The reputation of the Western Algarve as a mecca for active water sports is well established. Each sport has its particular beach venues – Castelejo, Amado, Arrifana and Monte Clerigo on the West Coast for surfing, Martinhal near Sagres for wind-surfing and the Alvor Lagoon for kite-surfing.
Beliche beach and cliffs, Sagres
1. Do AlmaVerde villas have wi-fi?
A few villas have unlimited wi-fi access. There is also a wi-fi hotspot in and in front of the reception building, and an internet-connected PC available for use during reception opening hours. In addition, wi-fi routers and pay-as-you-go pens are available from reception against a refundable deposit. A router enables multiple devices – computers, mobile phones, games consoles – to enjoy simultaneous wireless access from the villa or any other location. You only pay for the time that the router is switched on.
Continuing its protest against the introduction of the A22 tolls, the Algarve’s Left Bloc is taking to the N125 on 25th July to highlight the many “black spots” and to stress the need for urgent improvements, if the N125 is ever to be a viable toll-free alternative to the A22.
The long-anticipated toll charging system for the Algarve’s A22 motorway came into effect on 8th December 2011. The system covers the length of the A22, but some toll-free, short journeys can be made, particularly between adjacent exits. For example, it is possible to cross the bridge from Spain using the A22 and transfer to the N125, or to travel from Bensafrim to Lagos, without incurring a charge.
3,000 hours of sunshine per year, cooling ocean breezes to moderate the summer heat, and seasonal rainfall all contribute to a great climate. No wonder Andalusians have been snapping up holiday homes in the area!
Census 2011: the Algarve population has grown by 55,000 in the past 10 years while depopulation of the interior continues.
According to the preliminary results of the 2011 census, the Algarve and Madeira are the two regions of Portugal showing the largest increase in population over the past decade.
Increasingly buying a property overseas for environmental reasons is becoming the norm and that’s exactly what the Keet family did when purchasing their four-bedroom home in AlmaVerde, Western Algarve.
On a recent trip to Seville, I was idly leafing through the hotel chain magazine. I suppose the idea of these publications is to draw the reader in with articles of general interest, and to hit them with advertorials promoting new destinations, refurbishments and so on. Aiming to appeal to the international traveller, the articles appear both in the local language and in English. As befits a publication reflecting luxury values, considerable care is taken over the photography, typography and layout, even the quality of paper stock used.
Luz Casal
The government will not be introducing the tolls on the four “SCUT” motorways previously scheduled for the 15th of April, reports AFPOP, the Association for Foreign Residents and Property Owners in Portugal. The process is now on hold until the result of the elections in June.
Following legislation passed on 9th September to introduce tolls on the A22 by April of next year, a public meeting has been convened in Loulé for this evening, 20th September, to form a Via do Infante Users’ Commission in order to coordinate opposition to the “unjust and unacceptable” toll scheme.
Photo credit: Elisabete Rodrigues
