Here's a thougth. Given the current ecomomic climate how about putting a page together on the forum which is dedicated to bargains. Each time a forum member comes across a particular bargain(and I mean a real bargain and not a way of people with vested interests promoting businesses) they put their brief experiences up on this topic on the forum so that we can take the cost out of holidaying in Carvoeiro. Now it would need to be something out of the ordinary and not a bland experience like "this particular restaraunt is very inexpensive" if you know what I mean. Some sort of experience that left you feeling that you really got super value for money. It could be on a shopping trip, a fill of fuel, a particular meal or a special promotional night run by a bar on a certain night or whatever. I will back in heaven at the end of April and I hope to give a blow by blow account of how to spend a week in Carv on a budget. I hope to write my "memoirs" each day more for the fun of it than anything else but on a more practical note it could give a few tips to those who are reading the forum and thinking of going to Carvoeiro but things are tight at home. My advice would be to go as you can live cheaper for a week in the sun than at home. So what say you all, especially people who have the envious position of being resident in paradise. You would be best placed to start the ball rolling. P.S. believe it or not it is actually starting to snow (more like sleet) here at the mo !!!!

If you have time either leaving or arriving at Faro, get a meal at one of the snack bars on Praia do Faro. For the price of a coffe and bun in the Airport, you'll get a substantial meal.

Good call Lazer. Thats the type of thing that would be useful to know. In my case in April I'm thinking of doing a cheapo (getting the 3 buses needed to get to Carvoeiro !!!) rather than hiring the car as I would normally do so won't be making my way to the beach area as I will probably be half the day on buses . I just think it would be fun to do a holiday differently for a change. I normally play a few rounds of golf and that will be gone too. Oh my god I fear that I'll only last a couple of days at this I'm already having second thoughts !!!!

No car and no golf, well that is bargain bucket!

A great value for money day out is to catch the train from either Estombar or Silves to Vila Real St Antonio. You will have to change at Faro but that is not a problem - I am sure it is the same train but you will haveto get off! You will have time for a coffee in the cafe opposite the train station.

Once at Vila Real you can then catch the local ferry over to Ayamonte in Spain for a few tapas and a wander around before heading back again. Total cost for this trip for 2 adults was 24 euros return on the train and 6 euros return on the ferry.

Now that's what I call a bargain

Do you know the train times from Silves or know where I can look them up.

Eat at the Fatacil , not just the daily lunch specials.

VON VON wrote:Do you know the train times from Silves or know where I can look them up.

Yeah . . .HERE

Forgive my ignorance but what, and where, is the Fatacil?
Just to say as well that I think this topic was an excellent idea. We're over in June and, like a lot of UK vistors I guess, are taking a slightly different approach to our spending.
Cheers.

The fatacil is in Lagoa, just off the 125. you cannot miss it,

It is the regions showground where exhibitions are held.
The most famous one is in August.

Michael Crane wrote:

VON VON wrote:Do you know the train times from Silves or know where I can look them up.

Yeah . . .HERE

Thanks Micheal, we are over in June and September so hopefully we can have a portugese away day

Thank you Von Von. You give me too much credit. I've been coming to XC for years and I've missed it so far.

XC? I think I meant CV!!