Eastern Algarve, Portugal

Whilst a neighbouring country to Spain, Portugal offers a distinctive change in terms of its culture, countryside, towns and villages. The people here are generally more reserved and formal than the Spanish whilst retaining the latin "warmth" to make you feel very welcome.

The country is known, among other things, for its discovery of Tea and subsequently introducing it to the English, (a curiosity here is that the Portuguese for tea is "Cha", (also in Hindi), as in "a cup of cha"). Of course Portugal has also got its name for the abundant tourism attracted to the Western-Algarve area in the coastal resorts of Albufeira, Vilamoura and Lagos.

The Eastern Algarve is almost entirely undeveloped by the mass tourism of the Spanish & Western Portuguese Costa's. Here lie the delights of the sleepy medieval village of Castro Marim, its pristine neighbouring town of Vila Real de Santo Antonio, the colourful estuary town of Tavira and the marshland Natural Reserve, "Reserva Natural do Sapal de Castro Marim".

The nearby Algarvian hills are home to secluded untouched villages of centuries passed whilst the coast provides all you could want from sunbathing to scuba diving along some of Europe's best kept beaches and coastline.

With Faro international airport at very close proximity you can be at your accommodation in under an hour depending on your destination.