When visiting CVO I spend quite a bit of time driving around and visiting the tourist hot spots recommended in the guides and maps. I have visited most of the main towns and villages along the A22 and N125 between Faro and Cape St Vincent. I have been up to and around Monchique many times. However, I think I'm missing out on many places that don't feature in the guides that are well worth visiting. Any suggestions?

Depends what you are looking for Terry but you could always try going east of Faro. Tavira is well worth a visit and you can catch the ferry from Vila Real de Santa Antonio across the Guadiana to Sanlucar in Spain. Castro Marim has a good castle with a guillotine if you have kids. We went for a drive along the Guadiana up to Acoutim which was a nice drive with lots of scenery.

In the summer, we are hoping to get further inland to see some real Portugal.

Good advice, laserblazer, particularly re Tavira. However, on the question of guillotining, my own view would be to look at possibly leaving the kids with grandparents, say, or if they really are troublesome, stopping their pocket money. Your approach seems perhaps a little harsh, at least as a first resort.

we purchase a copy of Good Life each time we are in Portugal and in there there are items on either cities places of interest which are off the beaten track and quite a lot of useful information.

Driving along the west coast up to Aljezur is also very interesting and can be accessed by going to Monchique and then taking a road across the mountains to the coast.

Terry C, Sharen and I have done all that as well. Last Christmas we did something a bit different. Using TomTom we set out for Foia (TT told us the route) and, after stopping there we headed back to the village. However, on the way back, whenever TT said, 'turn left' we turned right, or when it said, 'turn right' we turned left.

We went for miles on roads and through villages we'd never seen before. We saw some stunning countryside and had a really good drive. Eventually we let TT guide us home.

I appreciate not everyone has a TomTom, but, The Algarve isn't too big that you can't always find your way back to the coast from almost anywhere. So, if you're a bit adventurous and are ready for a few 'dirt tracks' en route, get in the car and dive off . . . . you might be pleasantly surprised.

Just taking the bus into Portamao can introduce to places you wouldn't normally see by car. Alte is a nice place but get their early before the coaches arrive.

However, on the way back, whenever TT said, 'turn left' we turned right, or when it said, 'turn right' we turned left.

MC I thought those were your tactics for the Treasure Hunt

Thanks everyone. We are out for the first 3 weeks in March so we are looking forward to a bit of exploring. We won't have Tom Tom in the hire car but I'll have a go at turning left when we should turn right and vice verse...that should get my wife panicking.

TerryC wrote:that should get my wife panicking.

Should get you lost The only reason it worked for MC was because he was holding the Tom Tom upside down.

Terry, you can find the real Portugal as close as Lagoa..go off for a wander round back streets and find a little pastelaria/ cafe, for a coffee or wot you will...
sit and listen, try out the 'lingo' with local folk and its surprising how you can get to know the Portuguese..they're very easy and friendly to get on with
I ended up in someone's house one day..totally by accident.
Talking to locals in the park..I was then taken to meet their 'Mae' /mother ,an elderly lady in a small cottage in the back streets, where I was made welcome with Port and cake & sweet almonds..... and I made new friends,
lovely experience
Its Manna from heaven for a writer..and you don't have to travel far
p.s. another little ad. for Ruth Banks books....'Wild herbs and happiness', try them....thats real Portugal too and some !

Thanks Ellie. On our many trips in the past we have travelled through Lagoa without really stopping and looking around. However, last October we did spend the best part of the day looking around after visiting the market. It was an eye opener. There are some very nice spots in the town where you can rest, shade from the sun and enjoy the surroundings. One place that sticks in my mind is the war memorial for those locals that have been killed in action in places like Mozambique and Angola. Very Poignant despite the rights and wrongs of colonisation.
We found the local people very friendly. We lost our bearings on one occasion and went into a small shop for help. Despite the fact that we had little portugese and they very little english we managed very well and left after sharing a joke and getting the help we wanted.
I really must try to speak more Portugese. People say the Brits are lazy when it comes to speaking other languages and that is probably true but I also think we are a bit shy. Its probably not helped by the fact that most people in CVO and other resorts speak fluent English...which on reflection is a bit of a kop out.

TerryC wrote:Thanks Ellie. On our many trips in the past we have travelled through Lagoa without really stopping and looking around. However, last October we did spend the best part of the day looking around after visiting the market. It was an eye opener. There are some very nice spots in the town where you can rest, shade from the sun and enjoy the surroundings. One place that sticks in my mind is the war memorial for those locals that have been killed in action in places like Mozambique and Angola. Very Poignant despite the rights and wrongs of colonisation.
We found the local people very friendly. We lost our bearings on one occasion and went into a small shop for help. Despite the fact that we had little portugese and they very little english we managed very well and left after sharing a joke and getting the help we wanted.
I really must try to speak more Portugese. People say the Brits are lazy when it comes to speaking other languages and that is probably true but I also think we are a bit shy. Its probably not helped by the fact that most people in CVO and other resorts speak fluent English...which on reflection is a bit of a kop out.

Hi Terry
Thats true about language..and yes I think a lot of it is shyness. When we first lived there I found it very difficult but the locals were very kind to me and always helped..
one 'senhora' I knew in Silves said that we English didn't open our mouths wide enough ! (blimey first time I was ever told that )
but you have the right attitude and will always get on there
I have a friend in Lagoa who served in Angola..they had a tough time didn't they?
I think the memorial you talk of is in the park up by the main big church..I can never remember the name...'Senhora de Luz' or is that the Saints day?(Im getting old )
Anyway Terry I wish you and yours a super holiday......have a great time and fun
ellie

Ellie wrote: I ended up in someone's house one day..totally by accident.

Isn't that illegal?

Ant1969 wrote:

Ellie wrote: I ended up in someone's house one day..totally by accident.

Isn't that illegal?

I didn't put that very well did I Ant? I promise I wasn't wearing my burglars gear

Should have said, I was invited to meet 'mother' !
Nice to see you here

He He!! Not sure that sounds much better either, "to meet mother"? Did you go with your boyfriend?? or is there some 'other'meaning in there?

Hello again, Ellie. Yes, I do 'surf' about from time to time to keep up with all the hot news. Unfortuntately don't get too much time to say "hello", especially with it being dark and 'orrible all the blo*dy time.