Most holidays and breaks for us involve towing a caravan, but not this time.
Instead it was a speedy two hour forty five minute flight to Faro airport on Portugal’s Algarve, followed by a 35km drive to the Porto Bay Falesia Hotel, Olhos de Agua near Albufeira
What a perfect week we had. Having escaped the cold, wet and even snowy UK weather, it was bliss to see blue skies and feel the warm air once we set foot on Portuguese soil.
Our choice of hotel couldn’t have been better. The high quality four star Porto Bay Falesia hotel offers 310 rooms, two restaurants, plus three swimming pools and much more, including a cliff top location. Relaxing on the balcony of our second floor bedroom took in a stunning view of the garden area with its outdoor pool, exotic plants and flowers, while stretching below at the foot of the hotel grounds awaited an uncrowded beach, accessed by steps and security gate, its white sand glistening against the blue sea and red cliffs.
On reflection the decision to hire a car was not the best idea. Although driving on the motorway was fine, negotiating the narrow streets and maze of built up areas around the popular resorts and beauty spots that string along the Algarve was quite stressful, especially in a left hand drive vehicle. We now realise that either public transport, going on foot, even taking a conducted tour may have been a better option.