With its beautiful beaches and abundant sunshine, a fortnight in the Algarve is the perfect opportunity for some well-earned rest and relaxation. The region’s Mediterranean diet is rich in nutrition, but a fortnight without any exercise could see you lose hard-earned results from your regular healthy regime.
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Why Portugal buys its cod from the Norwegians and Russians
Why you may not get to eat the fish that you order
How the EU catch has been shrinking but the Portuguese catch has grown
Holidays are often seen as a time for indulgence and the Algarve offers visitors the best of both worlds; you can enjoy delicious local produce and try speciality dishes, yet much of the food served in this region is rich in nutrients and beneficial to health. Portugal may not have a Mediterranean coastline, but the traditional fare is similar to that of the Mediterranean diet popular in Spain, Italy and Greece.
Each autumn, Aljezur celebrates the sweet potato and its importance to the community by holding a Festival.
The 2011 event ran from Thursday to Sunday, from midday to midnight, except on the Sunday, when it closed at 9 pm. It takes place in the Espaço Multiusos, a vast, one hundred metre long metal shed set among steep wooded hills with views across the valley to the old town and castle.
3,000 hours of sunshine per year, cooling ocean breezes to moderate the summer heat, and seasonal rainfall all contribute to a great climate. No wonder Andalusians have been snapping up holiday homes in the area!
As the Western Algarve evolves into a premier tourism destination, so the local restaurant scene broadens in its scope and variety. Here are five very different selections, each with something special to offer, and at prices that won’t blow a hole in your budget.
