New Year’s Eve Parties in Algarve

Thinking about doing something different for Christmas or New Year’s? Then you should see what’s happening right here in the Algarve. Although tourists know us better for our summer parties…truth is we like to have fun all year round, and start getting ready for the holidays in late October, early November - when food, drinking and festivities are involved one can never start to early! ;o) So, you can rest assured there will be many holiday parties across the Algarve for everyone.

New Year's Eve Parties in Algarve

Here’s a work-in-progress list of New Year’s Eve Parties in Algarve:

Bob Sinclar Concert in Algarve – New Year’s Eve
He’s back! Record producer and DJ Bob Sinclar will ring in the New Year in Albufeira with some of his top international hits like “Love Generation”, “World Hold On”, “Give a Li’l Love” and others.

Fireworks/Multimedia Show, midnight
Bob Sinclar, 12.15am
Venue: Praia dos Pescadores
City: Albufeira
Tel.: +351 289 599 500

Other regions in the Algarve also have organized their own local New Year’s Eve Celebration:

New Year’s Eve in Portimao
This year it seems the city of Portimao and Albufeira are competing for the best new year’s eve entertainment lineup.

Portimao is organizing a complete lineup of events for everyone.

Holidays in the Algarve

The holiday festivities have started!

Christmas is in full bloom here in the Algarve, everywhere you go there are Christmas lights and decorations, and every city has its own unique look of holiday lighting. In Faro, Forum Shopping has done a beautiful job again with their Christmas tree, Santa and his elves are patiently listening to a long list of wishes from the little ones.

There’s also fun for the older ones of any age, you can strap on a pair of ice skates and go skating right here in Faro, you might have to watch out for a Palm tree or two but yes, real ice skating in the Algarve! Although, I took a few years of “figure skating” as a kid in Canada, don’t know how long I’d last on my feet - but too much fun to pass up, so we’ll be out here soon!

Cities across Algarve are also starting to announce their holiday plans, so no shortage of fun things to do in the Algarve for the holidays. Read more

Things To Do & Places to Eat in Algarve

November may be considered part of the low season here in the Algarve, but we Algarvios always have something going on…events, fairs, festivals, art, music, and of course our love for food keeps us warm and cozy all through the cooler months.

While we’re away for a few days, here are some suggestions of things to do in Algarve in November.

Algarve

Casino do Algarve Rally
There will be two adrenaline-filled days to share in the excitement of motor sport rally in Algarve and watch the Super Special Stage in Portimão.

Date(s): November 23rd to 24th
City: Portimão
Tel.: 289 400 330

Algar Décor
Algardecor is decor fair with furnishings and fittings for the home, and will be open for 4 days from November 29th to December 3rd.

Start: Thursday, November 29th
End: Monday, December 3rd
Cost: €2.00 for entrance
Directions

Veneza Restaurant – Padene
If you love wine this is the place for you! This restaurant is very much off the beaten path, but wine lovers will feel right at home, surrounded by at least 1000 bottles of Portuguese Vinho! The food is traditional Algarvian - so you can expect cataplana, wild game, seafood, and plenty of other truly cultural cuisine.

Veneza Restaurante – Paderne
Albufeira, Algarve
Tel: +351 289 367 129

Algarve to Cork

On Thursday, we will be trading our sun glasses for an umbrella as we head up north to Cork Ireland for a few days.

As some of our readers will know, at this time of the year there are no direct flights from Faro to Cork, to make due, we’ll be flying Faro to Dublin via Ryan Air and then taking a connecting flight from Dublin to Cork

Cork Ireland

Photo Credit: Moser Maroon

During the summer months when there are direct flights from Faro - Cork it’s a great getaway, not for the rain, but for great restaurants! Over the years we’ve discovered how much Corkonians love to eat out - as a result, we’ve learned if there’s a hot place to eat in Cork, you have to make sure to book reservations well in advance, or you’ll miss out.

Here’s a sample of the restaurants on our list during our 4 day visit:

Wagamama
It’s not a traditional Irish restaurant or pub, it’s a different food experience all together, and one of our favorite gems in Cork.

Wagamama
4-5 South Main st
Cork Center
Tel: +353 (0) 214 278 874

Star Anise
This is a warm cozy little spot, and one of our absolute favorites. One of the owners is usually there, and as chaotic as it may be to run a very popular restaurant, they make it seem effortless and the service is always wonderful. The menu is small and changes regularly, and always has a list of options that makes it difficult to choose. Just thinking about Star Anise and the fact we got reservations confirmed gets my taste buds in a frenzy. Can’t wait!

Star Anise
4 Bridge Street
Cork Center
Tel: +353 (0) 214551635

Fishy Fishy Café
Fishy Fishy Café tucked nicely in Kinsale, Cork is not your ordinary restaurant … it is one of the most popular restaurants in all of Cork County. These folks know fish & shell fish and the dishes they bring out of the kitchen are wonderful every time. There are no reservations, no credit cards and no guarantee you’ll be able to get a seat … asthere’s always a waiting list, and a line. Sunday afternoons are chaotic with at least an hours wait … and of course there’s a line up waiting. Line ups drive us mad, but at Fishy Fishy, Moses and I will be wearing our comfy shoes and waiting - it’s that good!

Fishy Fishy Café
Kinsale, Cork
Tel: +353 (0)21 4700415

Will be sure to take some photo’s during our mini-trip.

Risotto de Polvo - Octopus Rice Recipe

Long ago Portuguese fisherman uncovered all sorts of unexpected delicacies deep in the oceans they navigated, salting some for long voyages such as bacalhau (codfish), while others closer to shore brought back the fresh seafood goodness. Today both the salted and the fresh are hugely important in the Portuguese diet. With so much coast surrounding us on the west and south of the country, plus our islands of the Azores, its easy to understand why the Portuguese kitchen and diet is so rich in the fruits of the sea.

Rissoto del Polvo - Octopus rissoto

One popular deep-sea treat we’ve been feasting on for centuries is the Octopus - yes the multi-legged creature that makes some of us nervous about taking a dip in the ocean. But on a plate, octopus is tender and delicate and not scary at all. Flavour wise it’s very similar to its cold water neighbor the squid…or in more politically correct terms “calamari”. Octopus (known as Polvo in Portuguese) is still very popular and in the Algarve, we enjoy it dried, smoked, stewed and especially in Arroz de Polvo (Octopus Rice), a traditional dish rooted from the islands of Madeira. Read more

Marias da Malhadinha – Portuguese Table Wines

A couple of weeks ago we attended the Lisbon Wine & Food Show with the gang from Adegga. Not only did we have a great time, but also got to try some really incredible Portuguese wines. As expected, there were wines from all over the country, varying in taste and budgets.

Marias da Malhadinha

What impressed me the most was the diversity of the Portuguese wines -Vinho verdes, whites, reds all the way through ports, madeiras, etc. The selection of Portuguese wines is truly dynamic, impressive and makes me proud. So, it’s really a shame that formidable wines like these are not better known outside the country. The most popular Portuguese wine I remember in my travels abroad has consistently been Mateus Rose, although a nice commercial wine, it’s a pale comparison to the serious contenders we have nationally. Like Marias da Malhadinha, Palacio da Brejoeira, Cortes de Cima Reserva, Marques de Borba Reserva - these are pure heaven, and just a few of the many hundreds of Portuguese reds. Read more