4 Horsemen - Algarve

• LANGUAGE: Portuguese is the language of the country.
• CURRENCY: The currency of Portugal is the Euro.
• CARDS: You can use without problems the most common credit cards.
• TELEPHONE: Works perfectly ROAMING any system.
• SAFETY: Tourist and quiet.
• VACCINES: There is no need.
• ELECTRICITY: 220v and plugs same as Spanish.
• TIME DIFFERENCE: GMT +1
• NUMBERS OF INTEREST:
  • Algarve Emergency - 112
  • Police Faro - +351 289 899 899
  • National Guard Portimao - +351 282 415 282
  • Fire Vila Real de Santo Antonio - +351 281 544 145
  • Fire Portimao - +351 282 419 854
  • Faro Airport - +351 289 800 800
  • Faro District Hospital: 289 89 11 00 / 289 802 555
  • Credit Cards
    American Express: 707 50 40 50 / 21 427 82 05
    MasterCard: 800 811 272
    Visa: 800 811 107
  • Taxis at Faro: 289 895 790
  • Tourist Information: 808 781 212

• AREA DATA: The Algarve is the southernmost region of mainland Portugal, its capital is found in the city of Faro. Bounded on the north by the Alentejo region, south-west by the Atlantic Ocean and the east by the Guadiana River and the border with Spain. The Algarve's highest point is found in the Sierra de Monchique, in the Pico da Fóia, whose maximum altitude is 902 meters. The major cities of the Algarve and Faro are the province of Albufeira, Portimao, Lagoa, Lagos, Vilamoura, Loulé, Olhao, Quarteira, Silves, Tavira and Vila Real de Santo António, the latter city where we find Monte Gordo. These cities are located along the South coast of Portugal, cities that include its beautiful beaches, its gastronomy, its potential for outdoor sports like golf, kitesurfing, surfing, cities a beautiful property to visit, and above all, best cities to enjoy their holiday in the Algarve. In this region you will find stunning beaches and wonderful landscapes, with this province, Faro, Portugal's biggest tourist. In the province of Faro Vilamoura worth mentioning, and its glamorous marina, near the Falesia beach in Loulé, form one of the most important tourist destinations in southern mainland, a place where we should also note also Albufeira, considered the capital of tourism, as well as Playa de Rocha in Portimao, a town where we also find the beach of Alvor, a global benchmark for surfing, kitesurfing or windsurfing. In the Algarve, the sea and the mountain is something that is always This may take a tour of its interior landscapes, enjoying the views, their wealth, or lost in the most beautiful coastlines in Europe. do not forget to visit the island of Tavira, one place with magic and charm. The aromas and flavors of traditional cuisine of the Algarve are also noteworthy, fish and shellfish are the main ingredients of the best cuisine in the Algarve, but forget the kitchen interior, the traditional cuisine of the Algarve mountain. At night, you can choose to quiet the interior, or enjoy the numerous bars and nightclubs, casinos, marinas and other coast, which total up to ensure a fun dawn.

When you travel with a friend the trip is doubly good, enjoy the trip twice during the trip and when the time come back to life with your fellow anecdotes of this journey. This trip we enjoyed Angela, Betty, Henry and Rafa.

We were in the Algarve from 12 to July 19, 2008.

RIU Guarana:

Well, try not to be bad. Those who know me know that relaxing travel (hotel + beach) are not among my priorities which sometimes entails a bit my mind or my point of view, but the reality is that I got a good impression of this hotel. The main reason is the invidious comparison. We chose the RIU chain after the great experience that led to the stay in the Riviera Maya with this string, so we wanted to repeat, so we look for a hotel in the same chain with similar conditions (all inclusive, pools, beach, 4 or 5 stars ...). But it was disappointment after disappointment in every way. Let's see, this hotel and this area will sell it like this:

ClubHotel Riu Guarana The system has "All Inclusive" offer that complements the RIU offers in the Algarve. Focused on entertainment for young and old, is an ideal hotel for the whole family. A reddish cliffs Praia da Falesia hides a splendid beach of 8km. The golden sands and crystal clear waters beckon you to relax and a variety of activities. Apart from beautiful beaches, the Algarve coast also boasts spectacular cliffs and incomparable sunsets. The interior is dotted with white villages, with architecture reminiscent of five centuries of Arab presence. Many traditions remain unchanged by tourism, agriculture and handicrafts are still part of everyday life. The Golf lovers will find world-class courses. One attraction is the exquisite Portuguese cuisine, simple yet delicious.

3 Restaurants

3 bars

Club for Children RiuLand and playground

Gym, sauna and jacuzzi, free

2 swimming pools

Indoor Pool)

Disco

Wireless LAN zone payment

Parking, payment

But what I found is not as "perfect", outlining my personal experience:

• The all inclusive was ridiculous the rooms had the empty refrigerator or luck with a bottle of water, unbelievable. And I say lucky because if it runs out go and ask at reception, not replaced.
• The bars are unaware, or play dumb, to the most common combinations such as a mojito. You serve the justice of your letter, rather scarce.
• Do not put snacks, you had to endure from lunch to dinner without being able to bite anything. At the end we managed to put some tea, but it was a painful amounts. To queue to get a sandwich.
• The buffets were small and no variety.
• The theme restaurant is painful, such as "Asian" is not a restaurant, if not more and another buffet not you see that Asian food is a sad imitation.
• The hotel is by the fact that it is a nursery full of families with young children, often uncontrolled or to parents with no education, as well as the hotel does not place any measures to be some order. As an example, children throwing water jumping up in the same Jacuzzi. So I do not have this hotel as an option for a romantic evening with your partner.
• They had no lifeguard or someone who controls the indoor pool (with Jacuzzi and sauna), which makes it fertile ground for the previous point.
• The access to the beach from hotel you are third world, taking you down a very long wooden ladder down a cliff, making access almost impossible for elderly or disabled.
• The beaches are not worth it, really cold water and full of algae.
• The pools have caught even the hammocks from the day before, forget you to lie down quietly, and if there is a good beach what do we do?
• The town that houses the hotel has absolutely NOTHING, but, they are prepared for tourism, a simple daily Marca cost you almost 3 times more.

• Not out of the European Community, to go with your ID in sufficient force ..