Sandytoes Algarve - Unique Tours and Unique House Rentals

26/01/2025

Here's just a few ideas of "Things" to do when staying at either of our Holiday Homes.

Is it enough things do you think ? Let us know.

21/01/2025

If you love getting covered in mud spaltter and love MTB'ing why not come now, yes right now and stay in our Rental Villa.....It's absolutely pi***ng down with rain.
We're expecting 3 days of rain this week and that will probably be it for the next 3 or 4 weeks I expect.
Chance to get out and slip around and have some dirty puddles fun.
I know I'm riding on Thursday and looking forward to it like an an eager convict waiting to get out of jail.

So much to do over the winter months in this location. It's currently 16°C the coldest it has been in the daytime for a while.
That's Winter baby.

20/01/2025

Today is Blue Monday ! What ? you ask.....

Blue Monday is the name given to a day in January (typically the third Monday of the month) said by a UK travel company, Sky Travel, to be the most depressing day of the year. The concept was first published in a 2005 press release from the company, which claimed to have calculated the date using an "equation". It takes into account weather conditions and thus only applies to the Northern Hemisphere.

Should you be feeling the Blue Monday effect...get booked up to our sunny houses in sunny locations. Close to the Ocean, some of the best beaches in Europe and some of the nicest local people you'll ever meet.

Bem Vindo no Algarve.

14/01/2025

Availability during the rest of January but if you want other dates, please get in touch. July and August pretty much filled out already.
Thanks.

Here's a quick drone video above our wonderful Villa which is based in the Parque Natural region of the westcoast of the Algarve.For much more info see our w...

11/01/2025

The first sunset this year captured

10/01/2025

Winters at the villa: sunny days and cosy nights 🤍💛🧡

07/01/2025

Such a great time to be riding bicycles in the Algarve, either road or MTB.
We have some availability in both houses. Why not book up and enjoy the winter sunshine.

30/12/2024

Good evening folks. Hope you're all doing well and that you have enjoyed your Christmas break and are looking forward to bringing in the New Year.

We've had a couple of bookings for both our Holiday Houses in the last 24 hrs. Please check our website booking form to see if the dates you want are still available. July and August are highly requested months.

If any of you are interested in renting long term during the next 3 - 4 months please drop us a line. Happy to do long term rates and not just short term if it suits both parties involved.

So, that's it for 2024. My my, what a year. Been plenty of drama and excitement and travel and as always we've had the pleasure of meeting some truly wonderful clients and guests and very happy to say some have become really nice friends. That's the best thing.

Until Next Year. Be well and be happy.

https://sandytoes-algarve.com/

23/12/2024

Backyard views near 💙💚💛

12/12/2024

Is there a Banksy in the neighbourhood?🤔

09/12/2024

📸 by

05/12/2024

Hello Praia de Odeceixe!

04/12/2024

Open for Private Jeep Tours or Walking Tours and Holiday Home Rentals....All Year Round.

03/12/2024

Christmas Eve swim anyone? Our lovely Villa is available to rent for the Christmas Vacation period.

02/12/2024

Did you know until 1928 Portugal drove their cars on the left hand side....because of it's close ties with Britain. I didn't now that.

30/11/2024

Whilst nothing's wrong with sandy toes, sometimes the mountains are calling😉

27/11/2024

PORTUGAL - PORTO GALLO - PORT CALE - PORTUCALE

The name Portugal has its roots in the Latin word Portus Cale, a term used during the Roman Empire. Here's how the name evolved:

1. Portus Cale
Portus: Latin for "port" or "harbor."
Cale: Likely derived from a pre-Roman name for the area, possibly Celtic or Phoenician in origin. Some theories suggest it comes from the Celtic word cale or calla, meaning "beautiful" or "rocky." Others propose Phoenician roots related to the word for "vessel" or "safe harbor."
2. Roman Era
The region around modern-day Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia was called Portus Cale, referring to a harbor in this area. During Roman rule, Portus Cale became an important settlement.

3. Suebi and Visigothic Rule
After the fall of the Roman Empire, the Suebi and Visigoths took control of the Iberian Peninsula. The name persisted as a reference to the region.

4. Moorish and Christian Eras
During the Moorish occupation and subsequent Christian reconquests, the name Portus Cale was used to describe the broader territory surrounding the Douro River.

5. Formation of Portugal
By the early Middle Ages, the term Portus Cale evolved into Portucale. It referred specifically to the County of Portucale, a region governed by Count Henry of Burgundy under the Kingdom of León in the 11th century.

In 1139, when Afonso Henriques declared himself King of Portugal after winning independence from León, the name "Portugal" became the official designation of the new kingdom.

6. Final Evolution to Portugal
As languages evolved, Portucale simplified over time into Portugal in medieval Latin, and this form has persisted into modern usage.

Thus, the name Portugal reflects the region's early history as a significant harbor (portus) and its connection to the ancient settlement of Cale.