Hi

i have never been to portugal before and this is my first post on here. My question is why should myself,wife and 3 kids take a holiday in Carvoeiro instead of other resorts in portugal?

Many Thanks

Griffo

Why don't you just take some of your own time to read the wealth of material in this site?

My family has been holidaying in Carvoeiro just about every year for the past 10 years.

We are going back again next May/June.

Why? Because we can.

Well thanks, thats has really helped!!!!!!!!!

We just love the place - cannot wait until 27th August for what must be my 14th visit to the Rocha Brava complex Carvoeiro.
Also booked for November and for next August and Christmas 2007!

What more can i say - counting down the days now.

Julie & John

Griffo, it might have helped if you asked some more specific questions, or perhaps discussed your preferences. Holidays are very personal and everyone is different.

For example, you do not mention how old the children are. If they are all teenagers, and want to go clubbing every night, Carvoeiro will disappoint.

While you mention that you want to visit Portugal, if you're nervous about foreign food, and want a resort with wall to wall Fish & Chip Shops, British Bars and late night revelry, I doubt you'll find what you want in Carvoeiro.

Its a resort that has adapted to the influx of tourism without losing much of its original charm as a working fishing village. There is an abundance of good eating houses of all styles, but few very expensive or posh ones. Entertainment is low key, local and intimate. There are no high rise apartment blocks or Hotels, but it is a very hilly little town.

Hire a car and you can get to see a lot of other resorts, beaches, and some beautiful inland scenery, and then you'll also see why so many of us, having explored the Algarve come back to Carvoeiro time and again.

We keep coming back to CVO because it has everything for everybody, lovley beaches, countryside, restaurants, small bars, lively bars, good company what more could you want. Tried a couple of other places but they are not as compact and enjoyable as CVO.

"My question is why should myself,wife and 3 kids take a holiday in Carvoeiro instead of other resorts in portugal"

No huge in-your-face-multi-storey hotels full of people that you come to Carvoeiro to avoid. If you want that sort of holiday, just go to the two main resorts west and east of the village.

Hi Griffo, we haven't actually had a holiday in Carvoeiro, but spent a day there (when we were holidaying in Armacao de Pera) and we fell in love with the place, and thats why this year, we are spending our holidays there, and we can't wait

It's such a pretty resort, and as Michael said, there are no huge blocks of hotels/apartments to ruin the feel and look of the place. There are lots of restaurants (and from what we have read, the standard is very good) and plenty of nice bars to relax in. The main beach of Carvoeiro is smallish by Algarve standards, but its not a problem, and there are other larger ones which can be easily reached if you fancy a change. Carvoeiro is ideally placed for visiting other parts of the Algarve - Silves/Lagos/Cape St Vincent to the west and Albufeira/Vilamoura to the east. The Zoo Marine & Aqua parks are within easy reach also.

If you are looking for a good family friendly relaxed resort with plenty of choice in restaurants & bars and good atmosphere (nightly live entertainment in the square), I'm sure you & your family will have a great time here. When are you planning on visiting? We'll be returning home on the 8th September, and I'll post a quick report to let you know how we got on (although we don't have children, so I dont know if it'll be of any help to you )

I would echo e-richard's comments on why we like CVO. Mainly because it is NOT an Albufeira type place (no high-rise/lager-loutish/all-night partying/cram them on the beach stuff). THere is a night life for the teenagers but not on the Albufeira scale (our 22yr old daughter gets a taxi to Albufeira for the serious nightlife !)CVO has something for everyone - lovely beaches (some quiet and remote if you can be bothered to climb down hairy ladders !, others fairly busy but with good cafes/restaurants/water craft etc) - loads of restaurants to satisfy different tastes and pockets - lots of activities available if you don't want to just soak up the sun. For me, the coastal scenery does it - great walks along deserted coastline, ditto for the boat trips from Portimao. That plus the atmosphere of the town centre - yes, it is touristy but it still retains enough of its original character to create a nice atmosphere.

Hope this helps !