ACADEMIA DE MÚSICA DE LAGOS of Lagos

The ACADEMIA DE MÚSICA DE LAGOS of Lagos has a very good reputation.

Website here:

http://www.academiamusicalagos.net/

Address:

Rua Dr. José Cabrita – Rossio de S. João
Apartado 411 – 8601-905 Lagos
Tel : [ 282 082 786 ] Fax : [ 282 081 905]
Telemóvel : [ 919 804 662 ]

http://www.academiamusicalagos.net/index.php?lg=1&idmenu=25

They are near the bus station in Lagos in new recently custom-built installations..

Videos here:

http://www.academiamusicalagos.net/index.php?lg=1&idmenu=8#99

Driving from Faro Airport to Seville

I would estimate Faro to Seville by car, dependent on traffic on the roads out of Faro, and on the approaches to Seville at 2hrs to 2hrs:15mins.

I have done Lagos to Seville non-stop in 2hrs 35mins.

Be aware that the approaches and entry to Seville itself can be a bit of a nightmare for the uninitiated and that it is very difficult to drive in the centre of the city.

For the centre, much better to park the car at somewhere like Colon in the underground car park and walk/bus it from there.

For return car hire into Spain from Faro airport, try Luzcar - www.luzcar.com. They do not charge for taking cars over the border to Spain.

Alternatively, for one way Faro Airport to Seville try the following guys, who I now understand are again able to offer one ways from Faro Airport to Seville, after the summer's capers.

http://www.iberiacarhire.com/

lisbon to peniche

The following company does transfers from Lisbon Airport to Peniche but it is quite expensive:

http://www.low-cost-transfers.com/lisbon-airport/index.php?goloc=202&transfer=Peniche

The cheapest way by public transport is to take a Rede - Expressos bus from Lisbon Sete Rios Coach Station. To get there from Lisbon Airport take the following bus which leaves from outside the Arrivals hall:

(Aeroshuttle - Copy of note from current Lisbon Airport website.

- Aeroshuttle (CARRIS Nº96) - Available everyday, every 30 minutes between 7am and 11pm, the aeroshuttle connects Gare Oriente - Airport - Entrecampos - Sete Rios Coach Station - Praça de Espanha.

Tickets (3,50€) can be purchased onboard and also in the Tourism Office at arrivals (public area).

Tel. +351 213 582 334)

The following is the current timetable for Rede Expressos Buses from Lisbon Sete Rios to Peniche (Click on Image to enlarge):

Transportation between Lisbon Cruise Terminal and Lisbon Airport

There are no direct public transport links between the Lisbon Alcantara Cruise Terminal and Lisbon Airport. The distance from the quayside to the nearest station is at least 600m. You would then need to get a train from Alcantara Station to Cais de Sodre station and then get the Carris Aerobus no 91 that runs between that station and Lisbon Airport.

If you have luggage I do not recommend this option. You will be better to get a taxi from the quayside straight to Lisbon Airport.

If you are in a group arranging for a private minivan shuttle may be the answer.

The following company may be able to assist you.

http://www.low-cost-transfers.com/lisbon-airport

Lagos, Algarve, Portugal - Messe Militar/Military Mess

As has been mentioned above there is a full Portuguese Armed Forces Messe Militar/ Military Mess in Lagos, comprising:

- Officer's Mess - By the Slave Market.
- NCO's/Private's Mess - (By the Bombeiros/Fire Station)
- Camp Site (All ranks, I think! ) (By the Bombeiros/Fire Station)
(Web site here: http://www.manutmil.pt/modules.php?name=Lagos&Estabelecimento=5)

The General Directorate responsible for these units have been becoming stricter in who is allowed to use the facilities and have this year beefed up security.

As far as I know, the facilities are available to:

1) Portuguese Military and ex-Military.
2) Members of certain NATO armed forces. (I have seen a lot of Dutch registered vehicles there)

I know that, at the beginning of this year, the OC was Comandante Gomes. He does not speak much English.

Messe Militar de Lagos
Tel: (00351) 282 780 430
Fax:(00351) 282 780 439
email: mmlagos@netvisao.pt

If you are not getting much joy contacting them directly, I would contact your nation's military attaché at your nation's embassy in Lisbon and ask them what the form is.

Hyper/Supmarkets in the Costa da Luz/Huelva Region of Andalucia, Spain

There is a Carrefour at Cartaya about 40kms from VRSA.

Address as follows:

Hipermercado Carrefour Cartaya

Dirección:
Antigua Carretera Huelva-Ayamonte
Polígono Industrial La Estación
21450 Cartaya (Huelva)

Teléfono: 959 625 700

Horario Comercial:
L - S: de 10:00 a 22:00
Festivos: de 10:00 a 22:00

There is also a large Carrefour Hypermarket in Huelva itself:

Dirección:
Ronda Exterior Zona Sur s/n
21007 Huelva (ver mapa)

Teléfono: 959 211 000
Fax: 959 211 007

Horario Comercial:
L - S: de 10:00 a 22:00
Festivos: de 10:00 a 22:00

The nearest El Corte Ingles Dept. Store/Hipercor(Hypermarket) Complex is in Huelva:

Centro Comercial Costa Luz.
Alcalde Federico Molina, 1
Tel.: 959 282 000. Ext. 234.
Fax: 959 280 259
Restaurante: 959 282 000
Directorio de plantas

Faro Airport to Vilamoura by bus

There are no direct buses from Faro Airport to Vilamoura. One either has to take a taxi or a private airport transfer.

One can also take a bus from Faro Airport to Faro City Bus Station and from there get a bus to Vilamoura. However, frequencies are not that good.

Cubsur has the times for the above services on his excellent website here:
http://thomasallen.home.sapo.pt/travel/003.htm

For Faro to Vilamoura services see his site here:
http://thomasallen.home.sapo.pt/travel/002w.htm

Loulé Aerodrome Project

If one reads this page on the Loule Camara site (http://www.cm-loule.pt/index.php?option=com_noticias&id=369) and the reports in the Portugues press, this project in Loule refers to a new general aviation airfield handling light aircraft and exec jets, not a commercial airport.

One of the reasons for siting it next to Cimpor is that is will be close to Vilamoura so that the Hoi-polloi can park their exec jets. I understand that will be like the one at Tires, Cascais outside Lisbon. (http://www.aerodromo-cascais.pt/)

This certainly would free up landing slots at Faro for commercial flights. I think, from memory, that Faro can handle up to 22 flight movements per hour.

Getting the smaller aircraft out of there would certainly allow for more commercial traffic at Faro, particularly, in peak summer periods.

Lagos vs Faro - Hostels and How to get here

I would recommend Lagos any day over Faro,

Faro, although the capital of the Algarve, is really an administrative centre and not a travel destination. The old centre around the Sé (Cathedral) is small.

Lagos, however retains the feel of a historic Portuguese town while having great beaches as well as restaurants and night life. The west coast, if you have a car, is well worth exploring.

I must declare an interest here....I live in Lagos.

As regards hostel accommodation, the Pensão MarAzul is great but be aware that a dirty great big car park is being built right behind it at present.

If you are hostelling and on a budget have a look at the following.

http://3monkeys.me.uk/monkeyhouse/
(Good food at night in their cafe next door )

http://www.risingcockhostel.com/
(In-crowd destination - But you are always well looked after by Mama)

http://juventude.gov.pt/Portal/Lazer/pt/PLagos.htm
State-Run Youth Hostel

http://www.goldcoasthostel.com/
Gold Coast Hostel

For information on getting to Lagos, have a look at the articles on the following page on my blog:

http://barlaventostravelblog.blogspot.com/search?q=Lisbon+to+Lagos

Cascais vs Algarve

You have not stated when you are travelling. I live in Lagos and would always recommend a visit here.

However, you are in Lisbon for only a week. Cascais is only 25km from Lisbon and although the sea front is perhaps not as natural as Lagos, it is very pleasant.

To be direct, I think that if you are visiting Lisbon in the run up to winter, there are other places better worth visiting than Lagos at this time of year given the travel time.

You will need at least 3 days in and around the Lisbon/Sintra area. I would recommend you consider alternative days trips (by train) to Porto and/or Coimbra and by Bus to Evora. There are historic towns such as Obidos, Alcobaça and Batalha which can be easily visited in a day from Lisbon on organised tours.

Lagos to Morocco

The only logical and direct way to get from Lagos to Morocco via Algeciras on a budget is by bus via Seville.

1) Lagos to Seville (Price one way € 20:00)

Take the twice daily coach service from Lagos to Seville Plaza das Armas bus staion.

Lagos Sevilha 06:30 13:00
Lagos Sevilha 13:45 20:15

2) Seville (Prado ) to Algeciras (Fares unavailable but will not be expensive.)

There are at least two companies operating this route:

TG Comes

Timetable here: http://www.tgcomes.es/horarios_33.htm

Linesur also operates this route but no online timetables.


You will need to get a local C4 bus between Estacion Plaza das Armas to El Prado Bus Station which runs from just after 6 in the morning till 23:30.

Faro to Malaga

There are no direct flights between Faro and Malaga or between Faro and airports in mainland Spain. To fly you would have to route via Lisbon and Madrid as the TAP/Air Portugal direct flights are expensive.

The only public transport route between Faro and Malaga is by bus.

Alsa.es have a daily departure as follows:

FARO dept: 01:45
MALAGA arr: 08:45
Current Price: €40.00

It is also possible to take the twice daily DAMAS/EVA buses from Faro to Seville and then get another bus to Malaga.

For more information see Cubsur's very useful website here:

http://thomasallen.home.sapo.pt/travel/001.htm

Horse riding on the Algarve

Not sure one is allowed to ride on many beaches any more in Portugal.

I have not seen many Lusitanos down here around Lagos. They tend to hang out more up in the Alentejo.

However, try contacting the Harmann's at QPA.

Website here:

http://www.qpahorseriding.com/

They should be able to help.

New Route from Summer 2010 - Manchester - Madeira

Finally, a announcement not from Planet Ryanair!! :))

Jet2.com have announced they will be operating Manchester to Madeira from Summer 2010.

See:

http://www.crainsmanchesterbusiness.co.uk/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090910/FREE/909109995/1175

and (in Portuguese)

http://www.presstur.com/site/news.asp?news=21895

Lagos - restaurant suggestions

Depends where you are staying and if you have a car.

One of my favorite local Portuguese restaurants is Prato Cheio. See this article on my blog which has a link to it.

http://barlaventostravelblog.blogspot.com/2009/01/restaurante-o-prato-cheio-lagos.html

If you like fish, try a bacalhau (cod) dish, if its on the menu. The Portuguese have at least 365 ways of preparing them. My favorite is Bacalhau à Bras.

Many Portuguese restaurants have "Pratos do dia" - (Daily Plates) or Menu of the Day. Usually freshly cooked and very good. I would recommend avoid dishes with "Grão" or meat dishes called "Rojões" until you acclimatise.

Another good local restaurant is "Os Asinhas".

Map ref here:

http://mapas.sapo.pt/?M=37.096817,-8.673522,16,Z;37.096817,-8.673522,As+Asinhas,1

Estrada da Ponta da Piedade,

lote 24, loja A

Lagos

The two restaurants above are outside the city wall and away from the tourist centre...which is why I like them! :)))))))

Lisbon airport to Lourinha - Porto Dinheiro

As regards the Lisbon to Lourinha segment, you will have to get to Lisbon Sete Rios Bus Station as no long-distance buses leave from Lisbon Airport.

To get from the Airport to the Bus Station you will need to catch the Aeroshuttle Bus (CARRIS Bus Nº96) in the direction of Sete Rios Bus Station and Praça de Espanha. This operates daily, every 30 minutes between 7am and 11pm.

You will then need to catch a Rede Expressos Bus as follows:

Lisbon Lourinha
Sete
Rios
Bus
Station
Dept: Arr:

13:30 14:40 Daily Service
15:45 16:55 Daily Service

There is a local bus going towards Torres Vedras operated by Barraqueiro that leaves Lourinha at 16:45 and arrives in Ribamar at 16:55. Ribamar appears to be the closest point with a bus stop to Porto Dinheiro.

There does not appear to be any suitable early morning return bus the following Saturday.

Return:

Lourinha Lisbon Sete Rios
Dept: Arr:

07:25 08:35 Daily Service

Lisbon to the Algarve, good places to stop en route?

It depends where you are heading to in the Algarve.

If you heading to the Lagos end you could come of the A2 Motorway at Marateca, head down the old Lisbon Algarve road (IC1), turn right just after Messejana onto the N283 and follow the road through Odemira, (Country town) S. Teotonio, Aljezur (Small Castle) to Lagos. This is a normal 2-lane road with 90km/h speed limit and windy in parts but you will see a lot of the Alentejo.

If you are heading down to the Central Algarve, you could come of the A2 Motorway at Marateca, head down the old Lisbon Algarve road (IC1) and follow it all the way down to Albufeira. There are a couple of good restaurant/cafes to stop in Mimosa. My favorite is the first on the right running south. (Always forget the name). You could also come of at Ourique, (See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Ourique)

Best way of getting to Lagos from Malaga

alsa.es bus from Malaga to Seville Prado Bus Station. Local town bus to connect with Damas/EVA from Seville Plaza das Armas Bus Station. Allow minimum one hour for changing bus stations.

Depart: Arrive:

MALAGA SEVILLA(P) 11:00 13:45

Sevilha Lagos 16:15 20:45

Nicest resort in Algarve close to Faro

Be aware that there is a spinal motorway (A22 - Via de Infante), that runs the best part of the length of the Algarve.

Consequently, all towns and resorts from Vila Real de Stª. Antonio to Lagos lie within 60 to 65 minutes by car from Faro Airport which is near the centre of the region.

I am sure that the gang here will be up with all sorts of suggestions in this area. I live in Lagos so I am biased but its one of the towns in the Algarve that retains its traditional character.

I know a lot of irish folk have recently been staying here at the Marina Club. (http://www.marinaclub.pt/).

Also have a look at the new Vila Galé Lagos Meia Praia.

www.vilagale.pt/pages/hoteis/index.php?lang=2

They have had promotions on recently.

Another town to try is Tavira, which again has a more traditional character.

Getting to Luz de Tavira by bus

Have a look at the bus timetables on Cubsur's Site here:

http://thomasallen.home.sapo.pt/travel/015.htm

killing in alvor

I saw reference to that, this morning in the Irish press, but they just said it was a town in the Algarve and that a man had died!

Link here in the Irish Times!

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2009/0907/breaking62.htm

This is terrible!

Article here in Portuguese saying that persons speaking Brazilian portuguese were reported in the area.

http://dn.sapo.pt/inicio/portugal/interior.aspx?content_id=1354704&seccao=Sul

It also reports that the first report to the authorities was when an ambulance was called at 03:41 in the morning.

Also (in Portuguese):

http://www.correiomanha.pt/Noticia.aspx?channelid=00000010-0000-0000-0000-000000000010&contentid=4A3CE87D-DA75-4A30-AC11-F411E7857A27

Folks, be very careful in any town in any holiday
destination when out and about at 04:00 a.m., particularly if you are alone.

East Midlands to Faro

Bmibaby www.bmibaby.com operate this route a couple of times a week. However, be careful as Lufthansa are taking over BMI and may sell-off Bmibaby.

Then as you mentioned there is Ruinair.

It is possible that jet2.com may step in. They operate from EMA to Greek and Turkish Destinations. At present, they only operate from Leeds Bradford and Manchester to Faro.

Thomsonfly operate Doncaster - Faro weekly except between November and March. See: http://flights.thomson.co.uk/thomson/en-GB/timetable/findbyroute?departure=DSA&destination=FAO

See this article here:

http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/news/Airline-easyJet-axe-jobs-East-Midlands-Airport/article-1311325-detail/article.html

Travel from Lisbon to Portimao

This depends on which route you wish to take.

By the A2 Motorway toll road/A22 freeway just less than three hours with one stop.

By the coastal route via Marateca, Grandola, Mimosa, Odemira, Odeceixe, Aljezur, Lagos about 4 to 4,5 hours.

By the old IC1 national road/ A22 freeway via Marateca, Grandola, Mimosa, Ourique, Vale Praiaso, Portimão about 4 hours.

Algarve Weather

There are only two repeat two weather stations in the Algarve.....Faro Airport and Sagres!

For example "Auntie" has a weather report for Lagos but is actually based on readings for Sagres. Sagres and environs, sticking out into the Atlantic has a micro-climate all of its own.....and often bears no relationship to prevailing conditions in Lagos 35 kms away.

Even the Portuguese Met service at www.meteo.pt bases its forecasting on these stations. Given the size of the Algarve there is therefore every chance that forecasts will not be accurate.

Anna AERO article on Ryanair Porto Base

See here:

http://www.anna.aero/2009/09/04/ryanairs-new-portuguese-base-in-porto-serves-22-destinations-five-routes-served-at-least-daily/

My comments:

Of particular note, is the Porto to Faro route.

This is only the second time that an non-Portuguese Airline has been given traffic rights to operate domestic flights within Portugal. The first was a year ago when Easyjet began operating Lisbon to Funchal, Madeira after years of complaints from residents of Maderia about TAP/Air Portugal’s high prices and monopoly on that route.

Although much demanded, no airline has previously operated Porto to Faro. This has meant that it has been faster to get to UK and German airports from Faro than to the north of Portugal. By air, one has had to transit Lisbon on TAP/Air Portugal or take a 7/8 hour train or bus ride between the two regions.

Apart from tourists and families, I suspect that the biggest demand may be from University Students travelling North and South as there is a fairly large University in Faro.

I hope the route succeeds, but reserve my judgement. Two years ago, Ryanair launched services from Spain. The Madrid to Faro route should have been successful but was pulled after 8 months owing to only 48% average loadings.

My opinion, for what it is worth, was that the route was not publicised enough in the local and expat media in the Algarve and the far south-west of Spain around Huelva, showing Madrid as destination for week-end breaks. Many people were not aware of the service till it was too late.

Nor was Madrid Barajas promoted as an airline hub access point with onward access to many more destinations than Lisbon. Finally, the route was initiated as a daily service and then frequencies were reduced. It should have been the other way around.

I hope that the same mistakes will not be made with the Porto route. It needs to be publicised in the local Algarve Portuguese and Expat media. As regards the Algarve portuguese media, this needs to include billboard adverts near Faro Airport, and advertising on local tv/radio as many more locals listen to radio and watch national TV than read papers.

By the way, the Algarve (Faro FAO), still needs the Faro - Madrid route back!

Hotels - Halfway between Bordeaux and the Algarve

Depends on your budget!

There is a Formule 1 on the South Side of Valladolid on the old Madrid Road.

In Salamanca, there is an Ibis near the city centre.

Both are in the town and require one to come of the motorway.

The Valladolid one has outside parking while the IBIS in Salamanca has paid underground parking.

http://www.accorhotels.com/gb/hotel-3693-formule-1-valladolid/index.shtml

and

http://www.accorhotels.com/gb/hotel-3672-ibis-salamanca/index.shtml

I did the run Lagos (Algarve), Seville, Salamanca, Valladolid, Bilbao, Bordeaux, Rennes, Carhaix (Britanny), in May this year. My first overnight stop was at the Formule 1 in Valladolid. Its very basic but functional.

Stayed at the Salamanca IBIS a couple of years ago and it was v. respectable. BTW, Salamaca merits a couple of hours wander if you are at all interested in History. Some lovely architecture.

BTW, forgot to mention that it will be cheaper from the point of view of tolls and fuel to run Salamanca, Caceres, Merida, Seville, Huelva, Albufeira. It is motorway all the, apart from about 20km south of Salamanca which is currently being upgraded.

Ryanair - Change to Baggage Policy

Ryanair have announced today that they are increasing their minimum checked hold baggage allowance for passengers to 2 bags each weighing 15kg.

However, as always with Ryanair this comes at a cost.......

See:

http://www.ryanair.com/site/EN/news.php?yr=09&month=sep&story=gen-en-040909

Tickets for Autrodromo do Algarve

You are quite right!

Many local web sites here are glossy but in terms of user interaction and useful information presentation they are the pits.

http://autodromoalgarve.com.pt is no exception.

I don't know of any agents who do tickets. There seem to be some indications on the web to the fact that FNAC (Portugal only?), Media Markt and El Corte Ingles may sell tickets for events but its not clear.

I suggest that you email or call this person whose details are shown on the contacts page:

Members & Tickets’ Information

Name: Catarina Azevedo

Email: catarinaazevedo@parkalgar.com

Phone: (+351) 925446084

I would write/call in English. Most folk down here in that type of position speak at least some english.

Granada to Albuferia

The fastest and most direct way from Granada to Albufeira is by bus. There are no direct train services nor flights. Flights would mean Granada to Madrid to Lisbon to Faro and then bus/cab/transfer to Albufeira.

Unfortunately, the most direct daily service operated by alsa.es gets into Vale Paraiso/Ferreiras Bus Station at 02:30 in the night. It is unlikely there would be local buses or taxis to take you the 8kms to Albufeira at that time of night.

Consquently, you best option would be as follows:

1) Alsa.es - Granada to Seville (El Prado)

Dept: Arr:
Granada Seville
03:00 06:40
12:00 14:45

From El Prado Bus Station to Estacion Plaza das Armas I would recommend the C4 Bus in which runs from just after 6 in the morning till 23:30.

2) DAMAS/EVA Bus from Seville Plaza das Armas bus station to Albufeira Bus Station. (Daily)

Dept Arr
Seville Albufeira
07:30 10:00
16:15 19:40

You will have to buy two separate tickets for each sector as they are operated by different companies. Tickets for the Seville to Albufeira service cannot be bought online and can only be purchased in Seville so allow time to buy your ticket.

Ryanair - New Porto Base

Ryanair's new Porto base opened officially in the presence of the Portuguese Prime Minister, Eng. José Socrates and Michael O'Leary, Chieftain-in-chief of Ryanair!

Parlamentoglobal.pt has a video report here:

http://www.parlamentoglobal.pt/parlamentoglobal/multimedia/video/2009/9/3/030909+socrates+ryanair.htm

Interestingly, O'Leary specifically mentioned in the above interview the possibility of future bases in Faro and possibly Lisbon.

Here is the videonews link from RTP 1, the State Portuguese Channel (Interview with O'Leary in English):



Let's see?

Google StreetView 's famous red Opel Corsa - Life in Portugal!

Enjoy!



Thanks to Sergio Bastos

Easyjet - Reduction in Luton and East Midlands Service

Easyjet have today announced a 20% reduction in the number of flights from Luton and the closure of its East Midlands base.

This may affect flights to Faro from both airports.

See this link for more:

http://www.heartdunstable.co.uk/Article.asp?id=1483396

Update: BBC Report here

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8235556.stm

hotel in faro near airport

This post probably would have been better posted on the Algarve Forum.

As regards a good restaurant in Faro, try the Adega Nova.

Details here:

http://barlaventostravelblog.blogspot.com/search?q=Adega+Nova

Also have a look at this hotel, also only three short blocks from the Station.

http://www.residencialalgarve.com/

You asked for a hotel near the airport. To be honest there aren't any at present. The nearest is in Montenegro 2 km away. The Faro Ibis is between the Airport and Faro. One can walk from there to town but it is a bit of a hike.

If you are taking the train to Funcheira, you would be better off getting a hotel in town from where you can explore Faro and easily get to the Station as the local buses in Faro are nothing to get excited about.

Lagos - Seville Bus Service - Winter 2009/2010

Just checked this evening with the ticket office at Lagos Bus Station:

The Damas/Eva Lagos to Seville bus service winter 2009/2010 timetable starts 6 Sept. From that date there will be only two departures from Lagos at 06:30 and 13:45.

Bussing from Lagos to Sevilla Spain

The schedules for the Lisbon to Seville route may be shortly due to revert to two services per day winter service. If it happens,(end of Sept.) this is likely to be the longer service.

You cannot buy tickets online.

You should purchase tickets on arrival in Lagos, the day before or get to the bus station at least 30 mins before departure.

Usually, however, there is no problem in getting seats the same day.

Late Night Eating - Lagos

Try the Adega da Marina on the Avenida. Their kitchen stays open till around 01:00 a.m. This where we go when we get back to Lagos late if we've been to Seville or Lisbon.

Address:

Avenida dos Descobrimentos, nº 35
8600 Lagos – Algarve

Half way along the Avenida.

Google Maps link here:

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=105031136029483985880.0004727e5603e39684dbe&ll=37.106272,-8.674237&spn=0.002019,0.004823&t=h&z=18