Cee's Fun Foto challenge: Fire

This week our challenge is to show off a few photos of the Chinese element of Fire.

Fire/Summer: Heat, Light, Lava, Radiation, Sparks, Plasma, Explosions, Burn, Blaze, Oil, Ash, Smoke, Glass, Napalm, Sun, Matter

Alte, Algarve

Oven, Medieval fair, Feira, Aveiro

Smokey stage, Medieval fair, Castro Marim

Sun-kissed summer flowers

Fiery gazanias

For more entries, visit Cee's.


9th November 2013 - updated Cee's link.

My Algarve Insider Tips

Most people associate the Algarve region with beautiful beaches. And that is as it should be - there are many magnificent beaches, from the small to the vast, some surrounded by cliffs, some bordered by dunes full of wildflowers in the spring. 

One of my favourites is the long stretch between Galé and Armação de Pêra. It only gets very crowded in August, and it's a great place for going on long walks or taking sunset photos. You can also do some bird-watching nearby at Salgados.

From Galé beach... to Armação de Pêra, at sunset

... at low tide, early morning.

In my opinion, September is the best month for a holiday by the beach - the weather and the sea temperatures are still excellent but you don't have the crowds of July and August. 

To experience the 'real' Algarve, however, you have to take a break from the beaches and the main resort towns and explore inland. This you can do at any time of the year.

Alte - one of the must-see places

It is part of the Loulé county and is situated in the geographical centre of the Algarve, between the Barrocal and the Serra (inland area between the coast and the hills), about 31 km from Albufeira. It has a beautiful area of natural springs and is considered one of the most traditional and well-conserved villages in Portugal.

Area of the Fonte Pequena (Little Spring)

The village continues true to its origins. The Parish Church is the oldest historical reference and there is a curious legend attached to its construction. The white houses with elaborate chimneys contrast with the bright colours of the geraniums in flowerpots.

It is definitely worth taking a walk along the narrow streets and cobbled stairways. But, be careful not to slip on the cobbles that are polished by so many years of use!

For more information about Alte, you may like to read my post "Algarve Gems".

Algoz - the monthly market

I love browsing and shopping at Portuguese markets. In the north of Portugal, there are enormous weekly markets in Barcelos and Espinho. In the Algarve, the markets tend to be a lot smaller. Some cater mainly for tourists - Quarteira has a weekly market on Wednesday mornings and Albufeira has one on the first and third Tuesday mornings of every month. 

If you want to mingle with the locals and buy some of the fresh, local produce, you must visit the open-air market in the sleepy village of Algoz. It is one of the best.

Oranges and olive oil from local farms

So many kinds of sausage!

This seller is very proud of his honey!

Algoz is situated just 11 km to the north of Albufeira. On market day, which is the second Monday of every month, many come from near and far. They come to sell, to buy, to browse or to meet up with friends and catch up on the local gossip. 

Lots of dried, salted cod.

Baskets, hats, etc.

Bright, colourful 'outdoor boutique'

Algoz has several good restaurants where you can stop for lunch after the morning's shopping or browsing. One that does a very inexpensive and tasty 'Frango da Guia" (Fried chicken piri-piri with delicious tomato salad) is called Marinho's (closed on Fridays). If you want something completely different, you can visit a tea-room called Quinta dos Avós on the Algoz/Ferreiras road (closed on Tuesdays). This tea-room has lovely teas and cakes you won't find anywhere else.

These are my tips for tourists visiting the Algarve.

If you'd like more details about any of the places I've mentioned, feel free to leave your questions in the comments section.

Algarve gems

This is the first time I've written a post first in Portuguese for my Portuguese blog. Usually it's the other way around.


Most Portuguese and foreign tourists spend their holidays in the Algarve between the beach and the apartment or hotel and go away tanned, relaxed and happy without ever getting to know the gems that lie further inland.

For those who live here, the beaches are too crowded in the high season, so we look for other places to visit and relax. One of those places is called Alte.

It is part of the Loulé county and is situated in the geographical centre of the Algarve, between the Barrocal and the Serra (inland area between the coast and the hills), about 31 km from Albufeira. It is considered one of the most traditional and well-conserved villages in Portugal.

According to the poet, Cândido Guerreiro, who was born there, "Alte was born and grew sheltered by the four hills that surround it: Gelvana, Francelheira, Castelo and Rocha Maior. The stream that runs through it, from the Fonte Grande (Large Spring) to the Vigário Waterfall, is responsible for the personality of the village and its inhabitants. On its cool and wet banks lie fertile vegetable gardens, vineyards and orange groves."

Area of the Fonte Grande (Large Spring) - a long swimming-pool, with a café and DIY barbecue/picnic area ( right)

Area of the Fonte Grande (Large Spring) - downstream

Area of the Fonte Pequena (Little Spring)

In the garden of the Fonte Pequena (Little Spring) you'll find a small monument in honour of the poet. You can also read some of his poems on ceramic panels and marble plaques dotted over the grounds.

The village continues true to its origins. The Parish Church is the oldest historical reference and there is a curious legend attached to its construction. The white houses with elaborate chimneys contrast with the bright colours of the geraniums in flowerpots.

It is definitely worth taking a walk along the narrow streets and cobbled stairways. But, be careful not to slip on the cobbles that are polished by so many years of use!


The Rocha dos Soidos is the highest place in the village. From there you have a fantastic view of the village and surrounding countryside!

Alte

View of the landscape to the south of Alte

In the distance you can see the drier and striking landscape that surrounds the village.

It's easy to understand why Alte is one of my favourite places, isn't it?

N.B. You'll find more information here and photos of Alte's past on the  Junta de Freguesia's website.