Inside Algarve Magazine – Algarve News

Author: Inside Magazines

Portimão welcomes 22nd edition of the Algarve’s leading Photography Race

The 22nd edition of Portimão’s Photography Race happens this May

– April 27, 2022

This 22^nd edition of the Photography Race in the Algarve marks the return of the pre-Covid format of the competition whilst maintaining the online format introduced two years ago.

The traditional competition created by the municipality of Portimão is considered to be one of the most important competitions of the kind south of the Tejo River, in Lisbon, to promote and celebrate the creativity of photography enthusiasts.

This year’s themes will be about life: ‘The uncertainty of life’, ‘Resistance, resilience and survival’, ‘A fragile heritage’ and ‘Does it make me happy?’.

Contestants have the opportunity to participate in the in-person competition, which will take place between 9am and 9pm, on May 14, across the streets of Portimão city, or online.

Portimão Museum is accepting registrations for both editions until May 10 on its website. Contestants interested in participating in the online format can submit their photographs until June 25.

For more information, contact Portimão’s Museum (+351) 282 405 269 / 282 405 230, or via email corrida.fotografica@cm-portimao.pt.

Source: Essential Algarve

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April 27, 2022
Portimão’s rehabilitated fish market will reopen for ‘Freedom Day’ commemorations

Portimão’s first power station was built in 1916 and later became a fish market. Now, after renovation works, it will reopen to the public for the ‘Freedom Day’ celebrations of April 25

– April 22, 2022

The official inauguration of Portimão’s revamped fish market, commonly referred to as the ‘Lota’, will be the highlight of the town’s ‘Freedom Day’ celebrations on Monday, April 25.

The ceremony is scheduled for 10.30am at the building, which will be open to visits from the public all day.

The €960,000 renovation work carried out last year aimed to transform the building into a “dynamic and versatile space, prepared to host cultural projects, festivities, commemorations and events linked to local and regional traditions”.

Although the original traits of the building were preserved, the roof was replaced and its walls were strengthened. The revamped ground floor will be used as a multipurpose room, capable of hosting a variety of cultural events, while the back of the building was expanded with the construction of a cafeteria.

Improvements were also carried out to the building’s water, electricity and telecommunication networks, and several support rooms were also built on the ground floor and first floor, as well as restrooms.

The ‘Lota’ is located near the town’s old bridge over the Arade River, just a stone’s throw away from Portimão’s many riverside fish restaurants.

Built in 1916 to house the town’s first power station, the building was reconverted in the 50s and turned into a fish market. By the end of the 1980s, it was used to house sardine restaurants until it was finally abandoned.

Now, with its renovation work finally completed, it is expected to become an important part of the town’s riverside charm.

In fact, the building will be put to use on the very day it will be inaugurated with the signing of contracts granting around €1.2 million-worth of council support to 105 local entities, from associations to sports clubs. The signing of the contracts will begin at 2pm.

But these are far from the only events that Portimão will host to celebrate ’25 de Abril’ – the date that a military coup was carried out in 1974, overthrowing Portugal’s authoritarian ‘Estado Novo’ regime.

Festivities will begin at Praça 1º de Maio in front of the town hall at 9am with the hoisting of the Portuguese flag followed by a performance of the national anthem by the Banda da Sociedade Filarmónica Portimonense and Fanfarra dos Bombeiros Voluntários de Portimão.

At 9.30am, a mural depicting this year’s ’25 de Abril’ celebrations in Portimão will be unveiled on Rua Teófilo Braga by local artist Jéssica Martins.

Two days before the national holiday, an exhibition of paintings entitled ‘Raízes’ by artist Margarida Tengarrinha will be unveiled at 5pm at Portimão Museum, where it will remain on display until June 26.

Meanwhile, Portuguese singer Janita Salomé will perform a free concert on April 24 at the town’s riverside, at 9.30pm.

Portimão will also host its usual ‘Corrida da Liberdade’ (Freedom Run) on April 25 at 10am along the riverside. Those interested in signing up should contact the Algarve Athletics Association (+351 289 824 946 | aaalgarve@mail.telepac.pt).

Source: Portugal Resident Newspaper

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April 22, 2022
Ocean restaurant receives highest award from Boa Cama Boa Mesa guide

Vila Vita Parc’s Ocean restaurant was awarded the ‘Platinum Fork’ for the fourth year straight in the ‘Boa Cama Boa Mesa’ restaurant-hotel guide

– April 19, 2022

With two Michelin stars, Vila Vita Parc’s Ocean restaurant, headed by chef Hans Neuner, has been awarded a ‘Platinum Fork’ for the fourth year straight in Expresso’s ‘Boa Cama Boa Mesa’ restaurant-hotel guide. And the five-star resort in Porches also received a ‘Platinum Key’ in the hotel category of the awards.

Ocean restaurant was awarded with its first ‘Platinum Fork’ in 2012, when the category was first introduced.

The guide’s criteria for Boa Mesa (restaurant category) was selected based on five categories: location, service, wine cellar and price/quality, whilst Boa Cama‘s criteria (hotel category) was selected based on the touristic project, the building, its architecture and décor, services, customer service and price/quality. Visits and evaluations were carried out until the beginning of March 2022.

The restaurant has already started the new season with the “Route of India“ menu, taking diners on a journey with sojourns in Cape Verde, Ghana and Mozambique to Goa. The new menu is described as an exploration of the richness of flavours and ingredients characteristic of each area and, above all, of the influence brought by the caravels of the golden period of the Portuguese Discoveries to the valued Portuguese gastronomy.

The menu costs €235 per person and offers the option of pairing for €140 per person. Ocean serves only dinners, from Wednesday to Sunday, from 7pm to 10pm.

Reservations can be made through the restaurantocean.com website or via telephone +351 282 310 100, and the full Menu can be seen here.

Photo by Paulo Barata

Source: Essential Algarve Magazine

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April 19, 2022
Moto GP: 2022 Portuguese Grand Prix this April 22-24 in Portimão

Algarve is preparing for an exciting weekend at the Algarve International Racetrack

– April 19, 2022

Portimão will host the awaited MotoGP race this April 22 and 24, at the Algarve International Racetrack, and fans will have the opportunity to welcome the Portuguese MotoGP star Miguel Oliveira this Wednesday at the pre-event. The event, part of the Grand Prix motorcycle racing World Championship, dates back to its first race in 1987.

Miguel Oliveira

According to MotoGP, Tissot and Dorna Sports announced “Tissot as the title sponsor for the 2022 Grand Prix of Portugal” as the event will be officially named the Grande Prémio Tissot de Portugal” (Tissot Grand Prix of Portugal).

Meanwhile, the KTM Factory Racing announced on Instagram that Miguel Oliveira will give fans the opportunity to join a special pre-event and convoy ahead of the Portuguese GP next Wednesday, April 20, from 4.30pm to 6.30pm. According to the announcement, Oliveira will welcome the public on stage at the Zona Ribeirinha in Portimão (near the river), and afterwards, he will lead the group of fans on their motorbikes with his RC16 to the Algarve International Racetrack.

Expect a weekend full of emotions for this memorable event of the MotoGP race at the Algarve International Racetrack which has a capacity of 100,000 spectators.

Save your seats here (motogp.meoblueticket.pt)

Feature photo by Paulo Maria / ACP

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April 19, 2022
Last places for the Living in the Algarve Live Seminar

Last places still available for the inaugural event on Thursday, April 14

– April 12, 2022

This Thursday, April 14 will see the first Living in the Algarve live seminar taking place at the Tivoli Carvoeiro hotel (see our recent article).

Visitors interested to know more about residency, taxation, property, living and moving to the Algarve, can book their free seats by visiting: www.livinginthealgarve.pt

The event is planned primarily to attract visitors who may be considering either moving here or buying a home with the goal of living here, along with local foreign residents who may wish to learn more about various aspects of living in the region.

There will be two identical seminar sessions held at 11am and 3pm, with some seats still available for the afternoon session.

The event is organised by the Open Media Group, publishers of the Portugal Resident in association with law firm Rosado Advogados, Blevins Franks, The Sovereign Group and AFPOP.

“This is a project that has been on the back-burner for us during the Covid pandemic,” said Open Media’s CEO Bruce Hawker. “We had all five venues booked for our 2020 events and had to cancel everything at the last minute when Covid hit. But we are thrilled to finally be ready to stage our first event and, together with our event partners, we look forward to helping many foreign nationals learn more about living here.”

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April 12, 2022
‘Folar Fair’ returns to São Marcos da Serra for the Easter Celebrations

The annual Folar Fair will showcase the sweet and delicious folar cake, local food & drinks and also performances by choir groups, dances, exhibitions, concerts and more

– April 12, 2022

The small town São Marcos da Serra, in Silves, will host the annual event ‘Folar Fair’ (Feira do Folar) in honour of the sweet and delicious Easter cake, for which the town is so famous, which is made of cinnamon and fennel and decorated with a boiled egg.

The Folar Fair (Feira do Folar) will take place at São Marcos da Serra, between April 15 and 17 and will also feature a variety of different takes on the traditional recipe as well as local sweets and liqueurs such as the iconic ‘Medronho’.

The goal is to “promote the borough’s inland and popular culture, namely the parish of São Marcos da Serra”.

Also planned are concerts, religious celebrations, performances by choir groups, dances, traditional games, an exhibition focusing on the Algarvensis Geopark – which brings together Loulé, Silves and Albufeira – and a variety of street entertainment.

The fair begins at 11am and runs until 8pm on April 16 and 17 and 8.30pm on April 18. Admission is free.

Source: Essential Algarve Magazine

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April 12, 2022
Easter Concerto by the Algarve Symphonic Orchestra and violinist João Pedro Cunha

Portimão’s TEMPO Theatre features an Easter Concerto by the Algarve Symphonic Orchestra this April 16

– April 11, 2022

This April 16, enjoy an Easter Concert by the Algarve Symphonic Orchestra (Orquestra Sinfónica do Algarve), taking place at the Portimão’s TEMPO theatre at 7pm. The Algarve Symphonic Orchestra is a recent project, whose debut concert took place in October 2021.

The concert’s programme will be focusing on various themes and composers, featuring compositions from the French Bizet to the German Mendelssohn, through the Mexican Arturo Márquez and the Argentine Alberto Ginastera, presenting a rich and eclectic program directed by Maestro Armando Mota featuring the violinist soloist João Pedro Cunha.

Tickets cost €15 and can be purchased here (https://tempo.bol.pt).

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April 11, 2022
Algarve Jazz Orchestra and Vânia Fernandes perform this April 14 in Lagoa

Renowned Singer Vânia Fernandes will be joining the Algarve Jazz Orchestra in celebration of the International Jazz Day

– April 8, 2022

After two sold-out concerts to start off the year, the Algarve Jazz Orchestra (Orquestra de Jazz do Algarve) is preparing to celebrate International Jazz Day (April 30) with a concert in Lagoa this Thursday, April 14 at Lagoa’s Municipal Auditorium at 7pm.

“We never limit ourselves to just one day and prefer to make the month of April a celebration of this (genre of) music,” the orchestra says in statement to the press. And for this year’s celebrations, the orchestra invited Vânia Fernandes, a very “versatile, musical and powerful voice”.

This year’s programme will celebrate the classic jazz voices and players from the 20^th century, such as Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughn, whose songs stood through time along with the classic orchestras of Count Basie, Benny Carter, Duke Ellington and Thad Jones.

The Algarve Jazz Orchestra and singer Vânia Fernandes will perform under the musical direction of Hugo Alves, in a celebration of more than 100 years of jazz music, universally recognized by UNESCO.

Tickets cost €10 and can be purchased online here (www.ticketline.sapo.pt).

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April 8, 2022
New Ferragudo Hotel aims to showcase “Authentic Algarve Experience”

Between land and sea: the new Brícia du Mar Hotel in Ferragudo

– April 7, 2022

A new rural hotel has just opened in Ferragudo, Lagoa. Brícia Du Mar is located between the countryside and the sea in Vale da Areia, just a short walk away from stunning beaches and the picturesque village of Ferragudo.

The four-star hotel boasts 56 rooms — 44 studios with a kitchenette and 12 standard rooms — as well as a restaurant, an event area, two bars, and a gym and sauna. Brícia Du Mar held its ‘soft opening’ in March with the plan being to have every amenity the hotel has to offer up and running by May or June.

The project is a dream come true for Boto Oliveira, a wellknown local builder with over 40 years of experience in his trade who, for the first time, has built his very own hotel from the ground up. “It makes me very proud to see this hotel open,” Boto Oliveira told us. “There is no other hotel in Ferragudo quite like this one.”

Boto Oliveira started working in the construction sector when he was just 12 years old and has been running his company — Construções Boto Oliveira Lda. — for over four decades. However, building his own hotel is a dream he has had for some time.

“I want to slow down a bit and focus on one thing, so I chose to move forward with this project,” he said. As the builderturned- hotelier told us,“There are practically no hotels in Ferragudo, especially of this kind.” The project was already moving forward when the Covid-19 pandemic broke out, and while it was “obviously frightening”, Boto said that it did not deter his plans for one second. “I’m the kind of person who wants to move forward,” he said. “I’m a perfectionist, I built my business myself and I am proud of what I have achieved.”

A taste of the “authentic Algarve”

Brícia Du Mar aims to provide a personalised experience for guests thanks to the hotel’s attention to detail. Hotel staff (a team of 18 people) will try to give guests a taste of the “authentic Algarve”, an experience only someone who is from the region or has lived here for years knows about.

While employees will be available to provide the best tips on how to enjoy the real Algarve, Brícia Du Mar will also boast its own restaurant. Du Mar Restaurant will focus on serving typical Portuguese food, made with local produce such as fresh fish, while event area Du Rústico will be open for themed events and will have its own independent entrance and parking.

Brícia Du Mar also features two bars — Pool Bar, a seasonal poolside bar open only to guests serving everything from snacks to cocktails, and Terrace Du Bar, a rooftop bar serving wine and tapas and hosting live entertainment and sunset events.

A 300sqm gym, one of the largest hotel gyms in the Algarve

Last but not least, Spa Du Mar boasts a spa and 300sqm gym, described as one of the largest hotel gyms of its kind in the Algarve. It will be open to everyone and also feature a Turkish bath and three treatment rooms. All the above-mentioned facilities (except for the Pool Bar) are open to the general public.

Art lovers will also be able to marvel at a 2.25mx1.80m azulejo (tile) mural by Inna Iefimenko, which welcomes guests and pays tribute to Boto and his family and the village of Ferragudo.

Between the countryside and the sea

The hotel’s strategic location between the countryside and the sea aims to show guests the best of these two different sides of the Algarve, while the proximity to popular beaches, the village of Ferragudo, and a wide range of amenities is expected to make the visitor’s experience even more pleasurable.

Brícia Du Mar is also located near the Bela Vista stadium and is already attracting interest from athletics and football teams from both Portugal and abroad.

Hopes are that it will become “the hotel of choice” for those who visit Lagoa for culture and sports events. In fact, the hotel is already reporting interest from visitors linked to the Grand Jeté International Dance Awards taking place in July in Lagoa.

Visit Brícia du Mar‘s website, or follow on Instagram and Facebook.

Text by Michael Bruxo

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April 7, 2022