The first pioneering tourists “discovered” the Algarve back in the 1960s. In those days, Albufeira was still a small fishing village and the journey by road from Lisbon took well over five hours on a good day! We can tell you lots of stories about the early days, and how much things have changed over the years, from personal experience.

The Algarve is around 150 kms from the western coast to the River Guadiana, which forms the border with Spain in the east, and stretches for some 80 kms from the coast back into what the Portuguese call the “serra” – the hinterland, and mountains that divide the Algarve from its neighbouring region, the Alentejo.

Away from the built-up coastal areas, there are still some beautiful expanses of countryside to be discovered, with small villages where time has stood still. Low-slung whitewashed cottages with bright blue surrounds to the doors and windows (to keep the devil at bay), elderly people sitting outside their front doors weaving or sewing, a pace of life and way of life that has not changed for centuries.

Despite passing fashions, the Algarve remains a firm favourite, particularly with British and Irish families – why?

Relaxed lifestyle – it can be as relaxed as you make it! Some people come here to retire, only to find that they are bored after a couple of years, so they start their own businesses. Others take retirement much more seriously, and improve their golf, tennis, horse riding, sailing, the Portuguese or whatever it may be that they promised themselves. The pace of life is certainly slower here, and once you are used to it, you will snuggle into it as you do into your favourite old slippers!

Food and wine – you probably sampled this first on holiday, if you ventured beyond the English-style restaurants that are clustered in key tourist spots. The fabulous climate and rich, fertile soil means that it is easy to have tasty, fresh local produce in season – this is the Mediterranean type climate that doctors tell you is so healthy! Yes, complete with red wine – Portugal is now recognized as a world-class producer of wines, especially reds (not forgetting port wine, of course!) and even the Algarve produces some very drinkable wines now. Eating out can be anything from fresh fish on a grill at a beach bar to haute cuisine at a Michelin-star restaurant – the choice is yours.

Close to home – with British and Irish airports only about 2 ½ hours flying time, and with regular schedule and charter flights from many regional airports, it is easy to keep in touch with friends and family.

Education – the profile of people buying homes in the Algarve is getting younger as more couples decide to make a serious life change and bring up their young families in a less stressful, less threatening environment. There is a choice of Portuguese or International schools throughout the Algarve.

Health care – most foreigners opt for private health care, and there is a huge choice of general doctors, dentists, opticians etc of many different nationalities, as well as many complementary therapists. There are private and public hospitals providing a good level of care and state of the art equipment.

Security, peace of mind – there have been a few high-profile cases in the past year which have suggested that the Algarve is not a safe place to live. We disagree. Yes, we lock our houses and cars now, but walking the local streets at night alone is not a problem for a woman, and children are safer here than almost anywhere. The southern Europeans still have a strong sense of an extended family, and adore children – theirs and everyone else’s! In terms of wider security, Portugal is seen as a safe haven, far from the centres of terrorist action. Portugal’s role in carrying out its UN and UE obligations are those of peacekeeping and rebuilding.

Investment – we all know that markets move in cycles or waves, and are subject to downs as well as ups. The Algarve has a very good track record as a sound investment, and certain properties have shown very good capital growth. As we like to say, “if you are looking for a property as an investment, we can help you – but we would always advise you to buy a property that you would like to live in, too!”