Moorish Legend of the Almond Blossom in the Algarve

BLOSSOMING ALMOND TREE

by Vincent van Gogh

The Algarvian countryside clothed in white

Heralding the arrival of spring, almond blossoms bathe the Algarve in an unforgettable and dazzling show.

A delicate mantle of pink and white extends throughout the Barrocal lands on the orchards of inland Algarve, where many villages retain their Arabic names.

There, the special colour bestowed on the countryside by the luxuriant almond trees recalls the same flowers which, long ago, enchanted a certain Northern princess, as the Moorish Legend of the Almond Blossom tells us. 

According to this delightful story, during the time when Al Garb still belonged to the Moors, there reigned a young Caliph in Silves called Ibn-Almundim, who fell in love and marriedGilda, the daughter of a great lord from the North, who had been defeated in battle by the Moorish king. 

Their love was mutual, and the marriage was celebrated in grand style. However, the beautiful princess grew sadder day by day, with the Caliph unable to make her smile.  They consulted magicians and wise men from all over the world, but none could find a cure for her sadness…

Until one day when an old Nordic man told the king that Gilda was longing for the white snow-covered fields of her homeland.   Ibn-Almundim then ordered thousands of almond trees to be planted outside the windows of the palace, which, when they were in blossom, covered the land with white petals.  The illusion took away her longing and she became joyful once more.

And this is why, since that spring so long ago, the Algarve relives each year the magic of the almond blossom.

http://www.visitalgarve.pt/visitalgarve/vEN/VivaOAlgarve/393/Nature+and+Landscape/Actividades/Sugestoes/Sugestoes/Almond+trees+in+blossom.htm

Carnaval Algarvio da Serra até ao Mar (Alte, Loulé e Quarteira)

http://press.algarvecentral.net/?p=12836

No Concelho de Loulé, não é só o centenário desfile de Carnaval na cidade de Loulé que atrai visitantes. Em Alte e Quarteira, há também corsos que já fazem parte da tradição dos desfiles de Carnaval em Portugal.
Em 2012, o corso carnavalesco de Alte acontece nos dias 19 (domingo) e 21 de fevereiro (terça-feira), entre as 15h00 e as 18h00 horas. A festa prolonga-se pela noite fora, com bailes de Carnaval no salão da Casa do Povo de Alte, a partir das 21h30.
O Carnaval de Alte é uma referência a nível regional de entre os eventos comemorativos da quadra carnavalesca. Trata-se de um Carnaval de cariz tradicional, pois toda a confeção e elaboração dos carros alegóricos e grupos de foliões é exclusivamente feita pelos grupos participantes, sem recurso a empresas especializadas na matéria. Este facto faz com que cada ano haja coisas novas, diferentes, onde a imaginação e criatividade das pessoas da terra são o fator que determina a originalidade do Carnaval de Alte.
Este ano conta com a participação de 10 carros alegóricos e 5 grupos de foliões. Esta significativa quantidade de grupos participantes encherá a aldeia de Alte de folia e animação, onde há uma forte envolvência da comunidade local, pois muitas são as pessoas que colaboram diretamente para esta realização.
O Carnaval de Alte é uma organização da Junta de Freguesia de Alte, em parceria com algumas coletividades locais, como o Grupo Folclórico de Alte, a Casa do Povo de Alte, a Casa da Criança de Alte, Grupo de Amigos de Alte, o Grupo Desportivo Serrano e a Paróquia de Alte.

Já em Quarteira, as atenções viram-se para a Avenida Infante Sagres onde durante quatro dias se faz a festa.
Logo no dia 17, entre as 10h00 e as 12h00 e as 14h00 e as 17h00, tem lugar o desfile de crianças dos infantários e escolas da cidade.
O corso acontece nos dias 18 e 19 de fevereiro, a partir das 15h00, com o desfile de 14 carros alegóricos, representando as diversas associações e clubes da freguesia, os temas serão escolhidos pelos próprios grupos e podem ir desde a sátira política, até alusões diretas às próprias agremiações envolvidas no corso.
No encerramento das festividades, um dos momentos singulares deste evento é o Enterro do Entrudo, na Quarta-Feira de Cinzas, dia 22, pelas 15h00. O desfile tem início na Rua da Alegria e termina na Praça do Mar.

The other side of the Algarve

http://www.bbc.com/travel/feature/20120105-the-other-side-of-the-algarve

Please visit the link above for a great article about the Algarve beyond golf, beach and package deals.
Written by Bridget Gleeson, Lonely Planet in partnership with BBC Travel.

Grande reportagem sobre a cortiça

A cortiça é um dos produtos mais característicos do Algarve. Em destaque nesta grande reportagem da TSF:

http://www.tsf.pt/multimedia/video/Default.aspx?content_id=2232047

Barack Obama tem uma gravata feita de cortiça portuguesa, Angela Merkel e Madonna têm malas, e Lady Gaga já usou um vestido feito de casca de sobreiro, a árvore a que o parlamento atribuiu recentemente o estatuto de símbolo nacional. Esta semana, a Reportagem TSF leva-nos a conhecer melhor um sector que está em expansão. Portugal é o maior produtor mundial de cortiça, exporta rolhas para os melhores vinhos e champanhes mundiais, e reforçou a aposta na utilização da cortiça em novos materiais de design e construção. «O País da Cortiça» é uma grande reportagem de Maria Augusta Casaca, com sonoplastia de Luís Borges. Para ouvir esta quinta-feira, depois das 19h00, na antena da TSF.

Amendoeiras em flôr - Paisagem algarvia vestida de branco

Prenunciando a chegada da Primavera, as amendoeiras em flor cobrem o Algarve de branco, num espectáculo deslumbrante, inesquecível para quem o presencia, só possível numa região como esta, com excepcionais condições naturais e climatéricas. Um cenário único que se estende pelas encostas férteis do Barrocal, em que as amendoeiras são cobertas por nuvens de flores cujas pétalas se espalham pelos campos, simulando um tapete de neve a brilhar ao sol.

Um manto de tons rosados e brancos que ganha um significado especial nas aldeias do interior algarvio, entre os concelhos de Lagos e Loulé, cujo nome tem origem árabe. Aí, o especial colorido conferido à paisagem pelas exuberantes amendoeiras, que hoje regalam o olhar dos que por ali passam, lembra as mesmas flores que em tempos encantaram uma princesa nórdica, fazendo renascer nesta região do Barrocal a lenda das amendoeiras em flor, uma história de encantar que se mantém no imaginário algarvio como forma de explicar este final de Inverno florido.

Segundo a lenda, no tempo em que o Al-Gharb pertencia aos árabes, reinava em Silves o jovem Ibn-Almundim, que viria a apaixonar-se por Gilda, e com ela casar, filha de um grande senhor dos povos do Norte, derrotado em combate pelo rei mouro. O casamento foi uma grande festa, mas a bela princesa, sempre triste, não partilhava da alegria do príncipe. Vieram físicos de todo o mundo, mas ninguém conseguia encontrar cura para aquela dor. Até que um velho nórdico disse ao rei que Gilda tinha saudades da brancura dos campos cobertos de neve, existentes no seu país. Ibn-Almundim mandou então plantar milhares de amendoeiras pela província, que, quando florissem, cobririam as terras do sul com pétalas brancas, iludindo a saudade da princesa e devolvendo-lhe a alegria. Assim se fez e, desde essa longínqua Primavera, todos os anos o Algarve vive a magia das amendoeiras em flor.

Um postal de boas-vindas que se repete do Barlavento ao Sotavento, com os brancos pomares de amendoeiras a rivalizar com as laranjeiras, as figueiras, as oliveiras e as alfarrobeiras, árvores que conferem outro colorido à paisagem.

http://www.cimaal.rtalgarve.pt/visitalgarve/vPT/VivaOAlgarve/NaturezaPaisagem/Actividades/Cen%C3%A1rios/Sugestoes/Amendoeiras+em+Fl%C3%B4r.htm

Feliz Natal e Próspero Ano Novo!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Prettige Kerstdagen en Gelukkig Nieuw Jaar!


Joyeux Noël et Bonne Année!


Feliz Navidad y un próspero Año Nuevo!


Buon Natale e Felice Anno Nuovo!

1º Festival de Fado de Portimão

http://www.cm-portimao.pt/portal_autarquico/portimao/v_pt-PT/pagina_inicial/noticias/NaoPer_20111209_FesFadPor.htm

Festival de Fado de Portimão

2011-12-9 a 2011-12-10Pela mão de quatro grandes artistas – Ana Moura, Carlos do Carmo, Carminho e Cuca Roseta – o fado vai sair de Lisboa e visitar Portimão. Quatro grandes artistas, quatro géneros diferentes de cantar e de sentir o Fado, em duas noites que vão ficar marcadas na memória!

O Portimão Arena vai transformar-se num bairro boémio e fadista, onde as tascas, as típicas casas de Fado e as iguarias vão andar de braço dado com uma mostra de fado vadio.A partir das 18h00 até às 02h00 (Acesso reservado a titular de bilhete para espectáculo)
As tascas de Fado dos carismáticos bairros de Lisboa:
Tasca do Chico - Bairro Alto
Tasca da Madragoa - Madragoa
Mesa de Frades - Alfama
Cervejaria Lúcio - Portimão

9 Dezembro18h00 - Abertura Tasquinhas e Fado Vadio (palco 2)
22h00 - Ana Moura e Cuca Roseta
02h00 – Encerramento das Tasquinhas
10 Dezembro18h00 - Abertura Tasquinhas e Fado Vadio (palco 2)
22h00 - Carlos do Carmo e Carminho
02h00 - Encerramento das Tasquinhas

Planta:

PACOTE Negócio30 (aquisição de 25 Bilhetes individuais – oferta de 5 bilhetes)
Pacote especial criado especialmente para empresas que queiram adquirir um bilhete para oferta a clientes ou funcionários:
Para informações e pedidos contactar: eventos@portimaourbis.pt
Bilhetes | Locais de vendaPortimão Arena – 2ª a 6ª Feira, das 09h00 às 12h30 e das 14h00 às 18h00. Dia 9 das 9h00 às 12h30 e das 14h00 às 22h00 e dia 10 das 10h00 e das 14h00 às 22h00
TEMPO – Teatro Municipal de Portimão - 3ª feira a Sábado das 14h00 às 19h00
www.blueticket.pt, Lojas FNAC, Lojas Worten, El Corte Inglés, C.C. Dolce Vita, Agência ABEP e Alvalade, Lojas Abreu Viagens, Megarede e em www.ticketline.pt
Titulares do Passaporte Sénior, Cartão Jovem Municipal e Cartão de Pessoa Portadora de Deficiência beneficiam de 10% desconto no bilhete individual para zona das Bancadas laterais (exclusivamente nas bilheteiras do Parque de Feiras e Exposições e do TEMPO).
Informações e Reservas: 1820 |             253 418 428      
Serviço de Acompanhamento a Crianças * proporciona momentos divertidos enquanto se canta o fado.O Sítio dos Fresquinhos assegura, nos dias 9 e 10 de Dezembro de 2011, entre as 21h00 e a 1h00, o serviço de entretenimento para crianças entre os 3 e os 10 anos.
Este serviço é assegurado por profissionais com experiência e disponibilizado aos espectadores na aquisição de bilhete (1 bilhete = reserva do serviço), mediante marcação prévia pelo telefone             282 410 440      . O bilhete do espectáculo deve ser apresentado no acto de entrega da criança no espaço infantil.
Local: Portimão Arena (Sala Alcalar)
*Lotação máxima 30 crianças.

Dolphin watching in the Algarve

http://www.mydestination.com/algarve/travel-articles/72554/dolphin-watching-in-the-algarve

The Algarve has long been famed for its beautiful coastline, with endless stretches of sand, red cliffs and a sparkling sea; it is often tipped as one of the best locations for a  beach holiday.

With such a stunning coastline it is no wonder boat trips and tours are a popular pastime in the area, but as an added bonus, the Algarve is home to one of earths most loved and intelligent creatures, the dolphin.

The waters in this region are populated by various whales, dolphins and porpoises at different times throughout the year. The most common species are the common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) and bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) - so these are the ones to watch out for.

Dolphins are widely recognised as social animals and their behaviour is a constant source of fascination with both biologists and dolphin fans alike. Holidaymakers will be delighted by the level of interaction from the animals as the dolphins are perfectly content swimming and diving around the boat, unfazed by people and flashing cameras.

Dolphins generally don’t get too close to the shore, so Dream Wave offer visitors to this region trips in customized RIBs, which venture out to deeper waters and get closer to the much loved species. The trips are run by an experienced crew who know all the best spots for meeting dolphins.

 Each boat has its own marine biologist on board, on hand to answer any questions you might have and to give an insight into the behaviour and key characteristics of the dolphins. This provides the ultimate experience for dolphin lovers and a great chance to learn something new.

Dolphin watching excursions depart from Albufeira marina all year round, and last from two to three hours. These outings always prove to be very popular so it is worth booking in advance to avoid being left on the shore.

As well as dolphin watching, the Algarve is able to provide the chance to get even closer to the animals, at Zoomarine. A park with a difference, Zoomarine’s biggest appeal is the presentations showing off the abilities of their dolphins, birds and sea lions, and an opportunity to swim with dolphins.

Dolphins are one of the world's most-loved animals and the chance to swim with dolphins rates highly on pretty much everyone’s wish list....  and this is exactly what Dolphin Emotions delivers. Visitors are treated to a talk about dolphins from an expert, followed by a lesson in dolphin training and communicating, a swimming session, and probably a very treasured collection of pictures and memories.

After becoming properly acquainted with the Algarve’s dolphin population be sure to keep an eye out for the rest of the region’s wildlife. Whales have been spotted on occasion and there are countless tropical birds to be seen, making the Algarve much, much more than your average beach holiday.

To find out more on the beaches, wildlife and dolphin watching on the Algarve check out MyDestination.com/Algarve

Tiago Duarte Almeida Moura e Sá

Marine Biologist,  Universidade dos Açores.
October 2011

Benefits of Walking on the Beach

http://www.discoverwalking.com/blog/benefits-of-walking-on-the-beach.php

Aside from the beautiful view of the ocean and the great people watching there are many benefits of walking on the beach. Walking in sand requires a greater effort than walking on a hard surface. Your muscles and tendons will work harder as your foot moves around.

Walking at a slower pace requires more effort than walking fast or even jogging. Walking in sand requires 2.1 to 2.7 times more energy than walking on hard surfaces. Jogging in sand uses1.6 times more energy than jogging on hard surfaces.

For most of us burning calories is one of the benefits of any exercise. One the primary benefits of walking on a beach is that you will use 20 to 50 percent more calories than you would walking at the same pace on a hard surface.

For a short stroll down the beach bare feet are fine, but if you are going to walk a longer distance then make sure you walk in shoes. Put on your favorite walking shoes or better yet your Teva sandals so you do not have to worry about getting your shoes wet. Walking too far in sand in bare feet can result in shin splints or a sore tendon in your heel.

As always, if you are walking in the heat take the normal precautions: wear a hat, take a bottle of water and don’t forget to put on your sun screen. Of course, if you get too hot you can always jump in the water to cool off.

Since we all want to protect our walking areas for future generations don’t wander into environmentally sensitive areas such as dunes.

Of course you gain the same benefits by walking in sand in any form. So you could trek across a desert but given a choice most of us would choose to walk on a beach. In fact many of us would choose to spend our time walking on beaches even if there were no health benefits.

Don’t forget that one of the many benefits of walking is that walking is relaxing so don’t forget to stop and pick up a pretty shell, look for porpoises playing in the surf, and notice the always changing colors of the water and the sky.

Tourism satisfaction survey returns top results

http://www.theportugalnews.com/cgi-bin/article.pl?id=1134-7
15th October 2011
A survey, commissioned by Turismo de Portugal from market survey company GfK Metris, has returned very positive levels of tourist satisfaction.

A total of 95 percent of the 800, tourists interviewed from Spain, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Ireland and Brazil, reported that their holiday experience had corresponded to or exceeded their expectations.

Over half of respondents reported that they were extremely satisfied, while the percentage reporting high satisfaction reached 87 percent of all tourists with a similar figure (86 percent) stating that they planned to return.

The Turismo de Portugal survey was carried out during the peak of the 2011 season and also found that 54 percent of international visitors were young couples while 47 percent were travelling in a group with friends.

The factors identified for such high levels of satisfaction were natural and cultural features such as beaches, landscapes, gastronomy and monuments with destination safety, restaurants and accommodation meeting or exceeding the expectations of over 90 percent of tourists.

Interviewed in Lisbon airports prior to their departure, tourists chose “climate, hospitality and beaches” as the words best defining the Portuguese tourism industry.

Furthermore, at a debate entitled ‘Lisbon - a competitive and innovative city,’ City Council President António Costa identified the mournful musical genre, Fado, the city’s patron saint, Santo António, and the poet, Fernando Pessoa, as the best symbols for boosting its profile.

Costa highlighted Moda Lisboa fashion week and Experimenta Design as key events on the city’s calendar, while the writer and Casa Fernando Pessoa director Inês Pedrosa suggested inviting the director Woody Allen to make a film about Lisbon.

Antes da Primeira Guerra Mundial já se jogava golfe no Algarve!

in http://blog.turismodoalgarve.pt/2011/10/golfe.html, 7/10/11

É comum referir-se o surgimento do golfe no Algarve a partir da década de sessenta. O campo de golfe da Penina, desenhado por Henry Cotton e inaugurado em 1966 é tido como o primeiro do Algarve.

No entanto, muito antes disso, antes da primeira Guerra Mundial já se jogava golfe na Praia da Rocha, onde existiu um campo de 9 buracos inserido nas margens do Arade.
Encontram-se referências a esse campo de golfe em vários textos de divulgação turística publicados em pequenos guias da primeira metade do século XX. Por outro lado, já em 1918, Tomás Cabreira, escrevia na sua obra “O Algarve económico” que “Na praia da Rocha, principal estação algarvia para o turismo, deve haver mais um campo para o jogo do golf …” fazendo pressupor a existência do primeiro.

O golfe tornou-se, como sabemos, num dos principais produtos turísticos do Algarve que regularmente vê reconhecida a qualidade dos seus campos. Na mais recente edição da revista britânica “Golf World”, o Algarve conta com cinco dos seus campos no top 100 europeu.

Portugal - The beauty of simplicity

No Dia Mundial do Turismo, celebramos o muito que Portugal tem para oferecer!

Today is the World Tourism Day! Get to know Portugal!

Vandaag is de Wereld Toerisme Dag! Wat weet u over Portugal?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m34Wv-2yjQo&feature=channel_video_title

MozART Group no Algarve

Aproveite o feriado de 5 de Outubro e venha relaxar no Algarve!
Com reserva na Cabana do Sobral de, no mínimo, 4 noites para 2 pessoas, receba 1 bilhete grátis para o espectáculo do MozART Group no dia 7 de Outubro, no Auditório Municipal de Lagoa. A apenas 10 minutos da Cabana do Sobral e sem problemas de estacionamento!


Filip, Michał, Paweł e Bolek são quatro instrumentistas formados em Academias de Música prestigiadas de Varsóvia e Łódz, na Polónia, que decidiram tocar música clássica com humor. Criaram um musical de cabaret único no mundo, onde a música (e não as palavras) é a fonte do riso e da alegria.
 Os MozART Group tocam juntos desde 1995. Começaram por apresentar pequenas piadas musicais na televisão, no Canal Plus, e em 1997 entraram na competição de novos cabarets PAKA, em Cracóvia. O primeiro programa de cabaret do grupo – o «MozARTt’s still alive» – foi também apresentado em 1997 e, desde então, o quarteto tem dado concertos por toda a Europa, pelo Canadá, EUA e pela Ásia.
Já receberam várias distinções, como o Grande Prémio do XVIII Festival de Sátira e Comédia de Lidzbark, o «Pingwin z brazu» (O Pinguim de Bronze), atribuído pela comunidade de cabaret de Zielona Gora, e, mais recentemente (2010), um prémio especial entregue pelo Ministério da Cultura da República da Polónia.
http://www.mozartgroup.org/

Why Cork Is the Most Amazing Material in the World to Keep Your Wine Tasty?

http://gizmodo.com/5837079/why-cork-is-the-most-amazing-material-in-the-world-to-keep-your-wine-tasty

There's a reason the screw cap hasn't dominated the wine stopper industry: Cork still kicks the ass of stamped aluminum for the good stuff-and not just for nostalgia's sake. This is what keeps our evening libations from turning sour.

Cork is an unbeatable bottle stopper. It's compressed by machines, jabbed by wine keys, and assaulted by liquids, only to bounce back, close up the gaps, and continue to keep leftover wine at bay.

Cork's been doing the same job well for thousands of years. Ceramics with cork tops were tucked into Egyptian tombs, and the Greeks shoved the spongy wood in containers filled with wine and olive oil. But it wasn't until Dom Pérignon-perhaps you've heard of him-developed the process for Champagne production in the 18th century that the cork stopper got its big boozy break. At the time, French sparkling wines were plugged by plain ol' wooden pegs wrapped with olive oil-soaked hemp. This setup blew. No, really. The gas in wine kept popping the slick stoppers out. Without a proper stopper, wine was losing its sparkle and the appeal of Champagne was falling flat. So as a way to seal his beverage-and ultimately his legacy—Pérignon started a series of experiments to find a better way. When he landed upon cork, it wasn't just the bubbly producers that appreciated a more perfect fitting: The entire wine industry ended up adopting it up as the stopple standard.

Cork performs extremely well under pressure. With some nudging, cork can compress to half its size, without bulging out the other side or increasing its length. Ok, so there are a lot of things that can do that if you push them hard enough, but the key here is cork's resilience. Cork's insides look like a honeycomb filled with gas-89.7 percent gas, in fact-which makes it both light and buoyant. And the cells that make up the honeycomb are insanely stretchy. So the cells can stand to be squeezed tight—like by, say, the skinny neck of a wine bottle.

But cork doesn't collapse under the abuse. Although the gas in the cells is compressed and loses volume, it is always pushing back, which allows it to seal cabernets and champagnes.

While stuck, liquid's constant lapping doesn't cause the cork to flinch. This wine stopping power is due to a coating made of a complex mixture of fatty acids and heavy organic alcohols called suberin inside the cork's cell walls. The suberin, plus tannins and a scarcity of albumenoids, leave it decay resistant and unfazed by moisture. In fact, the United Nations' Food and Agricultural Organization says that pieces of cork can stay submerged in liquid for centuries without rotting. Taken all together, these things make cork maybe the best seal in existence.

Here's another way cork gives other caps the finger: If you're keeping wine in a cellar for a long time, a little bit of air does a body good. The reason is that wine contains a little bit of sulfur dioxide. But "without oxygen, that sulfur disintegrates and creates a smell like a struck match," says Vance Rose of cork producer Amorim Cork America. You do not want to swirl that around in your cup and sniff it. Cork adds air naturally by releasing a wee bit of its stored gas, maybe 3-4 milligrams. Screw caps are either hermetically sealed, leaving bottles with a potential sulfur problem, or they've been engineered to allow a little outside air in. While that little bit of air is good for the sulfur, but not good if it's sucked from a wet cardboard or musty cellar. Cork's gas release doesn't come from the outside, so it doesn't smell.

This means that when it is time to pop the top, both wine and cork come out unscathed-the wine appropriately aged and the cork looking almost like it always did. Even after years of abuse, "the cork doesn't lose any integrity in its cell structure," explains Rose. "It goes right back to its original form." The cork has always maintained this fine form so your Malbec can, too.

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Rachel Swaby is a freelance writer living in San Francisco. Check her out on Twitter.

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Trilhos do Algarve / Trails in the Algarve

Trilhos do Algarve - um excelente site!
http://www.trilhosdoalgarve.com/index.html

A great site with suggestions for trails, hiking, trekking, birdwatching and maps in the Algarve.
http://www.trilhosdoalgarve.com/index_uk.html

Medieval Merriment in the Algarve

http://www.mydestination.com/algarve/travel-articles/72433/medieval-merriment-in-the-algarve

Nestled in the Algarve’s sunny tip of Southern Portugal, Silves has become renowned as a place of great historical significance. Beginning its life as a dwelling for a small riverside colony, this is a town that has endured many transformations over the years. Once the strong Roman city of Sibilis and then the Moorish town of Xelb, before the Christians finally took control in 1242, this culturally diverse district has a wealth of past wisdom to draw upon. And despite seismic damages during an earthquake in 1755, many of the city’s monuments have remained surprisingly intact. Everywhere from the compact cobbled streets to the craggy Silves Castle, this stunning town surveys scenery of rolling hills and the River Arade, recalling the splendors of times gone by.

Revisiting a significant time in this triumphant historical past, every August this vibrant town turns back the clocks to stage a fully-fledged festival of Medieval merriment. Aptly known as the Silves Medieval Festival, and particularly popular among locals, this is a time-travelling event where everyone plays a part. Electric lights are turned off; local merchants dress in full medieval garb and wandering minstrels pervade the streets serenading passers-by.

Remaining true to the era, visitors experience Silves as it once was, and are greeted with daily street scenes. Straw is strewn everywhere; horses, mules and camels transport valuable goods, and Templar Knights parade through the town with chivalrous prospects. Adding to the busy street bustle, beggars plead for alms while local merchants barter and trade. Even the local eateries enter into the contagious merriment, serving traditional wine and food in fired-earthenware to be enjoyed in the medieval manner-less way, without a knife and fork. The daily currency is converted from the Euro to the Xelb to complete the full effect of this time-travelling façade. 

Taking its rightful historical place, this year’s festivities are being held from the 9^th to the 15^th of August with the frivolity in full-flow from 6pm until 1am. Allowing for all ages traditional costumes are available for hire in all sizes, (adults you simply can’t escape!) And, with a warm and welcoming atmosphere, this fictitious journey back through time couldn’t be more enjoyable.

So, as they say, the proof is in the pudding, come and experience the merriment all for yourself. Just be careful not to overload on too much black pudding as it makes medieval dancing all that more difficult…..

Emily Waller, My Destination Algarve
August 2011

Património natural do Barrocal Algarvio

http://algarvecom.blogspot.com/2011/07/patrimonio-natural-do-barrocal-algarvio.html

Longe das extensas praias e das arribas abruptas, o verde garrido mistura-se com os variados tons acastanhados da terra na vasta extensão do Barrocal Algarvio, que nos dá a conhecer um outro Algarve, coberto de laranjais e de pomares de figo, alfarroba e amêndoa, sendo por isso conhecida por Beira-Serra e principal fornecedora de produtos agrícolas do Algarve.

Barrocal é uma zona de transição entre o Litoral e a Serra, constituindo léguas de paisagens de características geológicas especiais, rochas calcárias e xistosas que poderão ser apreciadas na acalmia da serra, com trilhos que poderão se desbravados na companhia de amigos e familiares.