https://visitalgarve.pt/ Archives - Jim Murty’s TravelTravelTravel

I think you’d agree we could be the cover shot for Portugal‘s award-winning beaches.

Now we’ve walked hand in hand and barefoot on beaches at home and abroad, all for work purposes obvs.

And count the Iberian peninsula, and Portugal in particular, as some of the best experiences.

And perhaps gloss over the shattered glass bottles on the sand on a beach near the Spanish border, which was probably us.

One foot in the Algarve

Preferring, of course, to flag up the Algarve which has been awarded The World’s Leading Beach Destination for the third time at the 2024 World Travel Awards.

The region boasts 100 beaches spread across its 200km coastline on its southern and western shores.

There are 86 Blue Flag beaches which are assessed by the quality of the water, safety, cleanliness and the diversity of the services on offer.

Of them 13 are classed as Zero Pollution, according to the sustainability association ZERO – Associação Sistema Terrestre Sustentável.

And there are also 47 accessible beaches.

Praia prize

It has been a good year for the region with Albufeira’s Praia da Falésia hailed the best beach in the world in the 2024 edition of Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards.

President of the Algarve Tourism Bureau André Gomes glowed: ‘This really is an incredible honour.

‘We have won Europe’s Leading Beach Destination ten times.

‘But to win the World’s Leading Beach is another level altogether when you consider the number of countries that have great beaches.’

Our Algarvian pals have pointed us in the direction of Praia de Cacela Velha.

It is a secluded beach with a shallow gradient that’s good for long walks and birding and marine spots.

While Seven Valleys Hanging Trail is a scenic trail that runs from Praia da Marinha to Praia de Vale Centeanes.

The trail offers panoramic views and you can stop at Praia da Marinha to see the stone arches and clear waters.

And Alvor is a long, blue flag beach with calm parts for families and on-shore breezes for kite-surfers.

Now while we always love to share the charms of the Algarve, there is a Portugal beyond its shores.

Sands of Portugal

And our old amigo and guide Jose Madomis would never allow us to pass without pushing the attractions of his beloved Coimbra and Portugal Centro.

So for those who are wondering then your young romantic couple here are pushing our case.

For the cover shot for Portugal’s award-winning beaches.

Well it’s awesome Avor. Check it out and…

MEET YOU ON THE BEACHES

Countries, Europe

Sagres and its beer, boats and birds

15th September 202415th September 2024 funtime65

You don’t need the adventurous spirit of a Henry the Navigator to drink in Sagres and its beer, boats and birds.

But it helps.

Millions of us who have sampled the Algarve, and keep going back for more, will have had an early introduction to Sagres.

The thirst-quenching pale lager dates back to 1940 when the brand was sent to represent Sociedade Central de Cervejas.

At the Portuguese World Exhibition in Lisbon in 1940, an ambitious and commendable project with a world war raging.

Salazar and Sagres

But then the Portuguese, and certainly not their own dictator General Salazar, weren’t about to let that spoil two very important anniversaries.

And three million marked the 800 years since the foundation of the country and 300 years of independence from Spain.

And took in the Monument of the Discoveries.

Dedicated to the Portuguese explorers Henry, Magellan, Da Gama who sailed off to see the world from Sagres.

Attendees at the PWE relaxed in a modernist restaurant and beer hall, now a nightclub, showcasing the new Sagres beer.

Which went out from the homeland Sagres to Gibraltar.

And then the Azores and the Overseas Territories of Angola, Cape Verde, Guinea Bissau, São Tomé and Príncipe, Timor, Goa, Macau and Mozambique.

Flying high

And us, those of us, who have finished many a night in Portugal with a refreshing Sagres.

Of course, long before the Portuguese navigators were charting the course for the rest of us to follow.

The birds who fly south to Africa for the winter were doing it as a matter of course.

All of which you can take in for yourself, although I could have done with My Own Little Ornithologist.

To tell me about the flight patterns of the Spoonbill in Ria Formosa National Park.

Although, of course, it doesn’t take a twitcher to work out their choice of eating utensil.

Spoonbills and Warblers

So, your Spoonbill is your starter for ten for the annual Birdwatching Festival in Sagres from 3-6 October.

We’re told that 169 species have been spotted during the festival over recent years.

Such as the Lanner Falcon (Falco biarmicus), the Rüppell’s Vulture (Gyps rueppelli), the Red-Breasted Flycatcher (Ficedula parva).

As well as the Yellow Browed Warbler (Phylloscopus inornatus) and many more.

All of whom we’ll raise a toast to with our favourite Portuguese bottle of lager.

And, of course, with all the big birds flying to Portugal there is no excuse for hopping on board.

Tag: https://visitalgarve.pt/

The cover shot for Portugal’s award-winning beaches