Things to do for free in Faro

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Friday, 16 August 2013 02:54

Times are hard for many families in the UK at the moment, but that doesn’t mean people have to abandon their plans to take a holiday in one of Europe’s many sun-kissed destinations this year.

One place that is ideal for Britons on a budget is the Algarve, which has an abundance of fun activities that will not cost the earth. Monarch offers an array of cheap flights to Faro, so getting to the south of Portugal is no problem at all, but what can you expect when you arrive?

Free and easy on the beach

Aside from the stunning weather and friendly locals, Faro has plenty of beaches for visitors to enjoy. In fact, the city boasts some of the finest stretches of coastline in Portugal, including the wonderful Praia de Faro, which is simply beautiful in the summer months.

The beach is renowned for its watersports, although these may not appeal to holidaymakers who are trying to keep a firm grip on their euros. If that is the case, why not just lie back and relax under the beaming Portuguese sun as the waves gently roll towards the shore?

You could also bask in the spectacular view from one of the many beachside cafes that are dotted along Praia de Faro with a drink in your hand – an excellent and inexpensive way to unwind.

Explore Faro’s rich history

It is always a bonus when a holiday destination has a rich and intriguing history to explore, especially if you are looking for free things to do. While there are some attractions in Faro that charge a small entrance fee, such as the Igreja do Carmo Church, there are many more that you can access for nothing.

The Cidade Velha area is definitely worth exploring, as it boasts a multitude of striking Moorish buildings. These tend to be painted in bright colours and usually have distinctive ornate features. The gorgeous Faro Cathedral – or Se de Faro – is one of many historic buildings that will catch the eye as you stroll around the city’s cobbled streets.

If you are able to travel out of the metropolis, it is definitely a good idea to scour the Roman ruins in Milreu. These are just a few kilometres from Faro and are a must for any history enthusiast who has an interest in Roman architecture.

Take in one of Faro’s free museums

It is worth checking to see which of Faro’s superb museums will let you in free of charge. One that stands out in particular is the Maritime Museum, which can be found on the Capitania de Port de Faro. Here you will find an extensive collection of scale models of sailing boats and naval ships, as well as exhibits that follow the evolution of fishing techniques in the area.

Although the complex appears small from the outside, it is surprisingly large once you get in there. It is the perfect way to break up your walk around the glamorous surrounds of Faro’s picturesque waterfront.

The harbour itself is one of the most stunning settings in the south of Portugal and it is hard to think of too many better places to watch the sun go down. If you don’t fancy dining out, why not find a nice secluded spot where you and your family can spend some quality time while enjoying a picnic?

Top hidden beaches in Lanzarote

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Friday, 23 August 2013 02:27

Lanzarote, part of the Canary Islands archipelago, is undoubtedly one of the most popular summer destinations for Brits. It’s not hard to see why – the fantastic year-round sunshine, golden-sand beaches, lively nightlife and accessible resorts make for the ideal family break away in the sun. There’s something for everyone.

The island’s wide variety of beaches are probably the biggest draw, from the idyllic white-sand beaches, which are perfect for sunbathing, surfing spots and secluded coves, which are ideal for getting it away from it all. What’s more, the water temperature rarely gets colder than a balmy 19 degrees Celsius, making for very pleasant bathing, scuba diving and watersports.

The best part is that they are so accessible from the UK – it’s a four-hour flight from most UK airports – and there are a huge amount of all inclusive packages and cheap flights to make the most of all year round. 

Here’s some of the best beaches – away from the crowds:

Papagayo beach
One of the nicest beaches on the island is Papagayo beach, located around six kilometres from Playa Blanca. It is known to be one of the best in the whole of the Canary Islands due to its turquoise waters, fine sand and secluded location. It’s a perfect spot for getting away from the hustle and bustle of the main resort of Playa Blanca for a picnic and a splash around in the tranquil sea. It’s protected from the wind, as it’s surrounded by tall cliffs, so perfect for sunbathing. You’ll have to bring everything for the day, however as there are no amenities nearby (but for many this is the appeal!). Although remote, you may have to share the perfect crescent of sand in the high season as unfortunately it’s no longer quite such a well-kept secret, but you can also reach the neighbouring bays of Las Mujeres or Pozo easily by car or water taxi.

Famara beach
Famara is another of Lanzarote’s best beaches – a six kilometre stretch of sand in the north of Lanzarote with a backdrop of the imposing Le Risco de Famara cliffs. Sometimes referred to as the ‘European Hawaii’, this coastal strip boasts fantastic waves, making it a very popular surfer hangout. Attracting stiff breezes (it bears the brunt of the trade winds sweeping in from the Atlantic), the beach isn’t ideal for sunbathing but is perfect for watersports, surfing and long afternoon walks. This means you’ll be able to find wide stretches of sand just to yourself and with the surfers taking to the waves in front of you, there’s some good live entertainment! There’s also a host of other activities on offer, from horse riding to windsurfing and even yoga. After an active day on the beach, Caleta de Famara – the small coastal village by the beach – is well worth a visit. With a chilled out vibe, there’s lots of low-key, but great, seafood restaurants and bars to choose from.

End of summer sunshine: where to go for a budget break

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Monday, 16 September 2013 02:30

If you’re yet to organise your summer getaway, now’s the time to crack on with your planning. By leaving it late you’ll have the opportunity to snap up some last-minute deals, and there are a few destinations that combine bargain prices with amazing attractions.

We have listed some of our favourite places for holidays in the sun in 2013 below.

Majorca

With 550 km of coastline and a sunny climate, Majorca is a natural choice for a short-haul getaway before autumn arrives. One of the nice things about going on holiday here is that there is a good balance between beaches, natural wonders and cultural attractions, which means it’s easy to have a varied and interesting break.

Of course, hitting the beach is one of the cheapest ways to enjoy the sun – especially if you do a little forward planning and bring a picnic with you. In terms of where to go, Cala Llombards on the south-west coast is extremely pretty and great for snorkelling, while Es Trenc in Campos is conveniently close to the capital Palma.

Speaking of Palma, make sure you spend some time exploring this exciting city. You don’t need to break the bank – just stroll around the streets and soak up the atmosphere, popping into the occasional attraction like the Gothic Majorca Cathedral.

Tenerife

Tenerife has long been a popular holiday destination, and there are loads of reasons to come here. Like Majorca, this Canary Island has something to offer all sorts of people.

For example, beach lovers will feel right at home at destinations like Playa de las Americas and Los Cristianos, while Las Teresitas Beach is beautiful and perfect for snorkelling.

If you prefer activities like hiking and cycling to spending time on the beach, you won’t be disappointed by visits to Teide National Park – home to the island’s highest peak, Mount Teide – and Corona Forestal Nature Park. For golfers there are plenty of courses to try out, including Golf Costa Adeje, while families are well catered for too.

Indeed, if you’re travelling with the kids you’ll have some great choices like spending a day splashing about in Siam Park – a Thai-themed water park – and spotting animals in Loro Parque.

Lanzarote

Our final choice is another of the Canary Islands – this time Lanzarote. Renowned for its lunar-like landscape, this is also a destination that has an excellent reputation for its weather and beaches.

However, there are also plenty of cultural attractions to be discovered. For instance, the Cesar Manrique Foundation is definitely a must-visit for art lovers, since you can explore his former home and see a host of works by both the man himself and other artists, including Picasso.

Many people don’t realise that Manrique was also a skilled architect, and when exploring the foundation you can get an idea of his abilities, with many of the rooms being created from volcanic bubbles that occurred naturally in the terrain.

It’s also well worth visiting Timanfaya National Park, where you can fully appreciate just how impressive the island’s volcanic landscape is. Head up to the Montana Rajada natural viewing point, from where you’ll be able to see over the strange lava formations all the way out to sea.

The Isle of Wight: a great choice for budget holidays

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Wednesday, 18 September 2013 11:13

Working out how to have a decent holiday on a budget can often feel like a chore – but it doesn’t have to if you choose the right destination. The Isle of Wight is absolutely perfect for wallet-friendly travel, and you can find out why below.

Self-catered cottages

One of the great things about the Isle of Wight is that it has plenty of affordable accommodation, with some of the easiest on the purse strings being self-catered cottages. You can find out more about these here, but they can prove particularly cost-effective if you’re travelling as a group, since you can divide the total bill between you all.

Another way that self-catered lodgings can help you save a few pounds is that since you’ll be buying your own food, you’ll have much more control over how much you spend. After all, being compelled to eat out every lunchtime and evening – as you often are at hotels – can quickly make the overall cost of your break skyrocket.

Free attractions

Another benefit of picking the Isle of Wight as your destination is that there are so many ways to entertain yourself that cost nothing at all. The beaches are perhaps the most obvious option, as these are what the island is famous for.

Its mild weather and high number of award-winning beaches make this one of the best places to hit the coast in the UK. Look out for stretches with Blue Flag or Seaside Awards for the best experiences – Shanklin, Sandown and Ventnor are all popular and excellent choices.

Sandown is one of the most famous on the island and is well known for its gorgeous sweep of golden sand and pleasure pier, as well as the fact that it’s perfect for surfing. Ventnor Beach, meanwhile, is home to charming little Victorian beach huts and is ideal for swimming.

Sitting above the shores of Ventnor is the town of the same name, and it’s in this area you’ll find another of the island’s best free attractions – Ventnor Botanic Garden. This is no ordinary garden; it’s located in ‘Undercliff’ area, which has a unique microclimate protected from cold winds by chalk downs.

What this means is that it has a much warmer – and often wetter – climate than the rest of the island, similar to the weather you’d expect in the Mediterranean. So, you can peruse all kinds of plants from across the world, including as far afield as Australia and New Zealand.

For those of you travelling with children, it’s also worth noting there’s a lovely picnic area here with a playground right next to it, which makes it easy to save on food costs and keep the kids entertained.

If you’re an active person, you should also bear in mind that the Isle of Wight is a walkers’ paradise – and, of course, a nice stroll costs nothing. There are more than 500 miles of paths on the island, and the beauty of these is that they’re well maintained and varied, which means you have a wide choice of coastal trails and inland walks.

The Isle of Wight Coastal Path is the most famous walking route on the island, spanning just under 70 miles in total. You can tackle this in its entirety if you wish, but if you’d rather just spend a morning or afternoon hiking then you can pick a shorter section of it. Indeed, there are plenty of little trails marked out within it, such as the Brighstone to Niton walk, which is 8 miles long.

5 reasons why Tenerife is an affordable holiday spot

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Thursday, 10 January 2013 12:00

The Canary Island of Tenerife is a fantastic destination for all types of holidaymakers, from couples on a honeymoon to families who are in search of an affordable break. Coming to Tenerife doesn’t break the budget, making it an ideal choice.

If the island sounds like somewhere you’d like to potentially holiday to, below are five reasons why you should book a getaway here.

1. There are some fantastic all-inclusive options

One of the best ways to slash the costs of a holiday is to go all-inclusive. While this might cost more than a traditional self-catering or half-board break upfront, in the long run you can end up saving a lot of money.

All-inclusive holidays tend to include all of your flights, accommodation, meals, drinks and some activities, so you might not have to spend anything once you land on Tenerife. Of course, you might decide to eat outside of the resort or go souvenir shopping sometimes, but more often than not you will find your hotel boasts every facility you can think of.

2. It boasts lots of green spaces

If you like to do something more than simply sunbathe on the beach or around the pool, but are conscious of your finances, Tenerife boasts an abundance of natural protected spaces that are perfect for exploring underneath the warm sun.

Teide National Park is home to the highest mountain in Spain – Teide, at 3,718 m – as well as lots of flora and fauna. Spending a few hours hiking across the terrain is a free activity that everyone can enjoy. Some of the other natural spaces that holidaymakers can visit include Anaga Rural Park, Corona Forestal Nature Park and Teno Rural Park.

3. It has a wide choice of beaches

Spending the day at the beach doesn’t need to cost a penny, and Tenerife has plenty of stretches of sand to choose from. With a typical annual temperature of 23 degrees C, you can be sure the sun will be out for you when you jet off to the island. Out of Tenerife’s beaches, 16 have been awarded Blue Flag status for the high quality of the sand and water, something parents will no doubt be keen to look out for when deciding which one to take their children to.

El Bollullo is seen as one of the most stunning beaches on the Canary Island, and while it is perhaps not the best for swimming or sunbathing due to the strong currents and lack of shade, it is ideal for taking a stroll along before grabbing a refreshing drink at the beach bar.

4. There is a good selection of water sports

It is well worth seeing if your all-inclusive resort offers complimentary water sports, as the climate and sea conditions of Tenerife make these kinds of activities a popular choice. Young and old alike will be thrilled to go on a dolphin and whale-watching trip, with the south-west of the coast a particularly good place to see these creatures. Bottlenose dolphins and pilot whales are the two resident populations around the island and can be seen during approximately 80 per cent of the year.

Scuba diving, snorkelling, jet skiing and sailing are also available when on holiday in this corner of Spain.

5. You can go on affordable excursions

If you like to see what your holiday destination offers outside the confines of your resort, Tenerife is home to plenty of villages and hamlets that are fantastic for visiting for an hour or so. Taganana, for example, is located in the Anaga Rural Park and has lots of pretty buildings to explore.

One of these is a small church that is one of the eldest on the island. Step inside, and you can see a valuable 16th-century triptych.

Majorca’s ultimate attractions

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Saturday, 05 January 2013 09:39

Spain is a fantastic country to holiday in if you’re on a tight budget, as its popular tourist destinations are packed with attractions, meaning you certainly get a lot for your money. This is especially the case on the Balearic island of Majorca.

If you book a last-minute cheap holiday to Majorca, you can rest assured you have days ahead of you filled with sunbathing on white sand, tackling a wide range of water sports, playing golf and visiting top tourist sites.

Below is a guide to some of the best attractions the Spanish island boasts.

Its long sandy stretches

One of the best ways to save splashing the cash when on holiday is to enjoy time at the beach. The island is home to 158 sand ones, 13 gravel beaches, 21 made of rock and 15 pebble. It’ll probably be the sandy beaches you and your loved ones will have your eye on, and if you’re staying in Peguera, make sure you check out Peguera Palmira Beach.

With white sand and calm waters, this is perfect for couples and families alike, and there are plenty of shops and restaurants along the promenade where you can seek some shade. Another popular holiday destination in this part of Spain is Palma Nova. Playa de Palma Beach also boasts white sand and calm waters, while you might find you even end up here come nightfall in one of the nearby lively clubs.

If you’re staying in self-catering accommodation, you might like to bring bottled water and a picnic to the beach to save you spending money in one of the cafes, although you will find plenty of cheap set menus you can take advantage of should you prefer to dine in the shade.

Its museums

While you might think museums are something to avoid when holidaying on a budget, you may be surprised at just how affordable visiting these tourist attractions is. There’s something for all tastes in Majorca, so whatever your interests are you will find a museum for you.

One of the museums that you might like to put on your itinerary is the Father Juniper Serra Museum and Birthplace, which is dedicated to the founder of Los Angeles, San Francisco and the Californian Missions. The friar was born in Petra and is well worth finding out more about. The Soller Marine Museum and Regional Museum of Arta are also some of the venues you can visit.

Its green spaces

Another way to save money while seeing large sections of the area at the same time is to explore its green spaces, with the Cabrera Archipelago National Park a particular highlight. There are plenty of available excursions to the park, so it’s a good idea to compare different companies until you find a price you are happy with for the service you get.

Located an hour from the island by boat, the national park was named a National Marine and Land Park in 1991 and covers more than 10 hectares. Some of the things you can see and do here include going on hikes and visiting the 14th-century castle. If you are a flora and fauna enthusiast, make sure you keep your eyes peeled for the large bird colonies, while underneath the waves there are meadows of Neptunegrass, helping boost the population of aquatic life that calls Cabrera home.

Majorca’s ultimate attractions

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Tuesday, 04 December 2012 05:39

Spain is a fantastic country to holiday in if you’re on a tight budget, as its popular tourist destinations are packed with attractions, meaning you certainly get a lot for your money. This is especially the case on the Balearic island of Majorca.

If you book a last-minute cheap holiday to Majorca, you can rest assured you have days ahead of you filled with sunbathing on white sand, tackling a wide range of water sports, playing golf and visiting top tourist sites.

Below is a guide to some of the best attractions the Spanish island boasts.

Its long sandy stretches

One of the best ways to save splashing the cash when on holiday is to enjoy time at the beach. The island is home to 158 sand ones, 13 gravel beaches, 21 made of rock and 15 pebble. It’ll probably be the sandy beaches you and your loved ones will have your eye on, and if you’re staying in Peguera, make sure you check out Peguera Palmira Beach.

With white sand and calm waters, this is perfect for couples and families alike, and there are plenty of shops and restaurants along the promenade where you can seek some shade. Another popular holiday destination in this part of Spain is Palma Nova. Playa de Palma Beach also boasts white sand and calm waters, while you might find you even end up here come nightfall in one of the nearby lively clubs.

If you’re staying in self-catering accommodation, you might like to bring bottled water and a picnic to the beach to save you spending money in one of the cafes, although you will find plenty of cheap set menus you can take advantage of should you prefer to dine in the shade.

Its museums

While you might think museums are something to avoid when holidaying on a budget, you may be surprised at just how affordable visiting these tourist attractions is. There’s something for all tastes in Majorca, so whatever your interests are you will find a museum for you.

One of the museums that you might like to put on your itinerary is the Father Juniper Serra Museum and Birthplace, which is dedicated to the founder of Los Angeles, San Francisco and the Californian Missions. The friar was born in Petra and is well worth finding out more about. The Soller Marine Museum and Regional Museum of Arta are also some of the venues you can visit.

Its green spaces

Another way to save money while seeing large sections of the area at the same time is to explore its green spaces, with the Cabrera Archipelago National Park a particular highlight. There are plenty of available excursions to the park, so it’s a good idea to compare different companies until you find a price you are happy with for the service you get.

Located an hour from the island by boat, the national park was named a National Marine and Land Park in 1991 and covers more than 10 hectares. Some of the things you can see and do here include going on hikes and visiting the 14th-century castle. If you are a flora and fauna enthusiast, make sure you keep your eyes peeled for the large bird colonies, while underneath the waves there are meadows of Neptunegrass, helping boost the population of aquatic life that calls Cabrera home.