Albufeira - heart of the Algarve

This April I was lucky enough to experience a Jet2 holiday to Portugal, in conjunction with AS Training, as part of my Fred. Olsen Trainee Travel Consultant apprenticeship. Jet2 Holidays have been named Which? Travel Brand of the Year for the last 3 years, and their great-value package holidays offer a huge range of options - departing from several UK airports; accommodation from 2 to 5 star and self-catering to luxury all-inclusive; for a fun-filled family holiday, a group of friends or a romantic getaway – there is literally something for everyone!

At the airport everything was very smoothly run by Jet2. There were plenty of staff on hand and everyone had a smile! I’d recommend checking in online or on their app in advance – you can do this up to 28 days ahead of departure, and this makes for a calm airport experience. They announced boarding by row number which helped with congestion at the boarding gate and getting seated, and the flight departed on time. I had pre-ordered an in-flight meal, to avoid having to find something at the airport, and shortly after takeoff I received my meal efficiently and was offered drinks and snacks.

Our destination was Albufeira, the largest coastal resort in the southern Algarve region of Portugal. This former fishing village is now a major holiday destination, with sandy beaches and a busy nightlife strip. The modern marina is still used by fishermen, but now it’s also a base for diving, dolphin-watching and boat trips. You can stroll the cobbled streets and whitewashed houses of the Old Town to soak up some history or visit Moorish Paderne Castle. For sun seekers, Albufeira offers more than 25 beaches, and many are Blue Flag winners, with golden sands and turquoise waters - some are quiet coves, others have a lively beach scene, so everyone can find a spot to suit. Head away from the beach for world class golf courses and thrilling waterparks, then as the sun sets, visit the Old Town for atmospheric restaurants and cafes, or head to the neon Strip for lively bars and discos for a party-vibe. The busiest months are July and August, with less crowds in June and September, but if your focus is more on exploring, activities and excursions than basking in the sun, then the temperatures are very pleasant from April and into October.

We were staying at Eden Villas and Apartments and I was amazed by the scale of the resort and the amount of facilities on offer. The resort was originally built as a housing complex, but due to lack of demand to buy the apartments it was converted to a holiday complex. As such the accommodation is incredibly spacious and features far larger rooms than you typically have in a hotel!

There are two outdoor pools, one of these is an adult-only area, the other includes a kids pool, so great for families, with toilet and baby changing facilities adjacent. The resort also includes an Aqua Splash park featuring water guns, jets and two slides. An indoor pool is available, but booking is required and swimming caps are to be worn for hygiene purposes, and pool towels are provided. The resort has two restaurants and four bars and a small mini-market for essentials. The Kiosk Bar or the Apple Bar were great places to relax with a nice cocktail, and they were both quiet and peaceful.

There is a great entertainment programme including Kids Clubs, arts and crafts, a  football club, drama and music activities, sports courts, live music and quizzes in the evenings, mini discos & entertainment shows. During my visit they had a circus show on, provided by the entertainment team, and this was amazing, with some acts based around the film ‘The Greatest Showman’. There is also an onsite spa, offering a selection of beauty treatments to those over the age of 18.

My room was amazing! It was a one-bedroom apartment, which was so spacious, with a bedroom, a nice sized bathroom, a kitchen with all amenities such as microwave, cooker, kettle, fridge, and a bottle of water provided. As well as this I had a lounge/diner, with a large table, sofa & TV. The sofa could be made up into an extra bed. There was a large balcony with a table and chairs with a garden view, and I loved spending time on my balcony, listening to the peaceful sounds of nature. The staff were really friendly and helpful during our stay, they made sure we felt welcome upon arrival and did whatever was needed to make sure we were happy & comfortable.

The resort is located about 2km from the nearest bars and amenities, with the beach 3km and Albufeira centre 3.8km, but the hotel offers a shuttle bus to Albufeira Old Town 4 times per day and in high season this also goes to the beach and in low season it also visits the local shopping mall. The accommodation can be enjoyed on either a self-catering or all-inclusive basis. This hotel is perfect for families with younger children, due to the entertainment and facilities on offer targeted towards them, however with an adults-only pool and the shuttle bus, couples and other clients would also enjoy the resort’s spacious accommodation and could use it as a base to explore the local area.

During the trip we spent most mornings visiting a range of local hotels, learning about the rooms and facilities that each offers. We also were privileged to enjoy lunch and dinner at different hotels, which was a great experience, comparing the ranges and types of foods offered. My favourite dish was at Eva Senses hotel in Faro where we enjoyed a 3-course meal featuring a range of traditional dishes, one being Pasteis de Bacalhau which are oval shaped cod fritters, filled with mashed potatoes, onions and parsley. Another local specialty we tried were Pasteis de Nata, which are Portuguese custard tarts, and these I would definitely eat again!

I enjoyed an amazing Jeep Safari, driving around seeing the Algarve countryside and learning of its history and some fascinating facts. Did you know Portugal is the world’s largest Cork Producer, home to large cork forests and producing over 70% of the worlds cork exports?! We went along off-road dirt tracks to see the real countryside of the Algarve and the trip operators also run their own allotment where they grow spices and make their own alcohol, honey, dips, and a whole range of fresh produce, some of which we got the chance to taste. I also enjoyed a walking tour of Faro, seeing some of the city sights, and an evening circus show which was great entertainment.

I had thought that the Algarve would be more commercialised and built up before I visited, but on arrival I soon realised this was not the case - the region is actually home to a lot of flora and fauna with some beautiful sights to see. Albufeira is a great destination for families, with an incredible range of all-inclusive family hotels available, and if they are located away from the towns, they have entertainment programmes with lots of things to keep everyone entertained. Groups of friends would enjoy the Albufeira Strip’s vibrant nightlife, and for couples and older clients the Old Town, day trips and surrounding region offer opportunities for deeper exploration away from the beaches and nightlife. My trip was an amazing experience - learning about the Algarve’s culture and fantastic facilities for my customers was really helpful, and I made memories to last a lifetime!

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