We are thinking of going to Portugal in Jan.but need lots of info on areas and hotels/apts. as we have never been there.Thanks!!

I haven't been there yet, but I'm leaving tomorrow!! Can't wait. We are going to go to the Algarve on the southern coast. See Rick Steves' guidebooks and websites for more info. www.ricksteves.com <BR>

We've stayed there a number of times. Our favourite places are Portimao and Vilamoura. We've stayed in hotels, apartments and townhouses/flats. We've always founds the Portuguese to be very charming, certainly not as rude as the French, and less cynical than the Spanish. There are lots of places posted on the Internet in Portugal for rent/lease. If you go to Portimao try out the Dennis Inn - great BBQ.

Thanks for the info.Mavis are you there?I would like to know what the weather is like in Jan.and would you recommend some of the apts.in a nice beach area.Also do you have any web sites on Portugal and accomodation?

We just (in June) stayed at a wonderful place in Salema, on the west coast. Go to www.algarve.co.uk to see the rooms offered by John at Pension Mare. We stayed in the apartment because it was all he had on short notice. It was beautiful and very restful. In the apartment you don't get the big breakfast in the breakfast room with all the rest of the guests - that's the only drawback. We loved Salema and the surrounding area for its lack of tourist build-up, although there were a lot of Germans and British there.

We are looking for 2-1 bedroom apartments, ocean view with services in Praria de Rocha Portugal from March 6 to April 4/99, any suggestions or addresses would be appreciated.

We are looking for 2-1 bedroom apartments, ocean view with services in Praria de Rocha Portugal from March 6 to April 4/99, any suggestions or addresses would be appreciated.

Hi - Sounds like there are a few of us visiting the algarve early next year. Rebecca - I have been in contack with John in Salema, but his prices seem high. Were there other places to stay in the area that were clean, but not as pricy? You mentioned you stayed in the apartment, do you have a recommendation on which suite would be nice for a couple. Do you think the suites could accommodate us buying lunch items for sandwiches etc. to make them in the suite? I have also heard that Tavira (on the east end of the algarve) is recommended. Anyone hear of this place or have recommendations for accommodation etc.? How about car rentals for the algarve stay - any recommendations and costs for a week? Thanks in advance.

Apartmemt wanted Praioa da Rocha Portugal Airline has changed our dates. We are now looking for 2-1 bedroom apts. with services and ocean view from March 2-March 31/99. any suggestions or addresses would be appreciated.

<BR>Jill, sorry but I don't know of any other places to stay in Salema except the Atlantico, which we didn't look at inside (and almost every house has rooms to let). I don't remember the prices of John's rooms, but would suggest #5 and #4, as they face the water. You can go on the web site and actually see pictures of the rooms. I'm sure you could make sandwiches in the rooms. He might let you use the refrigerator in the breakfast room if you needed to. You could ask on e-mail. We found a Mare very restful with a congenial atmosphere with the other guests.

Jill - <BR>If you go to Tavira stay in the Residencia Lagoas. Its run by a great woman named Maria. It is listed in the Rough Guide. Good location and nice rooms with or without baths (inexpensive also). another place is the Princesa do Gilao also looks nice. Tavira recently changed their area code if if you try and call these places you may want to check to see if the area code is right. I had trouble - I think they added one number to it <BR> <BR>Also check out: http://www.hotwired.com/rough/europe/portugal/ <BR>

Jill, we stayed at Pension Mare (Johnīs place) less than 2 weeks ago. It was 8,500 escudos for a double, divide this number by 184 to equal $46. The apartment was 10,000 escudos. Let me tell you, this place was well worth it and like a paradise. I would have paid more. The room we had was bright, cheerful, airy and spotless. John is very helpful. He was going to Lagos and offered to buy us the bus tickets we needed. I cannot even describe the hassle we would have had to go through. He has acess to the internet and email. The breakfast was great. It was in a bright, cheery, breezy room with OJ, choice of about 15 cereals, different yogurts, bread, cheese, salami, and fruit. You canīt beat that. There arenīt too many places to stay in Salema. There is a large hotel, probably very impersonal, and not too much else besides private rooms. If you have a car, you can go for an easy ride to Sagres and the cape. You can also spend an afternoon in Lagos, a nice city to walk around and eat in. Both are about 1/2 hour drive and there is also a bus to both. Johnīs email: [email protected] I think this pension is the ONLY way to go. You will not regret it!

Thanks to all of you for your info. I think I am in a real quandray as to which place to stay at - Tavira or Salema. I live in Canada so the cost at Pension Mare is more than $46, Caryn. I do appreciate all the information though - just the service that John provides sounds like he makes it a relaxing holiday. Which apartment did you stay in Caryn? How are the beaches in Tavira and Salema?

Ron and Jill: Star travel holidays has long stays of 25 days to the Algarve for as low as 1369.00 Canadian for 1 bedroom at praia da Rocha for 1 bedrrom apts. You fly KLM, also different prices at Vilamoura . <BR> We're going in Feb. these prices are round trip from Vancouver <BR>