Golf and tourist attractions:
Vila Marachique is NEXT TO ALTO GOLF , CLOSE TO PENINA GOLFand within easy drive of the Central Algarve's famous golf courses. Good deals for golf packages are easily found on the Internet. Alvor is an attractive fishing village in the midst of holiday apartments and large private villas with a wide choice of restaurants, bars, small shops and holiday activities. These focus on 2 areas: the harbour- lagoon area of the Rio Alvor estuary; and the extensive, clean, sandy beach and dunes that eventually lead to typical Algarve coves and rock formations as you move east towards Praia da Rocha and Portimao. Boat trips, canoe hire and dolphin watching trips are available at the harbour area. There are public tennis courts and an indoor swimming pool by the harbour and new fisherman's 'huts' - this is still a fishing village with fish market. Aqualand, Zoo Marine and similar attractions are within 35min drive. Or visit the historic towns of Lagos and Silves.
Beaches and restaurants:
The local beaches are clean, sandy and protected from over development. They have all modern
facilities-sunloungers, parasols for hire and cafes, bars and restaurants. Or walk a short distance and find long stretches away from it all. There are classic Algarve coves with cliffs and rock formations to explore.
Restaurants include traditional Portuguese and seafood, Italian, Indian ,and Chinese. 'India Hut 1' is an authentic treat.
There are restaurants next to Vila Marachique (recommend' Por do Sol') or go into Alvor and stroll around the small old town until you find your favourite. Ours is 'Casa da Rio' with a wonderful view across the harbour to the dunes beyond.
Bars include Irish and sports bars but most are Portuguese style -often with a cafe and snacks available. Try those at the 'square' at the top of the hill or by the 'new' market, for a light lunch or coffee, cakes and cold drinks during the day. Outdoor dining and roof terraces with sunset views are the norm.
Wildlife, 'Birding' and Countryside:
Alvor has its own small wildlife reserve with protected , unspoilt beaches and dunes that form a safe harbour at the entrance to the Rio Alvor estuary. So if you have binoculars -remember to bring them. Dolphin -watching trips(small scale company ) leave from the cobbled promenade area.
It's a short drive to the beaches between Armacao de Pera and Salgados. Behind the beach (near the small river inlet at Salgados Golf Course ) there is a delightful lagoon with wild fowl and regular visiting flocks of flamingos-sometimes spoonbills and a good range of waders.
Algarve towns have storks nesting (see Silves, Lagos and inland villages) watch them soaring on thermals in the sky. They gather in fields outside Silves by the River Arade before migrating.
Drive up towards Monchique and Foia and you may see buzzards, vultures, eagles and lots of ' little brown birds' mainly of interest to serious birders! You can see bee eaters and occasionally kingfishers and woodpeckers. E-mail us for info.
Other Activities:
Nature reserve, Dolphin watching cruises, canoes, public indoor swimming pool, sky diving
