Carvoeiro - is it for me?

loretta · Post by **loretta** » Wed Mar 10, 2004 4:43 pm

I have stayed on Areias Dos Moinhos and although it is a villa development i found it very quiet. As for the town itself there are no high rise buildings like the skyscrapers you get in Portimao or Albfuria (sp) for instance, i think the tallest building is maybe 4 stories high (im sure someone will correct me if im wrong). Carvoeiro does get busy in the height of the season like most places so you must take that into consideration when booking your holiday, it is after all a small fishing village and the roads were not made to take such a high volume of traffic as it gets in the high season. I would urge you to try carvoeiro it is a lovely place for families and couples alike it is not full of nightclubs or the 18-30 crowd which can be seen in some areas of Spain (Ibiza for example) and if you do hire a car you will be able to explore the beautiful countryside.
Whatever you choose to do i hope you have a wonderful holiday.

P.S. Just because im nosy would you let us know where you decide to go and once you have been what you thought of it.

Uggie · Post by **Uggie** » Wed Mar 10, 2004 8:16 pm

Just to clarify, Dawn, there are no, "high rise" developments in Carvoeiro.

Guest too · Post by **Guest too** » Wed Mar 10, 2004 9:31 pm

Damn,
We’ve been visiting the Algarve and Carvoeiro for over 20 years, to describe CVO as a “fishing village” is, to my mind, taking a good deal of poetic licence. Having said that, we still love the place and it certainly has a certain je ne sais pas(?) which is why we keep returning and bought a house just outside CVO a couple of years ago. Go for it! I think you’ll have a great time.

Guest too

Guest too · Post by **Guest too** » Wed Mar 10, 2004 9:47 pm

Dawn,
Sorry about the spelling of your name in the previous post - I really should check what I tripe!

Guest too

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Mar 10, 2004 9:56 pm

Guest too,
Its...'Je ne sais quoi'...I dont know what?
Thats it exactly...it has a certain...something..CVO?

It sure has........Ellie

Tiger · Post by **Tiger** » Wed Mar 10, 2004 10:12 pm

dawnw wrote:Mike, the place we are looking at is Casa Lorne. Address -
Areias dos Moinhos,
8400 Carvoeiro LGA,
Algarve

I seem to be getting conflicting messages on here but I suppose it's the same as anywhere - some people will like it, some won't.
If Carvoeiro is full of villa/tourist developments then Uggie's right we won't like it.
I'm grateful for all of the info, it's really helpful as I don't want to end up somewhere we won't like. The more I'm reading I'm wondering if the Algarve is the place for us, as even places quoted in holiday brochures as traditional, such as Alvor, when I dig deeper they all have high rises.

Anyway, keep the comments coming, I'm still on the fence.
Dawn

Stan · Post by **Stan** » Wed Mar 10, 2004 10:14 pm

I am returning to Portugal for the 4th time: 1st time 23 years ago then 8 years ago then 5 years ago and now.
Each time I have found Corveiro a good base as it is developed enough but still retains a lot of charm. It also allows you the scope to travel and have the odd night discovering treasures inland and be on the coast for the sun and sea.
The variety of places to eat is worth a visit on it's own but you can still travel to Portimao for sardines and Guia for the mouth watering Frango Piri Piri.
If you really do want the rural life find somewhere else but if you want a base and to be able to try different things give it a go!
Happy Holidays

Tillinha · Post by **Tillinha** » Wed Mar 10, 2004 10:47 pm

My husband and I have been staying at Casa Lorne regularly over the past few years and found the location, the hosts and the villa very charming. The location is quiet, away from the hubbub, but at the same time being only a 15 mins walk into the town (or 3 mins if you hire a car).
We too like to relax on holiday and find that here we can do just that.
Whichever holiday location you choose I'm sure it will be the right one.

dawnw · Post by **dawnw** » Thu Mar 11, 2004 9:58 am

WOW! thanks for all these replies.
Tillinh, especially good to hear the positive vibes. What is there immediately around Casa Lorne?

digger · Post by **digger** » Thu Mar 11, 2004 1:05 pm

……and take a day off from relaxing and visit Faro. The old part of the city is surrounded by Roman walls and inside a spacious open square that was once the site of the Roman Forum is a 13th Century Cathedral and an 18th Century palace. And visit the neighbouring 16th Century Convent that is now an archaeological museum. Have a lunch at one of the many restaurants nearby; choose one where local businessmen are enjoying their famous three-hour lunchbreak. Order ‘prato da dia’ (dish of the day), if you want serious Portuguese food.

dawnw · Post by **dawnw** » Fri Mar 12, 2004 10:09 am

OK, this might be a strange question but has anyone been to Polychrono in Halkidiki?
We stayed there last year and it was an ideal base, if someone could give me a direct comparison it would help make up my mind.

Thanks,
Dawn.

guest 2004 · Post by **guest 2004** » Fri Mar 12, 2004 12:10 pm

After reading all of the information I would advise you to go to Madeira. I have just returned home after living there 4 years and it truly an unspoilt beautiful island. There is no evidence of English bars and restaurants which is quite unique these days. If you stay in Funchal you do not need a car, the buses are regular and the taxis are very cheap. The interior of the island is beautiful and if you lead stressful lives you could not wish for a better place. If you pop by a newsagents toady get a copy of the bi monthly magazine ' Portugal ' it features Madeira and gives some other useful links. For many years it has had a reputation for being a island for newly weds and nearly deads !!! but this is not true I moved there at 30 and enjoyed my time there very much.
By the way I first came to the Algarve as a child in 1980 and have spent at least 20 holidays there since. I was in Carvoeiro this Jan and am coming again in April, I just think Madeira would suit you better.

dawnw · Post by **dawnw** » Fri Mar 12, 2004 12:40 pm

OK, thanks for that Guest 2004

Uggie · Post by **Uggie** » Fri Mar 12, 2004 1:03 pm

Madeira is utterly gorgeous.

Thunderbolt · Post by **Thunderbolt** » Fri Mar 12, 2004 5:37 pm

Oh my! You are all making me soooo jealous!
I'm not coming back until June - oh no, that's a lie - got fed up of waiting and booked a week-end in May!

I've been going to Carvoeiro nearly every year for over 20 year (and I'm not yet 30

) and I love it. Sure it has changed and it's gone from a sleepy village not on any map to a bustling little village but it's still the place I feel the most at home in.

I'm actually planning to move over next year and I can't wait!

Dawn, I do think that if you came to Carvoeiro you would like it but maybe use it as your base and go and visit some of the beautiful West Coast (only 45 to 1 hour's drive away). There is some lovely unspoilt scenery along the coast.

Wherever you decide to go, I hope you have a wonderful time!

Carvoeiro - is it for me?

Casa Lorne

holiday in Portugal

Re: Carvoeiro - is it for me?