The Algarve

The Algarve is Portugal's south coast of tide-washed beaches almost all with the coveted EU blue flag, with rocky headlands and coves. You will find a warm and generous welcome amongst the local people. Tourism has not ruined everything. There is relatively little skyscraper development, but you will find a range of luxury hotels, exclusive golf courses and fine holiday villas. Southern Portugal has plenty of markets with fresh fish, meat, fruit and vegetables which are fun and good value, and there are restaurants of excellent quality with cheap but excellent wines.

The Algarve has 100 miles of perfect beaches and over 3,000 hours a year of sunshine. We feature holiday villas in three popular areas: Quinta do Lago, Albufeira and Lagos, which run East to West from Faro airport. Some of our large villas in the Algarve can sleep 14: most will sleep 8 or 10 comfortably.

In choosing your holiday villa in Portugal do bear in mind that costs not only of the rent but also what you spend in shops and restaurants are lower in the west, that is the Lagos area, and generally domestic help is also better - but of course the Quinta do Lago area is more sophisticated.

Pool heating and air-conditioning where available are extra and not less than £100 weekly and their availability is indicated in the villa description text - usually the footnotes.