Want a change from your normal lazy beach day in the Algarve?

The Algarve....

Long golden sandy beaches, with their trademark rocky outcrops, award winning golf courses and wall to wall sunshine. What you may not know is the Algarve also has a mountainous hinterland offering a completely different landscape and holiday. If you journey away from the beaches and the crowds you will not be disappointed. Take the new Algarve motorway and from there climb up the mountain roads navigating the hairpin bends. Not recommended if you don’t like heights! The scenery becomes rapidly more alpine with pine trees, rough gorse and the air is fresher and sharp.  This is a welcomed change from the heat of the coast. Watch out for the abundant wildlife on these hills consisting of black boar, rabbits, goats and deer.

If you decide to take a villa here you will have a plentiful opportunity for walking, mountain biking and bird watching to name a few activities. In addition the charming village of Monchique has a thermal spa where villagers and holiday makers alike drink, bathe and enjoy the therapeutic spa waters. There is a quaint village square with a few shops and cafes and also a hotel offering treatments, massages and relaxation sessions using Monchique spa water.

You can climb to the highest point in the Algarve, Foia - which is 902 metres high. There is a viewing point where you can take in the simply stunning views all the way over to the coast. The viewing centre is uninspiring but the views more then make up for it!

When you have walked or cycled enough to build up an appetite go for a fabulous meal at a local mountain restaurant. These dishes on the menu define organic as they use locally grown ingredients or meats. Try the black boar stew! Or goat curry! Wash it down with the local Medronho, but be careful, it is 100% proof.

If you have been to the Algarve before and love the resort but wish to try something different, Villa Vida Nova offered by Villa Select could be just what you’re looking for. With 4mx8m private swimming pool and panoramic views of the countryside, you don’t have to worry about missing out on a sun tan.  While you chillax on the terrace near enough to the gorgeous beaches of the Algarve for a day out it offers a truly different Algarve holiday experience.