Portugal and Quinta do Lago May, 2001
More information from Simon and me...
Flights -- Although I haven't actually checked, judging by all the large jets taking off, one can probably fly directly into Faro from numerous European cities. Faro is just a few miles east of Quinta.
Quinta do Lago -- "We have always booked directly with the local management Agent for Victory Village, Mrs. Patricia Guerreiro, Patricia Guerreiro Serviços Lda. and we think we get excellent value. The apartments are maid serviced, air-conditioned and have an attractive, large shared pool with snack bar. You can book by the day and as the apartments are privately owned, most are beautifully furnished and maintained.
The rooms are large and airy, especially those on the 2nd floor. These also have no one walking on your ceiling. On the downside, the kitchens at Victory Village (V V) are tiny, with half size refrigerators, the TV may be small, and the bathrooms are also small by American standards. Also, it seems that queen or king size beds have not yet arrived in some countries. Here the master bedroom has twin beds pushed together. Jets from Faro often come in this direction, so there is some noise at Quinta. Nonetheless, V V at Quinta do Lago is a great spot at an excellent price. If you're inclined to share, a 2-bedroom, 3-bath unit at V V runs 20,000 ES = $85.
As always, when booking remember to ask for a quiet unit off the main road with no construction or remodeling nearby. From the layout, I think at V V Buildings 22, 23,18,19,14, and 17 are best. Second best looks like 1,2,8,9,15, and 24. Worst is 4,5,6,7 and 10.
Vale do Lobo, another upscale golf resort is about 5 miles down the road and also has lodging.
Other Lodging in Portugal -- "There is a fabulous hotel group in Portugal called 'Pousadas'. These are government owned and run hotels that are for the most part built in converted castles and monasteries. They are fabulous! really excellent value (by European standards) and offer superb cuisine. The Spanish have a similar system called Paradors." For information on Pousados, you can visit the excellent website and book online at: Pousadas de Portugal. These run between 80 and 170 dollars a night. Simon recommends the Pousadas at Queluz and Palmela. We tried to "just arrive" at the one in Evora. It was booked solid. Instead we got a nice room at half the price at the 3-star Dom Fernando hotel, with a much nicer and larger swimming pool surrounded by grass. It wasn't right in the middle of town, but it was an easy hike up to the castle. Also, another 3-star hotel in Estoril outside Lisbon, was quite nice, within walking distance of the Casino, and worked out well.
Golf -- The Pousadas site above has information on golf courses in the Algarve, although I'm sure there are lots of others. "Note: Mrs. G also books tee times, and arranges golf at a 10-20% discount." You can't go wrong with the courses in the Algarve. We only played those within Quinta, Pinheros Altos (16,500 Escudos (ES), which at 230 ES/US$ = $75. Unlike all the other courses, this fee includes cart and range balls), Quinta do Lago (12,000 ES) and San Lorenzo (20,000 ES). Advance reservations at San Lorenzo are limited to guests of Le Meridien Dona Filipa Hotel, but Mrs. G has a special connection and somehow arranges advance tee times at a discount!
Car Rentals -- Mrs. G. can provide a rental car. Simon uses Airport car hire in Spain, Portugal & UK ~ Car rentals Alicante Malaga Madrid B "as they are really low cost and very efficient online providers for Portugal and Spain." We used Kemwel, getting our car in Lisbon; got a good deal through an on-line special. But remember -- this is Europe; be prepared for small cars and high gas prices. Our car did not have air conditioning, a detail I apparently overlooked; beware, it can get hot.
Bird Watching -- Simon and his wife are keen birdwatchers. They "have recorded more than 120 species locally in the Quinta area"!!!
Restaurants -- There are more than a dozen in Quinta, and many more not very far away. The area is said to have more than 100 restaurants. "Inside the Quinta complex, the Florian has always provided a great meal. And a highlight of our visit is dinner at Casa Velha." This latter is just 200 yards from V V. The pizza at the local shopping center next to the Supermercado is quite good. There are great mista salads and gazpacho everywhere, chock full of tomatoes and onions. After several days of fancy eating Fandango Piri Piri provided a simpler meal. Dick loved the roasted, spicy, chicken Piri Piri and I scarffed up the delicious liver pate, which came along with the bread.
Weather -- When we arrived on May 18, it felt like East Bay, San Francisco weather at its best; high's in the mid-70's. Year round, the Atlantic moderates the temperature -- summer highs in the 90's; winters are rainy and cool, but usually frost-free. The wind is now blowing from inland and it's 90 with low humidity today, May 26. Clearly, it can get hot, making a golf course walk hard work.
Some bests -- We really didn't have enough time to explore all of the Algarve. And then there's Spain just down the road 40 miles. Still, here are some "bests," at least so far: