Entries about algarve

With less than 3 weeks to go before our European departure, we were keen to make the most of the fading continental summer. Greece, Turkey, and Malta were all ruled out on account of expense (the normally miserly [on price] budget airlines were failing to live up to the holiday spirit for these destinations).

We elected instead to head to the Algarve in southern Portugal - a sun-kissed region renowned for great beaches and golf resorts. Aware that the kids were starting to show a few signs of travel fatigue (the impending return to Oz accelerating the mood), we planned an unambitious two weeks of mainly beach and poolside relaxation.

As it transpired we had a lovely time. Our base was a small fishing village called Olhos d'Agua - jammed between ritzy Vilamoura and busy, but unappealing Albufeira - and we were pleasantly surprised to find that most holidaymakers were Portuguese, along with the usual smattering of northern Europeans, English and the Irish.

Chicken piri-piri ... the national dish

Highlights included the laidback locals; delicious food (chicken piri-piri, steak on the stone, grilled sardines, morning pastries); lovely weather; gorgeous Algarve coastline which was as craggy as it was spectacular; a day trip we made to Sagres (via rental car); and seeing the girls slowly get the hang of boogie boarding!

However the top of the list for all concerned was a dolphin spotting trip we caught from nearby Albufeira marina. We headed 5 miles off shore in a zodiac (at around 34 bumpy mph), and were very fortunate to come across a big school (pod) of around 80 short-beaked common dolphins. They were incredibly playful - zipping under our boat, slicing through the water, then performing little pirouette breaches - and we were awestruck.

Olhos d'Agua, cliff top view down to our local beach, the busy Praia d'Agua

Olhos d'Agua, girls stretching out on Praia d'Agua

Olhos d'Agua, Nat attacks the clams from 'O Caixote'

Olhos d'Agua, pool in our apartment complex

Albufeira, Praia da Coelha, view along the beach to a deep cave

Albufeira, Praia da Coelha, Happell family in said cave!

Albufeira, Praia da Coelha, camera and seagulls looking west

Sagres, Praia da Mareta, surf was definitely up on the day of our visit

Sagres, often windy and in centuries gone by often thought to be the end of the world

Sagres, view back from the 16th century fortress (of Henry the Navigator fame)

Vila Do Bispo, Praia do Castelejo, west facing so good protection from the wind this day

Albufeira, dolphin trip, unpromising name but a fantastic experience for all

Vilamoura, Praia da Falesia, also a popular walking strip at low tide

Vilamoura, Praia da Falesia, an example of the famous red cliffs

.