As Andorinhas: Holiday Villa Algarve

15/10/2024

As Andorinhas in the clouds!
Thank you Adetomiwa for making this video for us.

A villa nested high in the mountains…As Andorinhas, Monchique Mountains, Algarve, Portugal.For bookings: https://www.holidayvillaalgarve.com/ ...

10/10/2024

Serra da Picota. Picota is the second highest point in the Algarve, but not as high as Foia. It's a 15 minute drive from the villa. You can also hike up there from Monchique town.

It was a beautiful evening so I thought I'd try visiting Picota. Google maps didn't take me to the place I intended, though it was still Picota and the view was stunning (the first picture). I tried again another day once I realised I needed to look for 'Picota watchtower' on Google maps. This took me to the right place but it was covered in cloud at the time. I'm definitely going to try coming back here though because there's a proper peak at the top, where you could get 360 degrees views. On a clear day it would be breath-taking! I managed to drive most of the way up (the roads up are a little scarey, but not too dis-similar to up to the villa: winding roads and steep). There's not many parking spaces either. Once you've parked, there's a little scramble up some rocks, which is quite fun (and not for those unsteady on their feet, Foia would be better for them). Then there's some things to climb at the top (pictured), again, a bit of fun and good photo opportunities. It's smaller and less touristy than Foia, which I quite liked.

06/10/2024

A taste of different parts of Alvor (40 minutes drive from the villa).

I had an elderly person with me so we jumped in the car between the high cliffs, the beach and the fishing part of the town.

There's the main beach 'Praia de Alvor' which we didn't go to, because I'd seen recommend Praia da Prainha (the high cliffs) although I'm not sure we found the right place, but it was breathtaking none the less; and Praia dos Tres Irmaos (the one we walked on). I'd love to go back and have a long walk on that beach, it looked wonderful.

There's so many gorgeous towns, beaches and places to explore not too far from the villa. All a bit different but sharing that typical Portuguese feel.

03/10/2024

Sunrise from As Andorinhas. Photos obviously never do it justice. Very beautiful.

02/10/2024

Praia da Falesia you were magical!

This beach is about 40 minutes from Faro airport or 55 minutes from the villa. The perfect beach to stop off at en route to or from the airport. You will not regret it.

Falésia Beach, in Olhos de Água, has been chosen as 'best beach in the world' (2023) by Tripadvisor users, the largest travel platform in the world. The 'best beach in the world' is awarded annually by Tripadvisor to tourist destinations that receive the highest number of exceptional reviews and opinions over a period of 12 months.

I'll put a link in the comments to a blog I wrote about beaches in the area. It has more info on this beach and other ones too.

30/09/2024

Silves: a gorgeous little inland town in the Algarve, about 40 minutes drive from the villa. Cobbled streets, lots of history and very typically Portuguese. There's a castle and cathedral there, gorgeous cafes and restaurants and just a very picturesque place to wander around.

I'll put a link in the comments to a blog I found with useful information, and which I used as a bit of a guide.

06/07/2024

Another blog, this one full of recommendations of, and looking at some of the stunning beaches (and their differences) to visit, either on a day trip from the villa, or if you want to stop off at one or two en-route to or from the airport.

Whether you want a day trip to the beach, or to use the time between your flight and your check-in/out time of your accommodation to visit a beach (what a fantastic start or end to your holiday) here are some ideas of which ones might be worth a visit. The beaches in the Algarve are absolutely stunn...

05/07/2024

Yay, we made it to gaining superhost status on Airbnb! 🎉🎊 Wahoooooo! We look forward to welcoming many more visitors and hopefully helping people to create memories and have a wonderful holiday. Thank you to all our guests who've been patient with us through any bumps on the journey and given us helpful feedback. We value you all.

30/06/2024

As owners of As Andorinhas: a holiday rental villa in Monchique, we've written this blog with the aim of it being informative and helpful, full of interesting facts, and to give ideas, all about this gorgeous, peaceful place, Monchique.

Monchique is one of the most peaceful places in the Algarve, Portugal. It is a gorgeous little town which is worth a visit. As owners of a holiday rental villa in Monchique: As Andorinhas, we've written this blog with the aim of it being informative and helpful, full of interesting facts, and to giv...

25/06/2024

If you (or someone in your family or group) are someone who suffers with anxiety or finds new situations difficult, then going on holiday can be quite a challenge, as much as it may be wanted.

We are aware of the struggle and are always happy to help in any way we can. We can answer as many questions as are helpful and provide a walk through video of the property. I'm also someone who tends to take photos of everything, so if there's anything you want to see (contents of what's in the kitchen for example) it's quite likely I'll have photos I can send you.

Don't suffer in silence, or let it put you off, we're here to help.

19/06/2024

Seeing the clouds beneath me takes my breath away.
Do you like flying?
❤️ = I love it. Get me away from the cold.
👍 = I tolerate it to get to where I want to/need to go.
😬 = Not really, I'd rather holiday somewhere that doesn't involve flying.

18/06/2024

I've been a bit slow in doing it, but next year's dates have now been released and are open for booking.

17/06/2024

Two things that I can never get enough of when visiting Portugal: the vibrant colourful bushes and the endless palm trees everywhere. They make my heart rejoice.

15/06/2024

Zoomarine is one of the best attractions in the Algarve in my opinion because there is such a variety of things to do. It's a mixture between a theme park and a water park. It's near Albufiera and about 45 minutes from the villa.

14/06/2024

Carvoeiro (45 minutes from the villa). More beautiful coastline, sand, sea, watersports, restaurants, nice walks along the top and a vibrant town.

12/06/2024

Beautiful As Andorinhas!

11/06/2024

Today we went to Slide and Splash Waterpark in Lagoa, what a great place! It's only 35 minutes away from the villa and it is fabulous for all ages.
There's another one called Aquashow Waterpark which is 55 minutes away in Quarteira which is meant to be the biggest one in Portugal.
So much fun to be had!

11/06/2024

As the weather wasn't that great (although it got better once out) we ditched our waterpark idea and ended up at Zoo de Lagos (about 35 minutes from the villa). We'd not planned to go here at all but loved it and would definitely recommend it, particularly when the weather isn't so good. It takes about 2 hours to go around and is reasonably priced.

We then drove for 10 minutes to get to Praia de Luz, a gorgeous beach with lots of palm trees. I particularly recommend this beach to non-sand lovers as you can have the beach experience without touching the sand if you want to, with great rocks to scramble along and a wonderful promenade with restaurants along the beach. There's water sports available too.

Lagos also has a brilliant marina with a variety of fantastic boat trips right by a nice town to wander around.

The zoo was a great trip in its own right, but there's plenty to do nearby if you want to combine it with other things.

10/06/2024

Sunny Portugal is not so sunny at present ☁️, so we're very appreciative of the cupboard full of games here to work our way through.

09/06/2024

Stopping off at a couple of beaches on our way to As Andorinhas from the airport.
This one is Praia de Nossa Senhora da Rocha in Porches, nearly an hour from the villa.

09/06/2024

Stopping off at a couple of beaches on our way to As Andorinhas from the airport. A great thing to do if you have some spare time before check-in or after check-out.
This one is Praia de Benagil in Lagoa, 45 minutes away from the villa. It's quite a small beach, the main thing is kayaking and paddle board trips and boat trips taking off from here to go off and look at the stunning caves. There's also a beautiful walk along the top. The sand is quite grainy, so if all you're wanting to do is sunbathe there are probably better beaches to go to. There are also a couple of nice places to eat overlooking the sea.
The shoreline along the Algarve is famous for how beautiful it is. You can see why!

06/04/2024

I love these little glass fish, made by a local artist in Monchique (the local town to the villa). We always bring one home with us.

My father-in-law has a whole fridge full of magnets from places he's been. Such a lovely reminder.

Do you have a certain type of memorabilia you collect from your holidays, what are they?

28/03/2024

The new addition to the villa: a hammock! So exciting. It will live outside, but here is Iain testing it out after having built it/put it together.

07/02/2024

I love it when we get to see these little lizards. They are a novelty coz I don't get to see them in the UK, but not creepy coz they will run a mile to get away from you as quickly as possible.
Would you enjoy seeing one or be freaked out? If you've stayed at the villa did you see any?

05/02/2024

Cosy As Andorinhas!
Why aren't holidays in Portugal in the winter more popular? No, you probably won't go home with a suntan, but the climate in the Algarve is wonderful! It has more than 300 days of sun per year. It has mild weather and the Portuguese winter is more like our (English) spring. The average temperature between January and March is 12-15°C but we usually expect days where it gets up to 18-20°C.
With time away to rest and be restored, such stunning views, some wonderful places to visit, gorgeous beaches, nice weather and a cosy fire, As Andorinhas makes a wonderful holiday destination in the winter too.