Escape the seasonal chill with a visit to the Algarve this winter. The region’s pleasantly warm climate and long hours of sunshine mean that daytime temperatures rarely dip below a mild 16 degrees throughout the winter season. And with travel restrictions easing across Europe, a holiday to the Algarve is now easier to arrange.
The Best Winter Activity – Walking and Cycling
It’s a great time to enjoy some spectacular walking and cycling along the well-marked trails and cycle routes that showcase the best Algarve scenery. The best place to start is at the website, www.cyclingwalkingalgarve.pt which shows all the various routes.
Each recommended route is categorised by its difficulty, the estimated time for completion, the sights and landscapes which can be enjoyed along the way. There are also handy preparation tips on what to pack, itinerary planning tools, with brochures and maps available to download, plus accommodation suggestions and guided tours with recommended partner links.
A recommended route is the Grande Rota do Guadiana, a walking and cycling trail which departs from Vila Real de Santo António to Alcoutim and follows the river Guadiana, offering stunning sights along the way such as the Castle of Castro Marim, or the Rota Vicentina, which offers panoramic views over the ocean and allows visitors to discover a more rugged and preserved part of the Algarvian Coastline.
Specialist Fitness Breaks
The Four Seasons Fairways Resort has an Active Living Week (from the 21st-28th November) and this year the programme will be fronted by Amy Williams MBE- former skeleton racer and Olympic gold medallist. During the week, Amy will lead stretch and mobility classes in the grounds of the resort, HIIT, Full Body Burn, Core & Abs sessions and guests will even have the opportunity to join her for a bike tour along the Ria Formosa, as well as taking to the water for a Kayak Safari. Prices are £725pp. Guests will receive all the benefits off the Active Living Package
The Quinta do Lago resort also has a lot to offer when it comes to sport. The resort is launching a new ‘Pro-Athlete Training Break’ packages designed for sports athletes who are in between competition seasons and looking for a relaxing break that enables them to continue training whilst unwinding. Athletes have full use of The Campus’s fantastic facilities and recovery suite, which includes a sauna, steam room and plunge pools.
New 3HB Hotel Opens– the FIRST 5 Star hotel in Faro
The region is delighted to announce a new hotel – the 3HB Faro Hotel– the first 5* ‘urban chic’ hotel in the city. Located in the pedestrian area of downtown Faro, and less than 15 minutes from Faro International Airport, the new luxury hotel offers a convenient and luxurious hotel from which to explore historic Faro, the Ria Formosa lagoon and its islands, and surrounding beaches and golf courses. A highlight is the hotel’s rooftop infinity pool where guests can take in the stunning views over the city and the Ria Formosa Nature Park.
The brand-new hotel offers sleek luxury with modern rooms, a spa with an indoor pool, sauna, Turkish bath, treatment rooms and a gym. 3HB also features 2 restaurants- a gourmet rooftop restaurant and another inspired by Italian cuisine. Lead in prices for standard room with breakfast included from €146 per night, based on two adults sharing. For more information www.3hb.com
New Golf Course to Open at Ombria Resort
Planned to open in second semester 2022, Ombria Resort’s golf course will offer a landmark golf experience at one of the finest sustainable resorts in Portugal. Players will enjoy the outstanding facilities of the 5-star Viceroy hotel and the perfect all-year round climate of an inland Algarve golf course. Far from the ordinary, Ombria Resort’s 18-hole course is woven artfully into the picturesque hillsides of the unexplored heart of the rural Algarve, blending seamlessly with the ancient rivers and trees that have stood for generations, creating a naturally diverse setting for a truly memorable round of golf.
Golf Course Renovation
The Quinta Do Lago golf course has also undergone a multi-million renovation with all 48 bunkers on the course being renovated, with new drainage and sand added. Other changes made include lakes on some holes now have retaining walls, a number of pine trees have been relocated and extensive drainage work has also been carried out to capture and divert natural spring water to be reused as irrigation. The project was overseen by Mark Tupling who worked with GEO Foundation, as part of the club’s commitment to sustainability and aims to carry out this project with sustainability at its core.
Forthcoming Events
The Vilamoura Equestrian Centre hosts the 9th edition of the Vilamoura Champions Tour on 21st November 2021, an international competition with a prize pool of more than 1.1 million euros. More than 900 horses from 18 teams are registered for the international circuit, representing among others the USA, Argentina, Chile and Colombia. https://www.vilamouraequestriancentre.com/
Algarve Wins Europe’s Leading Beach Destination’ 2021 at World Travel Awards
The Algarve just won the title of ‘Europe’s Leading Beach Destination’. It’s the 8th time they have been given this prestigious award by the World Travel Awards.
After a difficult 18 months for the region, the award is being celebrated. “We are delighted once again to be recognised by travellers across the world for the quality of our beaches. We have such variety – from the wilder, sweeping beaches in the west, to the small picturesque bays surrounded by high cliffs and rock formations in central Algarve, to the wide sandy beaches in the east.” says João Fernandes, president of Algarve Tourism.
VILA VITA Spa by Sisley Paris wins “Best Signature Treatment in the World” and “Best Spa 2021 in Portugal” in World Spa Awards
VILA VITA Spa by Sisley Paris received two distinctions of excellence, “Best Signature Spa Treatment in the World 2021” for its inimitable Golden Quartz treatment, and “Best Spa Resort in Portugal 2021”, for second time, both bestowed by the renowned World Spa Awards, which celebrates the very best in the luxury wellness arena. The first Sisley Paris branded spa in Portugal it offers a diverse range of treatments known for combining an advanced scientific approach with the most exquisite natural products.
Among the relaxation and holistic rituals is the Golden Quartz Signature Treatment, which includes a variety of massage techniques, alternating the application of pindas with the warm comfort of a bed of small heated quartz crystals, with the sound of Tibetan bowls, providing a deeper level of relaxation. This 90-minute full-body treatment, which emulates that feeling of lying on a warm beach, costs 160 Euros.
Algarve Seasonal Offers
Hotels are keen to make up for the shortfall in business during the pandemic and are offering some great deals this winter from specialist stays on vineyards, to golfing and wellness breaks.
Luxury Getaways
VidaMar Resort Hotel, located next to the nature reserve of Salgados Beach and Lagoon in Albufeira, offers a special VIP 7-night stay package that includes some nice extras such as a Premium room with an Ocean View, a complimentary couples massage at their OSMOS Wellness Center and a complimentary Bali Bed in their most exclusive resort area, boasting a dedicated heated outdoor saltwater pool for €616 per person.
Pine Cliffs Resort, located in Albufeira, offers “Stay 4 Pay 3” is available on stays in the Pine Cliffs Hotel, Pine Cliffs Residence or Pine Cliffs Ocean Suites and it’s the perfect opportunity for those eager to enjoy a short and safe vacation with direct access to the Falésia beach, in the South of Portugal. For stays longer than four nights, the Resort offers 25% discount on the best available rate. Valid until the end 2021 and Christmas and NYE week, Subject to availability.
Quinta dos Vales winery, set among rolling hills and close to the town of Lagoa, is offering wine-lovers stay at the estate and call it their “home” for a few months. The estate is located near dozens of award-winning beaches and golf-courses, as well as numerous marinas. All this while still being able to enjoy the peace and quiet of the countryside, and being integrated into a 50-hectare wine estate with extensive amenities and even fibre-optic internet connection. At Quinta dos Vales these modern comforts are contrasted with the rustic surroundings of vineyards, ancient olive trees, wildlife and open spaces. Prices start from €565.00 per month at their new ‘The Vines’ Villa suites. Based on 2 month stay from November 2021 – March 2022.
Wellbeing Breaks
Wyndham Grand at Quinta do Lago is offering a ‘Grand Well-being Experience’ that includes 2 nights in a one-bedroom suite with breakfast included, 1x massage and 1x body treatment in the spa, as well as complimentary access to the hotel’s wellness facilities with a further 15% off spa treatments.
Golfing Breaks
For those looking to capture the essence of the Portugal Masters, Dom Pedro Resorts has a lot on offer. From €148 per person this price includes: accommodation per person, per day with breakfast and 1 round of golf per person, per day at Dom Pedro Victoria (Premium), and a selection of other courses.
Intimate Weddings
The Magnolia Hotel at Quinta do Lago is introducing a new ‘Elopement Package’, focusing on providing a relaxing and intimate setting for the happy couple to tie the knot. Package rates from 453 EUR / £390 per person, including a private outdoor ceremony, a romantic dinner, two nights accommodation with room service breakfast and VIP room amenities, along with transfers to and from Faro airport. Visit www.themagnoliahotelqdl.com or contact weddings@quintadolago.com for more information.
Private Chef at Your Service
The Vale d’Oliveiras Quinta Resort & Spa is introducing a“Private Chef” experience in which one of the Resort Chefs will cook exclusively in the accommodation – with or without the guest’s participation. Choose from 4 options, from a gastronomic menu, sharing, tasting and the Chef menu, with prices from €45 per person, excluding drinks.
