As an avid spectator to the Carvoeiro Forum, although irregular contributor, it amuses me how often a quite innocent subject can degenerate into a bit of a slanging match, and having started this thread I feel honour bound to carry it on! Having lived in Norfolk for 11 years I count myself as an hon...

Thanks everyone for your comments and advice - all very helpful (and some quite funny!). We're certainly looking forward to the advantages of using a smaller airport, which will hopefully compensate for the longer drive time to get there. Only two weeks to go now before we leave for Carvoeiro - can'...

Many thanks for the responses - these are really helpful, so it looks as though it could be a good experience. Does anyone have a view on the quickest route from North Norfolk to Southend, i.e. cross country or motorway? I know the motorway is longer in miles but I suppose it cuts out the hassle; we...

We are due to fly out from Southend Airport at the end of May (we used to fly from Stansted before Easyjet discontinued their Faro service from there in April) and I wondered whether any Forum readers have used the airport and what they think of it. I have noticed that car parking will be more expen...

Hi - I might be too late to make a recommendation as I`ve just logged into email today. We are staying at Vale dÒliveiras, a newly opened 5 star resort near Sesmarias. Website www.valedoliveiras.pt. It`s a beautiful resort with all facilities, but very quiet so wouldn`t suit you if you need a lively...

I had my handbag stolen in Carvoeiro about 18 months ago. It wasn't until I went to pay for a newspaper at the newsagents in the out road that I realised my bag was missing (it had been tucked into my shopping bag over my shoulder but when I went to get a newspaper from the rack outside the shop, a ...

Thanks emm. And yes we are ultra cautious when approaching the junction you mention as that road is surprisingly busy. I love driving but am paranoid when behind the wheel in Portugal as we had been told standards were not good, though fortunately we have not experienced any problems to date (says s...

Hi Pato - not sure what you meant by this remark "he owns it" - does that mean us? We have a quarter share in a property in the resort and have no real incentive in singing its praises as we have enjoyed using it without lots of people there but I felt I should reassure the visitors to this blog who...

No, you're quite right but I'm afraid we do have moments when we're not at all sensible. Also, we did visit the store after a very jolly meal on Gale beach and a couple of glasses of wine - not a very sensible time to go shopping, I know!

We always go to O Raphaiol when we are in Carvoeiro, even though we stay the other side of the village and have many good restaurants nearby. We first visited the original restaurant on our first visit to Carvoeiro c.5 years ago and received an excellent welcome from the owners. We followed them to ...

If you want to treat yourself and are in the vicinity of Gale (there's a beautiful fisherman's beach here), there's a supermarket called Apolonia - the only way I can describe it is an upmarket Waitrose - so probably not the best place for a big shop! However, it's a beautiful spacious store with te...

We bought into the resort about 4 years ago after we had been given a tour around the development. There were problems with the original management company, which have now been resolved and the resort is still owned by the original British developer. The new management team are excellent, and now th...

Hi Paul and Nic - I don't think you will be disappointed in Vale d'Oliveiras. It is situated in a very attractive rural setting, with views over to the Monchique mountain in the distance, and the Gramacho golf course in the foreground. You also get views of Portimao in the distance, which are partic...

Hi paulc - vale d'oliveiras is a beautiful resort, with excellent amenities. (We own a quarter share in a property there - so we are a bit biased!) The indoor pool is a great bonus - also the gym and jacuzzi and tennis courts. There is a first class restaurant overlooking the pool area with reasonab...