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?

Beg of October, usually fine, mid-late October, can be fine, but you are taking a chance and it can be wet and windy

Thanks costa you have been very informative . I cannot tell you the envy I feel. I dream of living there

We were like that too - every time we left it got harder, even worse once we'd bought an apartment, then quite suddenly and totally unexpectedly our lives changed and we had the opportunity to come over. We came with no plan of what we would do (I was late 30s, husband early 40s so not ready to retire) moved into a rental villa for 6 months as our apartment wasn't suitable for our dogs, and took it from there

We have been lucky though, and we know no end of people who haven't been able to make it work, and have gone back to the UK, sometimes losing huge amounts of money in the process, so it's not all sun, vinho Verde and chicken piri-piri

If you can retire here on a nice pension, it's brilliant, but otherwise, be very, very careful - the dream can very quickly become a nightmare

I'm toying with the idea of writing a book about our experiences, there have been some genuinely gob-smacking moments and lots of hilarious situations - maybe once the season is over and it quietens down a bit.....

I would be first in line to buy your book Costa . Make sure you add loads of loverlee photos of Carvoeiro. We will retire there thats is for sure .

You might well be the only one in that queue - maybe with my mum!!

If you really want to live here, pop over in winter when flights are cheap and accommodation is easy to find - even just for a long weekend

We used to do that a lot as we had commitments in the UK that meant we couldn't be away for much longer, but thurs morning to tues evening was a nice little break, a few times a year

That's a very good idea. We need to see carvoeiro out of season.

My DH fav restaurant is casa algarve . We went back this year and its changed hands. Nowhere near as good. What a shame it used to be lovely.

Just think Costa I could've walked past you in the street .

Or sat at the next table in a bar or restaurant!!

The guy who used to have Algarvia is now at Ponto de Encontro on Areias dos Moinhos - Algarvia is now run by Frank and Cristina who took over oasis a few years ago, and have Lanterna Velha (or his brother does!)

I have been advised by a friend to stay in a villa on Quinta do Paraiso? Is it close to the beach and town? I have heard good things about it it want to make sure it's ok for small children.

Quinta do Paraiso is quite big, so some places are a lot nearer the beach/restaurants etc than others, if you find somewhere you're interested in, ask the owner/manager to send you a map showing the location so you can check it out. It is uphill from the town, but that's the case for most villas in Carvoeiro, it's quite a hilly place!

Oh wow we love Lanterna Velha . It was one of the first restaurants we went to when we very first came to carvoeiro. What is the set up at A GAle ? Who owns it we have been there so many times the food is yummy. It's family run at Mona Lisa isn't it ! Micky Flanagan look a like has been there a while hasn't he. Sorry Costa I'm being boring, it's just it's nice to have someone to chatter to about all my favourite things.

And Algarvia was the first restaurant we went to on the first night of our first holiday!

Yes Mona Lisa is family run - I think they're from the Isle of Man originally?

Will check with my husband about A Galé - I think they're brother and sister but we haven't been for a while

Don't worry it's fine - I'm quite happy to gab on about Carvoeiro!

Oh I love Rocha Brava and O Farol and the O Stop.
Have loads of photos of the DSs and the sea near there, the boys getting gradually taller. Hoping to go back next year.
Which is the restaurant with the model Elvis near there please ?!

I don't know about Elvis? Where is the restaurant?

I've never been in Bradys bar or bar carvoeiro. Can't stand really loud music. We tried Kula and we always pop into Havana (they are stingy with the cocktail alcohol) much stronger at Boa Vida

Hmm. In my mind it is on the coast road that goes from RB to Carvoeiro, on the opposite side to RB, nearer to RB than to town. But I could be wrong! It's a life size model and the restaurant served pizza I think.

Ooh. We're coming staying in Quinta da Boa Nova between Ferraguda and Carvoiero over October half term - any tips on weather/ what to bring to wear around then and whether there are any local events at that time of year? Hoping it will be pleasant rather than chilly!

Yes I know where you are talking about

Sounds like Mona Lisa?

This is all I have!

And looking at the whole photo (I have cropped out DS2) it is bigger than life size!

October half term can be tricky - either lovely, or it could be a bit wet and windy, just keep an eye on the forecast nearer the time, it's very hard to predict!