Showing Tag: "algarve" (Show all posts)

Algarve welcomes campervans in 7 new parks

Posted by Marianne Hoesen on Wednesday, April 17, 2019, In : holiday tips

Campervans are very increasingly popular as a means to discover the Algarve and at the same time they contribute to the economy of the region. To better serve these tourists and to discourage illegal camping, the Algarve now announced several extra parks to accommodate motorhomes.

The one in São Bartolomeu de Messines is almost ready and the one in São Marcos da Serra is under construction and will be ready in approximately 4 months.

Furthermore there is one rea...

25 x Enjoy the Algarve!

Posted by Marianne Hoesen on Thursday, June 8, 2017, In : General

The Ria Formosa is home to the largest population of sea horses in the world. The yearly Bike Meeting in Faro attracts about 35.000 bikers. In Silves, they make wine out of oranges. With coasteering in the Costa Vicentina Nature Reserve, you jump off 12m cliffs into the Atlantic Ocean. The Algarve’s cuisine isn’t only about sea food, but also includes locally farmed porco preto. Mountain bikers from all over the world train in the hills of São Brás ar...

The best souvenirs to buy in the Algarve

Posted by Marianne Hoesen on Wednesday, March 9, 2016, In : holiday tips

It is always nice to bring home something to remind you of a place you have visited. If you have spent some time in the Algarve, then I am sure you had enough opportunities to make some unforgettable memories. Here you will find a list of some of the best genuine souvenirs you can buy here.

1. An "Assador de Barro" - This is a typical clay dish, used to BBQ sausage like the famous Portuguese chouriço right at the table. You just pour some alcohol or a typical agua...
Continue reading ...

Fresh Figs Season - What A Sweet Delight

Posted by Marianne Hoesen on Monday, July 20, 2015, In : food and drink

Many people only know the taste of dried figs and I think they are lovely. But here and now - until the end of September - you have the chance of tasting the fresh fruit. Before moving to the Algarve I did not even know what they looked like, leave alone how they taste. But I fell in love with them from the first time we met.

The fig could be considered the perfect fruit, although it rather is a "false fruit," or syncomium. Within the globe of the "fruit" are little clus...

Flor De Sal - The Best Salt Of The Algarve

Posted by Marianne Hoesen on Wednesday, July 15, 2015, In : food and drink

Salt. What could be simpler than that. We have been using salt for thousands of years to spice up our food and to preserve food as well. But there actually are quite a lot of differences. The salt harvested from sea water in the Algarve if a very high quality sea salt, but the top of the line is definitely the Flor de Sal - the flower of salt.

What is Flor de Sal?

Through evaporation by sun and wind, a thin glistening layer of flaky salt crystals will start to float on ...

Experience Some Adventure In The Algarve

Posted by Marianne Hoesen on Sunday, July 12, 2015, In : holiday tips

Of course it is nice to spend some time relaxing, sunbathing and sightseeing during your Algarve holidays, but did you know there are also some great adventures to be experienced here?

We all know about surfing and there are some really great locations to do this, especially on the west coast. But there are also some adventure sports that you maybe have not heard of before, such as coasteering and stand up paddle boarding (SUP for short).

SUP consists of standing and bala...

Algarvean Oranges - The Sweet Taste Of Sunshine

Posted by Marianne Hoesen on Sunday, June 21, 2015, In : food and drink

In the middle of the winter, when nature is asleep in the northern part of Europe, the evergreen orange trees bear fruit and it seems like a million Christmas trees with bright orange balls are decorating the rural Algarve. Absolutely breathtaking! If you drive through the western Algarve in early springtime and open your car window, the scent of the flowering orange trees tickles your senses. This lovely perfume is one of the nicest aromas I know.

Silves, the former c...

Nature in the Algarve from January till December

Posted by Marianne Hoesen on Saturday, May 9, 2015, In : nature

Nature is very present in the Algarve. There is a great biodiversity here and even in the middle of the summer, there is always a green background, wherever you look. One of the things that I instantly loves, was the smell here. The air is filled with aromas of wild herbs and flowers. Nature has something new to offer every month:

January: oranges are ripening, almond trees blossom.

February: Mimosa flowers

March: pear and plum blossom, lavender flowers, frogs, toats ...

Algarve - Best Place In The World To Retire

Posted by Marianne Hoesen on Friday, April 24, 2015, In : General

The Algarve was voted Best Place In The World To Retire in 2015! This region is not only a great destination for a holiday, but there are also lots of reasons why the Algarve can be your future place of residence.

The weather - The Algarve has a mild climate with on average 3300 hours of sunshine each year.
Safety - Portugal is one of the safest countries in the world regarding crime and violence.
Health care - The Algarve has a very good infrastructure for international ...

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About Me

Marianne Hoesen

SãO Marcos Da Serra

Born in the deep south of The Netherlands, I moved to the central Algarve in 2007, together with my partner and 2 dogs. In the meantime we added some goats and chickens and are living a peaceful life in the rolling hills of the rural south of Portugal. I invite you to read a bit in my blog and to leave a comment afterwards. Also check out the holiday accommodations mentioned elsewhere in this website.