Villas & Vacations - in the AlgarveVilla Club Ltd

What's so good about the Algarve?

For many years people from abroad have settled in the Algarve, but for whatever reason they came, it was surely the climate that originally encouraged them to stay. With the most annual sunshine hours in Europe and an almost 'zero' level of pollution, the environment is undoubtedly one of the best in the world.

However, these days there are also many more attractions for visitors and residents. The relaxed outdoor lifestyle with its superb sandy beaches, unspoilt countryside, and hundreds of good-value restaurants provides an ideal mix of simplicity and stylish living.

For sports enthusiasts, there are unrivalled golf courses, tennis centres, boating marinas and many watersports and equestrian centres. During the Summer months there are almost daily events taking place along the region's beaches such as beach football, volleyball and triathlons. In addition Portugal hosted the Euro 2004 and built a large brand new stadium is being built between Faro and Loulé.

Portugal is a full member of the EC and has embraced most of its social and economic reforms, including the Euro currency. The economy is stable with Euroland average levels of interest rates and inflation.

Ease of travel is important to most visitors and Faro International Airport is being currently extended once again to maintain its efficient and modern levels of service. Flights from most major Western European cities can reach the Algarve within 2-3 hours. In addition, investments through the EC have helped to greatly improve road networks and, within the next year, motorists will have uninterrupted motorway connections with major cities, Seville and Lisbon, both within an easy 2-3 hour drive.

The Algarve offers the latest telecommunications to keep in touch with the rest of the world including fast internet links and the latest celluar technology (including the Vodaphone network). Many of Europe's major television and radio channels can be received including the BBC and Sky channels and these together with daily newspapers mean everyone can be fully up to date.

Two large new shopping complexes have opened which include hundreds of boutiques, supermarkets, restaurants, ten pin bowling and cinemas. Major events are becoming more commonplace and opera singers Pavarotti and Carreras have appeared in Faro, a George Benson concert was held at a major hotel and the world class veterans tennis tourament will now be held annually at Vale do Lobo featuring players such as Borg and McEnroe..

The people of the Algarve these days are truely an international mix. English is everyone's second language and is very widely spoken. The Portuguese themselves are a friendly and respectful people retaining many traditional values especially in their love of the family. Expatriates living in the Algarve tend to be outgoing and gregarious. It is easy to be accepted into the community and quickly make friends. This amiable approach to life is hardly surprising -- it is easy to be happy and welcoming when living in such a wonderful environment!