Preferred Travel - Walking in the Algarve

Contributed by Preferred Travel Services

28th October, 2006 - 7 nights
21st March, 2007 - 7 nights
14th April, 2007 - 7 nights
21st April, 2007 - 7 nights

Day one: Transfer to the Hotel Garbe in Armacao de Pera, just 45 minutes away from Faro Airport.

Days two-seven: There are three full day walks - as each walk is split into two parts you have the flexibility of deciding for yourself how much walking you do.

Walk One - transfer by coach to Monchique town for your morning walk to Malhada (5 miles– moderately easy). This is a beautiful walk that takes you deep into the heart of countryside that sees very, very few visitors. Life continues as it has done for centuries - fields in the valley are ploughed using the family mule and those on the hillsides by hand. You will pass through ancient woodlands and cork forests where you discover mountain flora such as beautiful pink peonies and bushes of rare toothed lavender, not visible from the beach resorts below.

Our afternoon walk is on the lower slopes of Mount Foia (3 miles – moderate). Your walk takes you through an ancient oak forest (the oldest on the Algarve) and eucalyptus woods to give you panoramic views down to the sea. On our return we stroll along old mule tracks to pass by the ruins of the 17th century monastery of Nossa Senhora de Desterro (Our Lady of Exile), destroyed by an earthquake in 1755.

Walk Two – transfer to Praia de Marinha for the morning walk along the cliff tops (5 miles – moderately easy). This will be a circular walk along the cliff tops where the coastline is considered to be one of the most picturesque on the Algarve. Multi-coloured cliffs, hidden sandy beaches, spectacular blow holes and the scent of wild aromatic herbs make this a walk not to be missed. Bring plenty of film for the camera as there is a view waiting to be ‘snapped’ around every corner.

Transfer to Silves for our afternoon walk of the Arade and Odelouca rivers (3 miles – easy). This delightful walk follows the old levada (water channel) as it carries water around the hillsides above the banks of the Arade and Odelouca rivers, which are home to many wading birds. There are wild flowers in abundance including paper white narcissi, the beautiful rock rose and the naked man orchid. Our return is along quiet country lanes where the air is heavy with the scent of orange and lemon blossom and time just seems to stand still.

Walk Three – transfer to Barao S. Joao for the morning walk of the National Forest (5 miles – easy). In the western Algarve the National Forest is a small area of woodland where strenuous efforts are being made to preserve the indigenous vegetation. The walk passes through areas planted with umbrella pines, acacia trees and arbutus bushes. The margins of the woodlands offer panoramic views over an unspoilt countryside to the Serra of Monchique.

You will then transfer to Lagos and your afternoon walk along the coastal path from Luz to Burgua (3 miles – easy). This section of coastal path is renowned not only for its views but also for being a haven for orchids – especially the bee orchid. Hidden deep in the grasses you have every chance of seeing the yellow ophrys, the sawfly ophrys and the rare Iberian mirror ophrys.

If you would like to stretch your legs further, we are also offering a half day optional excursion into the Cape St Vincent Natural Park for a walk there too (5 miles – moderately easy). This is a quite beautiful walk along a section of coastline deep within the Cape St Vincent Natural Park, which remains hidden from most visitors to the Algarve. The Park has a spectacular selection of flowers which are unique to the region and this optional walk gives you the chance to discover them for yourselves, including the bright yellow flowers of asteriscus maritimus, the delicate grape hyacinth, the unusual barbary nut and the rare milky white vetch.
You will, of course, also have free time to explore Armacao de Pera, or take the weight off your feet and spend some time on the beach.

Day eight (or fifteen): free until departure to the airport for your return flight.


To book of for more information www.preferredts.com/walkalgabre.asp

AAS August Meeting at the Hotel Garbe

Contributed

On 21st August we sat outside on the balcony overlooking the sea and painted until the sun went down.

We judged the paintings entered for the Algarve competition and the winner was Jan Telfer

Here is the Winning Painting.

Next Month - Monday, 18th September, 2006 Artist Glyn Uzell will give a presentation about his paintings, why not come and enjoy the evening and time permitting do some painting.

We would be pleased to receive applications for new members



Contact info:- Sally Dawson Mobile 917408508
Harry Hopley Mobile 966033124

Santos e Pecadores

We were very pleased that the famous Portuguese pop group "Santos e Pecadores" chose to stay in Hotel Garbe when they were in the Algarve.

We took the opportunity to take their picture with some of our Reception and Back Office Staff

An Introduction to the Plants and Flowers of Southern Europe

7 nights – 335 Euros per person

This break consists of seven nights accommodation sharing twin landview room and breakfast and four half day walks

Although not in the Mediterranean in a geographical sense the vegetation of Algarve is typically ‘Mediterranean’ in character. The diverse geology offers a wide range of habitats so that in a small area there is a superb variety of flora that cannot be equalled in southern Europe and this course offers you the chance to explore for yourselves differing localities to learn more about the plants and flowers that grow there.
Over the week there will be visits to the acidic mountains of Monchique, the limestone escarpments of the central Algarve and the differing southern and western coastlines. Your guide will be Dr Julie Statham, a local ecological expert and member of Flora and Fauna International who will share with you her extensive knowledge of the area; this course is more for the plant and flower enthusiast rather than the serious botanist. There will also be an optional half day visit to the western limestone headlands of St. Vincent and Sagres which have many endemics and rarities.

To access some of the less common plants some easy walking will be involved so please wear comfortable shoes.

Optional visit: 40 Euros

25th February, 2007 to 4th March, 2007

Non residents - course only 160 Euros

The beach today- 21st August, 2006 - 1.00pm

27th Fatacil Exhibition - Lagoa

The 27th Fatacil Exhibition in Lagoa starts today. There are 800 Exhibitors and more than 100 shows, the highlights of which are Boney M and Orishas.

This large exhibition of regional products, whether agricultural, industrial or artisanal, also the event features various activities such as contests of Portuguese breeds of dogs, competitions for the best honey, medronho and regional sweets.

Other attractions centre on the fashion shows in cork skin and in the contest "Quality Agricultural Products".

The Fair is open between 16.00 and 01.00hrs. The entrance fee is 4 euros.

http://www.fatacil.eu/

Medieval Fair - Silves

From 10th to 15th August, the city of Silves held its annual Medieval Fair. Silves went back in time to the period of the Middle Ages.

There was constant bustle in the streets of the Historical Centre of the City of Silves.

Beggars, acrobats, jugglers, exotic people were all there.

Television Channels

We often get asked about the channels on our television. Please see below - the first four are the local Portugese channels.

RTP 1 - Portuguese
RTP 2 - Portuguese
SIC - Portuguese
TVI - Portuguese

EUROSPORT
CNN
VIVA
SKY SPORTS 1
BBC
RTL
SKY NEWS
SAT 3

Sunday, 13th August, 2006

Procession in Honour of Our Lady of the Fisherman
Armacao de Pera

Photos - www.armacaodepera.com

Zoomarine

Located 15 minutes from the Hotel Garbe, this oceanographic park in Guia offers a great day out for the whole family.

Visitors can enjoy a day watching dolphin shows or the seals and sharks at feeding time. There are also turtles, exotic birds, sea birds, crocodiles, tropical fish and much more.

The park also has restaurants, shops, amusements and swimming pools.

For more information see www.zoomarine.com

EXCERCISE AT THE HOTEL GARBE

Pilates - Mondays and Fridays – 9.30am & 11.00am

Qualified Instructor Debbie Ferreira holds Pilates classes on Mondays and Fridays at the Hotel Garbe.

Hotel Guests are may attend her classes at no charge.

Exhibition of Decorative Minerals

Until Sunday, 20th August, from 10:00am until 23.30pm visitors to the Hotel Garbe will be able to enjoy the exhibition of Decorative Minerals that is in the Reception Area.













The exhibition includes necklaces, earrings, bracelets and rings made in diverse amber, pearls, Lapis-lazuli, turquoises, coral and minerals.
















Sr. Walter and Dª Mimi Rodrigues come each year from Oporto at this time of the year to bring their collection, many of which have been directly imported from the native countries.

Folklore Dancing

Once a fortnight (on Mondays) - a local Folklore Group performs in the Bar Boa Vista of the Hotel.


Our guests can enjoy watching (and participating) traditional Folklore Dancing and lively music,

AAS July Meeting at the Hotel Garbe

Contributed - Algarve Artists Society

Monday night was a great success. Again because of the heat and such lovely setting, we sat outside on the balcony overlooking the sea.

Paulo from the Frame Shop in Lagoa gave a talk on frames and canvasses. It was so interesting we didn't get round to doing any painting.

Paulo also judged the Palm Trees Competition.

He chose two firsts, Sally Dawson’s entry for the detail and Ann Hopley’s for the composition, so the prize is shared.

Next Meeting - Monday, 21st August, 2006.

We would be pleased to receive applications for new members
Contact info:- Sally Dawson Mobile 917408508
Harry Hopley Mobile 966033124

Medieval Fair - Silves

Next week from 10th to 15th August, the city of Silves is holding its annual Medieval Fair.

From 6.00pm to midnight each day Silves will be going back in time to the period of the Middle Ages in Portugal.

There will be constant bustle in the streets of the Historical Centre of the City of Silves. Beggars, acrobats, jugglers, exotic people will all be there. The organisers also are providing costumes for visitors to take part.

An event not to be missed.

Junior Suites

Our Junior Suites are located on the corners of the west wing of the Hotel, on the first, second and third floors. They are larger than the normal seaview rooms and have a seating area. On the fourth floor the corner rooms are divided and have a bedroom with a separate lounge. All are equipped with fridges.


If you book one of these rooms, you will also have a bottle of Port to welcome you.

Rhythm of the Dance - Silves

Rhythm of the Dance" at the Fábrica do Inglês, Silves

Showing at the the Fábrica do Inglês in Silves daily until 3rd September, 2006 at 22.15hrs, "Rhythm of the Dance".

A a one and a half hour show of dance and music, inspired by Irish tradition. For more information please see www.fabrica-do-ingles.pt