Luxury living in haven of peace and tranquility

Resort update by Alan Moore

Luxury living in haven of peace and tranquility

Carvoeiro boasts style and top standards

THE Algarve can nail the concept of the villa holiday firmly to its mast.

Over the years it has spread to many parts of the Mediterranean and the Greek Islands, but Portugal has advanced further in the style and approach to this now very popular sector of accommodation.

Carvoeiro, a tiny resort in the Vale del Rei, about an hour’s drive from Faro airport, has some fine examples of the Portuguese quest for quality villa product.

Luxurious life

The accommodation I sampled here at the Villa Silvia was a luxury property by any standards.

It boasted two swimming pools, a Jacuzzi sunk into terraced, landscaped gardens, a private putting course with three greens, waterfall and rooftop terrace with distant sea views – it would have been a suitable lair for a James Bond villain, let alone a holidaying travel journalist.

Our spacious double bedroom was tastefully furnished with an impressive en-suite bathroom, while the main lounge and adjoining raised dining room had cool white Moorish lines.

Outside, near one of the swimming pools, was another dining area and a barbecue – an ideal spot for eating out at night when the grounds are illuminated by winding ranks of mushroom-shaped lights.

Peace and tranquillity

Peace and quiet of course, was another bonus – the Villa Silvia is a 20-minute drive out of town, mostly along dusty tracks, unless you take the longer coastal road.

Your neighbours are likely to be a shepherd and his goat herd and the occasional owl at sunset. It is this sense of peace amid natural settings that adds to the individuality people crave on a relaxing break away from the hotel routine.

Unchanged setting

Ihad visited Carvoeiro some years before and thankfully, it had not changed a bit.

You can still walk through the narrow, winding streets and pick up the aroma of fresh, fat, sardines grilling slowly over open coals outside little restaurants.

I also returned to the local butcher’s shop, where the quality of fresh beef, pork and turkey would not go amiss in Sainsbury’s at Christmas time.

And although there is now a large convenience supermarket on the main road out of town, the quality and freshness of the fruit and veg stalls and the fish market in the old town make the shopping decision easy.

It also adds to the enjoyment of rubbing shoulders with the locals.

The Algarve: luxury villas are popular in Carvoeiro

The Algarve

LOCATION: the Algarve is the most southern region of Portugal.

APPEALS: most visitors are drawn to the coast, the western half of which – from Cape St Vincent to Faro – is famous for its gold-coloured cliffs, caves and secluded beaches. The eastern half, called Sotavento and stretching from Faro to Vila Real de Santo Antonio, has a less dramatic coastline but equally good beaches.

SPORTS: there is a wide choice of water sports, including sailing and windsurfing. The Algarve is also famous for high-quality golf and tennis. Aside from hotel facilities, there are professionally-run tennis centres at Carvoeiro and Vale do Lobo. Top golf courses include those at Vilamoura, Vale do Lobo, Quinta do Lago and Penina.

Best time to go: mid April to early June and September to mid October.

Tourist appeal: the coast attracts many visitors to the area

Carvoeiro

LOCATION: approximately half way along the southwestern part of the Algarve.

LOCAL attractions: a must is a one hour 30-minute trip in a traditional fisherman’s boat along the cavernous coastline where you enter some of the caves with their own little beaches. It is great value at around £6 per person. Nearby towns and villages worth visiting are Lagoa, which produces various types of wine; the medieval market town of Silves; and the mountain settlements of Monchique and Caldas de Monchique.

EATING OUT: Carvoeiro has many small bars and tourist restaurants. Outside of town, the Pescador, located high above Benagil beach, serves excellent chicken piri-piri and fish dishes.

SAMPLE PRODUCT: Meon Villas offers the Villa Silvia from

£393 per person for one week based on sixsharing. The price is for early-April departures and includes flights from Gatwick to Faro,airport taxes, car hire,welcome pack and maid service.