Link here to so many places

Some links are adverts, others are practical and useful or just plain vital.

Low Cost Travel - including car hire

Travelocity
This Website has served many well and is worth comparing with other flight and Car Rental charges you find
Low Cost Flights
A site mentioned as one of the best on a BBC programme about the Web
EasyJet Food and drink has to be bought during the flight - but Direct flights take well under 3 hours.
Monarch Airways Cheap and used to be a little squashed

Transfers & Car Hire - Faro and Alvor

Carlos Santana - 1st Choice of our Local Agents. Contact using the following: Phone 00351 282 459 832 and email: carlos_santana1@hotmail.com

Current charge per trip (February 2011) is: 50 Euros for 1 to 4 people with luggage or 65 Euros for 5 to 8 people. A minibus is used and journey time each way is less than 1 hour. When making contact please supply: Name; Flight No. and Date.

A Local Car Hire Company - We have used them - prices compare well with the better known International Companies. We can't say they are the best so let us know your favourites for service, car quality with features and price.
Faro Airport Transfers - Choice of a guest - and looks very good and low cost. Contact: Phone 00351 966 110 818 and email: info@faroairporttransfers.com
Bus/Train Timetable & Fares - Unofficially English Cheapest way to travel and a great way to glimpse lots of places. Alternatively - and a somewhat faster route that is still cheaper than taxi, minibus or hiring a car - use a bus at each end of a train journey. Take the bus/taxi from Faro Airport to the Faro Railway Station, travel by train to Portimão then take another bus/taxi to Alvor.

Places to Visit & Excursions

Silves
Has a Red-Brick Crusader Castle that dominates the town. Pop concerts are held here plus the gallery, within the Castle grounds, often has fabulous Exhibits on Tour. The centre has recently been paved to a very high quality that makes a visit very worthwhile. A Cafe to one side of the Castle called Café Inglés does the most amazing dessert called - Chocolate St. Emilion.
Lagos
A few minutes by car from Alvor - a busy Tourist Town with many Shops, Cafes, a recently built Marina, a Castle and Beaches to visit.
Monchique
Up in the mountain area this little town on the way to the very peak - that can be reached by road.
Fóia
Beyond Monchique take the road or cross country walk to the highest point in the Algarve. The Views are breathtaking at over 9000 metres with a view of the Coastline on a clear day. There is a wonderful shop there full of blankets and warm things plus a Radio/Radar Station.
Excursions
All kinds of excursions will be found here - from Game Fishing, Dolphin watching to walks and Beaches.

Dining Out - snacks to great meals

Marco's Bar and Bistro
Our favourite place for brilliant meals - full of good taste, spectacular cocktails and food to remind you of home while in Portugal. Marco's is a few yards from our apartment and faces the enormous outdoor pool.
A Review of Restaurants in Alvor
With emphasis on fish and special outings this Website gives a good feel as to what is on offer in Alvor.
Premier Eating Out
Here is a list of the Finest places to eat out - on the Algarve. Many are in and around Almansil - a small but very expensive town close to Faro and a clutch of Golf Courses.

Children Want Fun

Zoomarine
One of the popular places for families or just a day away from the beach
For the Kids
This Website has been visited before and here are lots of ideas to explore with the younger ones.

After Dark - Bars and Clubs

Nightlife A link to many places along the Algarve

The Venue - A Night Club we have seen in Alvor - a short walk from the Apartment, so you may also wish to pop along the coast for more excitement.

Voxx Bar - Late & Lively - the Strip, Praia da Rocha, Tel (00351) 289 555 555.

Bizarro Bar - LOW KEY - Espleade, Albufeira - newly renovated bar overlooking the beach - great for drinks in the sunset.

Health Emergencies

Emergency number: 112

Centro de Saude

NB Albufeira and Lagos have 24 hour International Health Centres.

Faro and Portimão have proper emergency departments. Other hospitals can handle less serious needs.

Local Banks, ATMs and Shop Hours

Essential Opening Hours
See here the general opening hours plus. You will usually find a 'Multibanco' ATM in most supermarkets and shopping areas.
Multibanco in Portugal
More information about this 24 hour cash system.

Best local place for banks is Portimão - a few minutes down the road by car. You will even find a few Barclays Banks along the Algarve including one in Portimão.

A Few Useful Words and Phrases

Language - just a little
This link also takes you on to common words and phrases - especially useful when out of the tourist areas.

Some traffic rules:

Within the built-up area: 60km/hr
Outside the built-up area: 90km/hr
Main roads: 100km/hr
Motorways: 120km/hr
The wearing of seat bells is compulsory.
Alcohol-blood limit: 50mg per 100ml.
Insurance and a valid national Driver's License is compulsory.

SKY Diving

How about this for something different?

Some Ideas from an ex-patriot

Security, Tourist Office & Reception

Emergency number: 112

Fire Brigade
Portimão - 282 422122
Police
Portimão - 282 417217
Posto de Turismo de Alvor
Rua Dr. Afonso Costa nº 51
8500-016 ALVOR
Tel. +351 282 457 540
E-mail: turismo.alvor@rtalgarve.pt
Marco's Bar/Bistro at Dunas da Alvor - Loja 16
Contacts: Jackie and Mark White - who are on site and will be keen to help and advise you on almost any topic.
(00 351) 282 457 548

Telephone Number at Dunas Reception
(00 351) 282 460 500

Link to DK site for Practical Information

A Local Consulate and the main Church

British Consulate - Local Portimão

Largo Francisco A Maurício 7-1,
8500 Portimão
Tel. 282- 417800 From the UK: 00 351 282-417800

Church of Alvor
Here you will find the only building left intact after the earthquake of 1755. The style shows off the fishing village and there is a brilliant view of the estuary from the church tower.