Location description from owner

The Algarve region

The Sotavento (eastern Algarve) runs from Faro in the west to the River Guadiana, the border with Spain, in the east. In the north, there are the mountains: the Serra de Calderao and the Serra do Cume Alcaria. Between the mountains and the coast stretches a lovely rolling landscape. The mountains (highest peak in the Serra de Calderao is 577 metres) give a protective effect against any cold northern weather. They are covered with forests of eucalyptus and chestnut trees, with many pine trees, holm oaks and cork oaks, and lots of underbrush. A beautiful setting for your holiday!

Moving down from the hills, we come to orange, lemon and olive groves with agaves, fig trees and palms. Characteristic of the landscape is the carob tree; the many hours of sunshine and mild subtropical climate provide ideal conditions for it to thrive. especially in spring and autumn, this area is a green oasis, and always somewhere in the distance is a view of the blue ocean. There are stunning views both towards the coast and the hinterland from the top of the Serra de Monte Figo (410 m).

The sports to be found in the eastern Algarve will certainly meet your needs. A variety of water sports, such as catamaran sailing, surfing, diving, big game fishing or dolphin watching as well as paragliding, skydiving - in short, too many to mention!

For children, the Algarve is a paradise: there are several zoos, pony rides, karting, Aqua parks, Zoomarine, miniature golf and even swimming with dolphins!

But it's also great for long walks on deserted beaches, by the lagoons or in the hills where there are loads of opportunities for cycling on the many back roads, or mountain biking on unpaved dirt roads.

The Algarve is,of course, a golfer's paradise. Casa Josephina is perfectly situated for you to make the most of the golfing opportunities available. With the famous courses of the Central Algarve less than 30 minutes drive to the west, and the less-discovered but equally fine courses of the East Algarve only 20 - 30 minutes away to the east, you have no fewer than 18 courses within half an hour's journey.

Quelfes

Casa Josephina is in a quiet and secluded area just on the outskirts of Quelfes. The village is dreamy and quiet - time seems to stand still. The villa is only 5 minutes drive from Olhao, the focal point for fishing in the Algarve, where you can find many shops and restaurants and, of course, lots of fresh and delicious fish. In a different direction, you are 5 minutes from Moncarapacho, a town which is well worth a visit and which has many fine restuarants.

In the immediate (rural) area, there are a number of restaurants, marked by signs along the roads and country lanes. Driving on these roads you will pass many orange and lemon groves, and plantations of olives, agaves, figs and palm trees. Their different flowering periods ensure that it always smells wonderful!

One of the great features of the East Algarve is an extensive lagoon system that runs from Faro to Manta Rota with beautiful wide, long, soft sandy beaches. This sheltered lagoon area is protected from the Atlantic Ocean by islands and sandbanks off the coast where there are even more paradisiacal beaches! These beaches are amongst the finest in Europe.

From several places (Olhao, Fuzeta...) it is possible to walk, take a boat or even a small train (Pedras d'el Rei) to visit these islands and sandbars. This whole area is approximately 1800 hectares and has been declared a national park: the Ria Formosa. Of interest too is the Visitor Centre, Quinta de Marim.

The nearest beaches are just minutes away from your house: in Olhao and in the village of Fuzeta. Fuzeta is still an original fishing village with a beautiful beach and a nice lagoon! A ferry takes you five minutes to a fantastic, miles-long beach on the other side of the lagoon. A little further towards the Spanish border lie the world-famous and idyllic beaches of the Ilha de Tavira.

The delightful old towns and villages of the Eastern Algarve coast are fascinating to explore. The "jewel of the Algarve" is the old town of Tavira. Located just 10 - 15 min drive away, Tavira invites you to wander through its winding streets, explore its wealth of churches (30 in all!), or just relax with a drink at one of the riverside restaurants.

Olhao is even closer - a Moorish-looking town with a strong fishing tradition - don't miss the lively fish market. Take a stroll through the tiny streets an alleys and have a closer look at the many interesting shops. Also interesting is the lively covered market on the quayside where you can drink delicious cappuccino (or something stronger!) overlooking the marina or the sea.

East of Tavira is the tiny Cacela Velha, an older "robbers'den" situated above the lagoon, witha fantastic view over the Ria Formosa and the coast.

It is fascinating to visit the Moncarapacho church museum where one of the former priest's archaeological and ethnographic private collection is on display. The adjacent church has beautifual yellow-blue and olive green azulejos (tiles) from the 16th and 17th centuries. In the "Olaria" at the entrance to the village, the ctraftsmen still bake the traditional ceramics.

The Eastern Algarve has some of the finest beaches in Europe. From Faro to Manta Rota in the east, there is an extensive lagoon system with beautiful long, wide sandy beaches. This sheltered lagoon area is protected from the Atlantic by a string of offshore islands, where the beaches are even more paradisiacal! You can catch a boat to the islands from the little fishing village of Fuzeta, or from the busy fishing town of Olhao, both of which are only 5 minutes drive away. Or at Pedras del Rei, you can walk to one of the islands or even take the miniature railway.

A huge variety of watersports awaits you - sailing, surfing, diving, big game fishing and dolphin watching. For children, there is a great range of activities on offer - zoos, pony rides, karting, aqua parks, Zoomarine, miniature golf and even swimming with dolphins.

The area is great for all kinds of walks - on deserted beaches, by the lagoons, in the hill. Or just stroll in the lanes round Casa Josephina where you can enjoy the rolling green landscapes, with orange, lemon, olive and almond groves, and stunning views to the sea.