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Restaurants The Algarve offers an array of international and local cuisine. The famous Chicken Piri-Piri is sold in many restaurants across the
Algarve, however, the town of Guia is said to have the best Piri-Piri houses on the Algarve - this spicy dish is enjoyed by locals and tourist alike. Eating out is so affordable on the Algarve, lunches tend to be
long and leisurely. Restaurants on this southern coast are extremely child friendly, allowing you to relax and enjoy the cuisine. The Algarve is a great place to enjoy seafood and fish. Grilled sardines are a great
speciality along with swordfish, bream, squid, clams and many more. From the simple chargrilled sardines to gourmet lobster, the Algarve has a wide variety of good food to offer and promises to be outstanding in
quality.
Wines The very cheap wine prices are a bonus. There are many different Portuguese wines to choose from. Some of the more notable ones being 'Dao,
Vinho Verde, Reguengos and of course Port'. Sir Cliff Richard's 'Vida Nova' wine can be purchased from the singer's winery in Guia (to the rear of the 'Algarve Shopping' - Look for 'Quinta do Miradouro' and press
the bell marked 'shop'). This opened early in 2005 and the shop is equipped for wine tasting tours of the vineyard and winery and can be pre-booked. Contact 00351-289-572 666. Take advantage of the low cost wines,
liqueurs, spirits and cigarettes. There is no limit on what can be taken home for personal consumption.
Slide and Splash The Slide and Splash park at Estombar is between Lagoa and Portimao
and offers lots of thrilling rides, soft slides and children's water fun playground with restaurants. A fun day out for all the family.
Go karting at Almancil This Karting track in Almancil is fun for all the family. The Kart circuit is situated 12km from Faro Airport and 8km from Vilamoura. The circuit was inaugurated by
Ayrton Senna, and it is a replica of the 'Jacarepagua' Formula 1 circuit in Brazil. The Almancil Karting is surrounded by a 'Western' Theme Park. There is a bar offering snacks, table top games and computer games,
picnic tables, bungy trampolines with purpose built safety harnesses allowing you to experiment with acrobatic movements with a feeling of defying gravity from great heights! There are motorised rides on water for
infants.
Krazy World in Algoz There is krazy golf, a swimming pool, petting farm, pony rides, quad bikes, fairground, crocodile park and many other attractions. Great for the kids and a good family
day out!
Lagos Zoo Located in its own beautifully landscaped gardens between Bara de S. Joao and Bensafrim, Lagos Zoo has a 60m long flight tunnel for the observation of exotic birds and
children have the opportunity of close contact with a variety of domestic and farm animals. The zoo has a souvenir shop and restaurant offering meals and snacks.
Aquashow Family Park
Visit one of the best parks near Quarteira, Loule, Algarve. Enjoy all the attractions, slides, pools, waves, exotic birds and Europe's biggest watercoaster, 23,5 meters high! Dare you!
Jeep Safaris Generally well rated, the jeep safaris are all but boring! They will take you on a journey along the Algarvian Mountains with a few
stops to taste the typical Algarvian Medronho (firewater). Normally the tours include lunch at a chicken piri-piri restaurant. Bookings can be made at the tourist information office in your resort.
Shopping tips and what to look for The best buys on the Algarve include leather goods which are locally made, pottery, decorated tiles, crystal,
copperware, embroidered tablecloths, filigree jewellery and cork products. The leather goods ie. Bags, belts, shoes can be purchased everywhere from local markets and smart boutiques - usually at a fraction of the
cost to English prices. Pottery is sold in shops that are along the N125 (old coastal road). They will pack your shopping and will sometimes arrange international carriage.
Beer Festival The Silves Beer Festival is held in the Fabrique do Ingles for 2 weeks in early July each year. There are many restaurants and live
entertainment throughout the summer months including state of the art laser shows.
Boat Trips Small fishing boat trips are available
from Carvoeiro and Benagil allowing you to admire the beautiful coastline and grottos. Some of the larger vessels are available from Portimao offering Big Game Fishing trips, pleasure cruises, and grotto with
secluded beach trips (some of them include lunch, which usually consists of grilled sardines, bread and wine).
Fatacil The fatacil is an
annual event which takes place every August for 10 days. It is an important commercial and rural produce fair which exhibits products from all over Portugal and can be found on the N125 in Lagoa. The occasion
provides enjoyment for visitors and locals. National bands with their singers entertain late into the night. Animals, handicrafts and food are just a few of the exhibits displayed in the show.
Fishing Big Game Fishing from Portimao offer the chance to catch Marlins, Swordfishes, Bill fish, Tuna, Bonitos, Blue fish, Large Bass, Giant Conger Sea Breams and
different kind of sharks; blue sharks, Mako sharks, Hammer-heads, Copper sharks are roaming the waters. Usually a lunch is provided consisting of Chicken Piri-Piri, chips, bread and fruit. Cold drinks can be bought
on board. The best period of the year to fish is June - September.
Horse Riding Horse Riding lessons for beginners and advanced riders, for children and adults. Well trained horses are available for lessons or hacks
into the wonderful and scenic hills
Monchique Mountains From the peak, named Foia, 3000 feet above sea level and a few kilometres uphill from the town, the
most breathtaking views of the Algarve can be seen. Monchique spa water has been famous since Roman times, and over the centuries the hot mineral springs have eased rheumatic pains of kings and
paupers alike. Monchique is also noted for its varied craftwork and its cottage industry of distilling medronho a very strong alcohol from the fruit of the arbutus tree. There are many restaurants on the
eucolyptus lined roads to the summit.
Portimao Portimao is a fishing port where many fishing trawlers bring in the catch of the day. You can stand on
the quayside watching fishermen hurling wickerwork baskets of fresh fish from the deep in the hold all the way up to the ice trays. Pleasure boat trips and shark fishing can be booked at the quayside.
Summer visitors flock to the sardine restaurants in the square near the bridge. The town has one of the best fish markets in the algarve and a busy modern shopping precinct excellent for shoes, leather
goods, and souvenirs.
Surfing Surfing, wind-surfing and kite-surfing goes on around the Algarvian coast with a number of outlet surf
shops dotted throughout the region offering equipment hire, (your local tourist information centre will be able to help you as to where to hire your equipment). Generally, it is acknowledged that the west
coast offers the most in terms of surfing. Surfing is becoming increasingly popular in the region with centres throughout the Algarve offering lessons and equipment hire.
Vilamoura Marina A vibrant yachting marina situated in one of Europe's biggest private tourist developments. Offering
many bars, restaurants, casinos, boutiques and fantastic golf courses. Many trips can be booked from Vilamoura including Dolphin watching and family fun rides, Parascending, Big Game Fishing,
Pleasure cruises and Yacht charter. Vilamoura has plenty to offer all the family - day and night!
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