Sand festival

The sixth annual sand festival will commence on May 22nd with this years theme being Hollywood cinema. Artists from all over the world will use 35,000 tonnes of sand to create sculptures associated to Hollywood.

The festival will take place in Pera as usual and will run until October 22. The festival is open daily from 10am until midnight

Charity run in the Algarve

This Sunday, the final 10km of the 2girls2run charity run will be open to the public to join in and help support the girls who are running across the Algarve to raise funds for a local children's charity and the Jane's Appeal in the UK.

The final 10km will take place in Sagres and all are welcome to join in and run (or walk) to raise funds for this great cause.

For more information see the website at www.2girsl2run.com 

Hilton Hotel and Faro airport

The Hilton Hotel in Vilamoura and Faro airport have got together to inform travellers of up to date flight information in real time. 

The system was revealed at the hotel this month and will allow passengers to get up to date information of arrivals and departures from Faro airport.

Albufeira -best place to live

According to 2 studies released this year, Albufeira is one of the top places to live in Portugal if you are looking for quality of life.

The council of Albufeira leads in areas such as tourism and security.

See our home page for details of properties for sale in Albufeira!

Entertainment in Sao Bras

There will be a programme of events for young people being held in Sao Bras during the months of April, May and June.

There will be a variety of competitions, music and workshops held in conjunction with the local camera. There will also be a football tournament for the under 15s.

Contact the Sao Bras camera for more information.

New route from Gatwick

British Airways began a new flight service from London Gatwick to Faro at the end of March. Flights will operate daily except Mondays and prices will be from 51 euros.  

The new route will benefit tourism in the Algarve improving entry routes for tourists and also increasing opportunities for Portuguese residents.

Celebrations in Loule

From 4pm this Sunday (6th April) you will be able to join in the celebrations in Loule which see the end of the Mae Soberana religious festival.

After the 4pm service, hundreds of peopple will gather to march alongisde the statue of Nossa Senhora da Piedade (Our Lady of Pity) to accompany her back to her chapel on the hilltop in Loule. There will also be fireworks at the end of the evening as part of the celebrations.

This annual festival is not to be missed.

Investment in the Algarve

Over the next few years there will be over 1.5 billion euros invested in the Algarve with projects approved by the government which will create over 7000 jobs.

Areas for investment include Castro Marim, Benagil, Lagos and Quinta do Lago. The largest investment will be in Castro Marim with a five star resort planned with hotel, apartments and 18 hole golf course.

Repair work on EN125 road

The prime minister of Portugal is due to visit the Algarve this month to announce the public tender for the repair and upgrade the EN125 which is the main road running from Vila Real in the east to Vila do Bispo in the West Algarve.

It is thought that the priority areas for the works will be the turn-offs for Lagos, Almancil, Faro and Olhao

New flights from Belfast

Aer Lingus have launched a new route from Belfast to Faro with flights departing 3 days a week.

Flights will depart on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays and will take place on an airbus A320 which can seat 174 passengers.

Aer Lingus now operates to 3 locations in Ireland from Faro being Cork, Dublin and Belfast.

Easter Festival

On March 23rd there will be an easter cake festival organised by the Albufeira camara and the Guia football club.

The Festa do Folar will take place at the sports centre in Guia from 4pm and will include live Portuguese music.

Contact Albufeira camara for more details and information.

Amy Winehouse in Portugal

It has been reported that Amy Winehouse has been confirmed to appear at the Rock in Rio concerts in Lisbon this summer. The first concert will start on 30th May and this is the day she is hoped to appear. Tickets should go on sale later this week.

Development in Armacao de Pera

The area of Armacao de Pera is to receive a boost with a new development in front of the beach and plans for more public gardens and parking areas for people using the beach.

The project covers an area of around 30,000 m2 and will consist of 300 one, two and three bedroom apartments. The project is due to start before the summer with development in 3 different stages over the next few years.

Loule hospital renovation

Renovation work on the Loule hospital is due to start this week and it is scheduled to reopen and the end of next year.

The hospital will take surplus patients from the hospital at Faro which should assist the accident and emergency unit there which is struggling to cope at present.

The new project for the facility will provide 25 beds for long-term patients under the National Health Service and 16 beds available to care for recuperating patients from other hospitals.

National government funds for the renovations total half a million euros, while Loulé Câmara is subsidising with 800,000 euros.

Algarve property market

The Algarve property market seems to have been unaffected by the recent property crisis in Spain where many of the country's real estate agents were forced to close due a to a downturn in sales.

A former editor of the Resident newspaper with many years experience in the property market has said that there is still a lot of green open space in the Algarve and local councils are preserving these areas. He also commented that the property market and construction industry appear to be more regulated in Portugal than in certain areas of Spain.

Anne Grogan from Portuguese Homes also said that the strength of the Pound could have an effect on the property market in terms of UK buyers but she told The Resident: “January started on a high note and this looks like it will continue”.

Loule carnival

The Loule carnival takes to the streets this weekend from 3-5th February.

The main avenida is host to the celebrations with bands, floats and dancers. The Loule carnival has a history that stretches back over 100 years. This carnival attracts thousands of visitors from all over the Algarve and is an event not to be missed.

Facelift for Faro

Faro is soon to become one of the next cities in the Algarve to undergo a facelift with a project being developed by Parqu Expo, the same company who transformed Lisbon's north east waterfront.

Plans include construction of a luxury marina, hotels and lesiure area. The final approval should be granted within the next week or so and work could start as early as in 6 months time.

Algarve Tourism

Almost 5.5 million tourists arrived at Faro airport last year representing 60 % of the total market share of tourists. The main visitors were from the UK and Easyjet was named top commercial carrier with an increase of 128,000 more passengers than the year before.

Annual Chourico festival

The annual Qurenca sausage festival will take place on January 13th from 10am at the Largo de Igreja in front of the village church.

The days events will include musical entertainment, religious processions and chourico tastings.

New market in Portimao

The new municipal market in Portimao opened last week and is located next to the old market. The new market cost 4 million euros and will be open Monday - Friday from 7am-2pm and 5pm--8pm and also on Saturday mornings.

The market covers an area of 8500m2 and there is a project to build an underground car park in the future as there is only presently parking for 72 cars.

Silves Christmas concert

The Igreja da Misericordia in Silves will host a Christmas concert on 21st December from 9.30pm.

The 18 piece Lagos Jazz Orchestra will be performing popular music including 'White Christmas' and entrance is free for everyone.

The concert will be led by Hugo Alves on the trumpet.  Contact the Camera on 282 440800 for more details.

New Year celebration in the Algarve

The New Year celebrations on Albufeira's fisherman's beach have recently been announced with the DJ Bob Sinclair featuring as the main event.

The Portuguese music artist David Fonseca will warm up the crowd from 10pm with songs from his latest album Dreams in Colour. This will then be followed with a fireworks display which is hoped to be the best yet with fireworks being launched from 5 different locations.

The beach area has been a popular New Years Eve destination over the last few year with people coming from all over Portugal- last year Melanie C attracted around 150,000 people.

For more information contact the Albufeira camera (council) on 289 599500

New shopping centres for Algarve

Plans for a new shopping centre in the Algarve were recently announced by Iberian Property developer Chamartin.

The decision was announced by the CEO of the company who said the start of the art mall would probably be situated in Faro.

Chamartín Imobiliaria is one of the largest commercial property developers on the Iberian peninsula with 500 staff in Spain, Portugal and Germany. It owns a 50 per cent stake in the Meermann Group in Germany and a 100 per cent stake in the Portuguese property giant Amorim, which it bought earlier this year.

New medical card

A new medical card launched last month by the Hospital Particular do Algarve has proved successful so far and has received a positive response.

After a one off registration fee of €50 euros holders of the card will receive benefits on hospital services, treatments and tests.

The card is valid for 3 years and can be used in any branch of the Hospital Particular do Algarve in the region.

Bridge run

The 16th annual bridge run took place on Sunday 4th November with over 600 athletes competing.

The starting point for the 10 mile run was at Vila Real de Santo Antonio and the finish line in Ayamonte, Spain.

Entrants came from all over the world including Portugal, Spain, UK, Russia, Kenya and Tanzania.

Congratulations to our colleague and friend Sarah who completed the run in just over an hour.

New unit opens in west Algarve hospital

A new unit has opened this month in the Barlavento hospital in the west Algarve to deal with stroke and cardiac cases.

The new unit will mean that the 350 emergency cases each year can be dealt with more quickly and efficiently. The opening is part of the national programme to control and prevent cardiovascular illnesses.

Coastal restrictions for developers

It has been announced that restrictions on building within 500 metres of the coast in the Algarve will remain unaltered to protect natural areas.

The president of the regional development commission has also announced that,over the next decade, one of the most important projects will be to improve the EN125 and introduce extra rounadabouts and safety measures to improve traffic flow from the A22 to the EN125.

Portuguese Masters in Vilamoura

The newly created tournament starts tomorrow at the Oceanico Victoria golf course in Vilamoura with local hopes pinned on six Portuguese players.

Prize money is guaranteed at a minimum of 3 million euros and the tournament is set to attract many visitors over the next 4 days.

Algarve competes in World Travel Awards

The Algarve is competing in several categories at the World Travel Awards 2007 to be held this week in Newcastle.

The Algarve has been nominated in categories including- Europe's leading diving destination, beach, golf resort, boutique hotel and waterpark attraction. The nominees include- Praia Dona Ana beach in Lagos, the Vila Joya Hotel, Aqualand in Alcantarilha and the golf resort and spa at Vila Sol.

Project approved for Portimao riverside

A project to revamp the Portimao riverside was approved during a council meeting last week and if given the final go ahead it will see a 90 million euro investment into the area.

The plan includes an aquarium, planetarium and insectarium as well as cable car connections and water features.

Tourism Day

The newly renovated tourist office in Alte will be unveiled on Thursday 27th September marking World Tourism day.

A number of tourist offices around the Loule area will welcome visitors with local food and drink and promotional brochures. 20 new tourist information boards will also be launched across the town in a variety of interesting sites such as churches and fountains.

New destinations from Faro airport

The president of the Algarve tourist board (RTA) has announced plans to release new flight destinations from Faro airport in 2008.

Possible destinations under negotiation include Paris, Moscow and increased number of flights to Berlin.

Sand festival

Visitors to the Algarve should take the opportunity to visit this renouned sculpture display as it has only 3 weeks to run before finishing on 7th October.

The festival is based in Pera and is open every day from 10am until midnight.

As well as amazing sand sculptures there are a number of arts and crafts stalls along with music and food and drink available.

For more information call (00351) 282 317 084

Rugby team in Algarve

The Australian Rugby team were in the Algarve last week to train at the Browns sports centre in Vilamoura in the lead up to the World Cup this month.

The team took full advantage of their surroundings to play golf and take some boat trips along the Algarve coast.

Noite Branca in Loule

At 8pm on Saturday 1st September, the streets of Loule will come alive with music with the 'Noite Branca' or 'White night' which has been organised by the Loule Camara.

Shops will be open until midnight and will offer special discounts to those dressed in white.

Entertainment will include jugglers and fire eaters and a pianist dressed in white playing a white piano!

Fatacil Fair

The 10 day annual Fatacil fair in Lagoa has now started and runs until the 26th August.

The fair opens from 4pm-1am every day with entrance costing 4 euros for adults and free for children under the age of 13.

The fair features exhibitors of arts and crafts, tourism, agriculture and gastronomy. Evening concerts will feature entertainment from various portuguese singers and bands.

Plans unveiled for 10 new luxury hotels in the Algarve

The Prime Minister has unveiled plans for 10 new luxury hotels here in the Algarve with a total investment of 1,500 million euros and the creation of 6,000 jobs in the area.

Three of the hotels will be in the Lagos area with further developments in Olhao, Albufeira, Praia Verde and Vilamoura.

Eight of the ten hotels will be 5 star and the Olhao hotel will be a spa hotel which will include a marina, hotel and spa with construction due to commence in September.

Olhao seafood festival

This week sees the start of the seafood festival in Olhao taking place in the “Jardim Pescador Olhanense”

The festival runs from the 10th-15th August and will feature acts including Boney M and Melanie C.

Opening hours are from 7.30 pm to 1.30am and entrance costs 12 euros for adults and 4 euros from children over 7 years of age. Price for adults includes ceramic souvenir mug, 100g of prawns and one drink.

Admission is free for children up to the age of six in the company of an adult.

For more information call 00351 289 700191

Algarve is hot spot for British

British tourists are flocking to the Algarve more than ever according to recent figures from Faro Airport and the Algarve’s hotel and resort association, AHETA,

New private hospital for Faro

Construction is due to start shortly on a new private hospital called Hospital Particular de Faro in Gambelas, Faro.

The hospital will have a total of 95 rooms with 95 beds: 49 are private single rooms and 23 are rooms with two beds in each. Treatments include general surgery, gynaecology, obstetrics, podiatry, ophthalmology, orthopaedics, psychology, psychiatry, speech therapy, plastic surgery, urology, cardiology and neurology, among others.

With a total investment of four million euros, the project has been funded by private companies and is due to be completed before the end of 2009.