Lagos, Algarve - Schools

A full list of primary and secondary schools in Lagos can be found here:

http://www.cm-lagos.pt/portal_autarquico/lagos/v_pt-PT/menu_turista/concelho/educacao/escolas/

The ESCOLA SECUNDÁRIA COM 3ºCICLO DE GIL EANES & ESCOLA SECUNDÁRIA DE JÚLIO DANTAS are the two secondary schools in the town.

The Escola das Naus behind the Marina may also be of interest.

http://www.eb23-n2-lagos.rcts.pt/

Be aware that all of these are Portuguese State Schools. I would suspect that at least some of the head teachers will have some English, but do not count on it. Whether they can provide extra tuition I don't know. The state education system here is currently under great pressure so don't count on it.

I would suggest that in the first instance you contact the Escola das Naus.

Madrid to Faro

Ryanair ran a service on this route 2 years ago for 6 months, However, because they advertised it badly, they only got 50% loadings.

They decided not to persevere with the service, which I think was wrong.

There are not low-cost flights between Madrid and Faro.

Your options are:

Low-Cost Flight - Madrid-Lisbon and then Bus/Train Lisbon - Faro

Bus/Train - Madrid to Seville

Bus - Seville to Faro

Have a look at these posts on my blog which may help.

http://barlaventostravelblog.blogspot.com/search?q=Madrid+Faro

Vilamoura to Lisbon

The nearest train station to Vilamoura is Loulé Station. Trains from Faro to Lisbon stop there. However, it is about 15 mins by car/taxi from Vilamoura. There is no direct bus service. One would have to go to Quarteira Bus Station and then get one of the hourly buses to Loulé 4 Estradas.

Alternatively you could get a bus from Vilamoura to Faro.. first service is at 08:00. This takes 40 mins.

Personally, I would recommend that you avoid all this hassle and take a bus. There are three companies operating the route

1) Eva Transportes - operates to Lisbon Sete Rios Bus Station

I have uploaded the timetable in pdf format here:

http://www.scribd.com/full/13177566?access_key=key-ystujvfqd2mnffil04u

2) RENEX - Operates to Lisbon Gare Oriente Bus Station

If you go to my blog at:

http://barlaventostravelblog.blogspot.com/

Scroll down on the right hand panel until you come to the section entitled:

»» Algarve & Portugal - Travel Transport Links

You will find a link to the Renex Bus Timetable entitled:

»» RENEX Bus Service - Lisbon to Algarve (including Lagos) timetable

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

3) http://www.rede-expressos.pt/ - operates to Lisbon Sete Rios Bus Station

National Bus Company. Operates some services in co-operation with EVA.

Returning to Faro you could also consider the train.

See http://www.cp.pt (Click on uk flag for english version)

Train/Bus Seville,Spain to Lisbon,Portugal

There is no direct train service from Sevilla to Lisbon.

You would have to take the AVE to Madrid and then the once daily overnight Lusitania Express from Madrid to Lisbon.

You best bet would be by coach.

There are two options:

1) http://www.alsa.es

This company currently operates 2 daily services between Sevilla and Lisbon as follows:


SEVILLA LISBON 15:00 21:15
SEVILLA(Prado) LISBON 23:30 06:00next day

2) EVA Transportes/DAMAS Change and buy ticket in Faro

Sevilha Faro 07:30 10:10
Faro Lisboa 11:00 14:15

Sevilha Faro 16:15 18:55
Faro Lisboa 19:00 22:15

Bus Transport - Seville to Madrid

There are also long distance coach services from Sevilla to Madrid.

http://www.alsa.es operate several services daily from Seville to Madrid Estacion Sur. Transit time is currently 9 hours but the price of a single is € 35,34.

http://www.socibus.es also operate a similar service.

Transit takes between 6 and 6 1/2 hours and the fare is € 19.25 according to their website.

I used their overnight service from Madrid to Seville a couple of years ago. Not luxurious but perfectly adequate.

Ryanair changed our flights!!

What's new!

With Ryanair don't expect anything until the plane is airborne and even then.

After Michael O'Leary's musings on whether or not to charge people to use the 'loo on Ryanair flights a week or so ago, I have now heard a rumour around the web, that Ryanair is now also thinking of charging people for breathing while the plane is in the air as it is possible to reduce flight costs by reducing the power needed to power the air exchangers between the cabin and exterior in flight.

Swimming in Lagos

There are two pools open to the public in Lagos.

1) The new olympic size pool between the old Pingo Doce and Mcdonalds/Seagulls Swimming Pool roundabout.

2) The pool at the Bombeiros (Fire Station.)

I swam in the former a year or so ago.

I have not checked either out over the past year or so.

Am v. busy at present but will try to find out more in the next week or so.

Lagos to Seville (Again!)

I had to go to Seville by car again this week from Lagos.

Trip took 2hrs 45 minutes from Lagos Pingo Doce Supermarket to the Leflet Hotel Castilleja, Castilleja de la Cuesta. This is situated just of the Seville/Huelva/Algarve motorway (A49), on the main street of the town of Castilleja de la Cuesta about 3 minutes by car from IKEA and about 12 minutes by car from Estacion da Armas Bus Station, Seville.

The price for a double room, booked over the net, via booking.com was in the order of €45 per night including free car park (one steep entrance though...not for the faint hearted). It also include free wifi but the room we were in was at the extremity of the hotel and reception was bad.

We had to drive to our meetings but for those who wish to take public transport, I was informed by the hotel reception that there are regular buses from circa 07:00 till past midnight into Estacion da Armas Bus Station.

Link here in Spanish: http://www.leflethoteles.es/index.php?id=11

Full Address:

Hotel Leflet Castilleja
C/Real 106
Castilleja de la Cuesta
Seville

website: http://www.leflethoteles.es

The Hotel was extremely clean and there is a cafe next door where one can get coffee and breakfast.

The good thing about the hotel is that it is not far of the motorway. Its a bit of a fiddle getting to the hotel because of one way streets but only takes 5 minutes. Its ideal for those who do not want to face the traffic of Seville.

We also dined on evening in Central Seville at the San Marco Italian Restaurant on C/Cuna 6, 41004 Sevilla.

Great Atmosphere, Good food and for Seville prices were reasonable and service good.

Seville - Sta. Justa Station - Car Hire Companies

I was in Seville again last week and took a gander around the Sta. Justa Area.

Avis and Hertz have rental offices within the station precincts.

If you leave the Station by either of the main two entrances, turn left and head towards the large boulevard of Avenida Kansas City, you will find on the left in car park before you cross the Avenida, car hire offices for SIXT and SWING Car Hire companies.

If you carry straight on and cross Avenida Kansas City you will find directly in front off you on the other side, offices for PEPECARS. Crown AURIGA and ATESA.

7 companies in a 200. radius!!!

Lisbon to Salema

There is no direct public transport link from Lisbon to Salema.

You would either have to take a train or bus from Lisbon to Lagos and then a local EVA bus to Salema.

You best bet would be by EVA Transportes bus from Lisbon Sete Rios Bus Station to Lagos and a local bus to Salema.

I have posted the current Lisbon to Lagos EVA bus timetable in pdf format on Scribd here:

www.scribd.com/doc/12917712/Lisboa-Lagos-Eva

I have posted the current Lagos to Salema bus timetable in pdf format on Scribd here:

www.scribd.com/doc/12917675/Lagos-Salema