Algarve Beach Life Diaries

I read with sadness of the death by drowning of a British futures-trading millionaire. It happened at Castelejo beach in the Vila do Bispo area, which is popular with surfers and is subject to large waves and strong currents.

The victim, in his 40s, had reportedly rescued his teenage son who had been swept out from the shallows, but could not make it back himself.

It's sad news of course, but its ramifications were amplified for one resort establishment, the Vila Lara Hotel, near Lagoa, when British newspapers wrongly reported that the tragedy had occurred off the beachfront there.

The hotel management are understandably upset to have been wrongly associated with such a sad event, although it was true that the victim had been staying at Vila Lara. What a shame that the UK Press didn’t bother to check their facts before rushing to print.

Of course, seawater and danger go hand in hand, but Algarve beaches are generally pretty safe. It would take more than some scare stories in the British newspapers to put me off my next Algarve vacation!