Tomorrow Vilamoura to Faro - October 2019 by Tomorrow Algarve Magazine

A COMMUNITY MAGAZINE COVERING VILAMOURA TO FARO

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Welcome to the October edition  TomorrowAlgarve www.tomorrowalgarve.com FEATURES EDITOR Sophie Sadler sophie@tomorrowalgarve.com +351 912 176 588 MANAGING EDITOR Jeff Morgan jeff@tomorrowalgarve.com +351 913 288 749 SALES / MANAGING PARTNER Simon Moulson simon@tomorrowalgarve.com +351 963 807 162 DESIGN Creation Media phil@tomorrowalgarve.com

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The transition from September into October is one I always look forward to, I appreciate the cooler temperatures and also a slightly quieter Algarve. It is a great time of the year to immerse oneself in a whole host of outdoor activities, my jobs list in the garden with a new vegetable patch to organise fills me with both glee and expectancy in equal measure. Vilamoura is our showcase this month, and may I take this opportunity in thanking the Presidente of Quarteira, Telmo Pinto, for his time, and a fantastic up-beat, entertaining meeting. I love Vilamoura. Just to meander the marina an hour or so before sunset is quite truly magical. The glistening ocean, the incredible array of watercraft, a heady mix of both sailing vessels and “Gin Palaces” make for an incredible spectacle. I recently had the pleasure of being on-board a fantastic sailing yacht with my son, capturing the majestic videography and photography of a yacht being sailed with the backdrop of the Sheraton Beach. The angle of the yacht at certain times made for an interesting challenge in photographing and videoing. The results of the capture made it all fundamentally worthwhile. You can read about this yacht and its owner on page 10. This month the golfing professionals from around the globe participate in the coveted Portugal Masters trophy at the Dom Pedro Victoria Golf course, Quarteira. I remember many years ago watching the event for the first time and following many professional golfers around the course, I love the fact of

how incredibly close you can get to the action. At the time we were following Lee Westwood (Westy) OBE and Colin Montgomerie (Monty) OBE; Colin likes extreme silence and has no issue whatsoever in reprimanding any individual on the course who disobeys. I have followed Lee from when I was very young as my late Uncle Albert lived across the road from Lee and his parents. I firmly remember my Uncle telling me and introducing me to Lee when I was about 17 and Lee was 15 saying he’s going to make it to the top of golf, which he certainly did and the rest I guess is history. Good luck to all the players and I hope the weather is kind to you all! As I write I am meeting with many of the Bombeiros commanders in-relation to the Bombeiros 2020 calendar that Tomorrow Algarve and Chilli Pepper Productions will be producing. With the fire-fighters still on high alert in terms of protecting each and everyone of us, we expect to have a further update in November with news on where and when the calendar will be available. All proceeds will go to Associação Alerta de Incendio Florestal / Forest Fire Alert. I am looking forward in meeting many of our readers and advertisers at this years’ BLIP (Better Living in Portugal) on Saturday and Sunday 12th & 13 of October, where both of the Tomorrow Algarve magazines will be on-show. It is a great show and so if you have never visited BLIP I would strongly advise you to visit. We would love to have a chat and see as many of you as possible! Simon and the whole Tomorrow team

On the cover Bronze statue of helmsman, located on Vilamoura Marina. Photo courtesy of Chilli Pepper Productions

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ALL GO AT ALMANCIL State-of-the-Art Almancil Campus for Nobel Algarve confirmed for September 2020

Nobel International School Algarve, a world recognised name in international education, share their plans for this State-of-the-Art purpose-built campus, which have just been made public. Nobel is the largest private school group in the south of Portugal, founded in 1972 and as part of a global education group with 55 schools in 9 countries. The majority of their international section teachers come from the UK, Canada or South Africa and have recent professional experience and training. There is an incredibly diverse range of nationalities with children from more than 35 different countries and every nationality is welcome. Of their international section, around one third are British and the other students come predominantly from Holland, France, Scandinavia, Russia, Brazil, Poland and Ukraine.

Son attended the school since the age of 5 to 18. They have another school at their Lagos campus, a boarding-school in Armacao de Pera and this time next year will have their new campus at Almancil in September 2020 for students from preschool to Year 6, ages 3 to 11, in its first phase and the site is already in its third week of preparation.

Tomorrow Magazine sent Simon Moulson to interview Head of School, Mike Farrer to find out further details.

The long-awaited campus which has been a labour of love from educationalists ensuring it ticks all the boxes is now underway and will deliver the Cambridge Assessment International Curriculum to small classes in a high-end,

I meet with Mike in his office at their Lagoa school, which I know well as my

Their Almancil campus is going to be purpose-built on a large plot of land, boasting 200 car parking spaces and is opposite the Go-Karting track in Almancil. Close to Vale de Lobo and Quinta do Lago, it will have close links with its sister schools in Lagoa and Lagos. As the process develops there will be more communication to the community and the rest of Europe about the sites development.

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purpose-built campus with the first phase due for completion in time for the start of the next academic year.

lunches, and ample parking. It will be state of the art and being there to see the first spade of earth dug was just brilliant.”

Mike reveals incredibly exciting plans ahead for all the Nobel International schools with the vision of inter-schools across the three campus’ Lagoa, Lagos and Almancil in terms of sharing the same vision between the three heads of primary and the relishment of inter-school sports and cultural festivals. I think it’s fair to say the amount of projects underway and in the pipeline are going to make for a revolutionary change in their Nobel schools across all three campuses and in-turn positively impact pupils lives and schooling in the Algarve. The schools operate bus services throughout the Algarve from Sagres in the West to Faro in the East with a member of staff on each route. The minimum age a child can be to use the school bus is three years old, and these youngest students will sit at the front with the designated member of staff for that bus.

There are plans in-place to develop the campus with a middle school and then a sports hall.

“To realise this dream to extend our school brand into the Almancil area is a natural progression and a very exciting project for all involved. As the only school in the Algarve to be part of a global education group with more than 50 schools across nine countries, we are able to recruit and develop the very best teachers and to allow our students to benefit from the interschool festivals and competitions, as well as the benefit of teacher interaction between our Algarve based schools. Our team is committed to creating a world-leading school group and parents will see the evidence when they walk through the doors next September."

The extracurricular activities Nobel offer are: Basketball, Tennis, Cricket, Rugby, Inline Skating, Football, Golf, Scuba, (PADI), and this year they are launching Netball. They also offer: Music/ Instrumental lessons, Yoga, Karate, Capoeira, Fun Science, Zumba Kids, Dance Academy, Future Kids, Eco Warriors, Street Dance, Duke of Edinburgh Award, Science Committee (sixth form), Public Speaking, Forest School and Adventure Club. Mike’s vision: “A quality service and wants Nobel to cover the whole of the Algarve!”

+INFO:  +351 282 342 547  almancil@nobelalgarve.com  internationalschoolalgarve  www.nobelalgarve.com/campuses/almancil-campus/

“The school, initially a Pre-School and Primary School, will be designed to incorporate architectural elements that allow for a mindfulness curriculum, with a Pause Pod, sensory gardens and a Feng Shui-inspired central quad. A dedicated Astroturf pitch, multimedia centre, multi-purpose hall, library and dedicated playground for Pre-School will create a dynamic and forward-thinking 21st Century learning environment. The classrooms will all be wifi-linked with smart boards, and we will have our own dining room for the children, for packed

WWW.TOMORROWALGARVE.COM

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DOG DAYS BY CAMERON COBB

Dog-friendly places around the Algarve If you have a dog or two, or ten, after all, the more the merrier, you are likely always on the lookout for the best places for you and your fourlegged friends. In 2017, there were more than two million pet dogs in roughly one-third of households estimated to be in Portugal, which has been steadily on the rise for the last 10 years. With a growing number of dogs and dog lovers, more places all over the country have become petfriendly. So long as your dog remains leashed or in a crate, there are tons of awesome adventures for you and your pooch to set out on together around the Algarve. Looking to update your (or perhaps your dog’s) wardrobe? Visit MAR Shopping Algarve, which happily allows pets in the shopping centres common areas and even the food court, so both you and your pooch can enjoy a treat after a rough day of shopping. What better way to spend a beach day alongside your favorite furball? Outside of concessioned beaches, those inhabited by lifeguards and, or beach-related companies, like lounge chair rentals, which are most common during the summer season, dogs are pretty much allowed at the beach at any time, according to the Liga Portuguesa dos Direitos do Animal’s website. While private and several specific beaches may prohibit dogs (you’ll know because they’ll need to be a sign designated at the entrance, and you can also check out each region’s “Orla Costeria” on the Agência Portuguesa do Ambiente site for more information, dogs are welcomed to enjoy a day of sun and sand alongside their owners

as long as a leash is used and proper waste cleanup is practiced. The Algarve is home to an abundance of known dog-friendly beaches all over the region, such as Baleeira Beach Lagoon in Albufeira, Barra da Fuseta beach in Olhão and many more. If the beach isn’t your thing, there are plenty of places to explore the outdoors with your dog by your side. For pet-friendly hiking in the Loulé region, check out spots like the Fonte da Benémola or the Rocha da Pena trails. For the most part, many restaurants, cafés and bars with outside terraces typically will not mind if your pooch joins you, and some places even let your pet inside, such as the Senhora da Rocha restaurant in Portimão, Vegan Joe’s restaurant in Loulé and Fat Cats Bar in Albufeira. Rules at specific establishments may vary, so call ahead if you are not sure. No car? No problem! Did you know that your pup is even allowed to accompany you on public transportation? Pets cannot be denied access onto public transportation. While pets do need to be kept on a leash or in a crate and are not permitted to sit in their own seat, rest assured you can bring your well-mannered canine along for the ride. For a comprehensive list of local canine-friendly beaches, check on Animal Rescue Algarve’s website.

+INFO:  www.animalrescuealgarve.com

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BLIP EXPO 2019

RECORD A LEVEL GRADES FOR NOBEL ALGARVE A remarkable increase of A* to A grades from 18 per cent to 37 per cent of all grades achieved made this a record year for top grades at Nobel International School Algarve, exceeding the UK average of 25.5 per cent. More than half of all A Level entries achieved A* to B, whilst 75% of grades were at A* to C level. The overall pass rate of 98% exceeded the UK national average of 97.6% and subjects such as Biology, Maths, Portuguese and Chemistry increased their percentage pass rate from 2018 by an average of 20 per cent. There were outstanding achievements across a wide variety of subject areas, in particular for Art and Design with 100% of candidates achieving an A* or A, equivalent grades, for Chemistry with 100% of candidates achieving A* to B grades, and for French, Sociology and Portuguese, where all students achieved A* to C grades. Head of International Maria Tomé said: “The school is celebrating all achievements of our hardworking students, a year group with so many excellent role models for their younger colleagues. We have seen this group of students actively involved with school life for many years and wish them well in the future. A high proportion of the students this year have secured places at prestigious higher education institutions including UCL, York University, Glasgow University, Liverpool University, Manchester University, Dundee University and universities in Portugal and the rest of Europe.” Jasmine Wragg (A*A*A*A*) will study Biotechnology and Microbiology at York University. She has been a student at

the school for six years and said: “Having great relationships with my teachers and the fact that they have always believed in me has really motivated me throughout all my studies. In the future I would like to do something that benefits people or the planet in some way and I am excited to find out what that will turn out to be!” Alexander Rostovskiy (A* A A) applied for an English-taught Business Management degree at Católica University, Lisbon. He said, “I have studied at Nobel Algarve since 2011 and being a student here has been an exciting experience which enabled me to gain an all-round development and an international mindset. I would sincerely like to thank the school staff who made it possible for me to perform well in my final exams and who influenced my career-path aspirations. During my time at the school I got involved with numerous charity events and took part in the Toastmasters programme in 2017, which allowed Year 10 – 13 students to enhance their public speaking skills and confidence.”

Come and meet the team from Tomorrow magazine on stand number S03 at the Better Living in Portugal show during October. October 12th and 13th are the dates for the 19th annual Blip Expo organised by Afpop to bring key businesses, residents and property owners together in a faceto-face environment. Blip Expo is the all-inclusive exhibition where a wide range of businesses showcase their products and services to residents in Portugal, with health care, financial services, insurance, consular services, energy solutions, gardens and outdoor living, leisure, removals, fashion, pest control, windows, doors, security, blinds, artisans, travel, technology, funeral services, property, food and wines, greetings cards and much more, all under one roof. The venue is the Portimão Arena with plenty of free parking and entry for visitors to the exhibition is also free. There will be on-site catering with a coffee area, cafeteria plus a hot and cold selection for lunch in the upstairs restaurant. The hours are Saturday 10am to 6pm and Sunday 10am until 4pm.

Aspiring astrophysicist Lucas Lopes (A* A A) whose results won him an Academic Excellence scholarship at York University, said: “Going to Nobel Algarve was really a life-changing experience for me. Having done Primary School in the UK, I was then thrown into the Portuguese education system at local state schools and it did not work for me. I was held back for three years. When I arrived at Nobel International School Algarve, I was given a lifeline.”

+INFO:  +351 282 342 547  admissions@nobelalgarve.com  internationalschoolalgarve  www.nobelalgarve.com

+INFO:  www.betterlivinginportugal.com  blip.afpop

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The Amazing Race BY CAMERON COBB

The beginning of an ocean journey around the world The Ocean Globe Race is what sailor’s dreams are made of: A seven-month, 27,000-mile ocean-based race around the world. The OGR begins in September 2023 in honour of the 50th anniversary of the Whitbread Race. The journey begins in Europe with stopover destinations in South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and South America, and then back to the finish line in Europe. One contestant, Alan Macmillan Orr from Marlow, is excited to start preparing for the voyage, which most would consider quite the feat for any sailor, especially one so new to the trade. Orr may have just discovered a passion for sailing in the last year and a half, but he has always been an explorer. In 1999, Orr said he left an IT corporate career and set off for Australia. “I knew that kind of job wasn’t for me,” he said. “I’ve always believed home to be some place where it doesn’t have to be fixed walls.” Since then, he has been traveling around the world, focusing his time on philosophical writing, long-distance walking, and now, sailing. The idea first came to him during a more difficult time in his life, February of last year with the passing of his mother, Orr said. After writing abroad for some time, he left to look after his mother for three years. When she passed away, he was determined to bring her back to her hometown island, the Isle of Bute in Scotland.

“It was like, ‘You’re home, mum,” Orr said. “You’ve always wanted to come home.” While in Bute, Orr said he watched a sailboat pass, feeling a moment of peace during an otherwise mournful time. He remembered his mother telling him how much he would have loved the sea. The thought arose to Orr that he had never sailed before, and so began his new mission. Shortly after Orr contacted Faro Sailing School in the Algarve. They told him they had a structure and it would take years of learning to get to where he could be comfortable, so Orr aimed to shorten the process by giving it all that he had. “I just put in every second of every day,” he said. His training began during the summer of 2018, taking roughly a year to complete. What better way to celebrate passing his exams the victory than finding the perfect yacht? From his days of training when a Sparkman & Stephens model caught his eye, Orr always knew he wanted a classic as his first boat. He ignored everyone telling him to start small and immediately began searching for, and happily finding, his dream yacht. A Sparkman & Stephens Swan 55, number 11 of 16. Orr purchased the boat in February of this year and named it Ariana, after a character in one of his books. He has been sailing Ariana since April, voyaging throughout the Mediterranean

accompanied by the perfect first mate, his dog, Hari. One of Orr’s best moments sailing so far has also been his most frightening: braving the Strait of Gibraltar, where the Mediterranean meets the Atlantic. Orr said this intimidating 40-mile path is essentially a “melting pot of currents,” and he felt a great accomplishment to have made it through. “The small achievements when you’re doing something new are really, really important”. While his boat has made several trips around the world, the Ocean Globe Race will be Orr’s first attempt. He will have a handpicked crew alongside him for the journey although Hari will not be able to join “as the trip is a bit dangerous and Hari is a fair-weather sailor” Orr joked. The race allows for a maximum of 30 yachts to compete, with a huge catch, no hightech materials are allowed. This means no GPS, no computers, no satellites, just good old fashioned navigation techniques to get around the world before the other contestants. The OGR’s website mentions sextants and “raw determination” to be among the approved tools, though Orr said he’ll also be relying on astronavigation (or navigating by the sun). One of the biggest challenges of the race, will be to get around the Southern Ocean, as the ocean is known to be treacherous for even the most seasoned sailors. And what is Orr most excited for? “Funnily enough, getting back!”. “Everyone says ‘it’s the journey, not the destination. For me, it has always been the destination.”

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HAPPY HALLOWEEN A BRIEF HISTORY OF THIS HORRIFYING HOLIDAY!

WHAT'S ON FOR HALLOWEEN:

BY CAMERON COBB

Did you know that Halloween originated from the pagan religious festival of Samhain, an ancient Celtic spiritual tradition celebrated on October 31st which honoured the harvest and prepared for the darker, colder half of the year, and while it might not be the modern holiday attire, it certainly had costumes and treats. The festival held the belief that the barrier separating Earth and the spirit world was temporarily opened, connecting humans and those on the other side. Celebrators would leave offerings outside for otherworldly beings. During the celebration Celts often dressed up to look like monsters or animals in hopes of evading kidnap from any wandering spirits. During the eighth century, Pope Gregory was credited with dubbing November 1st to be All Saints’ Day which took some of the traditions of Samhain. The night before All Saints’ Day came to be Hallows Eve and eventually the Halloween that many countries around the world celebrate in different ways today.

Zoomarine From October 15th until November 2nd, witches, ghouls and zombies will spook the whole family when Zoomarine will transform the park for 15 days, featuring scary halloween themed decorations, surprises and fun performances, for a day shrouded in dark mystery, a Halloween for children and adults alike. October 15,18,19,25,26, 31 and November 1st is

includes the Live Statues Festival that promise to give you the chills! During this festive Halloween season there is a 10% online discount for 1-Day individual tickets.

+INFO:  www.zoomarine.pt/en/halloween/thematic-events

Quinta do Lago Halloween events at Quinta do Lago include Haunted Mini Golf on 29th October from 4:30pm to 6pm. Bovino Steakhouse are having a Halloween Brunch from midday until 3pm, October 20th and 27th.

Dress up in your scariest costumes on October 26th for a Haunted Dinner at Casa do Lago, and live music and children’s entertainment are the order of the day at the Halloween Family Day at The Shack on October 31st.

HALLOWEEN FACTS: 1. Before pumpkins, Jack O’ Lanterns were first carved from turnips! 2. Halloween is known for being the second highest-grossing commercial holiday, with Christmas being the first. 3. Have a fear of Halloween? There is a word for that, Samhainphobia. Halloween is not widely celebrated in the Algarve, though in the past local spots like Loulé’s Saturday Market, have celebrated with spooktacular decorations, so be on the lookout for what you might find this horrific holiday season.

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Vale do Lobo Halloween fun and surprises taking place in Vale do Lobo this year on 31st October with daily children’s entertainment from October 19th until November 3rd. Children will love the fun entertainment, spooky junior golf academy and workshops held in the Praça while adults will enjoy taking advantage of

the special promotions and joining in with the parties and events taking place throughout the resort. Vale do Lobo have teamed up with the expert children’s entertainers Oficina de Sonhos to bring a unique and exciting week of games, activities and carnival cheer, especially for the little ones.

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Photo: Craig Rogers

help us

to help the bombeiros!

FINE ART AUCTION FUNDRAISING FOR YOUR LOCAL BOMBEIROS Supported by

Showcasing some great artists! Come along to the Alerta Fine Art Auction and enjoy wine and canapés at the Lady in Red Galeria de Arte, Lagoa. BOOK NOW! 20 October 2019. Places are limited. Entry donation 15 euros. Doors open 1.30pm. To view the catalogue, and place early bids https://alertafineartcatalogue2019.yolasite.com/ or join us on Facebook to find the link. To book your place please contact Claire Larson clarson@mail.telepac.pt / 916 787 925 For updates on local fires join us on Facebook.

Associação para alerta de incendio florestal • forest fire alert association

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EUPHEUS INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OPENS EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE IN THE ALGARVE The hugely anticipated new Eupheus International School welcomed its very first students to the academic year on Monday, September 16th. In true Eupheus style, it placed the skills and demands of 21st century learning at the heart of its curriculum and teaching ethos from the outset. All Eupheus educators fully embrace the understanding that no student in the history of education is like today’s modern learner. Students are complex, energetic and tech savvy individuals who want to be challenged and inspired in their learning. They want to collaborate, work with others and incorporate the technology that they love into classroom experiences. At Eupheus everyone realises that students have just as high a set of expectations of their educators as their educators have of them. UNIQUE APPROACH TO LEARNING This is exactly why Eupheus began its inaugural year with its unique student inspired Induction Week created by the Head of School, Ms Penelope Best, in collaboration with her fully qualified teacher team. The week provided a range of opportunities for all of the students to develop their free-thinking skills, experience diverse learning strategies and explore each area of the curriculum in a unique way. Highlights of the opening week included an introduction to Physical Fitness led by the highly experienced Eupheus Physical Education teacher, Mr Pedro Coelho. The Eupheus ethos with regard to Physical fitness is a whole-body approach. At the heart of this belief is that a healthy mind contributes to good daily nutrition, body core strength and physical fitness. The highly qualified Mr. Coelho will assess the capabilities of his students in order to plan a specific one to one physical training programme for each student. The students relished the engaging activities and the inbuilt opportunity to push themselves in a safe and secure environment. Mr Coelho is a fully qualified physical education teacher with additional coaching qualifications in tennis, fitness, personal training and sailing, He will teach whole school fitness sessions alongside individual one to one classes. Head of Preparatory, Ms Samantha Black, led a Mathematical challenge session for the whole school. It was inspirational to observe the students collaborating together to develop their problem-solving skills. Skills that come naturally to learners that all at Eupheus understand can be advanced profoundly with the proper engagement. The Eupheus commitment to the environment and eco friendly approach to the curriculum was notably present in the Forest School element of the induction programme. Led by Head of Pre-Preparatory, Mrs Lynda Gomez, who as the Forest School leader inspired a wonderful session. The students were challenged to create bivouacs for protection from the sun. Students

worked collaboratively with natural resources foraged from within the school grounds. Throughout the stimulating experience, all students were encouraged to take supported risks appropriate to the environment and themselves, whilst simultaneously satisfying one of the key Forest School principles of play and choice being an integral part of the learning process. The programme also included an interactive student led Portuguese session, an exploration of Music and a wonderful morning of Science led activities focused around aviation inspired by the Eupheus Owl emblem. A truly creative arts day culminated in an owl sculpture symbolising the uniqueness of the Eupheus family. The week concluded in a whole school excursion to Quinta Do Lago lake where the diverse fauna and flora and its ecological importance were explored by all of the students under the guidance of a marine biologist, who led an Eco tour of the lake. An exclusive afternoon of sailing activities at the Sailing Academy under the guidance of fully qualified sailing instructors included kayaking, use of electric boats, pedalos and one to one sailing tuition. The students enjoyed a truly innovative and inspired start to their school life at Eupheus, echoing the ethos of the school to provide a safe and supportive environment whereby children can experience diverse learning strategies that lead to educational excellence. Head of School, Ms. Penelope Best, happily commented "We are all lifelong learners and that is the absolute key to life at Eupheus. We have experienced an unbelievable first week together. The joy of learning and the fun of childhood exploration are shared within the Eupheus family. Every child is encouraged to try everything and to do his or her best." "I look forward to observing all of our students flourish, and wish to thank all of those within the Eupheus family. The total support of the parents has been incredible from the very first minute that we opened. We look forward to an incredibly successful Eupheus future."

+INFO:  www.eupheus.pt  289 308 226  penelope.best@eupheus.pt

FEATURE - VILAMOURA

Welcome to

VILAMOURA Vilamoura is known for its large marina, golf courses, casino, and its stunning beach. It is one of the three corners of Algarve's Golden Triangle. Vilamoura comprises one of the largest single tourist complexes in Europe and with about 2,000 hectares of land.

LOCATION

Vilamoura WWW.TOMORROWALGARVE.COM

FEATURE - VILAMOURA

Meet the Mayor

Telmo Pinto is the 48-year-old Mayor of Quarteira. A native of the town, Tomorrow Algarve went to meet the man. WHEN AND HOW DID YOU BECOME MAYOR? I was fished in becoming Mayor. I became Mayor some six years ago now, so I have completed my first office of four years and now I am in the middle of my second term in office. I would like very much to extend to a third term, providing the community wish for this also. In the Freguesia, it is amazing, I love the community and parishioners, many I have known since I was a child. I know and am a part of many families within the community, and so it is an honour being Mayor and one I am incredibly proud and passionate about. I love thinking with the heart. YOU ARE A FAMILY MAN? I love my family, my wife and three children, my two daughters are 8 and 14 years and my son who is 16-years-old, our children pass through us, they are not ours. I love nothing more than my house being full of people. I was born in Quarteira and studied here for the formative years of my schooling prior to becoming a professional footballer. I was very lucky as I was being paid to do my hobby, which was football, I was a Right Forward (Right Winger) and then later on in my career I became a Right Defender, in all fairness I should have been a Right Defender from the start of my career as I am small and was fast. I always knew I was going to come back to Quarteira when I went away pursuing my football career, it is my home, and, because I met my wife 9-months before I went to the north of Portugal to play football. She was amazing, taking 12-hour bus journeys to see me and then she started studying in Lisbon and we would always see each other even when there was a distance in terms of where we were studying and myself playing football. WHAT WAS YOUR VOCATION PRIOR TO BECOMING MAYOR? At the age of 35 when I decided to hang up my football boots I completed my degree in civil engineering, it was the best thing I have ever done. We are too old to start something, but too young to give up working or to retire, is an expression which certainly spurred me on. I then went to work in a civil company which gave me the hunt for new energy and which presented a lot of new ideas and concepts. After two years I set up my own company, and then I was invited to become Mayor, which I was honoured. CAN YOU EXPLAIN THE RELATIONSHIP WITH QUARTEIRA AND VILAMOURA? Vilamoura belongs to Quarteira and the Freguesia, just like a parish. The difference between Quarteira and the rest of the Freguesia's is that it is a town. In Portugal there are over 300 municipalities, within these there are four that have two cities, Quarteira and Fatima are the two biggest. Quarteira is a big town but it is under Loulé parish. Changes in the past for Quarteira – it is not a principality, it is one of the cities that people choose to holiday and live, 2/3 changes – big avenues in front of the sea, arguably “The best avenue in the country!” I have travelled and stayed extensively throughout the country and lived in many towns with my footballing career. Vilamoura

has quality and less people, whereas Quarteira has a lot higher number of people holidaying and I think that the Algarve as a whole must bet on quality in improving hotels, service levels excetera. WHAT ARE THE PROUDEST ACHIEVEMENTS WHILE YOU HAVE BEEN MAYOR? We have an Academy, a Senior University if you like within the Freguesia with more than 500 members. Which is made up of Portuguese, English, French & Italian; in fact we have nearly 200 farmers from Italy. Many nationalities came here after they stopped working and moved to Quarteira and have integrated into the community. We have more than 30 teachers, they teach what they learn in life. I am so incredibly proud of our achievements and the recognition we all deserve and I have been invited to talk about it in Lisbon; with a view of implementing similar projects throughout the country. We have a group of musicians, which were not musicians beforehand. The projects Integrate people at the heart of the community and their skill-sets are shared with all multinationals. The members want to do things and share their knowledge to pass on to others. I also have one engineer and one architect within the group and the Freguesia now employs 3/4 colleagues to work with this project. The brochures showcasing this is written in four languages. WHAT ARE YOUR ASPIRATIONS FOR THE NEXT FEW YEARS? In October it will have been six years since I became Mayor, my team and I have made a very big difference and we must continue the hard work. The support of the community is phenomenal. I hope too that Quarteira receives a new fish market and a cultural centre in the coming years. I would love this to boost and showcase Quarteira and its skilled and proud community. The biggest priorities are these which then with the skillset of the mature students allows us to capitalise on growing the skillset base and in-turn the number of people living in Quarteira. We need social habitation, the Algarve needs more people, council of Loulé needs more people, so we can give to the families what they want. Schools – creches which offer children between the ages of 1-5 years and affords their parents time to work. I also want housing for the elderly, so we can give the facilities to bring in more people for the economy. These areas are fundamental in order for the growth of the Algarve too. Just within Quarteira alone in the next two years we will have 200 new apartments in the build plan. A FINAL SAYING WHICH SUMS UP THE ALGARVE IMPLICITLY Vilamoura has the best phrase and I quote “I was not born here but I am from the Algarve!”

FEATURE - VILAMOURA

DID YOU KNOW Vilamoura Marina is deceptively large and to walk completely from one entrance point to the opposite entrance point, following the waters edge, would mean covering 2.7km at an average walking time of 33 minutes. In the summer heat, with young children, or for the elderly this can be a challenge, but Vilamoura Water Taxi are here to make life easier for you.  VilamouraWaterTaxi

GOLD ANCHOR FOR VILAMOURA MARINA The Gold Anchor scheme has been developed by the marina industry with the specific objective of raising standards and providing customer centric services.

our customers. Marina de Vilamoura's team sees this award as a motivation to reinforce their commitment to meeting our customers' expectations”.

The annual awards presented by the Yacht Harbour Association at the Southampton Boat Show now in the 7th year of recognising the best marinas in the world bestowed upon Vilamoura Marina the title of "International Marina of the Year 2019/2020"

This award adds to the many others already received by the marina including International Marina of Distinction 2015-2017, awarded in recognition of the Algarve Marina for being named for three years in succession as International Marina of the Year.

Prizes are awarded by boat owners' votes, reflecting the high level of customer satisfaction regarding the infrastructure and services offered by Marina de Vilamoura.

Vilamoura Marina is now celebrating 45-years since the pioneering days of the marinas inception, growing every year, the Marina offers a current capacity of 825 moorings, a fully operational shipyard, a professional training centre, a strong commercial environment and the marina hosting various international events.

Isolete Correia, director of Vilamoura Marina stated that “it is a great honour for us to receive the 2019/2020 International Marina of the Year award. It is especially gratifying considering that the origin of the votes comes from

+INFO:  bit.ly/2m7MGyb

Vilamoura Marina is flanked by two amazing beaches, we have the famous Falesia beach (Rocha Baixinha) to the west of the marina entrance and we have Vilamoura Beach to the east of the Marina entrance. Both beaches have their individual charm and are well worth visiting. Most of the hotels are located closer to Vilamoura Beach and some people choose to relax here and never go further afield. We do however highly recommend visiting Falesia beach to see the wonderful red cliffs, miles of soft sand and the great beach bar scene. There is something for everybody on Falesia beach with water sports, bathrooms, showers and gift shops.

GOLF COURSES IN VILAMOURA: The Old Course - Dom Pedro Golf Collection No.Holes: 18 | PAR: 73 | Length: 6254 m Millennium Dom Pedro Golf Course No.Holes: 18 | PAR: 72 | Length: 6176 m Dom Pedro Pinhal Golf Course No.Holes: 18 | PAR: 72 | Length: 6353 m Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Course No.Holes: 18 | PAR: 72 | Length: 6651 m Dom Pedro Pinhal Golf Course No.Holes: 18 | PAR: 72 | Length: 6353 m + INFO:  www.dompedrogolf.com/courses

Vila Sol Golf No.Holes: 27 | PAR: 72 | Length: 6393 m + INFO:  www.pestanagolf.com/en/golf/vila-sol

WWW.TOMORROWALGARVE.COM

FEATURE - VILAMOURA

A TWITCH IN TIME! Extending for about thirty hectares, the expansive reed beds of Vilamoura are the largest habitat of its kind in southern Portugal. Being located on fertile alluvial soils, most of the terrain was once wholly devoted to traditional forms of agriculture.

environmental heterogeneity: apart from the reed beds (and the sprawling urban fabric), there are channels, man-made lakes, orchards, farmland, grassland, pinewoods, and a few patches of Mediterranean scrubland, all arranged in a mosaic-like structure.

Tourism took off in the second half of the 20th century, gradually dislodging the rainfed orchards and horticultural smallholdings in favour of the now prominent Algarvian golf courses.

For breeding species like the Purple Heron, the Little Bittern, and especially for the once locally threatened Purple Swamphen, almost all the conditions have thus been met for the establishment of stable communities.

However, a large part of the area has somehow maintained a high degree of

EVENTS TO LOOK OUT FOR IN VILAMOURA

Carnival Hosted by: Freguesia de Quarteira When: February/March

City Day Hosted by: Freguesia de Quarteira When: May

Summer Fair

Popular Saints

Hosted by: Freguesia de Quarteira When: June

Nossa Senhora da Conceição

Petiscos of the fisherman

Hosted by: Freguesia de Quarteira When: December

Hosted by: Quarpesca When: May/June

o u m r a a l i V ow

FEATURE - VILAMOURA

t e G

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Vive Vilamoura Casino Vilamoura Roman Ruins The town is built around a tourist resort begun in the 1970s. But the Romans already knew the area, as is clear from the ruins of Cerro da Vila, preserved in the museum of the same name, beside the access road to FalĂŠsia Beach. A great insight into Roman times in Portugal and particularly in the Quarteira / Vilamoura area. In Roman times this location was important in producing a fish paste known as "garum". The ruins also include the baths in which the mariners used to bathe.

Located 290 kms from Lisbon and 25 kms from Faro International Airport, the Casino Vilamoura enjoys a privileged location, being a centre of tourist attraction par excellence, in the heart of the Algarve animated nights. An avant-garde dĂŠcor, high quality service and a variety of environments that converge on a distinct offer that materializes in vibrant game rooms, dance musicals, theater and comedy or different gastronomic proposals for the most demanding tastes.

Vilamoura is an unincorporated area in Algarve, on the southern coast of Portugal. It is one of the three corners of Algarve's Golden Triangle. Vilamoura comprises one of the largest single tourist complexes in Europe and with about 2,000 hectares of land. The resort was founded by Portuguese banker Cupertino de Miranda who, with the resort's management company Lusotur (now Lusort) started initial planning and building in 1966. In 1996 Vilamoura (i.e. Lusotur) was acquired by Quinta do Lago's Andre Jordan. In 2004 the resort was purchased by CatalunyaCaixa.

WWW.TOMORROWALGARVE.COM

CUTE LITTLE COFFEE & GELATO SHOP IN MONCHIQUE. Our gluten free gelato is made with local, fresh ingredients, including several vegan flavors. Our coffee and loose-leaf teas are from Portugal, all cakes are homemade in Aljezur and Monchique, and our chai, hot cocoa, and lemonade are made from scratch.  +351 282 102 356  CECESCOFFEEANDGELATO  ESTRADA DA FOIA CEICEIRA, MONCHIQUE

Sport Surfaces and Synthetic Grass Solutions Campos Desportivos e Soluções de Relva Sintética

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WHAT’S ON

What's on in October

OKTOBERFEST October is the time to celebrate Oktoberfest. The traditional German festival, the largest folk festival in the world, celebrates Bavarian culture with flowing pints of beer.

CALLING ALL ART LOVERS The Alerta Fine Art Auction will make for a fantastic day and the addition of wine and canapés is surely unresistable! The auction will be showcasing some great artists and is being held at the Lady in Red gallery, Lagoa, Algarve on 20 October. Enjoy wine and canapés while raising funds to support our bombeiros who risk their lives saving people, animals and property all over the Algarve and Lower Alentejo from the devastation of forest fires. Debby Burton, President of the Alerta, says “The guide prices will suit all pockets and thank you to all the donors who have made this auction possible” Sunday October 20th, doors open at 1.30pm, bidding starts at 2.15pm. Entry donation €15 (inc wine and canapés on arrival). Free parking.

See the Catalogue on:  www.alertafineartcatalogue2019.yolasite.com To book please contact Alison Dick (places are limited):  alisonat77@gmail.com  +351 917 467 874

The VILA VITA Parc Biergarten restaurant in Porches Oktoberfest is open until October 6th, daily opening hours from 1pm to midnight, with an extension until 2am on Friday and Saturday. The Bavarian-style beer garden has spacious seating inside and out and is decorated with colorful murals depicting life in Bavaria. An authentic “oom-pah” band, Münchner Gaudiblosn, have been flown in for the festival, the band starts at 7pm and expect beer maids in traditional costumes. As well as having German pilsner on tap locally-brewed artisan beers from

Porches Pilsner will also be on sale. During Happy Hour, 3pm until 6pm, you can get three beers for the price of two. There will be a special selection of traditional Bavarian delicacies, from prized schnitzel with the traditional potato salad and cabbage salad, typical pretzels, quality sausages and other meat along with the traditional apple strudel. Free external parking is available while Table reservations are required.

+INFO:  www.vilavitabiergarten.com

Florentinta Algarve

After the huge success of the last Charity Fashion Show in March, Florentinta Algarve are delighted to announce their next show at the same venue, Monte Quinta Vale D’Eguas will take place on Saturday October 26th at 12.30pm. Tickets cost €25 and includes a two course lunch and ½ bottle of wine, all proceeds go to the Rotary Club. To book your tickets call Shirley.

+INFO:  +351 936 933 799  florentinta  www.florentinta.com

WHAT’S ON

HELP, I’M GETTING MARRIED On Monday October 14th at 4pm Help I’m Getting Married in Portugal and its wedding suppliers will be showcasing the very best of their wedding services to discerning brides and grooms at Casa do Largo, Vilamoura. HIGMP was the brainchild of Lou Gannon who set up a Facebook group in 2016 to help her discuss and gain ideas from likeminded brides-to-be, married couples and wedding service providers. Lou was frustrated in trying to gain further information about marrying in Portugal. The Facebook group has literally been a font of all things wedding-related to hundreds of brides and is growing

POETRY FESTIVAL year on year and now with over 2,000 members. Recently, this year Lou also added a website and Instagram to further support her Facebook group and where wedding suppliers can further promote their services. Chilli Pepper Productions will be providing photography and video from the event that will be broadcast via live Facebook feeds.

+INFO:  www.higmportugal.com  groups/1784878641756256/?ref=share  events/955404444802425/?ti=icl

The poetry festival takes place 18th through the 27th October across Olhão, in bars and taverns, in art galleries and recreational societies, on boats, at Olhão’s Markets and on the street where artists break the barriers between stages and audiences where poets and audiences become one mass. Poetry to the South is a unique literary festival having brought to Olhão award-winning poets from five continents.

+INFO:  Encontro-Internacional-Poesia-a-Sul-Olhão

Vale do Lobo Wine Tasting The inaugural Vale do Lobo Wine Connection Tasting Experience brings together wines, spirits and regional specialities into an event taking place in the Vale do Lobo Auditorium.

This annual Autumn Mediterranean Garden Fair will this year be open for two days in order to give visitors more time to enjoy the variety of plants on offer and also give nurseries an opportunity to bring more plants to display. Following the success of the spring event the organisers were invited by the Freguesia of Silves, the President, Sr Tito Coelho da Sousa and his team, to hold their autumn fair in the dedicated FISSUL exhibition centre, in the town centre of Silves, adjacent to the river. The centre offers more space for exhibitors, all of which is under cover. For the visitors there is extensive free car parking. This year one of the new features will be an extensive display of ornamental

orchid species, all of which are suitable for the Algarve garden and shady terraces. The Orchid Society of Portugal will also host a talk at the event by their President, expert, and author, José Santos.

From 4pm until 10pm on October 4th and 5th the experience showcases some of the very best wines from across the country, while offering visitors the chance to talk directly with the people behind the products where you can learn more about the wine making process, the latest trends and taste reds, whites, greens, pinks and sparkling wines from a variety of producers over the two days.

The Mediterranean Autumn Garden Fair is open from 10am until 6pm on Saturday 26th, and 10am until 4pm on Sunday 27th at the FISSUL Exhibition Centre, Silves.

Tickets are priced at €10 for both days. A full programme of events and further details are available from the Vale do Lobo Resort reception.

+INFO:  www.mediterraneangardeningportugal.org  mgapfairs@gmail.com  +351 289 791 869 / 918 718 474

+INFO:  www.valedolobo.com  events@vdl.pt  +351 289 353 322

WWW.TOMORROWALGARVE.COM

SPORTS

LE MANS HEADS BACK TO THE ALGARVE BY PHIL EGGINTON

The last weekend in October sees the return of the European Le Mans Series (ELMS) to the Autódromo do Algarve. The ELMS is a Europe based sports car racing endurance series inspired by the world famous 24 Hours of Le Mans race. Prototype sports cars, which are out and out racing cars, run in two classes, LMP2 and LMP3. The cars have covered cockpits and wheels unlike the open single seaters of Formula 1. Costs of both classes are strictly controlled along with specified V8 racing engines. Accompanying the prototype cars are GT’s based on road going performance cars such as Ferrari 488’s and Porsche 911’s. The European Le Mans Series gives everybody the opportunity to take advantage of motor racing in a different way. The choice between Prototype and GT cars give the competitors the opportunity to compete in a first-class series according to their budgets. The level of competitiveness means there is plenty of track action throughout the large grid of 40+ cars.

PORTUGAL MASTERS

Local interest includes Stewart Cox’s Guia based Algarve Pro Racing with an Oreca 07 sports prototype car in class LMP2. Portuguese driver Filipe Albuquerque, is also racing in LMP2 for UK based United Autosports. The main 4-hour race takes place on Sunday 27th October. Paddock tickets from €10 also give access to the grid before the main race. Support races for Le Mans Cup, Caterham’s and Jaguar Series Elite are also planned over the weekend. Phil Egginton is a motorsport photographer and journalist who now lives in the Algarve.

+INFO:  www.aia.pt

The most important event in Portugal's many golf challenges returns during October. The Portugal Masters takes place at the Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Course from October 24th through 27th. Competition is set to be fierce as the stars of the European Tour bid to secure their place in the seasonending tournaments, one of the last opportunities to earn points on the Race to Dubai Rankings and secure their spots in the final three Rolex Series events of the season. The 2018 Portugal Masters will always be remembered for Oliver Fisher’s historymaking round of 59. The first golfer to break the sub-60 barrier in the European Tour's 47-year history after more than 690,000 rounds of golf. Tom Lewis, after his 54-hole comeback to win the 2018 Portugal Masters will be defending his title and hoping to become a triple winner following his victory in 2011.

Of the many competitors, local fans will be hoping for a home victory with the inform José-Filipe Lima. Also of interest will be the 2018 Ryder Cup Captain, Thomas Bjørn, the Dane will make his first Portugal Masters appearance in four years. In addition to the world-class golf on the course, there will be plenty of activities for families to enjoy in the Championship Village. There will be junior golf activity for children from local schools and golf clubs, Callaway Challenge, and Colour Path Golf will be on site with a putting challenge and PGA professionals will provide lessons throughout the week. Tickets for the 2019 Portugal Masters at Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Club are available from €8 for juniors (ages 12-17), €17 for concessions and €20 for adults. Season tickets are available for €24 for juniors, €50 for concessions and €60 for adults.

TICKETS:  www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/portugal-masters-2019-tickets

HEALTH & BEAUTY

Time for change How to minimise fat gain BY JENAED BRODELL As the Holiday season draws to a close many of us may have gained significant weight from all the feasting and indulgence that comes with summer. Research shows that this weight tends to stick around longer than we could have hoped for. Often we get so caught up in the stress of eating and non exercise that it can potentially ruin your health plans. Rather than looking at holidays as a binge on everything I see, I challenge you to set your focus on mental rejuvenation and reflection. A time to focus on mindfulness and moving our bodies to achieve optimal health, even during the holidays. Do not let it be a time where all your goals and efforts that you have worked so hard for, let slip. The good news is that meeting protein requirements on the upper limit may be your solution in helping minimise the fat gain. One way to avoid this is to be diligent about your food intake. But let’s be honest - most people do not want to track their food intake, especially during a time when emphasis is placed on hyperpalatable, calorie-dense dishes of deliciousness and peer-pressure. Here are ways in which you can make the most of your holiday whilst not losing touch of your health and wellbeing, Remember it is okay to have that croissant, sangria, gelato – just like one balanced healthy meal won’t make you lose weight, one or two treats will not make you put on weight. Go enjoy those small life pleasures and practice mindful eating when having those meals – savor every flavour, feel the textures, and put your phone away whilst eating. Wake up 30 minutes earlier and go for a walk or run – starting your day with fresh air and oxygen sets the tone for the day and puts you in a positive frame of mind. Go listen to a podcast or some music. Furthermore the morning exercise will get your metabolism revved up for the rest of the day. Have one meal a day at home / apartment / air b n b – make at least one meal a day, a nutrient packed meal. Ultimately we are eating foods not

to count the calories but for all the goodness and nutrients it provides our body to function optimally. See next tip. Have a nutrient dense, balanced breakfast – starting your day with a nutrient rich breakfast, will ensure that your blood glucose levels are kept constant for the start of the morning. Try fueling up on fiber rich food such as rolled oats and bran , some protein such as yoghurt and eggs , and some fruit. Combining carbohydrates with a protein or a fat (e.g. whole wheat toast with avocado or rolled oats with yoghurt and fruit) will ensure that your blood glucose remains stable throughout the day so that you do not experience unnecessary cravings throughout the day. Load up on protein - It is possible that eating more protein leads to greater spontaneous activity that helps offset the excess calories and consequential fat gain .Overeating protein appears to be protective against fat gain, especially in people who lift weights. However, overfeeding research is limited and many nuances have not been investigated. Since you’re going to splurge on food, focus your eating on protein-rich foods. Not only does this have the greatest likelihood of minimizing fat gain during overeating itself, but protein’s well-known satiating properties might help reduce overeating to begin with. As a bonus, if you are looking to manage blood sugar levels, eating protein before starchy carbohydrates has been shown to reduce post-meal blood glucose and insulin responses. Vilamoura based Jenaed Brodell has a Medical Science Hons in Nutrition and Dietetics.

+INFO:  jbclinicalnutrition@gmail.com

BUSINESS

CORAVIN REVIEW

BY SIMON MOULSON

If like me, you like the occasional glass or three of wine, but on occasion you only want a glass; then as we all know the minute you have opened a bottle of wine then unless you don’t drink it that day then the wine is past its best.

This clever bit of magic was invented by the company founder, Gregg Lambrecht, who is a medical device inventor created the wine preservation system for himself. When his wife was pregnant, he wanted to enjoy a glass of his favourite wine, but didn’t want the bottle to go to waste – sacrilege indeed. So after a lot of trials and tribulations, he created a device that could pierce the cork with a needle just enough to inject a hit of argon

gas to pressurize the bottle and siphon your desired quantity of wine through the hollow needle. The really clever bit is that when you remove the needle from the cork, the cork instantly reseals itself and so you can then keep the natural cork bottle for months or even years. Coravin tested the product with a blind taste test of bottles with Napa winemakers after three years and they couldn’t distinguish a difference or diminishment in flavour. The company has many other innovative products, so feel free to check them out yourself.

+INFO:  www.coravin.com  coravin

New Business Ceiceira Tasting Cece's Coffee & Al-Garb coffee Lounge Gelato roasters

BikeSul Portugal

A new Tapas Bar and Wine Tasting lounge has opened in Monchique. Owners, Mike and Misha share their passion for wine, food and their love of the Monchique.

A cute little coffee and gelato shop in Monchique, offering dinein and takeaway specialty organic coffees, gelato made locally, with fresh local ingredients and gluten and vegan free pastries.

Chantell and Henning on their quest to roast the perfect coffee offer speciality craft-roasted coffee and brunch in a relaxed environment with German precision. You can also purchase a bag of roasted beans for fresh coffee at home.

Have recently opened their stunning new store on the EN125 close to Algarve Shopping. This really is a one-stop store for all things bikes. They sell, repair, rent and also provide bike tours. A super purpose-built store which makes for a great experience.

 Ceiceira

 cecescoffeeandgelato

 algharbcoffeeroasters

 BikesulPortugal

Maria Mole A newly opened store on the EN125 close to Algarve shopping. A beautiful fashion clothing store to suit all budgets.

 MariaMoleGuiaAlbufeira

BUSINESS

PARADISE REGAINED! Creating a Holiday Paradise for 25 years Arcadia Luxury Villas is celebrating 25 years in the high-end rentals and management business. Sophie Sadler interviewed owner Christopher O`Keefe to talk about service, celebs and seasonality. After a quarter of a century of looking after clients, Chris has celebrated by buying three new Smart cars with the company livery so more people will get to hear about their bespoke service.

“This year we seem to have had a multitude of comedians, I am not sure if that is a good thing or a bad thing that people with a good sense of humour do enjoy our services”.

Chris and his wife Linda first came to Portugal in 1972 and enjoyed many family holidays here before they decided to move to the Algarve. They had been so impressed with the friendly welcome, great climate and delicious food that they named their company after the Greek term for pastoral paradise.

This year Arcadia teamed up with one of the Algarve’s leading catering companies, Algarve Fine Food to offer guests the opportunity to have a talented chef cook for them in the property, throw a dinner party, deliver firstclass cuisine to the door or even do their food shopping.

Chris’ brother already lived in the Algarve and had established the well-known building company, Ibeira. Inspired by him, Chris and Linda established their own business not put off by some of the bureaucracy which they found a challenge.

Arcadia also manages 30 villas and giving the owner a good service is as important to Chris and the team giving the tourist a good holiday. A team of maintenance personnel and cleaners ensure the property stays in good condition throughout the holiday season.

“We wanted to understand the needs of the client and give them everything they require to enjoy a comfortable and relaxed holiday.”

So having seen all the changes in the Algarve over the last 25 years what improvements does Chris think should be made to keep the area attracting top-end clients? “The railways need more investment to bring people into the area from Spain and Lisbon. The Campus Sports facility has been a fantastic addition to Quinta do Lago making the area more appealing for families and we need more investment like this.”

Their website looks like a list of the homes of the rich and famous, where you can browse through over 100 properties to find the one that best suits you. “We pay attention to detail to ensure that every need is catered for from wi-fi to pool heating, chefs or excursions. Every property is of the highest standard and equipped with all the latest mod-cons.” Arcadia has noticed that recently holiday vacation times have decreased, where people used to come for 2-3 weeks now there is a market for shorter breaks. As a result, they offer flexibility with arrival and departure dates to cater to this new trend.

Chris thinks that in order to deliver a first-rate service you need to be based locally and now his business is a well-established brand with the Golden Triangle. So much so that each year he hosts a number of wellknown celebrities including TV personalities, movie stars, politicians and footballers and 90% of their trade is repeat business.

The British and the Irish are still the core market with French and Italians increasing due to direct flights from these locations. Seasonality continues to be an issue with visitor numbers decreasing rapidly at the end of September and he feels more investment is needed and a concentration of shorter breaks for off-peak months. Chris and Linda found their own paradise in Portugal and it seems with their concierge service they will keep making sure that tourists find theirs.

+INFO:  +351 289 358 303  www.arcadialuxuryvillas.com  arcadialuxury

FOOD & DRINK

SUNSET SUNDAY Julia’s restaurant, beach bar and lounge Sunday afternoons in the Algarve are just divine, when you couple in a great beach restaurant and live music. So we headed for our late lunch/ early dinner at Julia’s. Julia’s has been an institution for many over the years and affords some incredible uninterrupted views of the glorious longstretching beach and sea. We arrive to the sound of live music courtesy of Leandro Russo (a good old friend) who is thoroughly entertaining the packed restaurant; with many of the diners in both good voice and spirits. Reservations for a Sunday are a hot ticket and you would need to book many weeks in advance to secure your table. We are seated and are thrilled to find we have a front-row window table. We peruse the menu and order a lovely bottle of Monte de Peceguina, clink our glasses, sit back and take in the whole ambiance. For me you cannot beat live music, a good white wine, sea views and the warmth of the September sun on your face. Life is great and it’s not difficult to see why the restaurant is incredibly busy. What I like about Julia’s is that the dining arrangements you have are plentiful, it’s a large restaurant with several areas of sunshine, shade and levels; straight from the beach or head up the stairs to the main restaurant area. Starters arrive in the form of Mussels Provencal, Grilled goats cheese, wild rocket, watercress salad with honey, walnuts and balsamic glaze and last, but not least, Wild tiger prawns in a spicy sauce. I love it when we all have different starters and fortunately for me I’m not a fussy eater; which always ensures for a starter tasting medley of three dishes. I liked all the starters, but if I was to choose my favourite, it probably would have to be the prawns. As we finish our starters, the live music has come to an end and the background is equally as good and actually makes for a slower pace, which for dining I’m a big fan of.

After a fair amount of deliberation we plump for our mains, there is an extensive menu, which makes for a challenging choice option. We choose Grilled fillet steak with saute potatoes, grilled lamb cutlets with Provencal herbs, served with julienne vegetables and Julia’s famous grilled tiger prawns with garlic, olive oil, chilli and served with African rice. I do like to taste an element of a dish with which I’ve never eaten before and for me it’s African rice. The main courses arrive within a few minutes which allows us to enjoy conversation whilst looking out into the stunning vista of the Atlantic. What I particularly like is that with this coastline, your views are unspoilt and makes for majestic sunsets. I am pleased to say the African rice is a great success and coupled with the succulent tiger prawns and not forgetting their spicy sauce is a great mix. Plaudits for both the lamb and steak, which make for a trio of happy diners. We break from dinner for an interlude of Gin & Tonic (the pink variety and normal Mothers’ Ruin). You simply cannot beat G & T on a sun-laiden dining terrace with smooth background music, is my utter idea of heaven and serendipity. It’s days like these you have no wonderment at all as to why we moved to Portugal over 15-years ago. We next are tasked with the arduous task of choosing deserts. Decisions a plenty, we eventually choose Summer Berries cheesecake, dark and white chocolate mousse and crepes with ice cream, honey and almonds. Desserts produce the oohs and ahhs from us all and the utter finale is watching the majestic sun setting over the Atlantic – life is good!

+INFO:  www.julias-algarve.com  +351 289 396 512  JuliasAlgarve

ENVIRONMENT

NEW FISH NEMAlgarve, Novas Espécies Marinhas do Algarve, is a citizen science campaign that collects data for the Centre of Marine Science (CCMAR) and Universidade do Algarve, who are striving to further increase their scientific knowledge on marine species that have been appearing along the Algarve coast in recent years.

Ornate wrasse (Thalassoma pavo)

“Being a citizen science initiative, NEMAlgarve want to increase our collaboration and communication with residents and visitors who we count on to report their findings in order to help scientists better understand the distribution of species”. Says João Encarnação, head of the research project. “We are especially interested in collaborating with fishermen, both recreational and professional, spearfishers and SCUBA divers too, due to the type of species we are looking for."

Blue crab (Callinectes sapidus)

“We are interested in invasive species that were brought by direct action of man and have a negative impact on local fauna. Species with sub-tropical, or tropical affinities which have been expanding their distribution North due to climate change and some local species that due to changes in habitat or climate have been increasing in abundance, or appearing in areas where they were not previously found.” Instead of seeing the new arrivals as potential threats to the local biodiversity, the study is examining ways to create new opportunities for the region, through their introduction to local economy as new fisheries resource and exploring new uses in the field of the blue economy.

Fireworm (Hermodice carunculata)

“We are also evaluating if with this approach we can in some way control the spread of these invasive species and at

the same time reduce the fishing pressure on some local species.” Of the new species identified, currently only the blue crab, Callinectes sapidus, and the American meagre, Cynoscion regalis, are considered invasive, the rest are species more characteristic of subtropical areas. Some species have been in the Algarve for years although have been increasing in abundance recently. Since mid April when the project began there have 34 validated observations, of which 17 were invasive blue crab. Two of these reports were of particular interest because while known to inhabit the Guadiana river, Faro and Ria Formosa there had never been evidence of any further west. In July their existence was confirmed in both Albufeira and Armação de Pêra, giving the scientists a clear indication that the species is already moving West along the Algarve coast. Collecting date and creating records NEMAlgarve are asking for your participation and have made reporting your findings easy with a wide variety of solutions to facilitate data collection. Firstly they need at least three key points, a photograph in order to confirm the species, the date of observation and a location as precise as possible. Any additional information you are able to collect, such as, at what depth it was observed, the water temperature or how it was caught is also very valuable data.

Register your observations at:  www.biodiversity4all.org/projects/nemalgarve +INFO:  NEMAlgarve@gmail.com  NEMAlgarve   @NEMAlgarve

Edifício Sol, Rua Cristóvão Pires Norte Almancil 8135-117 Algarve, Portugal +351 289 393 378 info@ellis-avt.com www.ellis-avt.com

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