International Guitar Festival - Algarve

Living in the Algave we’re never far from the relaxing sounds of lapping waves hitting the shore so it’s no wonder that music filling the air is always a welcome in its many forms. This summer brings a new wave of music appreciation with the kick off of the first International guitar festival.

(photo credit: .bullish)

International Guitar Festival
Date(s): August 13 to 30
Location: across different cities
http://guitarralgarve.com/festival/index.php

Reggae in the Algarve

Reggae is one of those rhythms that gets under your skin, in your bones and moves you, whether you know anything about it, or not. Popular greats like Bob Marley, UB40, Barris Hammond, Patrice and many many others that have come to the scene since, touch universal cords about love, life and the human spirit, like no other sound. One of the many reasons I fell in love with the Caribbean, when I lived there.

Olhão Festival Do Marisco “Seafood Festival”

The annual Seafood Festival in Olhão, Algarve is back again. Loving both seafood and Cuban music we couldn’t miss the first night of the festival to fill up on shrimp and of course be there for Orishas.

We along with our seafood addict friends and family, headed down to the Festival do Marisco this past Monday to get our fix. The smell of grilled, stewed, sautéed and delicious fishiness filled the air and caused many a line up. But I’m happy to report this year we got our first fish stew in record time, the line up for traditional pork and clams…wasn’t quite so fast, as a few of us discovered. But the wait provided great opportunity to watch the cooking madness and enjoy some cold Super Bocks while our stomachs rumbled in anticipation.

Wine Festival Portimão

This weekends biggest event is no doubt Faro’s annual Motor Bike Rally where 30,000+ bikers from Europe journey down to the Algarve for a weekend of solidarity, free riding and excitement.

But on the other side of the Algarve, in Portimao’s Praia da Rocha, you’ll find another passionate group of people who come together annually to celebrate the diversity and quality of Portugeuse Wine.

Portuguese Wine Festival

If you love Portuguese wine or are curious to learn learn and taste the great selection available from across the country, then this weekend’s wine festival is highly recommend.

The event takes place right on the famous Praia da Rocha, with wine tasting, gourmet Portuguese cuisine and entertainment. Remember, if you’re trying a lot of different wines, this is the place where it’s perfectly polite to spit, and try another.

Since Portugal can boast of a few hundred grape variety, you should expect a night full of tasting and spitting…ok, I don’t spit out the REALLY good ones either.

Portimao Wine Festival
Dates: July 18 – 20
Time: 21:00 to 01:00
Location: Praia do Rocha, Portimao
Tel: 351 266 081 160
www.sensusvini.com | for details in English, visit this page

Molecular Gastronomy Exibit - Algarve

Who said you can’t find funky food in the Algarve?

Although I’ve been known to want for more creative food adventures, seems I might be getting my wish, for a few days anyway.

(credit: smashz)

On June 1st to 3rd, the Algarve Chef & Pastry Chef Association, will be hosting a Molecular Culinary Exhibition at Estádio Algarve, Parque das Cidades. To demonstrate the newest secrets and techniques combining fine cuisine, chemistry and science into an entirely new culinary experience. Dozens of food and beverage companies will also be on hand from both Portugal and abroad. So if you love food and want to try new flavours, textures and are brave enough to try somethings that bubbles, fizzes and smokes, you want to give molecular cuisine a try.

Tavira Seafood Festival - Gastronomia do Mar

If you love fish and seafood, there’s an event happening in the historic town of Tavria you really shouldn’t miss. Sixteen local restaurants in Tavira will take part in this year’s Seafood festival. If eating fresh caught seafood wasn’t enough, sounds like there is also an “Ocean Weekend” to be given away, by one of the participating hotels. This is an invitation we don’t need to be asked twice! Hope to see you there.