Carnival time in the Algarve

Posted on February 26, 2012 by weloveportugal

Mid-February is Carnival time in the Algarve.

The children have three days off school, the shops are full of carnival costumes and in the streets, Carnival in the Algarve is celebrated with three days of parties and revelry.  In ancient times, the festivities, which go back to Roman Pagan rituals, symbolised the rebirth of Nature and the hope for a favourable harvest.

The town of Loulé has one of the oldest and best-known parades in the country, dating back to 1906. This is one of the biggest, brightest and boldest street parties in Portugal, a three-day extravaganza of mirth, mischief and merrymaking. The procession of floats heaves with a colourful theatre of costumes, masks and hats. Festivities continue into the night with dancing till dawn. If you are holidaying in the Algarve at this time of year it is well worth a day trip to Loulé to watch the famous parade of floats, with cabeçudos, samba performers, and a mix of live music. It is a true tradition and a celebration for everyone. You will see masked individuals, and costumed cross dressers enjoying making a racket in the streets. Traditional stores line the route selling local fayre in both liquid and solid form. Madronia, the famous Monchique lacquer from the Madronia berries is popular – and extremely strong. Little cakes and sweets with marzipan, chorros, farturas, dried figs stuffed with almonds and a range of savouries – petiscos – will be on offer.

Carnival antics of the past included disguising ones voice and playing tricks on people – known as “entrudos”.  Masked balls often followed as evening entertainment but are less prevalent nowadays. The “estudantinas” were groups of people dressed as students seen wandering the streets singing quartets about Carnival life and celebration. Today, the most common sound of Carnival is the sound of the Brazilian Samba.  As in the UK, each city chooses a Carnival King and Queen, and they will be given pride of place on one of the many flower covered floats.

Most carnivals have a theme, with much good-natured satirising of life, with a particular proclivity for ridiculing politicians. Taxes attract a special level of repent, and this year’s theme in Loulé was “Troika and the Crisis”. In Moncarapacho Greek Gods and Godesses were seen, probably in either borrowed or second hard robes!

Algarve carnivals are policed by the local GNR, but the officers maintain a very low-key presence, in keeping with the spirit of the events. There are usually children’s parades and special events, and even though fewer adults dress up these days, the children love it and the Primary school parades are a must to see. The children’s processions tend to be in the morning and the main events are after 3pm. So, be prepared to get wet, dodge a flying egg or two, drink too much and dance into the night to the sounds of Samba, all in aid of living the tradition and enabling the full travel experience.

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Speeding in the Algarve – Autódromo Internacional

Posted on February 8, 2012 by weloveportugal

If you want an adrenaline rush and some noise, then look no further than the Autódromo Internacional, located about 20 minutes drive east from Lagos. This is both a racing track hosting international world class events and a Karting centre for affordable family fun. The Autódromo Internacional do Algarve opened in late 2008. It is fully approved for all forms of two and four wheel motorsports up to and including Formula One. The inaugural event was the final round of World Superbikes. Since then the circuit has hosted a wide range of national and international events:- the FIA GT, Le Mans Series, GP2, World Touring Cars, Formula Two, Formula Three, and local championships.

In late October 2009 the circuit held its first Historic Festival, featuring race cars of all shapes and sizes from pre war right up to the 1980´s. Sir Stirling Moss raced in the first festival and this now annual event is not to be missed.

Unlike many other modern circuits the layout has many twists and turns which undulate up and down over the local landscape and represents one of the best challenges of any circuit for professional drivers. The circuit facility also includes the largest kart track in Europe. Challenging for drivers, the Kartódromo Internacional do Algarve is open most days for the hire of karts or to bring your own kart. You can get an excellent quality CD of photographs taken by the centres professional, after your drive.

There is also an off road course for 4×4 and rally cars. For more information see www.autodromodoalgarve.com.

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Surf’s up!

Posted on February 8, 2012 by weloveportugal

Surfing in Portugal is globally renowned for its quality waves. Located on Europe’s western edge, the Atlantic Ocean provides almost constant swells on the many reefs and beach breaks of Portugal. The growing Portuguese passion and reputation for quality surf brings surfers all year round from many countries to surf on Portugal’s popular and unique coastline.

The exceptional coastline & climate allow pro surfers to practice and train all year round ready for the summer months surf competitions. Each year international pro surfers convene at Ericeira, Portugal to take part in the major “Quick Silver Pro Portugal” competition which runs over 6 days from the 19th to the 24th of October and consists of 14 heats and the chance to win $145 000. If you want to watch some spectacular talent then hire a car, explore the west coast, stop for a day or two in Lisbon, then head up a little further to Ericeira for this event.

The surfing culture has also influenced many festivals to be held during the summer period in the Algarve and Lisbon. One of the most popular is “Optimus Alive!” which is a music and arts festival held in the height of summer in Lisbon. In the Algarve is the Super Bock Surf Fest usually a little later in the summer.

Portugal fame for surf has inspired the younger generation to get involved with the sport. Portugal has many surf schools and camps for beginners usually based on local beaches. Some of the bigger surf schools are located in Sagres, Lagos, Amado, Arrifana, Peniche and Ericeira. Contacts in Lagos area are www.surfexperience.com, http://www.facebook.com/FilSurf, http://www.extremealgarve.com/

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Algarve Golf

Posted on February 8, 2012 by weloveportugal

The Algarve is synonymous with world class golf courses. There are around 30 clubs across the Algarve offering a range in challenge, length and landscape, as well as price. When choosing a gold course, to make the most out of any golfing trip the best way to start is by being realistic about ones abilities. Novice golfers selecting challenging, championship courses are unlikely to enjoy themselves. Equally, expert golfers get frustrated by being slowed down by beginners.

For the golfing novice a sound investment at the start of any trip is an hour or two instructions with a resident professional. Just one session with an expert can radically improve performance and will typically shave a few shots off your next round, and maybe – just maybe – lead to winning a few euros. It will surely result in a more rewarding and far less frustrating golfing experience. Ask at any course about lessons. With a full round costing anything from 35€ to 150€ before one even considers buggy hire, getting it wrong can prove very expensive and frustrating. Some courses have computer simulated analysis of your golf swing, so can be a great boost to seasoned golfers as well as the complete novice.

There are some great choices of play at, for example, Parque da Floresta, Boavista, Amondoeira, Pestana, Penina, Alto, Gramacho and Pinta, Vale do Milho, and the Vilamoura couses. Most courses have well stocked shops, club hire and usually good quality eateries. Some have extra sports facilities and Spas for that après-golf treat. Golfing in the Algarve is undoubtedly up there with the best in the world. The standard of the courses, the views and the fabulous weather conditions all contributing towards that unforgettable experience that every golfer should have at least once. For course info see www.algarvegolf.net

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Algarve Wildlife

Posted on February 1, 2012 by weloveportugal

Algarve Wildlife

TAKE A MOMENT TO LOOK ON THE WILD SIDE

The vast majority of the visitors to the Algarve come for three reasons; the sun, the stunning beaches and/or the world class golf. There is a fourth, sadly neglected reason to visit the Algarve and that is its wonderful wildlife.

Portugal is a veritable wildlife and birding gold-mine, serving as a staging post for a variety of migratory birds. October is the best time to catch up with a variety of species that stop off in the Algarve on their way to Africa. For the chance to see the breathtaking sight of gliding birds circling on the thermal currents make your way to Sagres and Cape St Vincent. For the technology lovers among you, the annual World Bird Watchers’ Festival, held in August, is the perfect venue for ‘tweeting’! (To learn more, see ‘An Atlas of the Wintering Birds in the Western Algarve’ by M Bolton -an 82 page directory with maps and line drawings. A Rocha Bird Observatory 1987 – ISBN: 435.) Look out for the Sterna Caspia winter arrival – the Caspian tern is one of the largest terns in Europe, easy to identify due to its remarkable red bill and black cap.

The Algarvian Atlantic is a great place to watch man’s favourite nautical mammal, the Dolphin, riding the ocean and perhaps, if myth is to be believed, saving the odd drowning fisherman. As with any form of wildlife watching, it is best to do so in the company of experts. Fortunately the Algarve has many Dolphin-watching companies based in the various Marinas along the coast, the best being Lagos. Here you will find respected companies running organised trips, some of whom conduct extensive oceanic and dolphin research.

Back on dry land you might also want to seek out the endangered Iberian Lynx. Being a rather elusive cat the best way to catch up with one is to visit the captive breeding programme in Silves. The objective of this programme is to protect and then gradually increase the dwindling population. As well as working with the animals, the centre also seeks to identify locations into which the bred lynx can be released. For more information, look up the ICNB (Institute for Nature Conservation and Biodiversity). You can also visit Zoo Lagos, on the outskirts of the town. As well as Lynx, there are a huge variety of birds and animals, a children’s petting farm, a restaurant and play park.

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