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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

Can anyone recommend a villa/area in Portugal?

21 replies

abigaillockhart · 04/02/2008 18:39

We are hoping to go away for the first week of April and Portugal seems like a good bet - sunny but shortish flight.

There will be four adults and two children (1 & 3) so we would like a Villa.

Have looked at the company Villa Plus - has anyone had any experience of them? They have LOADS of villas in the Algarve so it's a bit like pot-luck.

Would really like suggestions of nice areas - we would like to be able to walk into town for restaurants/beach/general mooching about but will also hire a car.

We have a fairly healthy budget so would like somewhere not too basic.

Thanks

OP posts:
Original poster
abigaillockhart · 04/02/2008 19:27

Anyone?

OP posts:
hotpotmama · 04/02/2008 20:53

We went to Carvoeiro and loved it. Lovely little beach, little train that the kids loved. Good restaurants and bars.

Would go back there tomorrow.

Original poster
abigaillockhart · 04/02/2008 21:31

Did you stay in a villa or hotel? Have seen that town listed and it seems to rate highly for families.

Thanks.

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Original poster
abigaillockhart · 04/02/2008 21:32

Did you stay in a villa or hotel? Have seen that town listed and it seems to rate highly for families.

Thanks.

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Sidge · 04/02/2008 21:38

We had a great holiday in the Algarve with Travillas.

Have been twice with them and stayed in Guia, which is really peaceful and quiet but close enough to the waterpark, shopping area etc.

mynaughtylittlesister · 04/02/2008 21:46

We stayed in a lovely villa in Portugal last May, absolutely gorgeous!

We used the Independant Traveller. This turned out to be an excellent company to use. We had no problems, our villa was in excellent condition, we had our own swimming pool, daily maid came and swept up outside and cleaned the pool.

The embarrassing thing is at the moment I cant for the life of me remember where we went! I will ask DH but he is away at the moment!

We were fairly near the sea, shopping centre etc. At least an hr drive from the airport!

Original poster
abigaillockhart · 04/02/2008 22:00

Thanks so much. Will check out both of those companies - they are ones I hadn't heard of.

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hotpotmama · 05/02/2008 17:29

We stayed in an apartment at www.quinta-do-paraiso.pt/en/index.php

Was newly refurbished. We had a ground floor one very close to the pool. Was great!

Was about 20 mins walk down to the beach and the town.

AllieBongo · 05/02/2008 17:32

villamoura. lovely marina and beach

Original poster
abigaillockhart · 05/02/2008 21:56

Brilliant. There are just so many and I want to choose something nice ... !

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Original poster
abigaillockhart · 05/02/2008 21:58

Any experiences of James Villas or Villa Plus?

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rosybud · 05/02/2008 22:24

We went last year with Vintage Travel who were good but we had rubbish weather unfortunately.

We stayed in Vilamoura which is a purpose built resort/marina, it is ok but not much portugese character at all. Good if you want chicken and chips!!!

Original poster
abigaillockhart · 05/02/2008 22:40

Really don't want that!! What month did you go? (re. rubbish weather)

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Wisteria · 05/02/2008 22:41

Alvor is lovely.

mynaughtylittlesister · 06/02/2008 23:10

Whoops! The company we went with was called " The Individual Traveller" Not independant traveller!

Oenophile · 06/02/2008 23:30

We stayed in Albufeira two years running, we liked it so much. Had a nice, small villa with a pool (there are only 4 of us) on the Cerro Grande, and had a lovely walk to the town centre every night down twisty streets overlooking the bay, past little shops. Albufeira was lovely at night we found. Some beautiful beaches, Gale probably the nicest, a very short drive away.

Have stayed in quite a few beachy Algarve places over the years, but we liked Albu. the best overall (though this was five years ago now - I sincerely hope it hasn't lost its character but you never know.)

Ruthiebabes · 07/03/2008 12:20

I would recommend Lagos, after travelling round most of the Algarve. It still retains Portuguese character, loads of great restaurants, a lovely Marina, and beautiful beaches.

Try the following websites

ownersdirect.co.uk
holidaylettings.co.uk

We used holiday lettings last year and had a lovely apartment.

I cannot recommend lagos highly enough

Have fun

pigleto · 07/03/2008 12:31

we go to Carvoeiro every year. We love it. The villa we stay at is beautiful and homely. here

nct73 · 16/03/2008 13:32

Great tips. Was also tempted by short cheap flights to Faro but then didn't know where to start as Algarve has so many options but wanted village/town rather than resort. Am now looking to rent an apartment which sleeps 2 plus DD 15 mo in a cot in Cavoeiro as sounds small and lovely and our kind of place. Have found www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/ good for finding potential places to book as has really good range of search options including "children welcome" which has made it easier trying to narrow down list to suitable places that might also supply cot & highchair etc.

MyDingaling · 16/03/2008 13:43

We have used villa plus 3 times and have always been happy with the villas. We went to Portugal a couple of years ago but we stayed in a huge villa for 12 people

bodiddly · 16/03/2008 13:49

another recommendation for Carvoeiro .. my parents have a place out in Rocha Brava there and have family in Quinta do Paraiso .. both nice.

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