Snow Birds

Dalcassian · Post by **Dalcassian** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 8:58 am

Talked to someone recently who told me why there are so many Canadians visiting Carvoeiro and the Algarve in general. Apparently it's due to the hassle they are getting from Immigration / Homeland Security when going to Florida! (The United States paranoid fear that Canada will invade!)
So, some enterprising airline is now doing Snow Bird flights direct into Faro. I think it's great. Smilers are even doing a Canada Night on Thursdays.
(PS. In case anyone is in doubt, I'm a Snow Bird myself

)

Lesley Jean · Post by **Lesley Jean** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 1:25 pm

That is great news as one of my brothers and his family live in Canada and have spoken about coming out to Portugal to see our house and the country. This would make it very much easier for them.

Which airports will they be flying from do you know??

Canada · Post by **Canada** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 2:15 pm

As a Canadian who visits Portugal every year, I must say that it is because we don't like Florida. Except for the palm trees and sometimes warmer temperatures it is just like Canada (fast food, too much traffic, and seniors lining up at 4:30p.m. for early bird meals YUK). The border is going to be a problem in the future- we will require a special type of passport ID.
I like the people in Portugal, the fresh food, the wonderful architecture, vegitation, slower pace and history. The States are eying us because they will eventually need our fresh water and oil. Generaly Canadians don't like or trust G. W. Bush.
I don't speak for everyone because we have many friends that own property in Florida - which is another problem HURRICANES.

SHOWWWIE · Post by **SHOWWWIE** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 4:31 pm

Hear! Hear!

Note that Air Transat has been flying into Faro on a regular weekly basis (sometimes twice weekly, the second flight via Lisbon or Porto) for at least the six years we have been coming.

We love it!

I might add that we have enjoyed many day trips to places like Evora (World Heritage sight), overnighted in many pousadas which are wonderful, and tripped for a couple or several days to places like Ronda and Granada and the Costa del Sol in Spain, Gibraltar, and Tangiers. There are many other possibilities which we look forward to exploring in future years.

SHOWWWIE · Post by **SHOWWWIE** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 4:39 pm

Did we mention the gorgeous beaches and cliffs?

My morning walks along the cliffs are a highlight of every visit.

And thanks to all the cvo.com folks who, at the risk of getting a little maudlin, may I say have become like a second family of sorts over the years. The cars we rent from Steen have been excellent and very reasonable. Thanks, folks.

Canada · Post by **Canada** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 4:50 pm

I agree Showwie there is so much to see and do and probably more things to come in the future.
There are 3 airlines presently flying direct to Faro from Toronto- Air Transat, SkyService, and Sata.

Lesley Jean · Post by **Lesley Jean** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 4:52 pm

My brother lives in Nova Scotia, near Halifax, would he be able to fly direct from there yet? otherwise he can fly out from Toronto. I am sure he will be able to find all this out himself, it is just fun being able to find out myself as well so hope you don't mind my asking.

Canada · Post by **Canada** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 5:04 pm

Hi Lesley Jean, my daughter used to live in Halifax and I know for sure that you have to fly to Toronto and then catch a flight from there. Other destinations are direct like London etc. but not Portugal.

heini · Post by **heini** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 6:21 pm

I fully agree with showwwie and canada, their reasons for coming to Carvoeiro year after year are the same ours. We often say, we know more people here than at home.
Leslie Jean, as far as flying from Halifax, it maybe cheaper and more convenient if your brother would fly with Air Canada from Halifax to London and then with TAP directly to Faro.
We live in Edmonton and since air fares within Canada are quite expensive as well we always fly with Air Canada Edmonton/Calgary/Frankfurt/Faro. On the way home we have to overnight in Frankfurt, because the fligth from Faro arrives too late to make the connection, but all things considered costs are about the same and you don't have to worry about a possible stop-over in Toronto, because of flight schedule conflicts.

Bruxinha · Post by **Bruxinha** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 6:45 pm

A flight from London Gatwick to Toronto or Ottawa was £218 return recently with Canadian Affair, so if you can get cheap tickets from the UK to Faro, this is a very cheap option.

Lesley Jean · Post by **Lesley Jean** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 10:02 pm

Wow, thanks for the help on this I will pass on the information to my brother and his wife and see if we can get them out to Portugal this year.
I am sure they would love it. They have been living in Canada now for over 30 years (all residents now) and although we have got to see each other on rare family occasions (not always happy ones!) it would be lovely to have them out to our place in Lombos and show them the Algarve and then go on up to Lisbon and Porto.

Sorry I seem to have taken over this thread, didn't mean too

Snow Birds

Snow Birds

SnowBirds

SnowBirds

SNOWBIRDS