Light Van hire in the Algarve

Unfortunately, I do not know of many "budget" van hire firms of the type you are referring. Europcar and Hertz offer this type of service with quality vehicles. Autorent in Praia da Rocha also have vans for her here: http://www.autorent.pt/pt/comerciais_aluguer_algarve.htm

Bus or train from Seville to Evora

There is no direct easy route by public transport from Seville to Evora.
If you are flying into and departing from a Spanish Airport, there should be no problem taking a Spanish Hire car into Portugal. (Provided you inform them upon hiring the vehicle.)

The following guys have a programme where you can even pick up a car in Spain and drop it off at Faro Airport in the Algarve for a reasonable cost.

http://iberiacarhire.com/

As regards buses, your best option would probably be to get the daily DAMAS/EVA bus from Seville to Faro as follows:

Dept Seville: 07:30
Arr: Faro 10:10

then the Rede Expressos departure as follows:

Dept Faro: 11:15
Arr Evora: 15:45

Lagos, ALgarve, Portugal - where to stay

Downtown try the Albergaria Marina Rio.

See: http://j.mp/aXoyaz

Also have a look at Casa da Moura

http://j.mp/cpsUMW

Agree with the comments about the Tivoli.

Getting to Braga from Porto Airport

You would need to get the metro from Porto Airport to Porto Campanha Railway Station and then a train to Braga.

Extract from Timetable here:

http://j.mp/bWQd0g

The Metro Line E trip would take about 35 minutes.

The 2010/2011 Porto Metro timetable can be found here:

http://j.mp/aceNyh

An Airport Transfer might also be another option.

These guys are quoting € 114.00 for Porto to Braga for 4 people.

www.low-cost-transfers.com/porto-airport/

Investing in the Western Algarve

MCG...don't get me started, just don't get me started!!!!!! :))

I am an libertarian free market economist by persuasion and all I am can say is that the property market in Western Algarve is, and has been since I've been here, the furthest thing I've ever seen from a "free market".

Prices have been, and even now with the current economic crisis, are incredibly inelastic, given the general poor quality of construction and the vast stock of unsold properties. I estimate that housing values and property prices would probably have to drop 40/45% over 2008 values before the Algarve market would really start to move again.

At present, they are down about 15-20%.

However, that is not the Algarve. People would rather sit on properties for 20 years rather than sell for less than what they personally think their properties are valued at.

Finally, remember, the competition is not just from the rest of the Algarve. It also from the Spanish Costas where there are tens of thousands more properties up for sale.

Webcam, Funchal, Madeira

Webcam showing live views from Funchal, Madeira

Click below

http://j.mp/cLBUbh

Lisbon to Badajoz by bus

It takes about 3hrs 15mins to travel between Lisbon, Portugal and Badajoz, Spain with bus service alsa.es.

Be aware that the time in Spain is 1 hour ahead of Portugal.

Your views about the Algarve, Portugal.

A Student at the University of Bedfordshire in the United Kingdom, Karolina, is undertaking a BA in Travel and Tourism and researching the above topic for her final dissertation.

If there is anyone who has visited the Algarve as a tourist who would be prepared to complete a small survey to assist Karolina in her research your help would be appreciated. Please read on...

    " Your views about the Algarve, Portugal - would you recommend it to a friend?

Hello, my name is Karolina. I'm originally from Poland but living and studying in the UK. I'm about to finish my degree and therefore and I'm looking for tourist who would like to share their thoughts, experiences and views about holidays spent in the Algarve, Portugal. Any help and support is appreciated. If you think that you could spare a few minutes and fill in my questionnaire, you are more than welcome to do so. I'm happy to share the results of this research as soon as it's completed, you can request that by providing your e-mail on the last page of the questionnaire, although it's not necessary

    Questionnaire link: http://www.surveymon​​key.com/s/VDGW5PH

or if above does not work:

Try:  http://j.mp/d3y8tU



    Thank you in advance! "

Nice Luzcar Story

I was in the Luzcar office in Lagos this morning paying for a vehicle I had hired for an emergency trip.

An English gentleman came in while I was there and identified himself at the desk. Turned out friends of his had dropped of their Luzcar hire car after hours at Faro Airport a couple of nights ago. One of them had dropped their wallet in the car.

They had only noticed later and phoned Luzcar.

Luckily the vehicle had not gone out again. Luzcar checked the vehicle in question, recovered the wallet, and sent it to the Lagos office intact where it was waiting the clients' friend in a sealed envelope.

Once again, great service from a quality local company.

And no, I am not employed by Luzcar, before anyone asks!

Xmas in Faro

Faro is the administrative capital of the Algarve, region of Portugal Apart from Ilha de Faro, 8km from the town, it is not a tourist destination itself.

Be aware that the weather in the Algarve at Christmas can be relatively cool (+-10ºC to 15ºC), windy and wet.

In winter, you may find that the Algarvean towns of Lagos or Albufeira more suitable destinations. Alternatively, Xmas may be a good time to visit the capital of Portugal, Lisbon. It is only +-3hrs by train from Faro and there will certainly be more to do there.