Year: 2019

My holiday in Lisbon by Cristina   I travelled to Lisbon for a few days with a boyfriend a few years ago and I absolutely loved it. We took a small room in a hostel very close to the castle and the old part of the city. The old narrow streets with the clothes hanging and the sun reflecting on them were lovely, and taking the trams in the old part of the city is all an experience. Besides, the food around, though served very early, was relatively cheap and of real good quality. Lisbon is great for a week or weekend break   Lisbon photos copyright: José Manuel, Antonio Sacchetti,

Paddling in Portugal Paddling in Portugal Photos and Story copyright L Manouch   A canoe free holiday, just for once that's what we agreed. It was the end of November, hubby and I had literally just come back from an exhausting paddling trip on Rannoch Moor. In fact our past 4 holidays had all been physically hard scottish trips with lots of wind and rain, so when I saw the words 'a week in sunny Portugal' staring out at me from the travel agents window, I couldn't resist. In I went and 10 minutes later it was all booked, sun, sea and tranquility here we come. Excitedly, I got home and searched the Internet for more info on the little fishing village where we were going to be staying. It didn't take long before I found a website dedicated to it. Carvoeiro, a beautiful small town with lots of restaurants and surrounded by small beaches. copyright L Manouch   It all looked wonderful except I couldn't imagine a holiday without spending some time on the water especially as this trip was likely to be warm and sunny. Then out of nowhere, a list of Portuguese Canoe outfitters appeared on my computer screen. How it got there, I'll never know (or admit too) but there in front of me was the address of an outfitters based 20 minutes from where we were staying. It was fate. I was straight on the phone and before I new it I had booked a canoe, all the gear and even transport to the water. I was delighted, warm sunny relaxing paddling for once, now all I had to do was tell hubby.. copyright L Manouch   I have to admit I was slightly apprehensive about paddling abroad. Not knowing the area, the bylaws or

Ria Formosa  Birdwatching at Ria Formosa, Quinta do Lago, Algarve, text by Simon Colbourne Spring or autumn this is paradise. For the last eight years we have taken an autumn break here. The resort sits some twenty minutes from Faro airport, inside the Ria Formosa Nature Reserve. Whoever said that golf courses, for the resort is mainly comprised of championship links, are green deserts, needs to see the fabulous array of southern European and North African birdlife here. < The area is about three miles square and comprises scrub, pine trees lagoons and salt pans. We have now logged over 150 species here and never cease to be amazed at some of the sights. Highlights include:   Watching the 500 or so Little Egrets coming into roost from the bird hide near San Laurenco golf course at dusk. Taking time with the fabulous Purple Gallinule. Watching a pair of otters fish the pools Being able to see Flamingos, roosting Storks and Osprey in one pan of the binoculars Catching sight of rarities such as Little Bustard (up in the hills at dawn) Bluethroats along the estuary walks and even wolves a little way inland.   Ria Formosa photos copyright: Simon Colbourne, Purple Gallinule photo copyright: Jeremiah Satterthwaite