Ferragudo Delights

by Jim Litchko
(Kensington MD, USA)

Jennifer -

Your page on Ferragudo was great. The article on the new marina was very informative.

I have to say that the sun, quaint towns, food, beaches and creative atmosphere had a great influence on our deciding to build and live there full-time in two years, but it was mostly the joyful, welcoming and helpful people that made the decision easy.

We visited the Algarve in the summer of 2006 on vacation and loved it. We returned that following Christmas to ensure we would like the weather at that time of the year. We did and contracted to have a villa built in Ferragudo. Again it was the people that sold us. Example: On New Years Eve, we climbed to the church in Ferragudo to view the tri-synchronized fireworks between Portimao, the Portimao/Ferragudo Bridge, and Ferragudo beaches.

Before midnight, we asked a Portuguese woman to take our picture. She did and invited us to join her family to celebrate in the New Year. They taught us the tradition of eating a grape and making a wish for each gong of the bell. We toasted in the year with their champagne and received hugs and kisses from everyone. The grapes were raisins; fireworks were awesome; champagne was bubbly; and, the people were great.

Yes, the Algarve is the best and that is from a couple who lived in Greece and Florida for six months each; Japan, Germany, and San Francisco for three years each, and, Washington DC for 15 years. We are so looking to live in the Algarve for the rest of our lives.

Thank you again for providing the newsletter. I will be happy to contribute more in the future.

Jim and Jane

www.theiceguy.com