Algarve motorway tolls stay - the government 'can't afford to scrap them'

4788Tolls on the Algarve’s Via do Infante motorway was discussed in Parliament once again on Thursday, but the ruling Socialist Party concluded that, "the country does not have the economic and financial conditions to be "free of tolls."

Parliament discussed a series of legislative initiatives from five political parties, with the exception of the Socialists, to end tolls on Via do Infante.

Olhão's principal Church seriously damaged by inept repair work

crucifix1The Algarve’s Regional Directorate of Culture has ordered the immediate suspension of work being carried out on the walls of Olhão's principal church, Nossa Senhora do Rosário.

The exterior walls of this Property of National Interest are undergoing repair and renovation prior to repainting which, on the north side, seemed to be going well.

Madeira's airport renamed in honour of its favourite son

RonaldoBustSmallA bust of Cristiano Ronaldo was unveiled on Wednesday in the newly named airport in Madeira, becoming a social media sensation for all the wrong reasons.

Even the sculptor commented that “Not even Jesus pleased everyone," as the online criticism of the approximation of the football star’s image reverberated across cyberspace.

Court rules short-term rental apartment owners don't need neighbours' permission

alThe Association of Local Accommodation in Portugal (ALEP) announced today that the decision of the Supreme Court of Justice, that it is not necessary to get agreement from all apartment owners for one apartment or more to be let short-term to tourists, gives some legal stability to the sector.

The recent Supreme Court decision in favor of local accommodation flexibility concerns a case in Lisbon where apartment owners won a case against one apartment owner who was letting his property under the Alojamento Local (AL) scheme, claiming that they all had to agree before any lettings could take place.

Alcoutim's smuggling festival a roaring success

alcoutimAgainst many odds, including the torrential rainfall, the 1st Festival of Smuggling held in Alcoutim was a roaring success with thousands of visitors from Spain and Portugal enjoying the two day event.

The council is delighted with the results, especially the with the floating bridge laid between Alcoutim and Sanlúcar de Guadiana on the Spanish side, which attracted around 10,000 people.

Tsunami to hit the Algarve - but nobody knows when...

earthquakeA new documentary about a Mega-tsunami hitting Portugal and Spain has alerted those in its predicted path that there is little than can be done to avoid disaster, death and economic loss.

The question is not if, but when will the tsunami hit the southern coastline with the documentary La Gran Ola (The Great Wave) claiming that that there are no emergency plans in place in Spain or Portugal to deal with this scientific certainty.

Portugal's postal rate hike set for April 4th

cttvanPortugal’s Post Office service, CTT, is increase the cost of sending letters of up to 100 grammes as from April 4th.  

According to CTT's new price information revealed today, a letter of up to 20 grammes sent by regular mail currently cost 47 cents but will go up to 50 cents as from next Tuesday.

Ikea Loulé plans muted opening

ikea2Management of the Ikea store opening near Loulé on Thursday 30th March, is planning for two million visitors in the first year of activity. This upbeat prediction comes from the director of the shop, Abdelhak Ayadi.

In a pre-launch meeting with journalists, Ayadi said the retail unit is not one of Ikea’s standard stores, as its product range has been adapted to the local market, especially the resident foreign community.