FAO Ton (and anyone else too!)

[Diflower]

Going cross-eyed now, been looking at both packages and private rentals.
The only package I could find is at the hotel you mentioned, the Vila Gale. The link is refusing to work, but if you go to Thomas Cook, say you want a holiday from Southampton the The Algarve, dep 1/5 for 1 week it's top of the list


Then I've found
This
Which is in Santa Luzia (they haven't put a price for the week, I've emailed)

Or
This one

And
This one
Which is more money, but bigger and has a roof terrace.

Any info/suggestions as to which might be nicest?
We don't know if Bb will be able to drive by then as he'll have to have a 6-week check-up after his op and may not be able to have new glasses before that. I can drive but really we'd be happiest not needing a car, which is why I'd first discounted Portugal. But a lot of the info for Tavira says a car's not necessary, would you agree?

[tonicha]

Ooooer, where to start?

Okay, Conceicao is not in Tavira, it's about a 10 minute bus ride away and you are surrounded by low-rise apartments. And a lot of English, French and Irish tourists. And the prices in the bars on the front aren't cheap. If you go a couple of roads away from the front, it's cheaper. Conceicao is actually almost along the EN125 - main road - and you would have to take the little "train" down to Cabanas which is where you'd find the Ria Formosa- walking would take a long time, probably about half an hour or so. You would also need to either take the bus or train to Tavira.

Santa Luzia is a lovely place, quiet, but with some superb restaurants. Also not actually in Tavira but within walking ish distance. Not sure of buses though, I can always find out.

In Tavira itself, you do not need or want a car. You can walk everywhere - but beware - the calcadas (cobblestones) can be very wearing after a couple of hours Also, don't go right on the river front bars and restaurants - again, they're expensive, as that's where the rich tourists go!! Go a road or two away and there are some lovely and very reasonable restaurants.

There are also some cheaper residencias - which bascially are bed and breakfast places. We stayed in a couple, which are fine for a quick break, but not so good for a week or so. Although in saying that, that was 15 years ago and there are some really good ones now.

Private villas are going to be expensive - again I can ask around, if you want.

Staying in Tavira, Grumpy and I would be more than happy to drive you around a few places as it's only 15 minutes drive away from us

Bluesue has stayed in the Vila Gale - make sure you have the one that is right in Tavira, the one up the road, by the railway line can be noisy at week-ends, as loads of Spanish use it for cheapo breaks - and apparently, they can be noisy!! A few friends have stayed at the one in the centre and have been very happy.

Anything else, give me a shout xx

Kaz has my e-mail, if you need anything x

[Diflower]

Thank you Ton that's brilliantly helpful
I was a bit iffy about Conceicao, it did sound a bit too much of a tourist spot

I've just had a quote from the one in Santa Luzia, which I need to accept by Friday, but have yet to look at different dates fro flights, as it's available outside our dates which may well make it cheaper.
Still to go back and find the ones I found in Tavira itself - it's hard work!
Off to the kitchen now x

[Kaz]

ooh how exciting!!! Hope you find somewhere gorgeous Di

[tonicha]

Okay dokes - more info

I've been told off for being too down on it all When we first stayed in Tavira, about 15-16 years ago - we loved it. Walked blummin' miles, so the cobbles didn't worry us then - we're older now

As we tend to go where the "locals" go, we also find the cafes pn the river fronts so expensive. At Nizettes' we pay 80 cents for a meia de leite (milky ish) a euro for a gloao ( very milky in a glass ) and a euro for a bottle of beer.

in the more touristy places, double that.

Taxis to and from the airport are plentiful - check the price before hand, probably about 45 ish euros. They'll whizz along the A22, much better the the EN125. Should take about 25 minutes. In fact, the place you stay may even arrange the transfer.

And Tavira has a train station as well as a bus station, so you can go right along the Algarve by either - Spain is not too far away (waving to Ally - me selling Portugal? ) Vila Real de Santa Antonio is on the border, getting more touristy - look out for the beggar whose feet are turned over in his shoes - he's a fake

Oh, and don't forget Fuzeta is really nice

[tonicha]

oh and 1 May is a holiday, biut that shouldn't cause any problems

[tonicha]

Okeley dokely

Go to www.vilagale.pt - click on the little world thingy top right, get down to English - EN

Then go to hotel , on the left and you want the Vila Gale in Tavira - not the Albarcore.

[tonicha]

Oh berlimey, here i go again

Don't go to Pedras del Rei - it's very touristy and not your cup of tea -

Just down the road from Santa Luzia, but can I say, tacky, in places - only my opinion, of course.

To get to the Barril beach at Santa Luzia, you can either walk, or get the train

[tonicha]

http://www.ownersdirect.co.uk/portugal/P11984.htm#rates

I know where this is - not too far from the fire station 5 minute walk to the centre.

[Diflower]

Arggghhh the Thomas Cook one is Albacora, is it really awful??
The other one is only partly in English lol, but it's quoting £490 (actually euros I think) for a week

The apartment you gave the link to looks lovely but we do want a pool which is why I was looking mainly at purpose-built developments, apart from that one in Santa Luzia
Getting more confused by the minute