As per a couple of previous posts by people I thought I would write an account of the holiday my partner and I have just had in CVO. We arrived back late last night after having a brilliant weeks holiday.

We stayed in the Trevo apts (A053) in Monte Dourado which were superb. I have never stayed in such large, clean apts. Our front porch looked out on to the pool so we could just hop over anytime for a swim! The swimming pool and surrounding area was very clean and of a high standard. V impressive although the maid service left a little to be desired. Didn't really seem to clean much and left more hair than I care to remember!! lol.

The weather was of course stunning as I thought or rather hoped it would be. My other half however got a little burnt on our second day as she is very fair skinned, spent most of the week covered up in under shade!! Mid to high twenties all week and blue skies, what more could you ask for!!

CVO itself was a lovely little village, our apts were in a great location for walking down to restaurant hill. We walked own from Monte Dourado passed Lanterna and could smell the food from the top! We ate in Chico's, China Town, A Rede, Caso De Bife and Pizzaria California. One night we just stayed in. The best food I thought was from Chico's and the service and price was good to. Pizzaria California however offered the best value for money.

After being recommended A Rede for food we booked a table there for Friday night and were sorely disappointed. It was very busy and they didnt have a table for two ready for our time and so we had to wait 5 mins for them to sort something. We were than sat down and they took our drink order but then were left for a further 10 mins before we could order food. We ordered the Chicken Cataplana ( big mistake, was horrible!! Chicken on the bone not cooked properly!! ) and then once finshed asked for the bill. Not once, not twice but 3 times we had to ask!! Needless to say I did not leave a tip. Was terrible.

For lunch we ate at Cafe Fino ( I think that was what it was called ), Smilers, Grand Cafe ( Stay well clear unless you have a spare 2 hours to wait on a sandwich ) and Mungo's Bar. Cafe Fino was lovely and well priced, smilers was also v nice and the Woman that owned the bar was also v friendly. Mungo's yesterday, our last day, was terrible. Ordered a bacon and egg burger and asked for bacon to be well done. I think it was still oinking when they brough it out and the burger wasn't cooked properly either. Overheard a family behind us as well complaining about a pie that was still frozen in the middle, v poor.

However this was all remedied by lovely crepes just down the road!!

When staying in CVO we didnt have any transport so walked everywhere. The village itself and surrounding area is lovely. Beaches are clean and the lovely little cove beach up next to O' Boteco was brill. Counted 157 steps down including wooden steps at bottom. Algar Seco was also very impressive, have lots of nice pics waiting to be printed off! On the Thursday we got a taxi into Albufeira. Yuch, wot a waist of 60euros. The strip was thoroughly disappointing, was hassled to by cannabis from dealers on no less than 3 seperate occasions and trying to find anywhere on foot was a nightmare. Was not fun at all. Also unless your an adrenaline junkie who lives life on the edge do not get into a taxi. I have never experienced such horrendous driving in all my life.

All in all though we loved our time in CVO and will def be coming back, you need at least 3 weeks there just to go round all the restaurants!! Will also def be hiring a car though, felt like we missed out on quite a lot by not be able to travel very far.

Hope this post gives a little insight into CVO for anyone thinking of going, would highly recommend it!!

Next time you are in CVO trying going out into the countryside and try the places off the tourist areas. You will be surprised at how good the food is and also how much cheaper it is. If the Portugese are eating there with their family's then you know you will get a good meal.

vonvon

Good account, shibby.

Thanks for that Shibby, we are going to Carvoeiro next Thursday and we are really looking forward to it, hope the weather stays fine and really looking forward to trying the food , can someone tell me if you have to book for for all of the restaurants , or can you just turn up?We are going to have a car so some tips please for places to visit that are not too far away , thank you and next Thursday can't come fast enough !!!

I think you will find at this time of the year you probably won't have to book a table at the restaurants, unless it is a special one and you wont to make sure of a table at the right time. We have been out a lot during the Autumn and Winter months and never book.

Do go to Silves, the town is lovely and the small (but steep) roads have lots of shops and cafes. The Castle and Church at the top of the hill are well worth the climb! If you like Museums then do go to the one in Silves, we did it this August (my youngest has just completed a degree in Archeology and Classics and made us go) I can say that we had a wonderful time, it is a very good, modern, informative museum, well worth a trip.

Also do drive up in to the Monchique Mountains, you can go to the highest point in the Algarve at Foia (drive up to Monchique and watch out for the signs from there) Caldas de Monchique is a spa town and well worth a visit (it is on the road on the way up to the Monchique Mountains, also just past the Caldas turning is a lovely restaurant on the right, right on the left bend it is called Rouxinol and they do lovely food there, lunch or dinner.

Another nice place to go is Lagos, along the N125 from Lagoa heading West, they have a beautiful Marina which has some lovely cafes to sit in and watch the world go by right by all the lovely boats.

Have a wonderful time and do enjoy it.

thanks for that info LJ , appreciate it , this time next week we will be on our way yayyy !!!!

hehe, don't make me jealous, we have to wait until November for our next trip out, but then I am out December, January and February after that... so not so bad..