Hydrangeas on high - the volcanic walks of Sao Miguel (photo: Karolina Klara)
… in Portugal it seems. Even in October. And while the sun is shining over a view of the sparkling Mediterranean, a handsome young waiter is topping up your glass of Quinta da Lixa Espumante (at 11am, tell no one). The day stretches ahead with thoughts of a meander through the Old Town markets or a walk along the beach. Alternatively, eating and then lying down always sounds like a good option to me.
About the eating: choose a restaurant with locals in it (or one recommended by a local) and eat a fish that’s just sprung out of the net and onto your plate. You cannot go wrong with fresh Portugese tuna, seabass or golden bream (dorada in Spain). At the same time add a little side salad… tomatoes actually taste like tomatoes in Portugal. *Sigh*
I was completely beside myself flying back into London on Monday. The temperature plummeted to 1 degree as soon as the Monarch flight-of-horror landed on the tarmac (more about THEM later when Customer Services deigns to write back) ! Today, it is at least sunny but I can’t help but dream about Albufeira and the gorgeous villa with the huge pool. I won’t lie to you… I think there are some idyllic parts of the Algarve that go undiscovered by most tourists because it requires effort to find them (this is a very good thing)… but a lot of it is hideously reminiscent of the Costa Del Sol in Spain. Why oh WHY do they make hotels look like that ? How is “Paddy’s Irish Pub” allowed that signage ? Who signs off on that leaping dolphin traffic-island fiasco ?
And thus, my tip of brilliance for today is to visit off-season. Extremely off-season.
I’d also give us a shout if you want to find the right villa. We’ll know how to get you the best one for a family break, second honeymoon or party pad. I’d show you photos but I was in this part of Portugal for a hen party – an extremely glamorous and sophisticated affair mind… but I’m still not allowed to show them.
Instead… here is one from the tiny island of Sao Miguel in the Azores (way out in the mid-Atlantic but part of Portugal none-the-less)… a little tantalising tit-bit for my next post. And if you have time click on the photo for a silly story on leading volcano tours in the Azores: