People often say to me: "You're always going on about Algarve beaches - but, which is your favourite?"

I plead 'guilty as charged' to the first part: I do rhapsodise about holidays spent stretched out on those fabulous expanses of sand - in fact, I love it so much that I've long wanted to own an Algarve holiday home.

But we decided to go one better... That's right - I'm currently in the middle of an Algarve property purchase, so I can live there all year round! Now, I ask you - how much more enthusiastic could a person be?

What's the attraction, you ask? Well, I'm a big fan of sun-sand-and-sea vacations, so the wonderful Algarve beaches are spot-on. People are friendly and welcoming, lifestyle relaxed, cuisine varied and delicious - and there's lots of other stuff to do. That's what made me long to be there.

But mainly it's because I can't get enough of those Algarve beaches.   I like lying on them, walking over them, looking at them, swimming off them...

I also enjoy watching Algarve watersports (and occasionally taking part), and I love exploring in the wonderful surrounding countryside.

I shared my Algarve holidays with my husband, Nev, who has never been as mad-keen as I am about beaches.

So, he'd wander off with his painting gear and leave me on a beach to demolish snacks, drinks and holiday blockbusters (in that order).

And later, we'd drive around and discover new stuff, or enjoy some 'culture vulture' stuff together.

(Just to orientate ourselves, the yellow speck below the green stripe on the left of the map of Europe, shown below, is where you'll find those gorgeous sandy Algarve beaches. Alternatively, if you want to use a searchable Algarve map, here's one, supplied by those nice people at Google)

Algarve has wonderful year-round weather - unrivalled in Europe and similar to southern California's, - but without the 'quakes (well, since 1755, anyway). That's a great combination, with none of the disadvantages. Need a better reason to try it out?

This, my first ever web site, simply had to be about my passion for those gorgeous Algarve beaches. So, for my April 2004 trip to the Algarve, I borrowed a digital camera from my goddaughter, Liz. That meant I could start downloading the results onto my PC for use on this website.

After that, Nev treated me to my own digi-camera (which got sand in it - wonder how that happened? - now I'm more careful with the equipment). So, watch out for some of my latest pictures of those fabulous Algarve beaches in these pages. And, of course, pics of yours truly doing what I like best -- spending time exploring the beautiful Algarve and its glorious golden beaches.

But, back to that question: which of the Algarve beaches is my favourite?

Although it's a cop-out, I could say they all are, because I've never visited one that I didn't enjoy. And there are 100+ miles (that's more than 160 kilometres if you've been metricated!) of Algarve beaches from which to choose.

However, I will try to answer the question about favourite beaches as you'll see later...

Meantime, elsewhere on this site, I'll be telling you about:

• Algarve activities - suggestions for things to do during your Algarve holiday

 
• Best Algarve accommodation (cheap and expensive)

 
• My current recommendations for Algarve restaurants

 
• Which are my favourite Algarve beaches at the moment - and why

 
• All about Algarve camping facilities. An increasingly popular way to enjoy the Algarve, so I update this page as often as possible

 
• Best spots for Algarve watersports of all kinds

 
• Where to find things in Algarve for kids to enjoy.

 
• Essential strategies for buying Algarve property (yes, we really are doing it!)

 
• Where to enjoy Algarve naturism. If you're shedding clothes, you need a lovely climate, so here are some suggested venues

 
• Tips on exploring the Algarve and suggestions for some great days out

 
• Why Algarve villa rental vacations were my some of my all-time favourites

 
• How my earliest (and some of my dearest) Algarve memories happened while staying in an Algarve apartment rental
  
  

• All about Algarve timeshare and timeshare rentals
  

• The "special" things that make me glad to be in Algarve

 

...and lots more of the things that enthuse me about Algarve. (For a complete listing of all the Algarve information available on the Algarve Beach Life website, see my Site Map page).

Or, why not subscribe to my monthly newsletter, Algarve Beach Life News -- I'll keep you updated, every month, about the new information I have added (there's tons to write about this wonderful area - and I'm hoping to manage even more once I'm finally settled into my new Algarve home!) You can also read what others think, as I add more pages with stories and favourite spots of other Algarve beach lovers.

A unique Algarve Beaches newsletter?

Sign up now!

... Or, you could subscribe to my Algarve Beach Life mini-blog. This RSS feed is a small blog (journal) about Algarve, which will also let you know whenever any new or changed Web pages appear here on Algarve Beach Life. It will keep you up-to-date with other special postings and also point out some of my descriptions of previous adventures that you might otherwise miss.
 What's an RSS feed?

And do let me know what you think of this, my first ever web site; I really want it to communicate my obsession with the Algarve. Just use the "Your Algarve Best" form -- I'd love to have your feedback.

....I hope you enjoy the rest of my web site, and maybe I'll see you on one of those fantastic Algarve beaches - soon!

Holidays for singles - Specially designed holidays for the single traveler.