Little and Large

Silves Castle Algarve

Holidays in sunny Algarve

My husband and I went to the Algarve, Portugal around late September of this year. The weather was in the high twenties, deliciously warm and inviting. We flew out with Ryanair and got a shuttle transfer to our accommodation – Clube Maria Luisa located in Olhos D’Agua in Albufeira.

The apartment was basic but stylishly decorated with a swimming pool for both adults and children and the staff were friendly. The complex also had entertainment facilities to suit everyone; fuzz ball, pool table, table tennis and restaurant but it was the beach less than one hundred and fifty metres away what had attracted me most to this accommodation. Perfect golden sand that you can curl your toes into and warm gentle waves, a haven for all sun worshippers.

After a day or two winding down, we did our own bit of sightseeing and took in the town of Silves; narrow cobbled streets, cafes and little shops amidst beautiful old gothic churches and castles, then on to Lagos, another quaint town with cobbled lanes and historical museums. We drove on to Monchique; a little traditional village on the top of a mountain then lastly to Cape St Vincent to see its abundance of sheer cliffs and breathtaking vistas.  A jeep safari costing 28 euro took us on a tour of the countryside where we got a sense of the culture in the Algarve, I got to bottle feed a lamb, we were given shots of traditional Portuguese alcohol and afterwards we dined out in the open. The zoo marine was the highlight of our trip; it had rides, boat rides along a river, a big wheel, various animals including sharks and seals, divers diving from high platforms amongst many other things but the highlight was the four D cinema. My husband and I were watching a film showing polar bears sliding down a glacier when all of a sudden water burst out of the screen! I kid you not and there was a breeze blowing as well; this was just to give the four D dimension to the programme.

The resorts in the Algarve have something to offer everyone, however, I wouldn’t recommend staying in Olhos D’Agua. It was too quiet, there were hardly any shops and bars and the nightlife was poor, take some time to research the location first to ensure you are fully satisfied with plenty to see and do so you won’t be bored. Hope this is of some benefit!

Glengarriff: gateway to West Cork

Ireland is a beautiful country if only we got the weather. I always thought Kerry was the jewel of Munster until I came to Glengarriff in West Cork. It’s a small village, nestled in a woodland area, surrounded by breathtaking mountains and an enchanting harbour.  A mixture of traditional versus modern awaits, with an array of shops to choose from and restaurants to suit every family.

Things to see and do in Glengarriff West Cork: 

1. The National Reserve Park: A great place for walks and picnics, beautiful woodland, fabulous scenery.

2. Molly Gallivan’s Farm: Fabulous old cottage and farm with audio visual, restaurant and shop – 1 mile outside Glengarriff.

3. Ewe Sculpture Park: An amazing out of the world place with sculptured animals; a sheep in a pram, sheep knitting, huge spiders, sculptured rhinocerous and many more that will enthrall newcomers and tourists alike.

4. Garnish Island: Take a short trip to Garnish Island; a paradise haven for nature lovers; this boat trip will cost you only ten euro. The island affords panoramic views of Glengarriff and it also has a restaurant.

5. Bamboo Park: Another tropical paradise with panoramic views situated close to the village.

6. There are pubs in the village that offer traditional music and plenty of shops that sell souvenirs and Irish linen.

7. Last but not least, Glengarriff is the gateway to the astounding coast of West Cork; travel to Sheeps Head, Castletownbere, Schull, Bantry and many more places of great beauty.

Travel to the hidden gem that is Glengarriff, explore the surrounding mountains, woodlands and beautiful harbour where you won’t be disappointed.  Accommodation is plentiful, the people are friendly.  The gateway to West Cork, not to be missed.