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Algavre in Portugal..how popular? How many on this forum have been there? What would you compare it to?
I get the impression that Croatia, Greece, Italy, Spain are all more popular than this coastline of Portugal. But, it sounds a bit expensive, and gorgeous.
Is it just a bit too far, and not worth the higher price tag in comparison to other coastal areas?
Algarve in Portugal..how popular? How many on this forum have been there? What would you compare it to?
I get the impression that Croatia, Greece, Italy, Spain are all more popular than this coastline of Portugal. But, it sounds a bit expensive, and gorgeous.
Is it just a bit too far, and not worth the higher price tag in comparison to other coastal areas?
Maybe kevxu will see this thread and provide a comprehensive response.
I visited Algarve a few times. My lasting impressions are that it is very pleasant in winter time, especially the coast with southern exposure; Faro and westwards appeared widely commercial, including golf courses, reminded me more of coastal Florida than, say, coastal Italy; east of Faro is less developed, more wild and natural, especially the interior, even haunting, very beautiful, and not deprived of some subtle, very tiny historical archaeological sites.
I suppose that around Faro and the more commercially developed parts the price tag is high, but not necessarily the east and the interior. At any rate, I am not at a stage where I make Mediterranean-wide price comparisons right now (there was a time when I did).
Nonetheless, generally speaking, is it worth it?
I suppose it depends on how much you value Portuguese culture and the region's relative warmth, water, isolation and safety, especially in comparison to the southern and eastern Mediterranean which, always sketchy, even in the last few weeks has become increasingly dangerous. Another factor is Portugal's relative taxation compared to countries like France lately. With all those factors in mind, again, you could also compare it to much of coastal Florida.
Algarve is awesome if you stay away from the concrete, too developed without a plan areas that took place in the 70's and 80's.
Fortunately nowadays there's still development but with much higher regard with the environment and with great care making the development areas part of the setting.
The most developed areas are Faro and of course the area of Vilamoura and Albufeira. I prefer the more typical and wild areas, where you have still many many picturesque fishing towns with great food, beaches and laid back lifestyle.
The coast like on the east is more "flat", with just dunes and a long stretch of sand with the ocasional Wildlife Reservers.
Not to be forgotten the Costa Vicentina as well, which is the west coast line that stretches all the way from Comporta to the tip of Sagres in Algarve which is amazingly beautiful as well.
Maybe kevxu will see this thread and provide a comprehensive response.
I visited Algarve a few times. My lasting impressions are that it is very pleasant in winter time, especially the coast with southern exposure; Faro and westwards appeared widely commercial, including golf courses, reminded me more of coastal Florida than, say, coastal Italy; east of Faro is less developed, more wild and natural, especially the interior, even haunting, very beautiful, and not deprived of some subtle, very tiny historical archaeological sites.
I suppose that around Faro and the more commercially developed parts the price tag is high, but not necessarily the east and the interior. At any rate, I am not at a stage where I make Mediterranean-wide price comparisons right now (there was a time when I did).
Nonetheless, generally speaking, is it worth it?
I suppose it depends on how much you value Portuguese culture and the region's relative warmth, water, isolation and safety, especially in comparison to the southern and eastern Mediterranean which, always sketchy, even in the last few weeks has become increasingly dangerous. Another factor is Portugal's relative taxation compared to countries like France lately. With all those factors in mind, again, you could also compare it to much of coastal Florida.
How much do you value Portuguese culture, then?
For me, I highly value Portuguese culture. Well, actually, I like Brazilian culture and the Portuguese-speaking world because of it.
One thing though, how paved/developed is Algavre? Do they have many nice walkable towns that are right on the beach? It seems as the cities are a little inland, the the beaches require cars to get to? Or am I wrong about that?
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