Algarve Blog

This Algarve blog is intended to keep you in touch with the latest in Algarve affairs. Now that I'm living here, I'm trying to keep you updated with what's going on in the Algarve and around those wonderful beaches.

So, here's my regular take on occurrences in what used to be my favourite vacation spot... but is now my favourite place to live.

Ingles in Silves

The former capital of Algarve (until the river silted up, long ago) Silves is where you can find an interesting spot to relax and enjoy music.

Situated near the castle walls, Café Ingles hosts regular musical interludes for the delectation of its clientele. Popular with both locals and visitors, a meal and a listen can while away a Friday or Saturday evening, or even a Sunday lunch.

The manager, who is a Brit, boasts a wide-ranging musical taste, so the artists who appear may be local or international, and a wide range of styles can be heard.

Food can be Portuguese style or international, and they even have a choice for the tree huggers (vegetarians) like me!

Expect to see some of the upcoming evenings (and lunches) featured in my page about Algarve Events. After all, a meal with musical accompaniment isn’t just a meal – it qualifies as an event!

Friday 16 May 2008

Democracy in Loulé

It seems that they introduce children early to politics in Loulé. Secondary school children were encouraged to attend the town’s Game of Democracy event, at which it is hoped they will learn about the democratic system and the workings of local government.

I would say that, given the obscure workings of local (and national government) in Portugal, the earlier you start to pick up knowledge of it, the better.

This year’s event was the seventh in a row, so there must be an entire swathe of young folk in the Loule area having a passing acquaintance with local democracy.
Joking aside, it is important, in a country that’s had a democracy for only 34 years, that the next generation of managers and politicians should appreciate what is theirs to enjoy.

Since the Mayor of Loule took a delegation to Lisbon to explain the event to State President Cavaco Silva (himself born in Loule) perhaps it’ll be rolled out across this lovely, sunny (but so confusing) land?

Wednesday 14 May 2008

Sun, Sea and Sand…

… or Dunes, Dips and Danger? 

There have been quite a few reports so far this year about individuals who were swept out to sea and subsequently drowned. Most were tourists, who were probably ignorant of local conditions and hazards, but it does underline how important it is to take care, even when enjoying some time at Algarve beaches.

If you’ve never been to a particular beach before, take the trouble to enquire whether there are any local conditions that you should beware. Undertow, high waves, becoming stranded by fast-moving water… none seems the sort of thing you’d want to be considering when you’re relaxing and enjoying yourself. 

But it would be a shame to waste that return ticket home, wouldn’t it?

Monday 12 May 2008

On the Never-Never!

The Portuguese government recently announced that those with home loans that receive a subsidy would be able to extend the repayment period to 50 years!

It seems to me that, if you’re buying an Algarve property when you’re in your mid-twenties, you don’t want to be paying for it until you’re 75.

Unless, of course, the government has some bad news about raising the age of retirement that it hasn’t yet announced!

Watch this space!

Saturday 10 May 2008

Cerveja to the rescue

Some items of news about the Portuguese economy struck me as perhaps interlinked.

The first concerned the reported growth of exports from the country, which had been dwindling since 2003.

The second was that Portugal is now the fourth biggest supplier of beer to Spain, after Germany, Holland and Mexico.

Are you thinking what I’m thinking? Let’s hear it for the beer (and the Spanish imbibers who made this economic revival possible).

I only hope there’s enough left in the south of Portugal to regale those enjoying some Algarve nightlife!

Thursday 8 May 2008

On the beat...

Lagoa has requested reinforcements in the shape of a new GNR (police) post in Ferragudo.

It seems that urgent measures are required to tackle an upsurge in crime that can only worsen as visitor numbers rise during the tourist season.

Although there are posts already in Lagoa and Carvoeiro, presumably the response times of officers from those places who are needed in Ferragudo are not speedy enough.

Although reputed to be a somewhat sleepy area, Ferragudo does house a campismo and is a stone's throw (let's hope that's metaphorical only!) from numerous other Algarve hot-spots!

An in-situ police post would probably calm the inhabitants and deter any incipient criminality...

... and I can think of worse places to be posted than calm, sunny Ferragudo!

Tuesday 6 May 2008

Algarve Events

Around this time of year, things start to hot up in Algarve - in all senses of the words. The good weather has arrived, hopefully to stay, and the activities begin to arrive thick and fast.

May sees a definite step up in the availability of premier events, to match the predicted rise in tourist numbers.

From the 22nd, you can visit this year's FIESA sand scuptures festival (reputedly the biggest in the world) at Pera. The Fiesa 2007 event was widely praised, and my various visitors all enthused about the displays, having never seen their like before.

And there's also the first big Algarve International Fair of the season, held at Fatacil showground, Lagoa. Read more about that in this month's Algarve Events page.

One way and another, you shouldn't be short of entertainment or spectacle for the rest of the Algarve season!

Sunday 4 May 2008

Algarve Tourism

If what I've read about the pessimism affecting Algarve hoteliers is true, it would seem that the Credit Crunch has arrived in this region.

I suppose that, with the Euro looking very strong against the UK pound and the US dollar, it must be difficult to attract vacationers from those areas. It's not that people will stop coming to Algarve, more that the numbers will decline, with the inevitable effect on numbers of people employed in the sector.

Certainly, hotel occupancy rates for visitors from the UK have decreased since December '07. Once again, I've seen the old adage about targetting 'quality tourism' bandied about. That's where you attract a higher-spending tourist, or just charge those who do come more for everything they buy.

Even if that worked as outlined, which I doubt, the numbers of people employed in the tourism sector would decline - and what alternatives are there for them in modern Portugal?

A better idea seems to be to attract more tourists during the leaner winter months, but even there, the punters expecting lower prices might be put off because of the poor exchange rates.

It's a quandary, and I'm betting it's one that the politicians can't solve. It might be that the Algarve tourism industry has to employ ingenuity and forward thinking in order to survive. If they sit on their hands and expect central government to come up with ideas, they'll be waiting a long time for things to improve...

Friday 2 May 2008

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