So LB and I have made a quick trip over to Portugal this month (June 2013). We’re here mainly for the WSBK races in Portimao, but we’ve added a couple of extra days to the trip for some R&R. We’re staying our first three nights at Forte De Sao Joao Da Barra, near Tavira in the Algarve region.
Our bedroom, in the Govenors’ mansion
LB looking for her suit (we’re headed out to the pool)
Govenors’ Mansion
Looking up towards the wall facing the Atlantic
Estuary between the ocean and the Forte
Estuary between the ocean and the Forte
Lunch is served
Entrance to the Forte
Day 2
Spent exactly as planned. Lounging by the pool soaking up the rays and trying not to get sun burnt! No pics (no one wants or needs to see that).
Sopa de Peixe
The clouds starting moving in this evening, giving us a pretty nice sunset
Acorda de Ameijoas
clam (a type of bread porridge)
Presa Paleta de Porco Iberico
View of the waterfront in Cabanas.
Beautiful day today. Managed not to get burnt, even though we spent the day lounging around the pool. You can just make out the corner of the Forte in this pic way in the background. The Forte is centered in the center of a large orchard, separating it from the town.
So day three we head to the beach. Sunscreen liberally applied, trying hard not to get burnt. Sun is out, but the temp is on the cool side. Beach is still warm and bright, but clouds move again in the afternoon cooling things down further.
Friends will understand these new two
View of the beach, Atlantic side, looking West
View of the beach, Atlantic side, looking East
Another view of the Forte
After a long walk on the beach, we hit the bar for drinks
Mojitos, my new favorite drink.
LB, relaxing (especially after a few drinks)
“Ferry” ride back to town
Salada de Polvo
Arroz de Tamboril
Few more pics of the Forte
Few more pics of the Forte
Few more pics of the Forte
Small door. Wasn’t built for “larger folk”
The original well, and what looked like a place to wash laundry
Main doors opened so we could get a different view
Pumpkin soup
LB and I ready to head out
Leaving the Forte for the drive west to Alvor.
Day four we make the drive to Alvor. Just west of Portimao, it will be our home base for the races. We’re staying at a large resort hotel, Pestana Alvor. Good accommodations, the beach looked fantastic, although we weren’t able to avail ourselves of it. It was not the type of place I would have stayed if it wasn’t for the race. Pretty much full of British vacationers, and although they were all very pleasant, I didn’t go to Portugal to hang out with Brit tourists.
Went to a steak house for dinner. Fillet cooked perfectly, but this was supposed to be a small fillet. What is with the portions? Every meal is huge, and really should be for two. There are loads of 2 Pers options on the menus, but they are really for 4.
Took a few pics around Alvor on our one free night.
After the races in Portimao, we moved down to Cascais to the Hotel Albatroz. We had stayed here in 2007, and enjoyed it so much we decided to go back. Just took the afternoon to relax around town, have a nice dinner and prepare to to come home
Looking towards the harbor from our room
Getting ready to enjoy some wine, before heading out to lunch.
Cascais
One of the small beaches in Cascais
Fish nets down at the docks. Think these are for octopus.
Another beach shot
I went for the pickled herring plate for a light lunch. Yes that’s a shot of Aquavit there.
Panoramic shot
Panoramic sunrise
Wellbredred and Littlebeast 
These are gorgeous!! I so want to go back to Portugal now. Well, actually, I always have wanted to go back again. Food looks amazing. Loved the octopus traps. The forte was incredible. Thanks for sharing!!!!
I’m ready to go back already too. Algarve was very nice, but there were just too many tourists. Of course I was one as well, but it was too much. And the locals recognized me as Portuguese, one of them even guessing that I was from the Azores, so even though I’m a tourist, I can blend in. Loved it. Just need to get my language skills improved.
Very nice! I’ve probably asked you before, but what camera are you using for these photos?
Mark, everything prior to Cascais (except the racing pics) were taken either with an iPhone or a Sony Cybershot.
Racing pics (wait until I upload these, I got some great shots) are mostly Nikon D90 with 70-200, f2.8. Video was the iPhone. Some candid pics were iPhone.
Cascais panoramic shots were iPhone, remainder were the Nikon. Daytime pics were 14-28 f 2.8, and the nighttime shots were either 24-79 or 70-200.