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