Prêt a Portugal

With the rest of us 69ers confined to Britain in a caravan, packing removal boxes or trying not to think about the looming dark clouds, lucky whatsit Julia Sherwood swanned off to Portugal to make us all very jealous.

What’s an enjoyable way to spend the Bank Holiday, or any weekend for that matter? Down the park, in the pub, or sunning yourself in Portugal?

That’s how I spent last weekend (smug, moi?) and it really revitalises you. Well it did me and my other half. After just 48 hours we feel like we’ve had a proper holiday. We even got a bit of a tan. It probably helped that the drive to East Midlands Airport is only 20 minutes, and our flight with BMI Baby to Faro less than three hours.

Faro is a bustling city and if you’re in the area for longer than a weekend, definitely worth a visit. Head over to Rue de Santo Antonio for some serious shopping action, and while you’re there check out the goodies at Pastelaria Gardy. These are cakes worth breaking the diet for.

We stayed about half an hour’s drive from Faro, in Albufeira. It’s a beautiful coastal town with just the right combination of culture and entertainment. The main square and its surrounding meandering paths are chokka full of bars and restaurants. I’d recommend trying the Ruina at least once- it’s definitely not cheap, but it’s definitely worth it. Elsewhere you can grab dinner for around 15 euros a head, and the atmosphere around the square is very chilled, with lots of live music and lazy dining until around 11pm when the louder, more partycentric vibe kicks in. If you fancy a bit of that all night, you’re better off heading to The Strip. This area of downtown is so heaving in peak season they pedestrianise it. If it’s summer loving you’re after, here’s where you’ll have a blast.

While you’re releasing your inner Sandy or Danny, the beaches here are beautiful to get down in the sand. Albufeira has the most blue flags in all the Algarve-so the sand and water quality here is champion. Cliffs surround most of the beaches, which means a lot of them are small and private. We spent some time at the Sao Rafael beach and didn’t see another soul. Heavenly.

There’s the usual accommodation to choose from, apartments; camping, hotels. We stayed just outside the town at The Sheraton Algarve. This (Portuguese) Five Star hotel was set in lush immaculate gardens on the Pine Cliffs. Our room had a huge (very comfortable) bed and lounge area, with a sea view. Going for a stroll to the beach, we were rather over excited to discover the means of transport to it – a glass lift down the cliffs. Very James Bond. Makes you wanna have a martini at the Beach Club restaurant, but it was early so we stuck to water and a tuna sandwich. For dinner we tried the Il Giardino Italian and the food was amazing. There are a variety of restaurants to choose from, and breakfast on the terrace surrounded by birds was quite lovely. Talking of lovely, did I mention our massage? The hotel has a well-equipped gym and Spa too. That’s an enjoyable way to spend the weekend.

JS.

Julia Sherwood travelled courtesy of BMI Baby and The Sheraton Luxury Collection (see pics below)

BMI Baby flies to Faro form East Midlands Airport Daily and from Birmingham three times a week.