HGVC Villamoura

[CalGalTraveler]

Got lucky and reserved 4 nights in a 1 bdrm at HGVC Villamoura in early Oct to add onto a Euro trip. Will book W57 on the outbound as a layover weekend to ease the jetlag from Calif.

Will the weather in Villamoura still be decent then? We don't plan to sit by the pool as we will be out sightseeing. Any HGVC Villamoura tips?

 

[Blues]

It should still be in the 70's during the day. Ideal weather, if you ask me. You'll love all the little restaurants clustered around and above the marina. My avatar is of DW and me at one of those, about 10 years ago. Never had a bad meal - or bad wine. Still one of our favorite places. But the HGVC is a bit of a walk from the marina. IIRC, they also had a little tram that could take you there for a minor fee.

We loved touring the Algarve coast. But you really need a car to do it efficiently. Our favorite town, out of many, was Lagos (pronounced la-GOSH with a long O). If you go all the way out to the point of land on the end of the peninsula, called the Ponta da Piedade, you not only get great views. You also can climb down some stairs down the limestone cliffs. At the bottom, you'll find lots of small fishing boats with fishermen lining up to take tourists on a tour around and into the limestone caves in the water. Another favorite memory.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

Thank you for the info. This sounds great. We will likely rent a car. Is it feasible to do a day trip to the Rock of Gibraltar?

 

[Blues]

Google says 4 hours 20 minutes each way. It would make an awfully long day. If it were me, I'd skip it and concentrate on the many wonderful towns along the Algarve coast.

 

[Cyberc]

Regarding the weather in October it can be so and so. We have experienced both nice and cold temperatures.

If you don’t plan to use the pool then you should be good.

Old town in albufeira is nice but be aware of the tourist traps(quite a few bad restaurants)

Be sure to visit some of the beautiful beaches in Algarve. But have in mind some of them are nude beaches so be sure to research them before going

Another thing there are free valet parking at the hotel. The shuttle to the beach is free but in October the hours of operation is limited.

If you are into piri Piri chicken there is a nice local chicken farm approx 45min away. They make the most delicious chicken, it’s not fancy but very local but very good I can’t remember the name but if you are interested I can try and look it up.

Hgvc also have their own area on the Vilamoura beach, the shuttle will take you there. Meaning you get free towels and sun beds.

If you go to Gibraltar be sure to ask if you are allowed to bring you rental car as not all rental companies allow you leave the country(Gibraltar is English) you also need to bring your passport.

I’ve only done Gibraltar while staying in Spain not Portugal.