Ton - holiday tips

[debih]

I went out for a drink with my friend last night and she was telling me that she is off to Portugal next weekend, staying about 10 minutes walk from Tavira. Its her bosses house and he offered it to her and her hubby to use for free for their 20th wedding anniversary (although what started out as a romantic week away has now turned into her and hubby, her parents, his parents and his best mate).

Any top holiday tips for her for that area? I think they want to drive to Saville one day (thats as far as they are allowed to go in their hire car). Hubby, best mate and hubbys dad are quite into fishing, friend, her mum and mum in law are quite into shopping!

[tonicha]

Lots of tips

Do not use the cafes/bars on the old market side of the river - they're very toursity orientated and charge a lot more than if you go just a street or two away from the river.

In saying that, the one's on the "other" side are almost the same now. There is an Irish Bar, if you want English prices, just near the Roman Bridge.

The ferry is good, as it takes you out to the beach, the train is cheap and good fun (also the touristy train, which will do the tour of Tavira and if you're lucky, the commentary will be working ) There are some lovely churches in Tavira and you can walk around them, no probs. It's a very historic place.

There are some lovely restaurants around, the Bica is one, and there is a square, just off the roman bridge where there are a couple of good restaurants, the one on the right hand corner, heading towards the Bica. There is also another one, near the bus station, which apparently is also good.

If they want to come to Fuzeta, by train or car, we can meet them and show them around here too.

Gran Plaza in Tavira for shopping, it's a bit of a walk away from the centre of town, but ample car parking - a nightmare to get out of the car park, apparently, so park outside. There is a daily market there too.

Faro is lovely, go by train. Olhao is worth a visit, especially the daily market, down by the sea.

Vila Real is just on the border, Di and Bb went there - and it's also a quick hop across on the ferry to Soain.

The EN125 is a nightmare, but needs must, although the motorway is very quiet, you do have tolls, although it's quite cheap.

Avoid Monte Gordo, unless you want high rise and touristy.

Fabrica and Cacelha Velha are a lovely spots to visit. If they want slightly further afield, go up from just before Vila Real and on the way to Mertola, there is Alcutim and other scenic places.

A galao (galaw) is a milky coffee in a glass, a bica is and expresso, a meia lde eite (maya late) is a expresso in a larger cup with hot milk (yummy) a caneca is a large beer, a garafa is a bottle of beer. We pay a euro for a bottle of beer, probably more in Tavira. Vinho tinto is red wine, vinho branco is white and vinho verde is green, slightly sparkling wine.

Is that enough?

[tonicha]

Fishing? Well, there are a few boats down by the river which will take them out for a day or half day. Plenty of sun-screen, it's in the 30's today. Cover up too, as it's very easy to burn,this time of year.

[debih]

Fab thanks. I will pass the info on.

[tonicha]

And don't forget to tell them you know of a lovely house for sale

[tonicha]

Oh, and as we had some early rain, the blasted mozzies are out

They'll need anti-mozz stuff. The chermists have a doctor in each ofthem and there is always some-one who speaks English.

Hope they have a lovely time apart from the mozzies

[debih]

Thanks Ton - I'll tell them about the mozzies. And the house!

[tonicha]