Portuguese Wine

The first of the Introduction to Portuguese Wine Courses took place at the Hotel this week.

Peter Koberg and Claire Larson of WineMine an established local wine company, guided the participants through the finer points of Portuguese wines including A brief history of Portuguese winemaking - Tasting techniques and other tips for enjoying wine - The Portuguese table wines, districts and grapes; Port wine – the Portuguese legacy….Madeira and Moscatel.

More courses will be held in January, February and March, 2007 - for more information please send e-mail to info@hotelgarbe.com.

Theatre Dinner next week

RAJ AT GARBE

Presents

Two One-Act Comedies

“PLASTER” from VISITING HOUR
&
“DINNER FOR ONE”

with
GRAHAM COOPER
at the Keyboard singing some old favorites

Directed by
JENNY GRAINER

Thursday 23rd November 2006

7.00 for 7.30 pm
3 Course Indian Dinner
with Wine and Coffee
28,00 Euros per person


Don’t miss it book now.
Tel.282 320260 - Fax: 282 315087 - E-Mail: mail@hotelgarbe.com

Painting on the Beach

This week we have three of our Activity Courses taking place in the Hotel - these photos are some of the participants of the Painting Course - taken yesterday at Fishermens beach.

‘Whispers’ - Palmair In-Flight Magazine

We were delighted to read this article in the Palmair In-Flight Magazine

David Skillicorn, Managing Director of Palmair for 12 years took his teenage daughter Lucy and three of her friends on holiday to the Hotel Garbe.

MY GETAWAY: Renowned for its long coastline of stunning beaches, interesting caves and unique rock formations, where breezes waft in from the Atlantic Ocean to cool even the hottest day, the Algarve has much to offer - a good climate, excellent hotels, restaurants and
apartments, friendly locals and a variety of ways to relax, or alternatively to party – a great, safe choice for all age groups.

WHERE TO STAY: We stayed at the Hotel Garbe in Armacao de Pera this year, it has a superb beach location, lovely pool area with a snack bar and as Palmair’s top selling hotel is a great holiday choice. Buffet breakfast can be enjoyed outside on the terrace each morning &
the hotel is air conditioned. We’d first holidayed in the Algarve in 2005 staying at the Tropical Sol Apartments – again, a great choice for a self-catering holiday with plenty of good inexpensive bars & restaurants nearby and the now famous Albufeira ‘strip’ just 5-10 minutes
walk away. As a complete contrast Monte do Casal enjoys a secluded inland location and is perfect for couples seeking peace & quiet, good food & wines and pampering – I won’t be taking the teenagers there!

EATING OUT: Fishing is one of the prime occupations on the Algarve and Portuguese restaurants excel in their fish dishes. But in our featured resorts you’ll find restaurants to suit all tastes & Evelyn, our resident Resort Manager, always has a list of recommended venues. This year we mainly opted

Dia da Sao Martinho

Dia da São Martinho – Saint Martin - is celebrated on the 11th November.

Celebrated throughout Portugal, this annual event pays homage to the saint who, on a cold and blustery November night, shared his cape with a poor stranger. The day is toasted with new wine tasting and roasted chestnuts – a Portuguese speciality

The legend goes that São Martinho was a brave soldier. On this day, a long time ago, he saw a poor beggar shivering with cold and without hesitation he handed him over his warm military cloak.

As a reward God made the sun shine through the clouds, and in remembrance of his generosity, on this day every year the days get a little warmer.

The views this morning at 11.00am