Tag: Tourism

Monchique, Foia and Picota Road Trip

Cobbled streets and artisan shops, a ruined convent and wonderful gardens are well worth a visit. Monchique is famous for it’s cork oak forests, wild boar and black pork cuisine,

Serra da Monchique the “Upper Algarve”

From either the EN125 or the A22 you will find an intersection with the EN266 just north of the coastal city of Portimao. Following this road you will pass through Rasmalho (Stork City), one of the largest colonies of White Storks in Portugal. White Storks in AlgarveYou will be gradually climbing the wooded foothills of the Serra and will come across a famous Spa village, Caldas de Monchique, turn off here and walk this tiny but fascinating village, you may get to see bread being made in the communal ovens, walk the shaded pathways to the thermal streams, or indulge in rituals at the spa itself.

Caldas da Monchique Algarve PortugalContinue upwards to the town of Monchique, cobbled streets and artisan shops, a ruined convent and wonderful gardens are well worth a visit. Monchique is famous for it’s cork oak forests, wild boar and black pork cuisine, if you intend to eat out in the Algarve then Monchique would be a great choice.

Foia, Algarve’s Highest Point

From the town centre continue upwards along the EN266-3 to Foia, the highest point in the Algarve at 902m above sea level. Here you will have spectacular 360 deg views. An unforgettable experience. You can retrace your steps to Monchique or take any of two other roads that descend, one to the east and one to the north, both will bring you back town.

Picota Contour Route

Monchique Algarve Portugal

There is a gorgeous contour drive that you can take from Monchique: Head to the roundabout that you first encountered when you arrived at Monchique, next to the petrol stations, and take the exit marked Alferce EN267. Take a right 20 meters (literally) after entering this road, which goes behind the bar on the corner, (local labour exchange). You are now on the contour road that circumnavigates the smaller mountain of Picota.Superb Views from Foia and Picota in the Algarve Again the coastal views are spectacular, you will also look down on the Oudelouca dam wall. Stay on this road until you hit a T junction, turn left in the direction of Alferce. Take a drive through the village, just a typical sleepy mountain village where sleeping dogs will not raise an eyebrow as you pass by. Follow signs back to Monchique.

Side trip to Silves

Leave Monchique by the way you came on the EN266, if you still have a few hours, at Porto de Lagos roundabout turn left on the EN124 in the direction of Silves. You can have a taste of this historic walled town with Moorish castle, archaeological museum and Roman bridge, though this could be a full half day trip in its own right.

Villa Vida Nova receives coveted Certificate of Excellence!

Algarve villa rental “Villa Vida Nova” receives coveted TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence for providing consistently outstanding experiences and whose owners offer first-class customer service to their guests.

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(24 October 2018)

Villa Vida Nova villa rental in Algarve receives coveted Certificate of Excellence

TripAdvisor has given Nigel Stringer and Beverly Herrington-Stringer, owners of Villa Vida Nova, its exclusive Certificate of Excellence accolade – presented to the best of TripAdvisor Rentals’ hundreds of thousands of homes.

The Certificate of Excellence is given annually to those properties that provide consistently outstanding experiences and whose owners offer first-class customer service to their guests.

Owner of Villa Vida Nova, a home that received the accolade, Nigel Stringer said that he is thrilled with the recognition.

“We are very pleased to earn the Certificate of Excellence for our property. We have listed with TripAdvisor Rentals for nine years and we always strive to provide great customer service. It’s great to be rewarded by TripAdvisor after all of our hard work and it’s wonderful to know that our many guests over the last years have really valued their stay.”

Laurel Greatrix, Communications Director, TripAdvisor Rentals, said: “We’re excited to recognise and honour the top homes and homeowners on our site. This is a hard-earned accolade, and we’d like to thank Nigel and Beverly for their dedication to providing travelers with consistently outstanding experiences.”

Villa Vida Nova is available to book directly or if you prefer through TripAdvisor Rentals  where travelers can search, compare and book hundreds of thousands of properties worldwide. Choose properties with Payment Protection to enjoy safe and secure payment.

The Certificate of Excellence recognises properties that meet strict criteria, which take into account customer service as well as quantity and quality of reviews. 

About TripAdvisor Rentals

TripAdvisor Rentals is the holiday rentals branch of TripAdvisor, the world’s largest travel site. Travelers can search, compare and book hundreds of thousands of rental properties worldwide on TripAdvisor Rentals, including beach houses, ski cabins, private islands, treehouses and city apartments. Feel confident in your decision with our Payment Protection. For more information, please visit: TripAdvisor Rentals.

Villa Vida Nova
               Villa Vida Nova villa rental Algarve Portugal book direct and save                       weeks from Euro 595

A few Interesting facts about Portugal!

Portugal is well ranked of countries that best know English as a second language. Portugal comes in first place in Southern Europe and 18th worldwide

Portugal is well classified in the ranking of countries that best know English as a second language

Portuguese are the best English speakers in southern Europe

FEBRUARY 6, 2018 4:47 PM

With tourism reaching peaks of demand from the all four corners of the world, it is not surprising that Portugal is well classified in the ranking of countries that best know English as a second language. According to the English Proficiency Index prepared by Education First, Portugal comes in first place in Southern Europe and 18th worldwide, set at the “High” level of knowledge of the English language.

Tourism weight in economy increases 47% in eight years

JANUARY 30, 2018 4:45 PM

According to data from the National Statistics Institute (INE), holidaymakers spent more than €23 billion in Portugal in 2016. Over 28 million visitors entered the country. The number of overnight stays exceeded 144 million. Tourism is growing four times faster than the rest of the Portuguese economy and represents 7% of the gross domestic product.

Lisbon and Porto among the most popular European tourist destinations

JANUARY 16, 2018 4:42 PM

Lisbon was the fifth most popular destination for European holidaymakers in 2017, registering a 17% jump when compared to the year before. Porto came in ninth place, 12% above 2016. Registering a 24% increase, London was the first choice for European tourists, followed by Barcelona, Mallorca and Paris.

Source – Nalle.pt

Cowichan Valley Seasonal Contrasts

Different moods for different seasons

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One June evening in the summer of 2017 we were blessed with this awesome sunset whilst sitting on our deck with a glass of wine. We live for the best part of the year in British Columbia Canada, on Vancouver Island in the Cowichan Valley. Our house sits in an elevated position on terraced land with views over lake Quamichan to the mountains beyond.

It is early May now and the last of the snow has melted from the top of that mountain in the photograph, temperatures here are warming up with averages of about 15 or 16 deg C and highs of 24.

By contrast here is a photograph of the same view in winter.

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And here is an early morning summer photograph not a breath of wind.

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And by way of even more contrast an early morning autumn mist covers the lake.

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Same view but different moods for different seasons!

First blog post

This is the post excerpt.

I thought it high time to start a Villa Vida Nova Blog

There are plenty of subjects to chat about and I would like to encourage readers to join in. Owning a villa rental in Portugal leaves it open to talk about everything related to the location, the people, the culture, the geography, villa and property ownership, the owners themselves, vacationers and potential property owners too. Tourism in the Algarve but farther afield in the rest of Portugal and Spain.

These are just some of the subjects that will be covered if you have any others that should be included please let me know just shoot me an email.

  • About the owners, who we are, what we do, where we live when not at the villa, what interests keep us entertained…………..
  • Exploring the Algarve, Portugal and Spain. How to do this on different budgets, off the beaten path, away from tourist hotspots……….
  • About buying property in Portugal, about renting out your property, how successful it can be, how to go about it…………
  • Tips about getting the best value vacations, car rental, flights……………………….
  • Food and wine, the best restaurants and the different regional foods………………………
  • Why Portugal, why is it one of the most sought after vacation and retirement destinations……………….