Luxury Apartments on Portugal’s Algarve

The name "Algarve" inspires a vision of Southern European exclusivity in much the same manner as does "Riviera". At least that is the case for this modestly-travelled, timeshare-owning scribe.

The Algarve is, for the sake of simplicity, that south-facing piece of Portugal in which the climate only seldom dips close to what most Englishmen would consider winter and where, even in early February, the visitor from the northern climes is to be found sunbathing at the beach or around the pool while the natives look on with incredulity.

The Portuguese themselves are a friendly people. Traditionally Portugal has been England’s ally in its various spats and conflagrations around the globe. Today that friendship presents itself in the courtesy and warmth with which the tourist is greeted when visiting the shops, the cafés and the bars along this unsurprisingly popular stretch of the Iberian coastline.

Although it is the height of politeness, at least for the regular visitor, to make some kind of effort at negotiating at least the rudiments of the native tongue, many if not most of the residents in this area of Portugal do speak at least a little English. Some speak it very well, not least those whose livelihood is tied up with the service industries. The tourist who makes some effort though is always appreciated, particularly if he or she is in permanent residence rather than simply an occasional holidaymaker.

Another big plus point for the Algarve, for many of us at least, is that it is a fairly inexpensive place to be, at least in comparison with some other luxury resorts in Southern Europe. Food, drinks and other everyday items are, even at the top of the range, at least comparable in price to their UK equivalents and in many cases cheaper. But inexpensive in this context should not be assumed to mean cheap, the Algarve is a place where quality and comfort can be taken for granted. This is most certainly not a haven for the visitor whose idea of a perfect foreign holiday is to gorge on fish and chips and fizzy bitter (although both can be sourced for the benefit of those whose thing it truly is).

Of course what Portugal’s Algarve really is famous for is its golf courses, and for the serious golfing enthusiast there really is an impressive range from which to choose. As well as golf there are also many bowling greens, horse riding, and not to mention of course the numerous swimming pools that can be enjoyed in the open air for most of the year round.

When dining on the Algarve all preferences are catered for. Whether one wishes to go English or local there are eateries galore to suit every taste, and for those who cannot decide between the familiar and the native there are, within about a kilometre of the famous Albufeira "strip", restaurants specialising in Italian, Mexican, Indian, North African, Japanese, American and Chinese food as well as probably other options too.

When eating indoors the supermercado, or supermarket to most of us, is a familiar place with most of what one is likely to need available on the shelves but thankfully lacking the corporate overkill that Britons will be familiar with back home.

Property on the Algarve is available at bargain prices by British standards and yet the location has just about everything going in its favour by comparison. The luxury apartments, ideally situated as they are for sun, sea and sangria have an envious appeal for those amongst us to whom peace, comfort and quality of life are serious aspirations.