Hi Guys

Myself and my Wife will be visiting for the first time in a couple of days. I believe the weather to be brightening up a bit, but to be honest, just to get away from work for a week is the main reason.

My Wife has been to Portugal before, but myself, never.

I'm a little cautious about the driving situation...only ever having driving abroad in Cyprus (same side of road/car), I'm not sure I'm fully prepared yet.

We will be staying in one of the Villa's off Ruo do Cerro, and I was wondering whether any friendly folk could recommend anything local that's a must during our stay?

Thanks in advance.

We went to carvoeiro 3 times last year and going out again this Sunday . We find it a really friendly little place , been to most of the restaurants and to be honest we haven't had a bad meal anywhere some are better than others but generally all good . We love going to bar Havana for cocktails (happy hour 2 for 1 between 6pm & 8pm ) . The Round up bar is good after 9pm if you like karaoke also like the black stove and hemingways for a drink . As for thigs to do you must walk to algar seco lovely just go up the hill at the carvoeiro sol hotel in the square and keep walking to the end of the road (15 mins ) nice restaurant/cafe bar set down among the rocks worth a visit. Also a trip on the small train for 3 euros lets you see all around carvoeiro . Sure you will have a great time .

We are going on Monday for a week. Lost count of our number of visits to cvo.
Hope the weather picks up. We have a car hired so that we can visit all our haunts !
We love going up to monchique, some great restaurants there and very reasonable too.

Regarding driving - just remember the driver has to be near the middle of the road. Also tolls or EN125? If you are nervous about driving it would probably be best to travel to CVO on the A22 as EN125 can be a bit scary at first. See the section on tolls.

Driving remember loose left tight right. It always helps me. If you haven't been to Carvoeiro before, you will love it. Mind you there are a lot of hills so you will develop your calf muscles. Take a drive over to Alvor for some lovely fish restaurants and a walk along the prom. If you go to Silves on a Sunday after 3 there is a place along the river where there is a music session that goes on until 9ish. Vimar ar the top of restaurant hill is good for food and Adelino plays guitar and sings there on a Sunday night. There are loads of walks along the cliffs where there are spectacular views. Enjoy every minute of it.

Try an inland walk....friends are organising one at :
viewtopic.php?f=39&t=24496

and see some ancient menhirs!

Thanks for the replies guys.....I'm not normally one for just relaxing but the Wife has talked me into a week by our Villa's pool. Walking is almost a no go due to her dodgy knee, but good to know that it's a friendly place.

I've got my Sat Nav on my phone so getting to the Villa should be fine...it's just getting there in one piece I'm a little anxious about....still, it'll be an adventure Sat Nav directions seem to be taking me on the A22 - I'm assuming that's a thing for me?

Any other tips, feel free to post.

Great help so far guys, thanks!

Sat Nav directions seem to be taking me on the A22 - I'm assuming that's a thing for me?

You can read elsewhere of the ongoing problems with tolls on theA22....just try the N125 from Faro, will take about 10 mins longer, but you will see more of Portugal.