I'm coming to Carvoeiro for a week from 16th October. My wife and I have visited the Algarve, including CVO, a number of times but its our friends' first time.
We've visited most of the "usual" places Tavira to Lagos and beyond to the Cape, plus Silves and Monchique. We're not what you'd call culture vultures but hopefully not Philistines either. I love the old architecture of Tavira and other towns, but as a backdrop. a means of reinforcing the fact that we're in a country full of history. What I don't want to do is trawl around endless churches or even museums.
Point is, I'm not sure what I want to do but I'd like our friends to see something they'll remember. In the past we've been to places and just mooched around for a bit and then had lunch or dinner - relaxing but not very fulfilling.
Apologies for the ramble but would appreciate any thoughts. I've tended to rely on pocket guide books - perhaps someone could recommend something more worthwhile. Are there any boat trips, perhaps a river cruise. We've done the grottoes thing and October weather being what it is maybe going to sea is not a great idea. We'll have a car and want to make the most of the week.
As an aside, can anyone tell me if coming in from Seville airport is any more complex than following the signs for Portugal? We've got some Ryanair flights at about 40% of the price we could get any to Faro.
Cheers.

why don't you or your friend try to visit the north of portugal? here's a sugestion: a cruise on the river douro and visit the port vineyards, people who've done it say it's one of the most beautifull scenarys in earth, plus you get to eat the local food and taste the port wine of every vineyard you stop, and there's lots of them, some of the vineyards are 200 years old, plus you get to visit the city of porto wich is full of history, and why not visit guimaraes wich is not far from porto, the city where the portuguese kingdom started in the 11th century you get to see the castle wich was built on the 10th century, i know it sounds a bit odd but portugal is not just the algarve like you've said is a country full of history, and tickets are much cheaper to porto anyway.

The most difficult part of the journey from Seville airport will be negotiating the Seville ring road. You are unlikely to see many signs for Portugal but the trick is to follow the signs for Huelva (E01/A49). Once out of the city and on this road it is a straight line to Portugal. Beware however of the speed camera about 10km out of Seville, fortunately there is an overhead electronic sign that tells you its there but the actual camera is not until about 5km after the sign. Depending on traffic and how fast you drive its about 2 hours.

If you like walking there is actually a guide book showing some great walks in the Algarve.

Thanks for responses. Re the North, it is somewhere I'd like to go at some point but tickets already booked for Seville.
Re-reading my post it is a bit woolly. I guess I just want to make a week away I didn't expect to get something that isn't just an aimless revisiting of the main towns. I want our friends to see what it is draws us back to the Algarve year after year, but when I came to think of it I wasn't quite sure what it was - just that we love the place. I think Lagos and Tavira will definitely be on the agenda and I'm determined this year to visit some of the restaurants mentioned in the forums which are off the tourist route. Re walking, as opposed to strolling, I'm afraid my mate's knees aren't up to it. Thanks again.

You mentioned boat trips - the 3 hour boat trips from Portimao along the coast are excellent but, as you rightly pointed out, you have to have the right weather.

We have done the 'canoe' boat trip up the river from Portimao to Silves twice now, once at Easter and once two weeks ago (September). On the recent trip we didn't see as many birds as we had at Easter and the river was very polluted at Silves but it was still an enjoyable, peaceful trip.

If your mate is up for a short walk without any major ups and downs you can stroll from O Boteca restaurant (above Paraiso beach) west round the headland for a short walk, stopping before the path goes down the steep bit and this gives you a taste of the coastline scenery on offer.

The national park areas on the west coast around Carrapateira are also worth a visit if you want to go further afield.

We will also be out in October so here's hoping for good weather !

Too lazy to log in - Alison

We went to Porto in April this year for a long weekend . You must try it; it is a lovely city. Unfortunately we did not have the time for a cruise up the river but we will make time soon to visit the port vinyards .

malrc wrote:The most difficult part of the journey from Seville airport will be negotiating the Seville ring road. You are unlikely to see many signs for Portugal but the trick is to follow the signs for Huelva (E01/A49). Once out of the city and on this road it is a straight line to Portugal. Beware however of the speed camera about 10km out of Seville, fortunately there is an overhead electronic sign that tells you its there but the actual camera is not until about 5km after the sign. Depending on traffic and how fast you drive its about 2 hours.

This is very much true! We followed the sign Portugal and you don't want to know where we ended! So go for Huelva!!!

Thank you, Alison, Davek and Guest. Useful info - counting the days now.