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Portugal: Mares Vivas 2013

maitravelsite — Thu, 18 Jul 2013 18:00:43 +0000

The eleventh annual Mares Vivas Festival (also known as the Baywatch Festival) will be taking place between the 18th – 20th July, and this year, like every other, it’s sure to be a weekend not to be missed. If you want to combine Mares Vivas 2013 with a relaxing break, First Choice have a number of all-inclusive packages on offer, (First Choice all inclusive holidays to Portugal).

This year’s line-up

The Smashing Pumpkins are the headliners for the Friday of the festival and they always put on an incredible show. The band celebrate their 25th anniversary this July and only Billy Corgan remains of the original line-up but this doesn’t really matter as the sound is as great as ever and they are getting stunning write-ups for their current tour. From Mares Vivas, the Pumpkins are going on to play Wembley Arena, so why not catch them in Portugal for a fraction of the price. Also on offer on the Friday are Bush and Beware of Darkness, in many other festivals, headliners in their own right, so this is a night to remember. An altogether gentler vibe permeates Saturday, with singer-songwriter James Morrison is the headliner, with great support from La Roux. On Sunday it is back to hearing the noise as 30 Seconds to Mars take the audience into their own very special dark world. All in all, a spectacular line-up and don’t forget there is a second stage as well – all this in perfect weather and a lovely setting.

Check out the Kaiser Chiefs perform last year:

Tickets

How much are they? And where can I get them? Well, you’ll be glad to know that €30 for a day ticket and €60 for the whole three days, Mares Vivas tickets are among the cheapest in Europe. You can buy them here.

How to get there

Cabedelo beach in Vila Nova de Gaia is at the mouth of the Duoro River in Portugal and is a very popular beach destination. All Portuguese beaches are lovely and this is no exception but unlike some it doesn’t take ages to get there from the airport and if you are going out there for the festival and not for a longer holiday, it is very do-able for that reason. With flights to Oporto leaving from many UK destinations and for as little as £50 or so, it won’t add much to the cost of the festival tickets (which are pretty much as cheap as you’ll find!) Accommodation is really reasonable too; with Portugal like much of the Euro Zone being in the grip of a financial crisis it is cheap to eat out and stay there, so you can have a great beach holiday with the bonus of some great music. Those travelling from London Gatwick can also save by taking the Gatwick Express straight to the airport.

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Previous festivals

The Mares Vivas has had some amazing bands in the past and they are building on their reputation as the years go by. Last year, when they celebrated their tenth anniversary, the headliners included Franz Ferdinand, The Cult, Garbage, Gogol Bordello and Anastacia, like 2013, a very mixed program with something to please everyone. Xutos and Kicks, Manu Chao, Moby, Skunk Anansie, Expensive Soul and The Cranberries wowed the crowds in 2011 and 2010 featured the amazing Ben Harper, Placebo and Goldfrapp. For many people, the Mares Vivas festival is the best smaller festival in Europe and they plan their holiday around the event. Even before the line-up is announced, they know that they will be in for a weekend of incredible music without the worry of being rained off – something that the Isle of Wight, Glastonbury and the Bestival can’t promise, thanks to the British weather!

Are you going? Are you there? Have you been there? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below and let us know what you like and don’t about this festival!

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4 Tips for Visiting Faro in Portugal

maitravelsite — Sat, 13 Oct 2012 17:15:19 +0000

Faro is perched on the southernmost tip of Portugal, running parallel with some of the hottest holiday spots in Southern Europe: Palermo, Athens and Izmir. Theunique climate canopies over this corner of the Algarve – meaning it stays nice and warm during autumn.

Pick up a car in Faro and you have it all – from the region’s graceful waterfalls to its crazy waterparks. If you’re self-catering, then the car is perfect for reaching the main shops or even the Portuguese markets that run through autumn (try the seafood market at the Olhão Marina, 20 minutes from Faro´s airport). This blog post goes over some of the best places to see in Algarvian South and it all starts at the International Airport.

Book yourself a car to pick up once you land and get your holiday started straightaway. Faro is a beautiful city in Portugal that offers stunning beaches, historic attractions, and delicious cuisine that will guarantee you enjoy travel to Portugal.

You can explore the city and its surroundings with ease and comfort by renting a car from Enjoy Travel, a trusted and convenient online platform for car hire in Faro and other destinations around the world.

Ease into Portuguese life

Portuguese people love their coffee and cake. Don’t settle for a mainstream brew from one of the chains in the airport and find your own little café to to know the local taste instead. There are plenty of sneaky spots in central Faro and you’d do well to walk 100 yards in any touristy location without seeing a tearoom somewhere, but because if you’re driving you can access one of the best coffee shops in Portugal – Gardy. It´s about 50 minutes from the airport, so if you’re based towards the western coastline you can pull in here for more than a hot drink on your way. Don´t miss the work that goes into the marzipan desserts!

Pego de Inferno

This waterfall is tucked away in the Asseca Valley, just 35 minutes from the airport. Its name basically translates into ‘Hell’s Pool’ but there’s nothing hellish about the turquoise lagoon the water pours into as you’re welcome to swim and yes, it is warm. There’s even a sunbathing plateau with a great view of the fall cascading down from the rocks above.

Secluded Islands

Next on the list is the beach…but which one? There are lots of sandy coves lining the southern coast and other fantastic beaches in Lagos but for that real holiday escape you need to reach Porta Nova Pier. It’s about the same distance from Faro airport as the waterfall.

The port is the gateway to Faro’s island beaches (ilhas). Park the car up and throw some towels in a bag because that’s all you’re going to need. Take the ferry to Deserta (should be no more than €8 and it takes half an hour). This secluded beach has been beautifully shaped by Atlantic waves for years – now it’s home to a tiny population of people and tourists in the know.

Still, you have a choice of ilhas and Deserta isn’t the only option – find you own private spot on the sand and take a few hours out from the real world.

Aqua Show Park

For the laughs on the Lazy River alone, this waterpark is worth visiting. You’re plonked in an inflatable ring and sent off floating around the stream, bumping into each other and capsizing in that way vacationers just can’t help but find hilarious. Still, if you’re in the mood for adventure and have had enough of the siesta way of life, take your inflatable ring up to the White Fall:

This slide is a world one-off – as you peek over the edge and wait for the lifeguard’s nod, you can already feel the adrenaline begin to pump…then you let go. You slip down the steep, first phase of the ride at a ridiculous pace before riding up an opposing, equally steep, incline; you’re then funnelled into a tube that sends you splashing into the pool at the bottom – you can even do it in pairs.

Get on Holiday Autos car hire offers today because these tips are just a handful of places to visit, see and experience in Faro. They may be scattered in various spots across Southern Algarve but with the car they are easy to reach and you can do something amazing every other day of the holiday – there’s plenty of time in between to take it easy by your hotel pool or even discover your own mini-oasis in the region.

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3 Places in Portugal Not to be Missed

maitravelsite — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 21:38:49 +0000

Anyone who takes travel or world geography seriously will be able to point to Portugal on a map; many may even have already had the pleasure of visiting. The country’s Algarve region has for many decades been a popular destination for mainly European holidaymakers who are after sun kissed golden sand beaches and holiday resorts geared towards their exact needs, as are the beaches in Lagos. Lisbon and Porto are bustling cities which attract crowds of people looking for cool culture and old fashioned charm.

But did you know that situated some 1500km off of Portugal’s western coast also sit nine volcanic islands in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean which offer natural pool swimming, excellent surfing conditions and much more? There really is so much to Portugal, both on and away from the mainland. So what should you explore when in the country?

Whale Watching in the Azores

There are not many places on earth that enjoy such a strong and historical link that the Azores do with sperm whales which make the waters surrounding the islands their home. Sperm whales here are free from commercial whalers (the practice of whaling stopped here in 1987) and enjoy abundant sources of food. These favourable conditions mean that tourists come in their droves to spot them on special whale watching tours. With temperatures ranging between 14 degrees in winter and 23 degrees in summer, the islands make a perfect location for nature lovers no matter the time of year.

Lively Lisbon

Everyone knows that cities such as London, Berlin and Amsterdam are clubbing cities. But for some reason, the Portuguese capital Lisbon often gets overlooked on most lists – surprising really, considering the vast array of clubs which line the city’s streets after the sun goes down. Lux is perhaps the city’s trendiest club which on most nights attracts the young and famous from all over the world. If you are looking for a down to earth establishment more suited to budget holidays, there are plenty of options throughout the Avenida 24 de Julho region.

Visiting Lisbon with kids is also a good idea, though you should definitely bring a stroller as young kids will eventually get tired of walking up and down the streets. Make sure you hop on a tram…they’ll love it!

Spiritual Braga

In the north of the country sits Braga, a city of religious significance and as a result perhaps the best place to get in touch with your spiritual side when in Portugal. Braga Cathedral is the city’s most popular attraction. Completed in the 12^th century, the Cathedral is open throughout the winter and summer and is free to enter. Expect to see gilded organs, the Museum of Sacred Art, the statue of Our Lady of the Milk plus so much more. Make sure you have charged up your camera otherwise you really will regret it!

Of course parts of Portugal are popular for a reason – cheap portugal holidays offer everything holidaymakers could ever want. However there are other places which for one reason or another get overlooked – just do not let these places slip your mind when visiting.

[photo credits @Flickr: domiriel]

Have you visited Portugal? How about the Azores? Which spot not mentioned in this list is one you highly recommend? Please share your knowledge with us in the comments section below and share this post if you liked it!

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To the Heart of Algarve, Portugal

maitravelsite — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 00:22:52 +0000

Portugal is one of my favourite countries in the world, and in Algarve the weather’s amazing, the food is better and the people are some of the friendliest I’ve had the chance to intrude upon. And that’s the precise thing I love about Portugal: I didn’t feel like I was intruding. I didn’t feel like an outsider.

Algarve is a beautiful region of Southern Portugal, popular with tourists for its safe cities, relatively low prices and many places where to stay that offer great value for money.

. Going in the summer is a popular choice, but if you really want to get to the heart of the area, I would recommend going in winter; there are less tourists, the weather in algarve is warm without being stifling and you’ll get to miss the worst of English weather!

On my arrival at Faro Airport, I was greeted by a bright and warm January’s day. I never thought I’d catch myself saying that! Faro is the regional capital, a title which the city definitely lives up to. On my first visit to Faro, I was surprised at the city’s mellow atmosphere (though don’t expect to feel this in summer) – a statement which in no way means that Faro is boring.

On the contrary, the city was by no means short of things to do: some of my favourites included walking along the gigantically long Praia de Faro (Faro beach), visiting Faro’s historic Old City (don’t miss the Cathedral), and the Algarve restaurants where you can sample the delicious speciality, Piri Piri Chicken.

My personal favourite activity in Faro is definitely the boat tours around the Rio de Formosa, a stunning natural reserve that stretches all the way into Spain. The price of 30 Euros (£26) makes this trip a one-time treat, but the 3 hour ride is well worth it!

On my first trip to Faro, one person in my group was massively into golf. When I asked about the 15 tons of extra luggage he’d brought, I was treated to a history of golf in Portugal. Fascinating.

No, that wasn’t sarcastic; it really was. Sparing you the details, in terms of Algarve sports, golf has been one of the top attractions of the Algarve since Sir Henry Cotton opened the Penina Resort in the ’50s. The Royal Golf Course, for example, is one of the world’s most famous golf courses!

So, where exactly is ‘the heart of the Algarve’? The answer is simple: wherever you find it. For my golfing friend, the heart of the Algarve is most certainly the Royal Course. For many others it is Faro. For me, the heart is the beautiful village of Bordeira.

This discrete little village located inside the Sao Vicente Natural Park is so local, so scenic and so friendly that I can’t help but wish I had the money to afford a second home there. However, we all know ‘home is where the heart is’, so it’s pretty much my home. Right?

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