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?

I remember, maki, the villa looks lovely and vila nova is a nice area with a lovely onsite restaurant, about a 10 minute walk into the village. You can either walk straight down towards monte Carvoeiro, and then follow the cliff road down, or take a short cut by turning left before you get to Quinta do Paraiso, there's a villa on the corner called Teodora or Dorotea (they are next to each other and I can never remember which is on the corner!) and follow that road until you get to the post office, then left takes you to jomar or right to the beach

And jomar is on the in road!! The vinho Branco and triple seco (local Cointreau) confused me last night! It's easily done!!

Although we haven't been to Onze, friends have, and enjoyed it, it's a bit pricier than average but it has a great view too!

The sun is extremely strong this year, but I'm sure you'll find a nice shady place for the baby, if you have the option of aircon I'd take it (I can't remember if the villa had it or not!) Vila nova is very close to where I live, you'll pass the end of our road walking down to the village

Thanks, I like the look of both Taste and Onze. We are staying near Odiaxere this time but I don't think it will be that long a drive to Carvoeiro -aprox 30mins?

Yes about 30 minutes probably - if you're going to Onze I would park up by algar seco near the church/playground and walk down, more chance of a parking space there at this time of year!

Hi Costa. I have just booked a last minute holiday to Carvoeiro. We are staying at the Colina do Lapa resort. Reading between the lines I think we need to hire a car as it seems to be a few miles outside carvoeiro. Are you familiar with this resort? We are self catering so will want to do a big shop when we arrive. Do you know if there are any large supermarket's near us and restaurants also. We have stayed in Alvor prior to this so am slightly nervous. I like to know the lie of the land so to speak.

Yes you will need a car at Colina da Lapa, it's a nice resort but between Carvoeiro and Ferragudo, it's actually in Sesmarias. There is a restaurant just opposite the entrance called Hexagone, I haven't been yet as it recently changed hands, I've heard it's nice but a bit on the pricey side! At the opposite end of sesmarias there is a nice pizza and pasta place called donatos, and a typical Portuguese restaurant called jophil in the middle.

For a supermarket shop you have quite a choice - Pao de Acucar which is near the slide and splash water park, Pingo Doce which is just off the roundabout at Lagoa, then Aldi and Apolonia next door to each other at the next roundabout, then closer to Carvoeiro is intermarche. Apolonia is a bit like waitrose, Pingo doce and pao de acucar are better value

Your nearest beaches are Caneiros, fab seafood restaurant on stilts, and Praia Grande which has several restaurants/beach bars and is one of the biggest beaches in the area - get there early though as parking can be a bit of a squeeze.

There are nice restaurants in the square and harbour at Ferragudo, and obviously lots in Carvoeiro too

Thank you Costa. You are so helpful. I am a supermarket junkie. I love browsing through them when on hols. There was a small retail park beside where we stay near alvor that has a continente and triathlon store. We visited nearly every day

Unfortunately, if it's the retail park I'm thinking of, it burnt down a few years ago and hasn't been rebuilt yet!

I should have spelt Pão de Açucar correctly, with the accents!

Oh thats awful Costa. A quick google confirms its the same retail park. The fire happened very shortly after our last visit to the area.

I am seriously impressed with your local knowledge.

Don't be! I'm sure you know as much about where you live!!

We have been coming here since 1988, and moved permanently in 2003, so that's quite a long time!

Hi Costa - marking my place - we're off to Carvoeiro in 2 weeks' time - can't wait! I DM'd you a few months ago as I was concerned about villa scams, but have spoken to the (super helpful) agent a few times now & we are reassured that there will definitely be a villa for us (in Areias Dos Moinhos) when we arrive!

I may come back with questions about nearby restaurants / splash parks (we have 2 teens) / markets (for the obligatory holiday hair braiding for DD), but will read the thread first to see what you've already posted

Yes I remember! You'll be absolutely fine, the villa manager is 100% reliable and ADM is a good area to be - the restaurant onsite is worth a visit, Paulo used to have the well known and liked Casa Algarvia in the village, and they have different lunch specials every day - worth following them on Facebook to see what each day's specials are!

The restaurant is called Ponto de Encontro

Thanks! - I'll have a look at the FB page.

One thing that will be different this year for us, is that none of us speak even a word of Portuguese. I speak French & bit of Spanish & last year I got one of those earworm CDs to learn Italian (limited success ) but I'm worried well struggle this year (not that we plan to venture far from the villa )

You won't have a problem at all, everyone in the shops and restaurants speak English - in fact when I speak Portuguese to them they answer me in English

Portuguese is such a difficult language they don't really expect anyone to speak it! Obrigado (if you're a man) Obrigada (if you're a woman) means thank you, Por favor or Se faz favor for please (soft z, like a zh sound). Bom dia (good morning) boa tarde (good afternoon) boa noite (goodnight) - for arriving and leaving - and you'll be fine

That's reassuring! obrigada

De nada!

Just to whet your appetites a little....

Oh wow look at that sky. I miss it so much.

That was me at work this morning

Oh it just looks glorious Costa. So jealous that you get to see that blue sky every day. It is so dull and dreary here at the moment. I cannot wait to feel the sun on my face.

Do you know are there various activities on the beaches for the kids (and older kids!) Like banana boats or the likes?

There are on Praia Grande and probably on Centeanes, there may be on Carvoeiro, but it's more limited as the beach is more of a cove.

The fishing boat trips through the caves and grottoes are very popular though, and they leave from Carvoeiro beach

It is still very hot, day and night, we had two fans on in the bedroom last night, and I still woke up in the early hours. Be very careful especially in the first few days, it's really easy to overdo it, lots of water and shade from at least 11-3