Discover the Real Algarve!
The Sotavento: its Original Charm
Nowadays the Western Algarve is
largely spoiled by mass tourism. To our sandy Algarve (Sotavento) come
discriminating visitors, where the coast is not plastered with hotels
and the beaches are not overrun by crowds. Ferry boats, beach railways
and water-taxis provide easy access to the local beaches.
Away from the mainstream, the the original Algarve can be discovered around
Tavira. Narrow, often non-asphalt roads wind through orange orchards and
past fields with old olive and almond trees, cork and holm oaks. In winter,
wild flowers bloom prolifically from December onwards.
Spring announces itself in February with the almond blossom for which
the region is famous, and in March, the hills of the Serra are covered
with the big white flowers of the rock-rose. From May at the latest the
white and pink of the wild oleander comes into flower, the striking lilac-coloured
jacaranda trees and the full purple of the bougainvilleas surrounding
the white painted houses.
[ Ria Formosa
] [ Tavira ]