In the nick of time

THE MAN DOES NOT SIT BACK AND TAKE THINGS EASY WHEN THERE IS SO MUCH OUT THERE WAITING TO BE DISCOVERED.

NICK ROBINSON GOES ROAMING

IAM ALL FOR people heading out into the countryside. So many holidaymakers that I met whilst operating my Stand Up Paddle touring company back in 2018 hadn’t ventured out of the traditional resorts. Really.

I mean, I get it. If you’re arriving from the UK stressed out after months of hard work, cold, rainy weather… all you want to do is chill on the beach with a cocktail in your paw and enjoy the glazed appearance of a 1000 yard stare.

Then you wake up the next day, secure another comfy chaise-longe in the sun and you figure: Mmmmm, let’s do THAT again all day. Soon you’re reading a trashy novel and the holidays are over. Good memories! However, there is a whole lot more to experience in Portugal than sun, drinks and resorts.

Head out to the country. Explore westwards towards Aldeia de Pedralva. This traditional village in the municipality of Vila do Bispo used to be a home to over 100 people, making their way through a slow and authentic Portuguese life. The process of urbanization got so bad that in 2006, when the current owners came upon the village, there were only nine people left.

tide and you’ll be rewarded with miles of sand, cliff and sea. Spend a weekend there, or head further north up to a glamorous camping experience at A Terra.

Yes, they’re fully off grid and grow their own chow. You’ll be guests of the owners Francisco and Claudia, who have been doing a fantastic job of hosting thousands of us for over ten years.

Staying in a tent or a funky Mongolian Yurt is another different experience and one that I actively search out wherever we travel. Make the most of your stay there and rent bicycles from Francisco, go horse riding in the forest or head down for sundowners and a surf at nearby Odeceixe beach. It’s fascinating as a river curls down into the surf, creating a river beach and an ocean beach all in one.

Head out to the country. Explore westwards towards Aldeia de Pedralva

The entrepreneurs spent 18 months searching Portugal – and the rest of Europe – for the rightful owners before purchasing 32 houses and converting them into a rustic hotel. Now you can spend a weekend in a traditional village. A few years back, I had the privilege of attending a wedding there. It was fantastic, and so unusual with all the guests staying in different houses. Unique!

All around the region are stunning countryside views, majestic black cliffs cascading down into glorious sweeping bays. Check out Arrifana, one of my personal favourites and a very popular spot for the learn-to-surf crowd. For a more soulful experience, time your sunrise beach walk with low

Peachy! Explore a few of the local restaurants and cafés before heading up into the Alentejo and onto the Barragem Santa Clara.

If you do your homework you’ll be able to find a few select accommodations right on the water. We were super lucky to have some friends of friends who owned a simple and basic house right there on the water.

Okay, we DID have to descend a million steps to actually get into the water as sadly the levels have been dropping over the past few years. This is a combination of heavy farming, leaky water infrastructure and drought. Let’s hope our recent wet winter has put paid to that, but the Barragem Santa Clara is still a massive area and would require a large amount of water to fill it.

What do you do in a hut on the lake? I paddleboarded, we made food, played cards and drank good wine, laughed with friends and celebrated the simple life. What a pleasure!

Remember, there are some absolutely wonderful places to explore in our very own Algarve – get out there and explore what’s there in your own back yard!