“We would like to invite you to the Ocean Restaurant and will value your opinion on the experience.”
This is exactly the sort of email that I dream of. A chance to experience a Michelin two-star restaurant at a resort I already know and love - Vila Vita Parc, near Armação de Pêra whose management must have heard that it was I, dear reader, that once dined at the world’s best restaurant in the history of all restaurants, El Bulli.
Of all the cities, towns and regions of the top ten retirement destinations listed by Live and Invest Overseas for 2017, Portugal’s southernmost region, the Algarve, took the lead for the fourth year in a row, followed by Malta’s capital city, Valetta, for the second consecutive year.
“I’m not surprised by the outcome of the list as these destinations tick all the right boxes,” says James Bowling, chief executive officer of leading residency and citizenship by investment facilitator, Monarch&Co.
Olhão’s Christmas market starts this Friday, 8th December at 11:00am in the Recreativa building, near the Church in the Avenida da República.
This Christmas market has been organised by the newly formed arts and social organisation ‘Associação Cultural Re-Criativa República 14,’ based in this wonderful old building, which promises all sorts of hand-crafted products, works of art from local and foreign artists, plus food and other gifts and goodies to take home.
Read the December 2017 issue of Enjoy the Algarve, ‘Why the Algarve’
In it: we’ve investigate why expats move to the south of Portugal. Their reasons range from craving a more laid-back lifestyle to wanting to be nearer to the ocean. For Christine Holmes, it was the wish to live a less stressful life among ‘people who have time for people’, whereas for the German Robert and his donkeys, the clean air here sealed the deal.
Olhão’s newest cultural association is throwing open its doors for a special Christmas Market.
Established only last month, the ‘Associação Cultural Re-Criativa República 14’ is based in the beautiful, low white 'Recreativa' building near the Church in Olhão’s Avenida da República and to celebrate the association's creation, a Christmas Market is being held over two weekends from the 8th of December.
Read the November 2017 issue of Enjoy the Algarve, ‘Saudade’
In it: we investigate what saudade exactly is. Although it’s one of the hardest words to translate into English, it says so much about the Portuguese culture. As it’s closely linked with fado, we talk to fadistas about the most important thing when performing Portugal’s folk music.
Claus Porto products have arrived at Mar d'Estórias with captivating aromas, exquisite design and distinct fragrances. Handmade soaps infused with fragrances from the exuberant Portuguese flora and wrapped by hand in packages with artistic and unique illustrations. Claus Porto soaps are milled with pistachio butter for a more moisturizing bathing experience.
Each product has a unique history and personality, with images inspired by old labels that take us to the glamorous European Belle Époque.
Read the October 2017 issue of Enjoy the Algarve, ‘Go out & play!’
In it: we take a hike. Because with hundreds of kilometres of gorgeous walking trails, from the Via Algarviana to the Ecovia do Literal, the Algarve is a great region to discover on foot. If you’re not keen on hiking, try hovercraft. This air-cushion vehicle will get you anywhere, even if there’s a rock or a lake in the way.
