Monday, 19 December 2011

Christmas in the Algarve?

Christmas2

How is Christmas in the Algarve? The Portuguese tradition is to celebrate with a family dinner on the evening of the 24th, with cod fish (Bacalhau). Not everyone, but most Portuguese will go at midnight to the church, after this presents can be opened, or the following day. Christmas day, the Portuguese have a lunch together. 26th of December, (boxing day), does not excist in Portugal, this is a normal day as every other day, shops open....

Around Christmas, there is much to do regarding entertainment such as concerts, and other type of performences. If you do not want to cook yourself, no problem at all, many restaurants in the Algarve organise Christmas dinners and lunches. Below we give a few options of the things to do with Christmas in the Algarve:

 

Dining and wining

23-27 Christmas Dinner Carvoeiro

Pimenta Preta Restaurant in Carvoeiro have prepared a mouth-watering Christmas Menu. This 4 course menu, which includes the traditional turkey along with a wonderful mixture of accompaniments is just €39 per person.

Where?

Pimenta Preta, Pestana Palm Garden Resort, Vale de Centeanes, Carvoeiro

Reserve a table: + 351 282 350 200

Price: €39

 

25 December – Christmas Lunch Almancil

Famous for their wonderful Carvery lunches, Restaurant Vaults in Almancil, has a great Christmas Carvery lunch on Christmas Day.

Where?

Vaults Restaurant, Ave 5 de Outobro, Almancil

Price: € 60

Reserve a table: +351 289 391 883

Festivities and Events

16-12 Christmas Dance show Lagos

The show will consist of several choreographies such as, Classical Ballet, Contemporary Dance, Traditional Dance, Modern Dance, Ballroom Dancing Oriental Dance, Indian Classical Dance and Hip Hop, all of which will be presented by the students from the Lagos Dance Association.

Where?

Cultural Centre, Rua Lançarot e Freitas, No 7, Lagos

Time: 19.00

Price: €5

Orquestra_do_algarve

17-12 Christmas Concert Portimao

With the festive season almost upon us, the festive concerts also begin. Kicking off the season will be the Orquestra of Algarve with a series of Chrismas Concerts. Performing at the Tempo Theatre in Portimão the orquestra will interpret the works of renowned composers.

Where?

TEMPO, municipal Theatre Portimao

Time: 21.30

Price: € 10

Sleeping-beauty

22-12 The Sleeping Beauty Loule

The Sleeping Beauty has enchanted audiences for more than 100 years with its brilliant choreography and unforgettable score by Peter I. Tchaikovsky.

Based on a tale by Charles Perrault, Sleeping Beauty, is considered one of the greatest classical ballets of all time. Elegant costumes and magical sets complete this captivating world where true love really does conquer all.

This masterpiece, which has been danced by most dance companies throughout the world, is undoubtedly, one of the most beautiful from the illustrious Russian composer, Tchaikovsky.

Where?
Cine Theatro, Louletano, Ave Jose da costa Mealha, Loule
Time: 21.30
Price: from € 21

Algarve_-_weather1

Weather

Winters tend to be mild averaging around 15º and this is the season with the most rainfall. The Algarve gets on average 50 days of rainfall all year, most of them between November and February. But very often the sun shines, and it feels like over 20 degrees! Breakfast and lunch can be easily taken outside in a t-shirt, enjoy the beautiful environment of the Algarve during a walk, play tennis or golf, all very nice during the winter in the Algarve.

Bordeira

Accommodation

Algarve Housing rent villas in the Algarve, from rustic windmills till luxury town houses and villas, all with private pools and gardens, located in beautiful areas with nice decorated interiors and exteriors, most set up for outside living to make the most of the nice weather in the Algarve. Please check our Winter Rental section for our recommendations for winter let,

Merry Christmas!

Michele

Algarve Housing

http://www.algarvehousing.net

 

 

Wednesday, 7 December 2011

How to pay the toll on the A22 in the Algarve?

Mapa22

This article contains information about how to pay the toll for residents of Portugal and visitors to the Algarve.

From December 8 (2011) motorists using the A22 in the Algarve will be charged electronically each time they pass a toll camera.

This system involves a series of cameras placed along the motorway which will record all vehicles travelling the road.

Residents must buy a transponder which is fixed to the windscreen of the car behind the rear view mirror and sends a signal to the cameras.

Travellers are charged 0.07 euro per kilometre, so 128km would cost €8.96.

Locally registered residents with Portuguese registered car

The transponder costs €27.50 and can be bought from the issuers, Via Verde (www.viaverde.pt) or from local post offices (www.ctt.pt) in person.

Users can then pay by a linked bank account (Portuguese only) or by pre or post pay at the post office or payshops and Via Verde shops. The system is similar to how mobile phones are used.

If a charge is unpaid, the users then have up to five days to pay before additional fines are added. A minimum of €10 can be pre-paid.

In order to buy the device and register an account, residents will need the proof of residency status, fiscal number, car registration details and if using the automatic payment, a Portuguese bank account.

There are also discounts that will apply. Residents will be exempt for 10 uses each month and a further 15% on all other uses.

Foreign registered vehicles for residents and visitors

Users can pre-pay with their vehicle registration number at the post office (www.ctt.pt)

There will also be temporary devices available for hire, costing €27 and with additional administrative charges. These will be valid for up to 90 days after which they can be re-registered as they must be linked to an individual vehicle.

Registering for a device is possible online at Via Verde but currently it is only in Portuguese, English speakers should visit their local post office for assistance.

A22-motorway-algarve

Rental car users

Visitors to the Algarve using rental cars can ask for instructions from the rental company.

Rental cars will be fitted with a transponder and charges will happen automatically.

Currently, visitors will be asked to pay for their use at the post offices and at pay shops or online using the post office website (www.ctt.pt).

In future there are plans to offer places to pay at service stations.

This news is brought by you by Algarve Housing. Algarve Housing rent luxury villas in the Algarve. Unique properties with private pools and gardens. From rustic windmills till luxury villas and town houses.

Next article we will inform you about Christmas in the Algarve.

Warm regards,

Michele

 

Algarve Housing