Name: Mariana Morais
Position: MICE | Leisure – Sales & Operations Manager
Second Home: The Algarve
Although I was born and raised in Porto and am passionate about my city, there is another place I call my second home: the Algarve.
I am blessed with a house in Vilamoura where I have spent every summer since I was a baby.
This destination is, without a doubt, an escape from the frenzy of the city to a place of peace and calm, an inebriating perfume of flowers and beach, sunny days all year round and magnificent views from the cliffs.
I am very grateful to have the privilege to visit the Algarve every year and above all to be able to travel to the south of Portugal during months other than the bathing season.
As I said, because of the microclimate this region has, we can enjoy wonderful days out in any month and get away from the crowds - there are always restaurants with delicious food, some of the best for fresh fish and seafood; local producers markets to explore, some of the most beautiful beaches in the world to discover, trails along the famous Algarve cliffs with my favourite “golden hour” and of course, not to be missed, the best orange juice in the world (the Algarve has one of the biggest orange productions in Europe)!
Obviously I also need to point out that the Algarve was already considered one of the best Golf destinations in the world and why not try it and who knows, become an expert of this sport?
Even if the beach is not something that calls our attention, in the Algarve we can always discover “Serra de Monchique” (a range of rolling mountains) or the famous salt flats; visit an olive oil production farm, take a gastronomic tour or even experience a pottery and ceramics workshop with typical designs and shapes of this region, which even today still retains a great cultural Moorish heritage.
Another great advantage of the Algarve is that, even though I have a house in Vilamoura, I can easily and quickly move to other towns to try other beaches and/or restaurants.
In my summer holidays in the Algarve we never miss a visit to Ria Formosa, with a boat trip to Praia da Armona or Fuseta where you can relax, enjoy the deserted, unspoilt stretch of sand with extremely appealing natural pools, eat the famous "Bola de Berlim da Praia" (or more than one...), do stand-up paddle, Windsurf, Kitesurf or (my favourite) walk kilometres along these blissful beaches. After this day it is a must to eat grilled turbot with tomato and pepper salad in the restaurant "A Lota" (don't forget the dessert: almond and carob tart). Just like Ria Formosa, famous for its oysters, Ilha de Tavira, Cacela Velha or Carvoeiro are also a must see & try in the south of Portugal.
When we want to try different beaches, we take the car and go up to the Vicentine Coast, passing through Sagres where the Cape St Vincent is the most southwestern point of Europe, and we go to Aljezur or Odeceixe, where we can find long sandy beaches with perfect waves to enjoy a day of surf. Then we delight ourselves eating some clams or an octopus salad in the picturesque restaurants of this coast that are, as the Portuguese say: "good and cheap".
07/07/2021
