Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Algarve Tourism Plans
Over the years, many illegal (and dubiously built) dwellings have sprung up on the islands in the Algarve's Ria Formosa Nature Reserve.
After much arguing and infighting, it's been decided that many of them will have to be demolished. As part of the Polis (the overall plan for the Reserve), families will be rehoused as their homes come under the bulldozer. One only hopes that the new homes will be in sensible locations for men who make a subsistence living from fishing.
And much of the reasoning behind this plan is to boost Algarve tourism. Personally, I'd rather see the rambling outlines of the present homes than a committee's idea of what a tourist attraction should be.
After much arguing and infighting, it's been decided that many of them will have to be demolished. As part of the Polis (the overall plan for the Reserve), families will be rehoused as their homes come under the bulldozer. One only hopes that the new homes will be in sensible locations for men who make a subsistence living from fishing.
And much of the reasoning behind this plan is to boost Algarve tourism. Personally, I'd rather see the rambling outlines of the present homes than a committee's idea of what a tourist attraction should be.
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
Algarve on two wheels?
If that title is the question, then the answer must surely be: why not?
Let's face it, with a terrific climate and beautiful countryside, the Algarve is a great place to discover using just pedal power.
And, since the weather stays benign just about the whole year round, an off-season break when it's awful outside wherever you live could be 'just the ticket'.
I've done the research, written the page, and posted it on the 'Net...
... which means all you need to do is visit Algarve Cycling and plan your next vacation. There's even a tricycle option where you can explore Portimao and its locale.
And the next question must be: what are you waiting for?
Labels: algarve cycling, cycling routes, guided cycling
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Coastline Conundrum?
The news recently included information about the proposed new marina at Ferragudo.
Although it's really just a small fishing village, it's obviously smarting from the success of its rival-across-the-water, Portimao / Praia da Rocha.
The plans as published are extensive and will inevitably alter the nature of the place - probably irrevocably.
I suppose that it's part of Algarve's strategy to attract a wealthier sort of tourist: certainly, the sort of folk who own or rent large boats are likelier to have more money than the rest of us...
The trick is to keep them returning, of course. And one thing I've noticed about ships (or boats or whatever they're called) is that you can take them anywhere that has water.
I suppose the credit crunch is going to result in less visitors to Ferragudo in the next few years, but will the sailors it hopes to attract (if and when the marina is complete) repay the vast amount of money it'll cost?
Answers (if you're a trained economist) on a postcard to Algarve Beach Life - and thank you in advance for sharing your knowledge.
Although it's really just a small fishing village, it's obviously smarting from the success of its rival-across-the-water, Portimao / Praia da Rocha.
The plans as published are extensive and will inevitably alter the nature of the place - probably irrevocably.
I suppose that it's part of Algarve's strategy to attract a wealthier sort of tourist: certainly, the sort of folk who own or rent large boats are likelier to have more money than the rest of us...
The trick is to keep them returning, of course. And one thing I've noticed about ships (or boats or whatever they're called) is that you can take them anywhere that has water.
I suppose the credit crunch is going to result in less visitors to Ferragudo in the next few years, but will the sailors it hopes to attract (if and when the marina is complete) repay the vast amount of money it'll cost?
Answers (if you're a trained economist) on a postcard to Algarve Beach Life - and thank you in advance for sharing your knowledge.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Tourist Blues
I keep reading different accounts of what's going on in the tourism world, now that the Credit Crunch is a reality on both sides of the Atlantic.
One camp has it that Algarve Tourism is likely to suffer badly because of the Pound Sterling's slide against the Euro (15% in the last year!)
The other body of opinion is that the fuel surcharges will slam transatlantic flights, affecting Brazil, Venezuela, California and Florida among other popular destinations.
Rather like when the next General Election is going to be held, or whether the banks will increase interest rates or reduce them, there seem to be as many shades of opinion as there are grains of sand on Algarve beaches.
One thing's for sure, there must be some real bargains to be had out there, if those villas, apartments and hotels aren't getting their quota of tourists. Could be just the time to bag a great value Algarve vacation!
One camp has it that Algarve Tourism is likely to suffer badly because of the Pound Sterling's slide against the Euro (15% in the last year!)
The other body of opinion is that the fuel surcharges will slam transatlantic flights, affecting Brazil, Venezuela, California and Florida among other popular destinations.
Rather like when the next General Election is going to be held, or whether the banks will increase interest rates or reduce them, there seem to be as many shades of opinion as there are grains of sand on Algarve beaches.
One thing's for sure, there must be some real bargains to be had out there, if those villas, apartments and hotels aren't getting their quota of tourists. Could be just the time to bag a great value Algarve vacation!
Monday, December 24, 2007
Full-speed, backwards?
I should start by pointing out that I'm all in favour of ending discriminatory practices in the workplace but, it seems, the politicos, as usual, have managed to take things to extremes. Even to the extent where it works to the disadvantage of females - though I bet they won't admit it.
When they enact the latest bit of Euro-legislation around about now, it will "prohibit the direct or indirect sexual discrimination with regard to the provision of goods and services". So, what's wrong with that, you might ask...
... Well, for starters it will mean that women will no longer receive cheaper quotations for vehicle insurance on the grounds that they're safer (and better) drivers than men. Someone please explain to me how that's helpful?
I'm sure the members of European Commission (yet again the genius(es) behind this latest master-stroke) actually mean well. It's just that they don't seem able to think things through to a logical conclusion. Otherwise they'd have excluded such obvious reverse-discrimination from the legislation.
What we patently need is more females in the European Commission (to increase the chance of common sense prevailing) but this legislation will probably prevent anyone trying to bring that about as it would be sexual discrimination.
To paraphrase that ad for the movie 'Alien': In Euro-land, no-one can hear you scream.
(Which is just as well, really).
When they enact the latest bit of Euro-legislation around about now, it will "prohibit the direct or indirect sexual discrimination with regard to the provision of goods and services". So, what's wrong with that, you might ask...
... Well, for starters it will mean that women will no longer receive cheaper quotations for vehicle insurance on the grounds that they're safer (and better) drivers than men. Someone please explain to me how that's helpful?
I'm sure the members of European Commission (yet again the genius(es) behind this latest master-stroke) actually mean well. It's just that they don't seem able to think things through to a logical conclusion. Otherwise they'd have excluded such obvious reverse-discrimination from the legislation.
What we patently need is more females in the European Commission (to increase the chance of common sense prevailing) but this legislation will probably prevent anyone trying to bring that about as it would be sexual discrimination.
To paraphrase that ad for the movie 'Alien': In Euro-land, no-one can hear you scream.
(Which is just as well, really).
Labels: Europe, scream, sex discrimination
Monday, October 08, 2007
O Futuro de Albufeira
I read where the popularly-elected mayor of Albufeira states that he thinks he's spotted a better class of tourist this year...
Presumably, more of them are wearing top hats and Eton collars? I think his comment refers to the type of tourist that spends more, stays at 5-star hotels and eats at more expensive restaurants.
Whether that's the life-blood of Albufeira in the future I don't know. I can see how fewer people using the local services while spending more per head would suit the local authority, but I can't imagine the owners of bed-and-breakfast establishments, pensões, and private apartments would necessarily agree!
Just to show that his heart's in the right place really, Sr. Silva (the aforementioned mayor) points out that in the ongoing struggle between local authorities and national government, he doesn't always see eye-to-eye with Prime Minister Socrates.
In particular, he thinks that central government will eventually impose road tolls on major highways like the A22 (Via do Infante east-west motorway). This in spite of the governing party's opposition to such tolls before it came to power. (Ah, that refrain repeated throughout the entire democratic world...)
Asked whether loss of votes within the region might worry the Government, Sr. Silva is quoted as opining that there aren't enough votes in the region to bother the men in power. This is because larger cities like Sintra contain more votes than does the whole of Algarve.
Despite which, the mayor seemed fairly upbeat about the future of Albufeira, where new hospitals and shopping complexes can be expected in the next few years. He was also proud of the Albufeira area's 15 Blue Flag beaches, and its ability to cope with visitor influxes that peak at 800% of the city's normal populace.
You bet, Sr. Silva - vive Albufeira!
Presumably, more of them are wearing top hats and Eton collars? I think his comment refers to the type of tourist that spends more, stays at 5-star hotels and eats at more expensive restaurants.
Just the sort of scruffy, low-rent tourist
that Albufeira won't miss...?
that Albufeira won't miss...?
Whether that's the life-blood of Albufeira in the future I don't know. I can see how fewer people using the local services while spending more per head would suit the local authority, but I can't imagine the owners of bed-and-breakfast establishments, pensões, and private apartments would necessarily agree!
Just to show that his heart's in the right place really, Sr. Silva (the aforementioned mayor) points out that in the ongoing struggle between local authorities and national government, he doesn't always see eye-to-eye with Prime Minister Socrates.
In particular, he thinks that central government will eventually impose road tolls on major highways like the A22 (Via do Infante east-west motorway). This in spite of the governing party's opposition to such tolls before it came to power. (Ah, that refrain repeated throughout the entire democratic world...)
Asked whether loss of votes within the region might worry the Government, Sr. Silva is quoted as opining that there aren't enough votes in the region to bother the men in power. This is because larger cities like Sintra contain more votes than does the whole of Algarve.
Despite which, the mayor seemed fairly upbeat about the future of Albufeira, where new hospitals and shopping complexes can be expected in the next few years. He was also proud of the Albufeira area's 15 Blue Flag beaches, and its ability to cope with visitor influxes that peak at 800% of the city's normal populace.
You bet, Sr. Silva - vive Albufeira!
Labels: Albufeira, algarve tourism
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Too $?*% Busy!
It's amazing how, now that we live in Algarve, we're struggling to do as much as we managed when we were here on vacation!
I mentioned, on the Algarve events (What's On) page, that there was a spectacular meeting scheduled between four schools of Spanish dance. Great, I thought, that'll be a wonderful evening out...
... Not! Things crop up when you live in a place - and they seem to crop up just when you don't want them. Well, the Spanish dance event came and went with me stuck doing something else (less enjoyable, naturally)!
So, I've resolved to be more selfish. In future, if I decide that I want to check out an event, then it's going to take Armageddon (or something fairly important, anyway) to keep me away.
I didn't move here just to miss out on interesting stuff taking place only a few kilometres away. And if life gets in the way, it's just going to have to step aside for an evening or two!
I mentioned, on the Algarve events (What's On) page, that there was a spectacular meeting scheduled between four schools of Spanish dance. Great, I thought, that'll be a wonderful evening out...... Not! Things crop up when you live in a place - and they seem to crop up just when you don't want them. Well, the Spanish dance event came and went with me stuck doing something else (less enjoyable, naturally)!
So, I've resolved to be more selfish. In future, if I decide that I want to check out an event, then it's going to take Armageddon (or something fairly important, anyway) to keep me away.
I didn't move here just to miss out on interesting stuff taking place only a few kilometres away. And if life gets in the way, it's just going to have to step aside for an evening or two!
