The ALGARVE is still GOOD value.

[EMM]

Cerezas point about bringing out with you certain favourites is well made.
Yes we do bring out PG Tips and our favourite brands of coffee, certain spices, sauces . mixes etc.
But we would not expect these products to be " Cheaper " in Portugal, they are made for the UK market NOT Portugal, they are in effect a luxury product and are priced as such.Just as many imports are in the UK.
What we now do more each time is to buy the local generic. Milho Inglese ( instead of worcester sauce ) Molhlo Soyha ( instead of imported brands of soy sauces ) etc etc.
Not only are the Portuguese products just as good , they are substantially cheaper.

It has now reached the point where when we go back to the uk our cases have as many Portuguese products in them as UK when we came out.

Yes there is a big difference between being in " hoilday mood " for 7 days and that of the semi permanent resident but even the short stayer can find good value by just looking around for a few minutes each time they shop.

Its not just Portugal affected by the downturn in holidays, on R4 yesterday lunchtime there was a feature on the 1000,s of "un booked " holiday cottages etc still available in the west country for the summer compared to last year.

[cereza]

Yes EMM some things are still better value here in Portugal and we will be doing a two way trade as you say. Olive oil goes back to the UK along with my wifes favourite Green Tea bags which we cannot buy in the UK even though they are made by Liptons!!. But some of the toiletry items such as shaving foam and deoderants are cheaper in the UK so its all a question of looking for the value and then lugging it with you as long as you have space and weight free in the cases. Its part of the fun.

LJ -will do my best to leave a bit of sun for you next week

[Barry]

Agree entirely LJ, but we have to wait for another 2 weeks. Can't explain the feeling that we get when we eventually make it to the villa, except it now feels we have returned home. We can't wait to down-size in the UK and spend most of our time there.

[Michael Crane]

Agr... Can't explain the feeling that we get when we eventually make it to the villa, except it now feels we have returned home. ...

We feel exactly the same . . . . and we only rent the villa!

I think this feeling is why so many of us return time after time. It's got nothing to do with the cost of this or the price of that, it's more about the feeling you get each time you visit. Looking forward to September . . . and then Christmas.

[HampshireRich]

I agree that the Algarve is still good value - and CVO in particular. I only rent every time I'm over here so do not incur the costs of ownership, so on that side I cannot really comment. However, for quality, sunshine and relaxation it's the best place I can think of. Roll on July

[Barry]

Had an e-mail from Aer Lingus re flights from Gatwick to Faro. You can book a flight for June for £1.99 + tax, which makes it about £30.00. Can only assume that any money they make is for the charged "extras". Not sure if it is desperation, or an attempt to buy market share.