Guia is an excellent base from which to explore the Central Algarve coastline, one of only a few remaining unspoilt regions of Southern Europe. Guia is only a 30 minute drive from the town of Faro and the main airport for the region. Faro is accessible with scheduled, budget and charter flights from most airports across the UK and Ireland.

This region of southern Portugal boasts unrivalled opportunities for holidays in the spring, summer, autumn and winter, which can be as active or relaxing as you wish. Without a doubt the main attraction of Albufeira holidays is the marvellous string of sandy beaches. Albufeira beach is an attractive well-equipped stretch of broad golden sand. Likewise the other main Albufeira beach, Praia Da Oura, which is sheltered by ochre coloured cliffs. Around Albufeira is the beautiful gentle countryside with its fig trees and sleepy orange groves. Casa Romantica is only a 5-10 minute drive from the town centre of Albufeira, where you will find beaches, restaurants, shops and sports for all ages. For a private villa holiday algarve 'style' then Casa Romantica is in a perfect location for your villa holiday.

Most of the Algarve beaches have at least one bar or restaurant, usually an ideal setting to sample the excellent seafood and watch the sun set.All the beaches in the Algarve are available to the public without charge although a small fee may be made for the use of sunbeds and parasols, etc.

Everywhere in the Algarve you will find good value restaurants. The Algarve is particularly famous for its fresh fish and seafood. Eating out in the algarve region of Portugal is not only a pleasurable experience, but is also inexpensive. Fish and eggs feature a great deal in the Portugese diet. Cod or "Bacalhau" is the national dish of Portugal. Furthuremore cod, the national dish, is not the fresh variety you would expect from a country with 516 miles of Atlantic coastline, but is brought all the way from Newfoundland or from Norway, dried and salted. In southern Portugal, garlic soup is traditionally drunk by fishermen earling in the morning, or accommpanied with grilled sardines.

Nowhere in Europe does Africa seem so close as it does in the Algarve, in its white washed vilages and towns and great climate. The even shortline of the Sand Coast with its broad, flat beaches begins at the Spanish-Portuguese border and extends westwards past the resort of Monte Gordo and on to Faro, where an are of transition between the two geographic regions begins.

Silves is known as the old Moorish capital of the Algarve. This white town climbs the hillside from the river to a vast castle, the whole surrounded by mile after mile of orchards of oranges, lemons, grapefruit, clementines and pomegranates. The view from the castle walls and turrets down upon the tile roofs of the town and the surrounding citrus groves is delightful. The charming coastal resort of Carvoeiro is the essence of the Barlavento coast. With its dramatic cliffs on which white houses perch, a cresent of sand, a dozen fishing boats beached amongst the sun bathers and parasols.

Many believe that Ferragudo is the most attractive fishing village in the Algarve.Village life revolves around the quayside square. Excellent beaches dot the coastline down river to round the headland and lighthouse. The miniature castle, built to help guard the river mouth and local community, used to be owned by the former royal family. The local market is also on the quayside, where you can buy fresh fish landed from the boats tied up a few yards away. You can also enjoy the barbequed fish cooked on the quayside from the many restaurants that line it.

Portimao and Praia Da Rocha, approximately 90 Km (56 miles) west of Faro, lie side by side. Portimao is a fishing port and centre for shoping; Praia da Rocha is the Algarve's best known beach resort and winter retreat.

Alternatively, travel to the highest peak in the Algarve, the 902 metres of Mount Foia in the middle green and cooler Serra de Monchique. Cycle back down to the coast down remote trails, discovering ancient villages, lost valleys and forests of cork and eucalyptus.

With so much to do it is important to plan where to spend your time and how to get the most of your time in the Algarve. For more information on planning your holiday and some of the main things to take into consideration go to our Planning Your Holiday section.

The Algarve has a great all your round climate. No doubt this is why so many choose to return the the Algarve to escape the colder and darker days in the UK and the rest of Europe.

As a guide we have put the average temperatures for the Algarve region below, which should help you prepare for the long hot sunny days.

61

62

66

68

72

78

82

84

78

72

66

61

16

17

19

20

22

26

28

29

26

22

19

16

5

6

7

9

10

12

12

12

9

8

6

5