Pack your Picnic and enjoy May Day in the Algarve

Gather your family and friends and experience the Portuguese May Day tradition.

The first of May is May Day, an international celebration of workers’ solidarity and has always been a festival of fun, right from its early beginnings and, despite isolated outbreaks of violence during political May Day rallies around the world, in modern times, it continues to be celebrated as a day to enjoy the open air, and a day to air opinions.

For the Portuguese it is a day to enjoy a good picnic, on the beach, in the forest, by a river, and sometimes just at the roadside. It is the one day of the year that normally unused roadside picnic spots fill with families and friends to enjoy simple food and wine, and cheer at the day long parades of fire engines, ambulances and police vehicles that animate the roads of every county. April in Portugal marks the change from winter to spring, bringing warmer weather and blue skies, and May Day is the perfect opportunity to get out and enjoy the first picnic of the year.

If you live here, or on holiday in the Algarve, we give you some popular places to go.

Most popular are the Fontes that can be found near Estombar (Lagoa), Alte and Benamola (Loule) and Caldas de Monchique. The rivers are very popular too, like the Arada and the Guardiana (river between Portugal and Spain) and the Baragems (dam lakes) which there are many, both large and small, throughout the Algarve.

So Pack your picnic and enjoy May Day in the Algarve!

For more information you can contact me.

This information is brought by you by Algarve Housing, which rents luxury holiday villas in the Algarve.

If you don’t want to miss our updates about what to do in the Algarve, last minute deals on our dream holiday homes or information about the area, subscribe to our blog, it is free, and you will never miss anything.

Warm Regards,

Michele

Mariza and Stone in the Algarve

Joss Stone
Mariza

British soul artist, Joss Stone and Portuguese fado singer Mariza, will be performing in the Algarve this summer. Stone is to play in the Largo Duarte Pacheco, Loule, on July 31 and the highly-acclaimed ‘fadista’ singer Mariza will be taking to the stage in Vila Real de Santo Antonio on August 14. Tickets for the two concerts will cost between 15 en 30 euro. Tickets can be purchased via the http://www.ticketline.pt/Home.aspx

So why not combine one of those great concerts with renting a private holiday home in the Algarve?

Don’t you know Joss Stone or Mariza, watch the videos below!

Algarve Housing has a  wide range of private properties available in the Algarve, from rustic Windmills to luxury Villa’s. Whether you want your own private pool so the kids can splash around safely and outdoor dining so you can enjoy a family evening around the BBQ – the choice is yours. From luxuries such as a private pool, daily maid service, private tennis court or Jacuzzi to everyday comforts such as satellite TV or internet access – we’ll have the perfect property to match your needs!

Combine your holiday in the Algarve with fantastic artists and top villa’s for rent! We keep you updated about What’s going on in the Algarve via this blog. Don’t you want to miss anything, please subscribe to our blog.

For more details about the villa’s contact me!

Warm regards,

Michele

Algarve Carnival 2009

Carnival Algarve

Councils across the Algarve are preparing their Carnival celebrations to include parties, parades and fancy dress competitions, which will take place between February 20 and 24.

Traditionally, Carnival is a period of festivities including parades and dances and is fixed each year by the moon, marking the start of Lent in the Christian faith. The word Carnival comes from the words “carne vale”, meaning ‘farewell to the flesh’.

Each town has its own theme for this annual celebration, which can be based on political satire, important events and society in general. Themes across the region this year include the year of astronomy in Albufeira, the Olympic Games in Vila Real de Santo António, the world in São Brás de Alportel and nature in Loulé.

Loulé carnival is widely acclaimed as the most famous parade in the Algarve, having run since 1906.

It is also one of the most renowned in Portugal, along with those of Madeira, Ovar and Torres Vedras.

Underneath you find some time and dates!

Friday 20 February

10:00am

Albuferia Schools Carnival

10:00am

Faro Childrens Carnival

10:00am

Quarteira Schools Carnival

10:00am

Sao Bras de Alportel Childrens Carnival

Saturday, February 21

3:00pm

Loule Childrens Carnival

3:00pm

Quarteira Carnival Parade

9:30pm

Loule Carnival Party

Sunday, February 22

3:00am

Loule Carnival Party

2:00pm

Paderne Carnival

3:00pm

Quarteira Carnival Parade

3:00pm

Sao Bras de Alportel Carnival

3:00pm

Tavira Carnival Parade of Decorated Floats

3:30pm

Alte Carnival Parade

3:30pm

Loule Carnival Parade

Tuesday, February 24

2:00pm

Paderne Carnival

2:00pm

Sagres Carnival Parade

3:00pm

Quarteira Carnival Parade

3:00pm

Sao Bras de Alportel Carnival

3:00pm

Tavira Carnival Parade of Decorated Floats

3:30pm

Alte Carnival Parade

3:30pm

Loule Carnival Parade

Would you like to have more information about Algarve Carnival, please contact me. If you are on Holiday in Algarve staying at one of our properties or somewhere else, we hope that you found this information useful. Why not subscribe to this news blog to find out more.


On Holiday In Algarve? Discover more on foot

Guided Walks

If you are on holiday in Algarve this week and think that you would like to discover a little more of this region on foot, then why not put on your walking shoes and take a walk this Wednesday with  Dr Julie Statham and others, and discover a little more of the Real Algarve.

Wednesday Nov 19 – Lets Walk around the Lake

A moderate 2.5 hour walk around the Bravura lake and through the countryside with great views
10.30 start – meet in the car park above the lake. Leave the A22 at the Lagos / Odiaxere exit, turn left to Odiaxere & at the lights in the centre of the village turn left. Follow the signs for the Barragem, the car park is on the left with a cafe.

[googleMap]550|275|8|1|1|odiaxere, faro|[/googleMap]

Everyone is very welcome to come along and there is no need to book. There is a charge of 5 euro for each walk which includes a donation to charity (we are actively sponsoring 3 children in third world countries).

Dr Julie Statham can be contacted personally by calling:

+ 351 965 753 033 or + 351 282 697 298

So, if you are on Holiday in Algarve staying at one of our properties or somewhere else we hope that you found this information useful. Why not subscribe via RSS to find out more.

If you are organising any walking activities in Algarve and would like us to pass on any details through our newsletter please contact me, Michele at algarvehousing.net

On Holiday In Algarve – Let´s Walk This Week

Walking in Algarve

If you are on holiday in Algarve this week and think that you would like to discover a little more of this region on foot then why not take a walk with  Dr Julie Statham and others,

Wednesday Nov 5 – Let’s Walk from Odiaxere

A fairly easy walk of just over 2 hours through the countryside with great views over the Alvor estuary.

10.30 start meet at the front door of the church in Odiaxere – from A22 exit for Odiaxere, follow the signs into the village drive through the village and the church is off to the right (same direction as Palmares Golf).

Everyone is very welcome to come along and there is no need to book. There is a charge of 5 euro for each walk which includes a donation to charity (we are actively sponsoring 3 children in third world countries).

[googleMap]550|275|8|1|1|odiaxere, faro|[/googleMap]

Dr Julie Statham can be contacted personally by calling:

+ 351 965 753 033 or + 351 282 697 298

So, if you are on Holiday in Algarve staying at one of our properties or somewhere else we hope that you found this information useful. Why not subscribe via RSS to find out more.

If you are organising any walking activities in Algarve and would like us to pass on any details through our newsletter please contact me, Michele at algarvehousing.net