Algarve - Thoughts on property prices vis a vis the Spanish Market

It is certainly possible that the Spanish property market turbulence
will hit the Algarve.

The question is how!

a) Will punters looking to buy on the Iberian Peninsula prefer to buy
in Portugal, as the same uncertainty on illegal construction currently
dominating the Spanish market, does not apply? If so it may have a
small upwards effect on Algarve Property Prices.

or

b) Will the surplus property portfolio in Spain result in a
substantial discounting in prices there. This could then result in a
rush to buy in Spain and decrease interest in the Algarve/Portugal
with a resultant small downwards effect on Algarve Property Prices.

It also necessary to factor in two other factors:

c) The current US recession and downwards trends in major world
economies. Credit lenders are going to tighten credit substantially in
my opinion, thus reducing the number of buyers around. This should
have a further downwards effect on world and Algarve Property Prices.

d) The Algarve itself - The Algarve is a strange economic animal where
often normal economic rules do not apply. A lot of money is invested
here but never gets spent here and just disappears...with the
resultant low wages, pressure on small business etc.

Secondly, developers here seem to have deep pockets and are prepared
historically and at present to sit on empty new builds for years
rather than sell at reduced price. The same is true of the
"second-hand" market. Local Portuguese and long time expats appear to
be prepared to sit on empty propertys for years rather than sell at
reduced price.

Overall, I think the next 2 - 3 years will see downwards pressures on
property prices particularly at the lower end of the market.

Prices will only see substantial increases if the World Economy turns round
quickly or if there is a major exodus of expats from Spain to
Portugal.

Finally, don't forget that it is not only the Spanish Expat market
that has an impact on the Algarve Property Market.

The Croatian, Bulgarian, French, Greek Islands, Cyprus, Canaries, Cape
Verde and Florida Markets also all have an influence.

In the long/medium term, Algarve property prices should recover and
maintain their value because of the Algarve's ease of access to key
markets viz U.K., Ireland, Germany, and the Benelux. However, also
bear in mind that property values here may never accurately reflect
final resale price because one may be required to drop a price 10%-15%
for a quick sale.

Seville to Coimbra

Hi,

The fastest, most direct and best way will be an overnight bus operated by www.alsa.es.

Dept: SEVILLA - 19/04/2008 - 23:59
Arr: COIMBRA - 20/04/2008 - 09:30

Price: € 50.00

There is then a train leaving from Coimbra Parque Station at 10:19 arriving Miranda do Corvo at 10:54.

There are no direct train services or low cost flights between Seville and Lisbon or Porto. The above solution is about the only direct effective service.

If you go to my blog at:

http://barlaventostravelblog.blogspot.com/

You will find a copy of this answer.

Below you will find a png file with the alsa.es timetable for the route Seville - Coimbra. If you click it you should be able to view it.

Also on the blog if you scroll down on the right till you come to the panel:

>> Algarve & Portugal - Travel Transport Links

You will find a link entitled

"Train Timetable - Coimbra - Miranda do Corvo"

Click on it and you will be able to download in pdf format the official timetable for the train service.

Hope this helps

Dance Algarve 2008

Anyone wanting to know what I have been up to the past few months and why postings have been sparse can now know. I have been helping in the organisation of the following event to take place in Lagos between 19th and 23rd March 2008.

Of general interest to the public, will be the performances by the Cape Junior Ballet, from Cape Town, South Africa in the on Thursday 21st March, and Friday 22nd March at 20.30 which on the Thursday will include a Mime workshop given by John Mowat and Leonor Keil.

Anyone visiting or in the Lagos area on those days can attend. Tickets will be €5:00.

More info see below and or
click here!

PRESS RELEASE.

DANCE ALGARVE 2008

Hosted by Associação da Dança Iberíca, with the support of the Cultural Division of the Town Council of Lagos, Dance Algarve 2008 is under the direction of Gwen Franco, Caroline Costa and Gillian Anthony,Dance Algarve 2008 is a four day course, to be held between Wednesday, 19th March 2008 and Saturday, 22nd March 2008 over Easter 2008.

The course is conceived especially for students of classical ballet, and will include classes in ballet, repertoire, jazz/musical and mime. Over 100 students from throughout Portugal, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy and South Africa have registered to participate giving the event an exciting international dimension that will bring a new aspect to the long cultural history of Lagos. It will also give many students of ballet, their first opportunity to interact with and learn from professional dancers in the field.

Dance Algarve 2008 is honoured that Sr. Armando Jorge and D. Margarida Sá Fialho, both prominent personalities in the classical dance world in Portugal, have graciously agreed to be patrons of the event.

The course will be led by an international faculty that includes:

>> Francesca Filpi, First Artist, The Royal Ballet, Covent Garden, London, United Kingdom
>> Kenn Burke, Director of Dance, Aberdeen International Youth Festival, Scotland
>> Dianne Cheesman, Director, Cape Junior Ballet, Cape Town, South Africa
>> Silke Nuhn, Kieler Institut für Tanz, Kiel, Germany
>> John Mowat, Mime & Theatre Director, London and Lisbon.
>> Bernadete Bishop, Director of theatre and Master in Creative Techniques, Portugal

The event will take place at the Centro Cultural de Lagos, a purpose built arts complex in the centre of Lagos, housing studios, exhibition venues and a Theatre.

In the evenings, on Thursday 21st March, and Friday 22nd March at 20.30 there will be special events, including a workshop given by John Mowat and Leonor Keil, and performances by Cape Junior Ballet Company, Cape Town, South Africa.

On Saturday, 22nd March, 2008 at 18:00, there will be a final presentation, “On Stage!” in which students participating will present examples of their work to guests and parents in the Theatre of the Centro Cultural de Lagos.

Anyone wishing to attend any of the events can contact the association through the contact details listed below.

Associação da Dança Ibérica
Apartado 126
8601-902
Lagos, Algarve
Portugal
T: 00 351 91 111 31 86
F: 00 351 282 792 591

email: dancaiberica@gmail.com
web:http://www.dancaiberica.org/index.php?content=news&option=1

Porto to Vitoria by Train

Hi Ken,

You can do train all the way from Porto to Vitora!

You just need to route via Coimbra.

You get the 16:52 from Porto Campanha arriving Coimbra - B at 17:56

There is then an 18:26 Sud-Expresso (Lisbon to Paris service) departure from Coimbra B arriving Vitoria at 04:24 the next morning.

The links to the relevant timetables are on my blog on the right hand panel entitled:

>> Algarve & Portugal - Travel Transport Links

Click on both the following links and you will be able to download the timetables in pdf format.:

# Paris to Lisbon Train Timetable - Sud Expresso
# Porto - Lisbon - Porto Train Timetable

Please check the times nearer to day of travel as changes are always possible.!

Thanks for viewing the blog.

Algarve - EN125 - Reconstruction

The Portuguese Prime Minister, Jose Socrate announced in Parliament in Lisbon today that a concession will be let in March 2008 to allow work to start on the reconstruction of the entire EN 125 trunk road that runs along the coast from Vila Real Stª Antonio to Lagos and Sagres.

Article here in Portuguese

http://www.correiomanha.pt/noticia.asp?id=279910&idselect=90&idCanal=90&p=200

Alicante to Albuferia

There is no easy direct means of public transport between Alicante to Albuferia by air, rail or bus.

Car hire is expensive and inter-country crop-offs attract a severe premium.

There are no direct low cost flight between Alicante and any Portuguese airports. Equally there is no low-cost flight between Alicante and Seville.

There are also no direct trains.

Your best bet would be to take a bus from Alicante to Seville and then another from Seville to Albufeira.

wwww.alsa.es

has a bus service that leaves Alicante daily at 23.45 and arrive Seville Plaza das Armas at 09:30 the next day.

If you check Cubsur's site at:

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

you will find the timetable for Damas services from Seville to Albufeira.

There is a departure at 1615 arriving Albueira at 1940.

Short of major dogslegs via Madrid and Lisbon this is the only direct route by public transport.

Porto/Faro - Algeciras by Coach

The following is the current alsa.es timetable for the bus service Porto - Algeciras(Porto)




Click on the image to view full size.

TAP Air Portugal - Worst European Baggage handler 2007

news.cheapflights.co.uk have reported today that TAP Air Portugal was the worst performing airline in Europe when it comes to baggage delays in 2007.

Link here:

http://news.cheapflights.co.uk/flights/2008/02/tap-tops-lost-b.html

Portugal - Leader in renewable power

An excellent photo montage on Portugal´s push for green power on the BBC news web site today:

See:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/08/programmes_green_energy_in_portugal/html/1.stm

Travel from Lisbon to Malaga

The problem about travelling from Lisbon to Malaga by car is that if it is only one way, the inter-country drop-of charge will be ridiculous.

By air your best bet would be a low cost with Easyjet or Vueling.com on the Lisbon - Madrid sector and then Spanair on the Madrid - Malaga Sector.

Spanish Coach operator

www.alsa.es

currently have a daily departure at 20:45 arriving Malaga the next morning at 08:45. (Change in Seville.) Current 1 way price - € 59.00.

Note this is the current winter schedule and you should monitor their site for any changes.