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Faro and the Algarve

There’s no better way to beat the post-Christmas winter blues than by following the migrating birds and heading south. Part of what makes January and February so dreary in northern Europe are the short days and long nights. We all know that horrible feeling of waking up in the dark, trudging to work in the dark and coming home in the dark.

Longer days and balmy winter sunshine don’t, however, automatically equate to a trip further afield; there are a number of excellent destinations within Europe which are well worth considering.

Uppermost in your mind would have to be the Algarve. It’s the most southerly point of mainland Portugal and manages to stay warm even in the depths of January. Due to its specific geographical position, it sees an average of six hours sun a day through the winter and the temperatures are also impressive in their lofty consistency. Cheap flights run all the way through the Christmas period to Faro, the administrative capital of the region.

Tourism is obviously a major part of the Algarve economy, which is the third biggest of all the regions of Portugal, but it is also famous for its food exports such as fish and fresh fruit – produce that is given the perfect opportunity to thrive in these conditions.

You’ll find food in this region is particularly diverse and delicious. Locals love their grub and take great pride in their menus. Lending from the culinary cultures of neighbouring countries, the restaurants have developed dishes with influences from Africa and Europe alike. The Portuguese are partial to meat, and also seem to catch every imaginable type of fish around their shores – but it’s their distinctive way of seasoning such staple foods that makes the mouth water.

Using herbs and spices, such as chilli (lots of it!), coriander, cinnamon, vanilla and saffron, with an abundance of healthy olive oil, serves to embellish the food with a delightful spicy and full flavour. You can wash this all back with a wine from the region or a local sweet-tasting beer (or Cerveza) of your choice. Fruit and dairy are also prevalent in the cuisine of the area, so every food related desire is catered for in the Algarve.

With such a grand choice on offer, you might imagine that eating out is an expensive luxury; however, food and drink prices have remained improbably affordable and compare favourably to most European resorts. So you can enjoy the richest of food cultures with the most modest of means.

Faro itself is the most southerly city in Portugal and has a rich history, encompassing Roman and Moorish rule, not to mention a huge earthquake in 1755, which did its best to wipe the city off the map altogether. Thankfully, Faro survived to become one of the most pleasant holiday resorts in Europe. Today, flights to Faro are cheap and take you straight to the action. There is a really effortless feeling about travelling to this sophisticated corner of Portugal and you needn’t worry about long transfers when you get there as the coastal resorts are all nearby.

In addition to an attractive urban area Faro is also situated next to a vast nature reserve spanning 170 square kilometres. The Ria Formosa Natural Park, a series of marshes, sand banks and canals stretching out from the Formosa Estuary, is a stunning wildlife park with thousands of varieties of birds, flora and fauna.

Indeed, this hugely important wetland is a wintering ground for many migratory birds – so if you’re planning your own mini-migration it makes sense to pause here and visit the birds who make their own trip south every year.

Cheap flights to London (and other UK destinations) are readily available, meaning that for pure value for money and quality winter sun, there are few destinations that can hold a candle up to the Algarve.