So, that's summer almost done. Emmie has started school. The nights are drawing in. It's going to get cold, and dark, and stay that way until, ooh, April or so. At least, it is in Britain but the sun's still shining in Portugal and the light on the Algarve is fantastic. Looking up at the high blue skies never fails to raise my spirits.
We packed our bags and with Caroline, Chloe and James jumped on a flight to Faro and a weeks stay in a villa at Rocha Brava. When we arrived at Rocha Brava I was surprised at the size of it. It is huge BUT it doesn't feel big. It's got a lovely friendly feel to it, very spacious and lovely and quiet. The resort itself is very attractive, consisting of varying styles of villa and apartments set amongst pleasant gardens. There was a beautiful pomegranate tree just outside our villa.
There are good facilities too including a supermarket, bars, 4 swimming pools, tennis, etc., so you could happily survive without leaving the resort.
But there is so much to see. It's a region of hidden delights, of golden beaches framed by beautifully wrought limestone rocks. Quite simply, a beach day in the Algarve cannot be beaten! With so many fabulous beaches to choose from, the hardest part of the day was deciding where to go..........We slapped on the sunscreen, packed the buckets and spades and off we went.....
The first beach we visited was Praia de Centeanes. A secluded dramatic cliff-wrapped beach
but our favourite was Benagil beach. A stunning beach!
If you're a seashell collector this is the place to be. Chloe collected quite a few big ones!
To be honest finding a place to park the car is quite a challenge as the beach is at the bottom of a very steep and tightly curved road but we managed quite easily. (That's cos Phil was parking the car - well done Caroline!) but no steps to this beach.
If you are a good swimmer the famous cave is just a short swim away. The only way to enter the cave is from the sea. This is the free method, there are always boat tours from the beach.
Benagil Sea Cave:-
The natural beauty of this stretch of the Algarve coastline leaves you breathless. Mother Nature has exceeded herself in carving a dome-shaped sea cave from the cliffs. The sunlight streams through natural aperatures, acting as a spotlight on the constantly sea-cleaned fine golden sand. Only 150 metres from the beach at Benagil Phil and Mike swam in from the sea at low tide. Most people took a boat trip. The sea temp. was 19 degrees.
There is a nice snack bar on the beach but just above Benagil beach is O Pescador. A very charming restaurant with great views over the bay from the small terrace. (You need to book to get these tables).
The service was excellent and so was the food. We had the traditional Portuguese Cataplana with clams and seafood.
so good, nearly all gone, before I took a photo.
A very peaceful and relaxing place to dine (even with toddlers).
The Algarve is full of small simple restaurants where the taste of the fish - just caught, just grilled and drizzled with a local olive oil is wonderful.
A delightful restaurant just outside of Rocha Brava (turn right and it's 100 yds down the road) is Restaurante Jardim do Farol. A great atmosphere and very special service. A family orientated place
where customers do come first. Best to book as it is very popular. Great food and good value. The waiter brings out the fresh fish tray when you arrive and explains what they are and how much. Arguably, the best chocolate mousse too. CASH ONLY.
We also loved the preserved carrots, Algarve style served with the bread and olives. Here is the recipe.
300 grs of tender carrots
3 cloves of garlic
1 bunch of parsley
1 teaspoon of sweet paprika
1 teaspoon of anise
100 cc of vinegar
salt and pepper to taste
1. Wash the carrots and peel them. Cook them whole. Then let them cool off. Cut them up into not very thin round slices. Peel the garlic and chop it up.
2. Place the carrots in a suitable vessel. Season with the garlic, paprika, vinegar, anise, salt and pepper.
3. Marinate for several days before serving. Enjoy.
It's only a 5 minute drive to the local Aldi or InterMarches supermarkets which was no bother at all, especially as Phil did all the shopping, but the restaurants are so close and such good value we didn't cook!!
We did, however, have a couple of take aways from Chicken George. The menu is chicken, chicken or chicken and prawns with or without Piri Piri sauce and chips. Salad optional too. The chicken was great and excellent value. (We phoned to place our order and allowed 50 mins).
It was a great holiday for young Jamie and Chloe. They also loved the kids club at Rocha Brava with the lovely friendly helper and the playground with a super large slide.
Fabulous weather (except on Wednesday when it rained) and so much to do, we could have done with another week or two! Hopefully, we will return.
