Ayamonte & The Algarve:
The very pretty fishing port & town of Ayamonte on the Spanish/Portuguese border is lined with street cafes, restaurants, tapas bars and nice boutiques/shops - the freshly caught fish and seafood in the restaurants is a must! The eastern end of the Portuguese Algarve is also worth a day trip or two, it is a beautiful and largely unspoilt region with lovely long sandy beaches, small fishing ports and villages and attractive national parks. The attractive, historic town of Tavira is only 40 mins drive away and has a lovely square next to the river with a hilltop castle/gardens, churches and other ancient buildings. It is also lined with street cafes and restaurants.
Other nearby places of interest are Huelva, from where Columbus first sailed to the New World; El Rocio, famous for the annual pilgrimage; and Andalucian capital Seville, home of tapas, flamenco, moorish architecture and so much more.
Beaches and Activities:
The long pristine sandy beaches provide a base from which to enjoy the watersports for which the area is famous. If you do not want to try it yourself, you can just relax on the beach and enjoy the skilful gymnastics of the kitesurfers and windsurfers. There are marinas at Isla Canela & Isla Cristina where sailors of all abilities can hire boats to enjoy the Atlantic Coastline.
For younger family members, on the road into Cartaya (approx 30 mins) you will find Kartodromo de Cartaya (Karting) open year round, and the very popular Aquopolis water park which opens normally the middle of June until first week in September. 45 mins over the border into Portugal, near to Faro, you will find the Aqualand water park, the essential day out according to some of our guests from past years.
The area is a wildlife haven, from the Marismas at Isla Canela with flamigo and other wildfowl, to the National Park at Donana (45 mins drive) one of the most important nature reserves in Europe.
Golf & Other Sports:
For the keen golfer the western Algarve, Costa de la Luz, Huelva and the Eastern Algarve are as yet “undiscovered', certainly when compared to the eastern Algarve and the Costas. Green fees are lower, the courses less crowded & less busy, making it much easier to get a start time that you want & to play a round in reasonable time & without delay. They are also some of best courses in all of Spain.
There are two excellent courses nearby, Isla Canela and the international standard Islantilla, winter home of the Swedish & Danish Golf Unions (please contact us for details). Facilities include Driving Ranges, Putting & Chipping Greens, Practice Bunkers, Resident Golf Pro. Isla Canela also has 2 international standard bowling greens, tennis courts & football training areas. Other nearby courses are Costa Esuri, El Rompido, Nuevo Portil and, just across the border, Castro Marim, Quinta de Cima and Quinta da Ria.
Other Activities:
Kite-surfing
marks the location of the property in Andalusia
