Travel to Portugal

Barão de São João

Barão de São João is a village located on the edge of the forest that boasts a variety of tree species. Lots of shade and a peaceful atmosphere. Great place to chill out!

Ponte da Piedade

An enormus rock formation hollowed out by the sea. The bold colours of the strangely shaped rock yellow, ochre, red - contrast with the crystal blue of the sea. There is access by boat to innumerable beautiful sea caves and hollows. The lighthouse stands near to the site of an old coastal defence fortification. A great place to visit while you are on vacations

Waterslide Parks

A good day out, especially for the young and active, is a visit to a Waterslide Park, of which there are three west of Faro in the Algarve. This is the nearest.

Silves

Silves, to the east of Monchique, lies on the River Arade, which flows down to the sea at Portimão. In earlier times the river was navigable up to this point by fairly large vessels. Today there are trips there in the traditional Portuguese 'canoes' which depart from Portimão. Just inside the city walls is an archaeological museum, set up around the Moorish Town well. The Cathedral of Silves is on the road from here, back down to the river.

Monchique.

The two mountains to the north of Portimão formed the Serra de Monchique. The higher one is called Foia, and the other Picota. They are the remnants of Jurassic volcanoes. The Rocha Negra - Black Rock - of Praia da Luz is an intrusion of the lava from those volcanos. The village of Monchique lies on the slopes of Foia. Below the village are the Caldas de Monchique, the mineral water springs utilised since Roman times. A Bishop built a Hospital here, for the benefit of those wishing to take the waters. On the top of Foia are the radio and television masts which serve the Algarve, and from here it is said that you can see Lisbon, if the weather is fine.