Inside Algarve Magazine – Algarve News

Category: Must Read

Taste some Top Wines and Craft Beers with the Algarve no Copo Event
Portimão welcomes Algarve no Copo Wine Event this August 25-28

– August 19, 2022

Portimão is hosting regional producers with their top beverages to promote regional drinks. Held in the city’s 1º de Dezembro garden, “Algarve no Copo” will allow visitors to taste some of the region’s most famed beverages and new creations, including wines, liqueurs, craft beers and juices.

Sponsored by Vinhos do Algarve and the Algarve Tourism Board, the four-day programme includes wine tasting sessions, mixology workshops with regional drinks, and musical entertainment. There will also be a choice of local delicacies to pair with each drink.

The event starts on Thursday (August 25) with a wine tasting session organised by the Algarve’s Wine Commission (CVA), followed by a performance by hip hop, electronics and jazz band Salamandra.

Sommeliere Andressa Noitel, founder of the Piccola Madame brand and wine educator at Eviva Wine School Algarve, will be in charge of the tastings on Friday and Saturday. Musical performances will be by Ferros & Accordeons (Friday and Sunday), the ISMAT university choir (IsmaTuna) and DJ Nuno Silva (both on Saturday).
- August 25
  - 7.30pm – CVA Wine Tasting
  - 9.30pm – Musical performance by Samalandra
- August 26
  - 7.30pm – Wine tasting with Andressa Noitel
  - 9.30pm – Musical performance by Ferros & Accordeons
- August 27
  - 7.30pm – Wine tasting with Andressa Noitel
  - 9.30pm – Musical performance by IsmaTuna
  - 10.30pm – DJ Nuno Silva
- August 28
  - 9.30pm – Musical performance by Ferros & Accordeons
Admission is free.

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August 19, 2022
Silves’ biggest Summer Event will bring visitors back to the Middle Ages
The long-awaited Medieval Fair returns with over 100 exhibitors from all over the world, Medieval tournaments and taverns, and entertainment for the whole family

– August 8, 2022

Due to take place between August 10 and 20, the event will allow visitors to experience “A Day In History” – in other words, what life was like when Silves and the Algarve were ruled by the Moors.

The town will be decorated to look (almost) like it did in the Middle Ages while over 100 exhibitors from all over the world will set up shop along its streets.

There will be the usual Medieval tournaments at the Al-Mut’amid square (sessions at 8pm and 10.30pm) and shows (‘Oriental Nights’ at the Silves Castle starting at 10.30pm), live music performances, street entertainment, Medieval taverns serving food and drinks, a play area for children (Xilb dos Pequenos) and a Berbers camp with blacksmiths, carpenters, potters and vendors selling all sorts of exotic products.

For those looking to immerse themselves completely, there will be two areas where visitors can dress up for the event.

“These will be 11 days that you will not want to miss in a unique environment,” the local council says.

Tickets:
- 1 Day: 2€ per person (free for children below 1,30cm)
- Group of 5 people: 8€
- Medieval Tournaments only (Games of War): 5€ per person
- Medieval Tournaments (Games of War) + Fair entry: 6€ per person
- Medieval outfits: 3€ per person (adults), 2€ per person (children)
- ‘Oriental Nights’ shows: 5€ per person
- ‘Oriental Nights’ shows + Fair entry: 6€ per person
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August 8, 2022
Second edition of the Living in the Algarve seminars was a great success

Future events have already been announced to happen in Lisbon and the USA

– June 27, 2022

The second edition of the Living in the Algarve seminar events was another success, and organisers are planning a next stop in Quinta do Lago and plans announced to stage further events in Lisbon and the USA.

The Open Media Group, publishers of Inside Carvoeiro magazine, staged their second ‘Living in the Algarve’ event at the Cascade Wellness Resort in Lagos on June 15.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ri15VBr9b7Y&t=1s

Over 180 guests registered on the event’s website to attend ensuring a busy day for the organisers and exhibitors.

The events, now with the official cooperation of the Algarve Tourism Authority (RTA), are aimed both at visitors to the region who may be looking for information about living here and at recently arrived foreign residents who also may need assistance.

Event partners for the Lagos seminar were: AFPOP, Blevins Franks, Casas do Barlavento, Luzdoc/Medilagos, Medal Insurance, Rosado Advogados, Sovereign Group and as local media partners, Tomorrow Algarve magazine.

The Inside Carvoeiro magazine, also part of the Open Media Group, spoke to various visitors during the event, such as Mr Peter Allen from the UK, who told us: “As a new arrival in Portugal, I was fortunate enough to attend Living in the Algarve at the Cascade Wellness Resort. Most of the exhibitors were of direct interest to me and I made contact with six subsequently, on a range of topics. Thanks Open Media for a fantastic event – really good for everyone involved.”

The event builds on the success of the first ‘Living in the Algarve’ show that was held in April at the Tivoli Hotel in Carvoeiro, with the next date fixed for September 22 at the Conrad Algarve hotel in Quinta do Lago.

Plans have also now been announced to expand the concept of these seminar events to various locations outside of the Algarve. “For events outside the Algarve, we will be rebranding as ‘Living in Portugal’ and we already have plans in hand to hold one event in the USA before the end of this year and one in Lisbon in early 2023,” said Open Media’s CEO, Bruce Hawker.

To book seminar seats at the upcoming event at Conrad Algarve Hotel on September 22, visit www.livinginthealgarve.pt

Source: Essential Algarve Magazine

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June 27, 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
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
The Algarve’s visiting flamingos through the lens of Craig Rogers

As Flamingos make their return to the Algarve, wildlife Photographer Craig Rogers tells us more about this peculiar animal

– April 7, 2022

We often associate Flamingos with warm tropical climates, so it may surprise you that here in the Algarve, winter is the best time to view these odd but beautiful birds in the coastal wetlands.

To be precise, the species of Flamingo found here in Portugal is the Greater Flamingo which although very closely related, is not the completely bright pink we associate with the American Flamingo. The Greater Flamingo starts off life very plain looking with no colouring. The legs are dark, and the plumage has no colour. It can take up to three years before the pink colouring appears and this is due to the amount of carotenoid pigments in their diet. In adult life, the legs are pink and their overall plumage has a slight pink tinge with deep-pink areas on their wings.

The beaks also turn pink with a black tip. In flight, contrasting black wing feathers can be seen. Both sexes are almost identical with males usually being slightly larger.

As the name suggests, they are the largest species of Flamingos, reaching up to 150cm tall (sometimes more) and weighing up to 4kg. Although not migratory, the breeding adults usually return to Spain, Italy, Turkey, France and Northern Africa to nest and breed. I mention “usually”, because last year we witnessed the rare occurrence of breeding in the wetland areas around Castro Marim and Vila Real de Santo António. There are many speculations as to why this occurred from the Covid pandemic (less humans) to drought in Spain. We await their decision to stay or leave this year.

Whilst on the subject of breeding, did you know that breeding adults apply make-up to appear more attractive to the opposite sex (even though adults usually bond for life). They have the ability to secrete preening oil from their Uropygial Gland which is found at the base of tail feathers in most birds. The oil contains the same carotenoid pigment which turns their feathers pink and by rubbing the oil on their feathers it enhances the colouring.

Have you ever heard the noise a Flamingo creates? Think Goose and you are close, large flocks can sound like a poultry farm and when squabbles occur it can be a noisy experience.

Flamingos eat upside down, their webbed feet disturb the mud, stirring up food before placing their head in the water and sucking the water into their strange-looking beaks, filtering out food containing seafood, algae and seeds and rejecting the water.

You can find Greater Flamingos in many of the coastal wetland areas across the whole width of the Algarve. My recommended areas are Ludo to the West of Faro airport, Salgados near Praia Grande de Pêra and the north-eastern area of the Alvor Estuary.

When crossing the Arade River on either the N125 or A22 near Portimão, you can often spot flocks feeding at low tide.

Being a large bird, photographing Greater Flamingos is relatively easy not requiring huge telephoto/zoom lenses. Although they do not like being approached, sitting still and waiting for them to approach is often the best method if your camera lens doesn’t quite reach. As with most subjects, photographing them in the early or late sunlight will produce better colours.

Text & Photos by Craig Rogers

Craig Rogers, a Wildlife and Nature photographer from Wales now living in the Algarve providing Photography Workshops, more information, photographs, and blog can be found on his website at www.craigrogers.photography.

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April 7, 2022