There aren’t many holiday destinations in Europe that can be enjoyed all year round. Whilst snow and ice threaten much of the continent, the Algarve basks in glorious sunshine and provides the perfect climate for a winter sun holiday. Unlike some tourist resorts much of the activities, restaurants and bars in the Algarve are open all year round, and with a lower amount of tourists visiting the area you’ll find villa rentals are much lower than you may expect.
Beaches
The Algarve is renowned for having some of the best beaches in Europe and as you relax next to your loved one and watch the sun set over the Atlantic Ocean you’ll be wondering why you hadn’t visited the resort sooner. The whole of the Algarve is lined with golden beaches and turquoise waters so whether you choose Monte da Quinta or Vale do Lobo for your holiday retreat you will have the same fabulous beaches available to you.
Way of Life
The Algarve is bustling during the summer months due to the thousands of tourists that descend upon the resorts for their yearly holidays however the winter months are completely the opposite. The locals re-appear from their villas and can be found hiding out in the old-fashioned British pubs that line the resort towns and you can really get to experience traditional Portugal as you become acquainted with those who live in the Algarve all year round.
Activities
Whilst the Algarve’s water parks and family entertainment options are open sporadically during the winter season there is still plenty to do to keep you occupied. The world renowned golf courses are open all year round, and what better way to play a game of golf than at a pace that suits you? There are plenty of walking opportunities in the region so no matter where you choose as a base in the Algarve you are sure to find something nearby. Additionally many of the restaurants are also open all year round, so you can enjoy the beautiful Mediterranean cuisine on a regular basis. You won’t need to reserve a table in the winter, that’s for sure!
The Algarve occupies the whole southern coast of Portugal, although it has only been in the last couple of decades that golfing holidays have really started to take off. Before then golf courses in Portugal tended to be made of oil and sand and were generally thought of as a way to keep budget tourists amused on what was at the time one of the cheapest holiday destinations in Europe. From the 60’s onwards, the golfing facilities in the country began to improve which led to a different type of tourist frequenting the region – those that were happy to pay for luxury.
Golf Architecture
The first golf course in the region was designed by British Open Champion, Sir Henry Cotton in 1966. Once complete, the course was visited by thousands of affluent tourists who wanted to play a round or two in the beautiful Algarve weather and follow up their experience in one of the region’s beautiful restaurants. The popularity that Cotton’s course garnered led to more and more golf courses being expertly designed to blend in perfectly with the stunning surroundings. Luxury villas began to crop up as did more fine dining restaurants and further luxury facilities. The start of the Algarve’s luxurious status had begun.
Quinta do Lago
If a golfing holiday in a truly exclusive destination sounds like your ideal way to spend a week or two away, Quinta do Lago may just be the best location for you. Home to the beautiful and luxurious Four Seasons Country Club, the region is extremely popular with the rich and famous. Stunning accommodation combined with world class golfing facilities have led to this region becoming world famous and now tourists throughout the globe travel here just to experience it for themselves.
Quinta do Lago is also a fabulous location to stay in even if golf isn’t on your main agenda. Designer shops, fine dining restaurants and golden beaches make this a perfect location for families and couples alike. Play a round during the day time and then relax with your partner on the beach as the sun goes down… bliss!
Described as the “Shangri-La of Golf”, Quinta do Lago is one of the most exclusive resorts in the whole of Europe and a popular holiday destination amongst the rich and famous. Located on the Algarve coast the resort itself can be found almost half-way between the less exclusive holiday towns of Albufeira and Faro. Unsurprisingly the exclusiveness has led to many celebrities heading to the resort, among them being footballers Michael Owen and Alan Shearer, singers Luciano Pavarotti and Alanis Morissette and Princess Caroline of Monaco.
Best Time to Visit
Although an exclusive resort, Quinta do Lago is still popular with tourists, especially during the high season when thousands of people descend upon the small resort town. The months of July and August are the hottest months of the year but they are also the busiest. If you choose to visit at any other time of the year, you will be consumed by a feeling of peace and quiet as the majority of tourists have returned home leaving behind a slow pace of life that is welcomed by many. Golf holidays are popular in Quinta do Lago all year round and many of the beautiful white-washed villas and hotels can also be stayed in no matter when you choose to visit.
What to Expect
Long sandy beaches give way to the Atlantic Sea in Quinta do Lago and the scenery is picture perfect. Head down to one of the golf courses in the region or take your loved one for a beautiful meal. There is no shortage of fine dining restaurants here where crayfish costing £57 a kilo are plentiful. British pubs also dot the resort and have become a favourite hang out with the rich and famous, including the local millionaires. A creamy pint of Guinness can be enjoyed whilst you wait for your meal, or of course you could really splash the cash and invest in a bottle of Dom Perignon. Spend the evening on the beach with your loved one as you watch the sun set over the crystal clear waters; this is a holiday that you won’t ever forget.
Tags: quinta do lago
The Algarve is Portugal’s most popular tourist destination and located right in the heart is Monte da Quinta. The atmosphere surrounding this resort is absolutely astounding and attractions thousands upon thousands of tourists every year. With glorious sunshine almost all year round and golden sandy beaches it’s not hard to see why. Wherever you go in the Algarve you will be encircled by effervescent colours from the golden sands to the crystal clear waters, the bright blue skies, the white washed buildings and the vividly green grass – a holiday to Monte da Quinta is one you will never forget.
Sports
Most renowned for its golfing facilities, the Algarve is an exclusively luxurious holiday destination. Monte da Quinta is located just a few miles away from several of the region’s best golf courses, some of which are in the town of Quinta do Lago itself so you won’t have far to travel if a golfing week away is what you’re visiting the region for. The Quinta do Lago region is also home to a tennis academy which is popular with both amateur tennis players and amateurs alike. Aside from this there are also dozens of water sports opportunities that can be enjoyed in the sea surrounding the resort. Everything from scuba diving to jet skiing and windsurfing can be enjoyed by people of all ages.
Families
The Algarve is also a great holiday destination for families as there is lots for children to do in the Quinta do Lago region. Of course the beaches in the area are a fantastic place to spend whole days as children will love making sandcastles on the beaches or paddling in the water. Children will also enjoy the Aqualand Water Park where a variety of slides and swimming pools are available to keep the kids entertained for hours. Further fun can be had in the Bullring and in the Modelo Shopping Centre.
The Monte da Quinta resort is ideal for both families and couples and it really is truly luxurious. No matter who you choose to travel with and what attractions you are interested in seeing, the Algarve is a perfect holiday destination.
Tags: monte da quinta
Admit it – one of the best parts about going on holiday is that all mention of diets goes out the window. You can eat what you like, when you like, and depending on your destination, the food is exciting and new. One craze that’s sweeping the travel world is the gastronomy holiday – you pick a destination that is known for its amazing and unique cuisine, and head off on a foodie adventure. A luxury villa holiday is perfect for these kinds of trips, providing you with a comfortable place to rest your head after a long day of delicious food and drink.
Read on to discover some of the hottest destinations for your gastronomy holiday.
Paella and Jamon and Sangria, Oh My!
That’s right – Spain is one of the most incredible places to sample the local cuisine. Rich, yet delicate and bursting with flavour, this country is renowned for its cuisine and dining habits. A must try is jamon – cured meat sliced so thinly that it melts in your mouth, usually served on a platter with a drizzle of olive oil. With dinners than span hours, involving course after course of sumptuous meat, olives, stews and seafood – you’ll wish you never had to leave.
More Than Just Pizza and Pasta
For a similar eating style, with a completely different taste, head north to Italy, where you’ll discover that there’s much, much more to the cuisine than pizza and pasta. For a truly authentic experience, head away from the big cities to some of the smaller towns located around the country. Take a family-run cooking class, and learn how to make real pesto. Fresh herbs, locally-grown produce and delicious meats make Italy one of the food capitals of the world.
There are plenty of other places around the world to create your own gastronomy holiday. Whether you’re looking for familiar and comfortable or new and exciting, find a place that interests you and book a luxury villa holiday that will linger on your taste buds long after the trip has ended.
Travelling as a couple can be a make or break experience. If it’s your first trip away together, it’s your first time seeing what it’s like to REALLY be together. You’ll be around each other 24/7, most likely in a completely foreign country where you don’t know anybody, and you won’t have anybody to vent to except each other (because hey, it’s a little too much for that random tourist you just met at the bar to hear). If you’re planning a villa holiday in the French countryside while they’re thinking hostels in Prague, here are a few tips for coping:
- Expect to Argue – If you expect it, you won’t be surprised when it happens, so you’ll find it much easier to shrug it off later.
- Don’t Take it Personally – They’re not being like this just to annoy you (though it may seem like it at the time). Different people have different travelling styles – that doesn’t mean you’re fundamentally incompatible, it just means that you feel like something different.
- Say Yes to Time Apart – This may help save your relationship in the long run. If you both recognise that you’re in each other’s faces too much, it might be time to take a breather before one of you does something truly irreparable.
- Compromise – This is a bit of a no-brainer, but still very important. You NEED to compromise in order for your holiday to work. If you were with a friend, would you refuse every time they had a suggestion for what to do? No? Then don’t do it to your partner. Say yes to sharing an experience, and see where it gets you. You might be surprised.
- Remember the Real Stuff – On holiday, things are both as realistic and as unrealistic as they’ll ever be. It isn’t real life – it’s an artificial (and more importantly, temporary) situation, that lasts only until you get home. Create real memories, but don’t forget that everyday life is completely different.
Lastly, holidays are meant to be enjoyable. If you’re getting frustrated because you can’t agree on the destination for that amazing villa holiday, maybe it’s time to brainstorm and see what else you can come up with. Be creative, but most importantly, have fun.
Booking a holiday can be overwhelming. The flights and accommodation alone can be exhausting to find if you’re not sure where to look or what you’re looking for. Do you want a villa holiday in Portugal or an all-inclusive week in the Canary Islands? Sometimes, it’s just easier to put your holiday in the hands of someone else. But is it better?
Leave it With Someone Else
Guided tours are a great option if booking travel intimidates you, if you’re pressed for time, or simply don’t want the hassle of organising everything yourself. You pick a company, and then find an itinerary that appeals to you, and book. Done! The advantage of this is that everything is handled for you, and all you have to do is turn up. The disadvantage is that you don’t have a choice over anything else in your plans. You’re stuck on the group’s schedule.
If you’re booking a guided tour, make sure you book with a reputable company. Don’t just take the travel agent’s word for it – do your own research to make sure you know what you’re getting. Travel agents often partner with tour companies, and in many cases receive an additional commission for referring clients, so don’t get pressured into booking something before you’ve had a chance to look over the agency and its offerings. Be sure that you’re comfortable with every aspect of your booking before confirming the itinerary.
Do it Yourself Holidays
For the fearless explorer, self-organised travel is definitely the way to go. You’re on your own time, you can see exactly what you want to see (when you want to see it), and if you want to spend a little more time in a particular place, you can. It does require significantly more preparation, planning, and in many cases a healthy dose of frustration, but the rewards are more often than not well worth it.
Whether you’re the type of person who likes to plan everything by themselves, or the more easy-going traveller who’s happy to go with the flow, there are plenty of options available to make your villa holiday (or all-inclusive break) the trip of a lifetime.
Entertaining energetic youngsters is a full-time job. When you’re barely out of bed in the morning, yawning and reaching for the coffee, they’re bouncing off the walls, excited about the day ahead. Where do they get that energy? It’s even more difficult when you’ve arranged to go away on a luxury villa holiday in a far-off destination, and the reality hits: you’re going to have to keep them quiet for two full plane rides. Before your brain explodes with this seemingly mammoth task, read on for some tips to help keep the little ones quiet on the plane.
Toddlers
There’s not much you can do with babies unfortunately, except keep them relatively active, comfortable, and have a bottle at the ready. Toddlers are a little different, though. They’re old enough to reason with, and are more than capable of interacting. Bring one or two of their favourite (quiet) toys, as well as a couple of books so you can read with them. Healthy snacks are a great distraction, and you can even download some toddler-friendly iPhone apps before you go (just remember to switch your phone to flight mode first!). If all else fails, snuggling with Mum or Dad might just encourage your little one to take a nap.
Pre-Schoolers
Colouring-in books are a great way to keep your pre-schooler busy for a little while, so keep a book and some markers in your carry-on luggage. It’s a great time to practice learning letters and numbers, because there are fewer distractions – so if your child is ready, why not start teaching them how to write their name? A portable DVD player will save you from many a headache on holiday, so be sure to grab a few of your child’s favourite movies/TV shows before heading off.
Older Children
Thankfully, these guys can usually entertain themselves (for the most part). Give them your iPhone, bring an iPad if you have one, or a Nintendo DS, and they’ll keep themselves busy for hours. If you prefer them not to overload on technology, get them to bring a book, or choose a magazine from the shop before leaving.
That wasn’t so bad now, was it? Sit back, take a deep breath, and look forward to your luxury villa holiday in peace and quiet.
If you are an adrenaline junkie, or just someone that likes to live life on the edge every now and again, an adventure themed luxury villa holiday in Spain could give you just what you are after. While Spain may not be the best place for winter sports, it certainly offers almost any other activity you could possibly think of. So, without getting into any sword-swallowing or Great White Shark diving, read on to find some adventure-oriented activities that are generally suited to most holidaymakers.
Hot Air Ballooning
You may have been to many cities in Spain and you may even have gotten very familiar with them by taking a stroll down those little alleyways that you can’t even find in Google. Seeing a city from the sky, however, gives it all a whole new dimension and feel. A hot air balloon ride can be a breath taking experience on its own, but combine it with a beautiful country like Spain and it really is to die for. Balloon rides can typically be booked in any region of Spain as long as some advance notice is given.
Scuba Diving
This is something that you need to experience at least once in your life, and what better place to do it in than off the coast of Spain. The moderate temperature of the water, and amazing plant and animal life found off the coast of Spain’s beautiful beaches make this a great place for divers of all experience levels.
Skydiving
Everyone has, at some point in their lives, seen someone skydiving and immediately thought ‘Wow – now THAT’S a thrill!’ While the thought of jumping off a plane may sound horrific, you know deep down inside that you want to know what it feels like to free fall through the sky. While you’re in Spain you should really consider trying it as Spain offers some of the best opportunities in Europe, with jumps going from as high as 15,000 feet up in the sky.
Bungee Jumping
If a plane is too much for you, how about a platform? Bungee jumping is a great way to test the waters with the ‘freefall’ experience. Scary and thrilling, yes, but it’s also a total adrenalin rush that will stay with you long after the jump has ended.
What are you waiting for? Book yourself a luxury villa holiday, and start planning your action-packed itinerary before you lose your nerve!
Haven’t you heard? It’s summer! Well, as close to summer as the UK can get. The weather is relatively mediocre, and it’s only going to get worse from here on in. It’s time to slip on a (figurative) Hawaiian shirt, grab your sunblock, and fly off to a sunnier location – there’s never been a better time to book a luxury villa holiday in a gorgeous Mediterranean country.
Why Go Now?
It’s one of the best times of the year to travel in the Northern Hemisphere. Summer is coming to a close, kids are going back to school, and the weather will soon start getting frosty again. Heading off to Portugal or Spain is a brilliant option, as they experience great weather all year round. Flights are cheaper, and you’re more likely to find great deals on accommodation, too. If you’ve spent the entire summer sitting in front of a computer screen, in a stuffy office, think how nice it would be to escape the humdrum of everyday life and get a tan on a gorgeous beach in Portugal.
Sun, Sand and Surf
Imagine it now: you’re lying on the beach, watching the world pass you by. You can feel the warmth of the sun on your face, the sand between your toes, a refreshingly cool cocktail (or lager, if that’s more your speed) in your hand. Southern Portugal has one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world, with stunning beaches that stretch for miles. Small markets and stalls line the beach promenades, selling local wares and a delicious variety of mouth-watering local cuisine.
If your job is getting you down, you’re going stir-crazy sitting on your rear end all day, or you simply feel like a change of pace – why not hop online and book yourself a luxury villa holiday? Discover the joys of the Algarve for yourself, and return to work refreshed and revived.