All posts by Rebecca Brown

Becca is a translator and traveler in love with life and her job. You can read more about her exploits at her blog, RoughDraft.
Europe

5 Beaches to Visit in the Algarve

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The alluring coast of the Algarve is a very popular destination in Portugal. The main reason is the seemingly endless series of some of the finest beaches in Europe, with breathtaking cliffs, golden beaches, clean waters and great waves.

There are more than 150 beaches to choose from, and it’s almost impossible to visit all of them. Here are our five favourite spots.

  1. Marinha Beach

Marinha Beach is considered one of the best beaches in Portugal. It’s a bit remote, located 8 kilometres southeast of Lagoa. You can access the beach by steep steps that go down the cliffside. Before you do that, make sure to soak up the views from the top of the cliff.

The contrast between the orangey-brown limestone cliffs, golden sands and crystal clear waters is amazing. This beach is popular among photographers, and the best spot in the district for snorkeling. Take a boat tour to discover caves or scuba dive to see various octopuses and seahorses. There aren’t many beach amenities so make sure you bring some food.

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  1. Odeceixe Beach

Odeceixe, on the border of the Algarve and the Alentejo, has a glorious beach. It is the perfect place to have long walks at low tide. The river runs around one side of the beach, making it possible to choose between that peaceful side and the ocean side of the beach where you can tackle the waves. The riverside is especially popular with families. On the other hand, surfers appreciate the ocean side with its rough waves.

The beach has several restaurants, and you can try some of the local dishes. It is a part of the Vicentine Coast Natural Park. If you go up the cliffs through the stone steps, you’ll be mesmerized by the beauty of the landscape around the beach.

  1. Alvor Beach

If you want to avoid crowds, even in summer, then Alvor beach is the perfect place for you. The beach stretches out from where the Alvor River meets the sea to the Three Brothers Beach. The estuary is an important nesting ground for many species of birds.

Alvor Beach is located 8 kilometres west of Portimao. It features several kilometres of the finest sand as well as a decent number of cafes and restaurants. You can go windsurfing and water-skiing or enjoy other water sports since this beach is ideal for it. It is also popular with divers because of its clear waters.

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  1. Bordeira Beach

Located on the wild, western coast of the Algarve, Bordeira Beach is virtually deserted and unspoilt. This magnificent sandy beach will leave you breathless. It features limestone cliffs and many sand dunes that spread inland to the village of Carrapateira.

The cliffs are famous for fishing sports, and they provide shelter for many seabirds. The beach is very popular among nature lovers and families. You can relax on the sand or explore the surrounding area. Also, it’s popular with surfers because of its waves. However, you need to bring your own drinks and snacks.

  1. Barril Beach

Take a small tourist train or cross the bridge over the Ria Formosa to get to Barril Beach, on Tavira island. The beach is a part of the Ria Formosa Natural Park, and it’s not crowded even at the height of the season.

It is popular for windsurfing and sailing or taking long walks along the sea and enjoying the soft sand and deep-blue colour of the water. The western part of the beach is a naturist spot.

This was once a tuna-fishing area, and the Anchor Graveyard, left by the tuna-fishing boats, proves that. There are also small restaurants inside fishermen’s houses where you can try some regional dishes.

Destinations, Europe, Sport and Adventure

5 Best Camino de Santiago Routes

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Nowadays, more and more people are choosing to go on walking holidays, rather than your average vacation getaway. This is because walking holidays give you the chance to really get out and explore the world and everything that it has to offer. One of the best walking holidays you can choose to take is undeniably the Camino de Santiago. It has a variety of different routes that you can take to get to Santiago de Compostela. The capital of Galicia is actually a historic city, complete with a beautiful cathedral. There is definitely a lot to see there, but getting there is all the fun!

Here are a few of the best Camino de Santiago routes:

#1 – Camino del Norte

The Camino del Norte is actually not as well known as many of the others. It is sometimes referred to as the Camino del Costa. It travels along the coast, giving you views of the sea along the way. For those that love a beach view, this could be a great route to take. It is historically known for being one of the oldest routes to Santiago de Compostela. This route is also well developed, making it ideal for new travelers. It starts out in the small town of Irun, and runs alongside the coastline. The full distance is 825 km.

#2 – Camino de Madrid

The Camino de Madrid is one of the less popular routes.  If you are looking for a walking holiday that is not too packed with other tourists, this may be the route for you. Along the way, there are a lot of great historic places to stop in at and visit. From churches and signs, to other relics, this route offers a lot in the way of culture. This route starts out in Madrid, and is only 322 km long. It has a pretty decent terrain, but it can be challenging in the beginning as you go through some hilly areas.

#3 – Via de la Plata

The Via de la Plata is a great route to take if you are looking for a longer holiday. This is actually the longest route leading to Santiago de Compostela. It was not really populous until just a few decades ago, when there were a lot of upgrades made. It starts out in the lower region of Spain, and is 1000 km long.  That means that it can take up to 8 weeks to make the entire trip. The good news is that you can start the trip further in if you need to, based on how much time you have. Take in views of Roman architecture and culture all along the way.

#4 – Camino Frances

The Camino Frances is the most popular route along the way. It is 780-kilometers long, and starts out at St. Jean Pied de Port. Since it is more popular than others, chances are you will meet some people from different walks of life right away. The route is really very built up, and has great infrastructure. This means it is great even for those that tend to get lost. Just follow the road and the signs and take in the sights on this journey.

#5 – Camino Ingles

Finally, we have the Camino Ingles. This route takes you through the northern parts of Spain. It is actually the shortest route, at just 118 km. That makes it a great choice for those that don’t have a month to spend hiking and walking. It does have some patches of rough terrain, however it has good markings so you can be sure you will not get lost.