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Travel
With easy access to the A22 motorway and the EN125 all amenities can be easily reached. As well as a choice of Blue Flag beaches in the Parque Natural da Ro Formosa (Nature Reserve) and top quality golf courses, places of interest include local Algarve villages and small towns, such as Sto Estevao, Olhao, Estoi, Sao Bras, Cachopo, Vial Real or further afield, Lisbon or Seville (2 hours drive away). There are ferries to and from the islands across the Rio Formosa) boat trips on the River Guardiano and for shopping, cinemas, indoor bowling the Forum Algarve in Faro offers 9 cinemas, shopping in tastefully decorated shops or dining out in one of the numerous restaurants.
Distances
Ferry to Tavira Island Beach - 5mins walk
Faro Town - 20 mins
Faro Airport - 30 mins
Golf with a choice of several courses - 10 mins by car or taxi
Spanish border and Ayamonte - 30 mins
Seville - 1 hour
Lisbon - 3 hours
Further details
Historic Information
Separated from the rest of Portugal by rolling hills, Algarve, the southernmost province seduced the ancient Phoenicians with its abundance of sardines and tuna, which they salt cured for export almost 3,000 years ago. Four centuries later, around 600 BC, the Carthaginians and Celts arrived, followed in turn by the Romans, who adopted the Phoenician practice of curing and exporting fish – the precursor of Portugal’s large tinned sardine industry. They built roads, bridges and spas, such as that in Milreu.
But Algrave really blossomed under Moorish rule, which began in the early 8th century. The province’s name comes from the Moorish AL-Gharb meaning “The West”. The Moorish period was one of vivacious culture and great scientific advances. Moorish poets sang of the beauty of Silves, while the more practical settlers introduced orange crops, and perfected the technique of extracting olive oil, which is still an important Portuguese product. The blossoming almond trees in February are one of the most beautiful sights of Algarve.
King Alfonso Henriques led the Portuguese conquest southward in the 12th century, and late his son Sancho I, with the help of a band of crusaders, was to spearhead the siege of Silves ans its estimated population of 20,000 people. It took 49 days before the Moors of Silves surrendered. But in 1192 they reconquered the city and remained there for another 47 years. It was Sancho II, supported by military-religious orders under Paio Peres Correia, who finally crushed them. The last major city to fall was Faro in January 1249.
But the Arabic influence is visible even today: in many town names, in words beginning with the “al” prefix, in the so called “North African blue” used in trimming the whitewashed houses, in the roof terraces used for drying of fruit, and the white-domed buildings still popular in many towns. The Algarvian sweets made of figs, almonds, eggs and sugar called morgados of Dom Rodrigos are yet another reminder of the area’s ancient heritage.
For centuries almond, fig, olive and carob trees represented a major part of the Algarve’s agriculture, as they are suited to dry inland areas. The carob, whose beans are now fed to cattle but also produce a variety of oil, are said to have sustained the British troops in Portugal during the Peninsular War. Thanks to the gentle climate Algarve also produces pears, apples, quinces, loquats, damask plums, pomegranates, tomatoes, melons, strawberries, avocado and grapes.
Booking notes
Prices are given in Euro, but can also be paid in GBP. The price is per week for max. 4 people and include Electricity, Water, Gas and change of bed linen and towels once a week. A charge for the final cleaning of Euro 55 per booking applies.
Please bring your own towels for use at the beach.
A baby cot can be supplied if wished for.
Car hire is recommended to get the best out of the unspoilt eastern Algarve.
Arrangements can be made to collect your car on arrival at Faro Airport, whatever the time of day or night. It is necessary to pay the full rental fee in Euro when you pick up the car.
Changeover day
Changeover day is usually Friday but other arrangements can be made. Apartment can be entered after 15h and has to be vacated on departure day at 10h.
Golf
Golf
About 2 miles east of Tavira you find the Benamour Golf Course, lying opposite the new developed residential area of Conceicao in quiet surroundings neighbouring the fishing village Cabanas.
Another 9 hole golf course (with it’s own putting green and chipping area) lies in Maragota near Moncarapacho about 7km away from Tavira.
Further toward Cacela Velha, approx. 12 km from the Apartment Rioi you find two premium Golf courses, Quinta da Cima and Quinta da Ria. For those we can offer a special reduced greenfee of Euro 350 for 5 days for example. Another two 5 Star Golf Courses of Monte Rei and Quinta do Vale have been opened recently.
Within a radius of 40km there are all in all fourteen golf courses to choose from.
Fishing
Tavira is a fishing village
Scuba Diving
Courses in Scuba Diving are available
Beach
Superb sandy beaches are within easy reach, all have EEC Blue Flag for cleanliness and pollution free water.
The part of coast by Tavira belongs to the Parque Natural da Ria Formosa. It is consisting of dunes and a lagoon complex, which is known as Ilha da Tavira and runs along the coast. It is a paradise for bird watching.
Tavira Island Beach on the Ilha da Tavira, can be reached by a short ferry ride which leaves 5 minutes (by foot through the historic town centre) away from the apartment. On the beach there are cafés, bars and restaurants, serving anything from sandwiches to regional dishes and shellfish delicacies.
Facilities include sailing, windsurfing, pedaloes and parasols. Even in August this magnificient beach is relatively uncrowded.
Barril Beach – children love the miniature railway that shuttles back and forth across the nature reserve to the beach of Barril. Thee is a good self service restaurant and bar on the beach as well as attractive cafés. Beach, BBQs and dancing once a week. Facilities include tennis, windsurfing, beach volleyball, pedaloes. A few minutes to either direction you will find miles of beautiful, peaceful, dune fringed beaches.
Ski
Not available
Wine Tasting
Portugal offers plenty of marvellous choices in Wine and food
Accessibility
Apartment is on top floor and only accessible by stairs.
Outside
The apartment is right in the historic center with the river raround the corner which offers bautiful relaxing points to sit and relax. Apartment has small balcony with view to the river and the plaza.
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