Carvoeiro

[Costacoffeeplease]

I know there are several mnetters coming to Carvoeiro on holiday this summer, as I live here I thought I'd start a thread for any questions anyone might have?

Hi Costa, we've been here a couple of days and are now settling into a routine of beach in the morning and pool at our apt in that afternoon. We've been to Praia de Marinha and also Vale de Centeanes. Are there beaches you could recommend that have sun loungers and umbrellas for hire? We have a hire car. Cheers

Carvoeiro town beach has loungers and umbrellas for hire, or you could try Caneiros between Carvoeiro and Ferragudo, or Praia Grande just before you get to Ferragudo - it's probably the biggest beach nearby

Thank you Costa, much appreciated. We've been taking a little sun umbrella but having some shade and chairs title help us extend it.

You can also buy little beach chairs in the local shops quite cheaply, they're small, look like kids chairs, and fold up to go in the car

We are looking forward to our return trip in a week or so - we had a great time last time we came in 2014.

Can you let me know about the Mosquitos? The kids in are group were eaten alive if not covered head to toe in insect repellant - is it as bad this year?

We are also driving over from Spain (flying to Seville has saved us £700 compared to flying to Faro) whilst we don't mind the journey time I'm slightly sceptical but hubby said it would be fine How do we go about getting a toll gadget thing for the hire car? Will we be able to collect one at the boarder crossing?

Thanks!!

Yes, there are always mozzies around at this time of year so cover up or use a repellent

For the tolls, have a look here www.portugaltolls.com/en/web/portal-de-portagens/home

Thanks Costa. Will pack the double strength repellant - first night my nephew didn't have it on and he woke up like he had chicken pox!!

Thanks for the toll link

I assume you use plug ins in the bedrooms at night? I out ours on before it gets dark

PUT ours on!

We do now! I also use the after sun combined with insect repellent which usually works.

You don't have to get a gadget for the tolls on the A22- you can just go to the post office and pay them 48 hours after you have travelled.

Mosquitos tend to cause more problems at night when you ar away from the coast. Our place is next to the beach and we very rarely have problems as the evening breeze seems to blow them away. The plug in things are the best bet though.

You can't pay tolls at the post office for a non Portuguese car

For anyone here at the moment, there will be an orchestra performance in the square on Saturday evening with a Portuguese singer Katia Guerreiro, as part of the Sons de Atlântico festival

Just a bump as I see a few people asking about holiday destinations, Portugal, Algarve....

Im happy to answer any questions on the area

Oh perfect bump timing for me!

Thinking of the Tivoli carvoiero foe 4 of us, DH, me, kids 11 and 9. Would you recommend?

Hi Costa, how is the weather like in April? I am thinking of booking first 10 days in April with DH and 4 DCs (103,9,4 and 3)

The Tivoli is currently undergoing a massive refit, there are 4 cranes there and they are totally pulling the place apart so I would expect it to be lovely once it's finished, and it's in a good location, so yes, I would recommend (providing they finish on time!)

April isn't guaranteed to be nice, it might be, and if it is it's lovely, but it can also be quite stormy - it's very hard to predict unfortunately

Thanks Costa! We are planning on visiting Carvoeiro this summer. The flights to Lisbon are £400 cheaper meaning we have more to spend on accommodation. Is it easy to fly into Lisbon and drive down? We would want to hire a car anyway.

Yes it's fine, it's about 3 hours but straight motorway then onto the A22 - there are tolls, I'm not sure how much it costs but probably 30€ ish

The airport is near the Vasco da Gama bridge - which is an experience in itself, I think it's 17km long(!) so you're not driving through Lisbon itself

Perfect Costa. Would it be a sin to book half board instead of sampling the local fare??

Personally, I wouldn't, there are so many lovely restaurants within walking distance of the hotel that I think you might regret it, and eating out doesn't have to be expensive here

Thanks Costa. I've never been to Portugal. Still haven't booked - I'm hovering over the 'book now' button!

I haven't been there myself, but understand it's a nice development - you would need a car though as its quite far out of the village