Tavira is a splendid destination to enjoy those unmistakable and incomparable stupendous Algarve lights and
colours in the city of 37 white Churches, a very
characterful and suggestive place with a rich cultural patrimony and a relevant past all to
narrate highly fascinating.
That captivating
centre of approximately 28,000 inhabitants on the banks of the Gilão
river and on the shore of the Atlantic in Southern Portugal, a
historic site which shows with extreme pride all its charming environment highlighted by
picturesque white houses, winding streets, picturesque alleys which increase their magic appeal when they are illuminated by magnificent dawns
and unforgettable sunsets also highlight and part of a simply unique scene highly inspiring.
Situated in the district
of Faro bordering the municipalities of Alcoutim, Vila Real de Santo António, Olhão, São Brás de Alportel and Loulé very close to the Spanish border and its community of Andalusia, Tavira is highlighted in its boundaries by wonderful beaches and a fascinating
shoreline, representing one of the truest images of that land totally
reflecting the pure essence and spirit of that Southern European Region in a
myriad of aspects.
It is enough a walk
around its harbour seeing the fishermen repairing their nets and always busy in
a chat during their operations, strolling the narrow and windy streets of its
historic centre flanked on both sides by attractive whitewashed constructions with colourful painted
shutters and doors and you can immediately breathe the air of the traditional and
genuine old Algarve more alive than ever in that centre emanating in a while a special and unique charm.
Famous all around the
country as the City of 37 Igreias Brancas, the City of 37 white
Churches, that great number of Religious buildings present in the boundaries of
Tavira is really impressive despite the size of that Portuguese Eastern
Algarve Municipality is not too big undoubtedly also that stunning presence of a relevant historic patrimony adds much more appeal and interest transmitting an immediate desire to discover all its boundaries metre by metre.
Those numerous
emblematic Sacred constructions are obviously a shining highlight as stars in a
magnificent sky and that scenery is the result of an active artistic and cultural
activity in the course of the long history of Tavira combined with the immense
historic patrimony of its Cidade Velha, the old town in which many other
buildings show in all their splendour the typical Manuelino architectonic style, an iconic architectural movement born and bred
in that country which is a further attraction that Portuguese centre boasts.
Tavira is also
identified for its delicious smells originated by those superb flavors and
aromas of an excellent local gastronomy among the most delectable of the entire
Region, a site always highlighted by a mild climate all year with that special
and eternal cool evening breeze surrounding the scenic image of its port
and the lanterns scattered along its urban arteries illuminating that site which takes a perfect mix
of poetry and genuine vivid reality in a very attractive scenery highly fascinating, enchanting the visitor at first
sight.
The local atmosphere is
much more highlighted enjoying a typical tavern tasting a glass of fine wine
and including having a chat with the local fishmongers talking about the catch of the day, if there is available fresh Bacalhau, that famous and delectable cod.
At the tables of a
bar old men playing cards and you can sit there and starting a lovely and
pleasant conversation with them about football with special protagonists the iconic Clubs of that country such as the Sport e Lisboa
Benfica, Futebol Club do Oporto or the Sporting Clube de Portugal of Lisbon frequently main subjects and favourite themes of those nice locals.
You will know and
discover better Tavira and its secrets also with those little things, chatting with the
locals, very kind people and once there you can enjoy a conversation about everything and
furthermore they will suggest you many interesting things as the best points of the local beaches where to go and
what to visit in the surroundings as special hidden marvels only them know or including you can start to talk
about gastronomy and they will recommend you where to eat an excellent and delectable Cataplana.
That Portuguese centre is as special as its great people and that is Tavira in
all its popular and alive human splendour and fascinating atmosphere. A centre which apart to be a great and suggested destination for art and history lovers offers great beaches, many chances to practise water sports such as sailing, wind and kite surfing, diving, excursions by boat along the coast of the Ocean in an environment with a total absence of pollution.
Many are the chances to visit the Algarvean coastline with many sites of immense beauty such as Praia da Rocha, Faro, Portimao, Albufeira, Lagos, Cabo de Sao Vicente but also very interesting places in the interior as Loulé and Silves and the inland offers a fantastic hilly countryside ideal for cyclists and trekkers.
The proximity of Andalusia, one of the most fascinating Spanish communities is a further incentive to plan radial excursions to Cadiz, Huelva and their magnificent coasts but also the wonderful Seville which is situated at 177,0 kilometres of distance.
Excellent communications a wide range of comfortable accommodations and a gastronomy always ready to satisfy the most exigent tastes are also great features of Tavira with many chances to organise enogastronomic itineraries also tasting the iconic fine wines of the Algarve.
Bathed by the Atlantic Ocean on
its Southern side that immense extension of water always played an important role with the landings of different civilisations and point of departure of local navigators towards new discoveries in far countries according to historic documentations Tavira was inhabited in
the late Bronze Age era approximately in 1000 BC.
Explored by the
Phoenicians since the 8th century BC the settlement became one of the first relevant centres of the
entire Region populated by famous those ancient settlers who chose that land
to develop a former fortification with high walls, two trade harbours and two
Temples dedicated to venerate their Gods such as the Sea and the
Thunder.
The first name of that town was probably according to some deep historic studies, references and rests found
in the area Baal Saphon which are the names in that ancient language of
those two very regarded divinities.
Although that
population was mainly dedicated to maritime activities concentrated in trade,
commerce and to discover new places where to establish their busy activities apart those constructions they also created
a first urban plan with the construction of some roads connecting the town to
some villages situated in the immediate surroundings.
That population was
well known to be very peaceful and always focused to create productive processes related to an increasing economy but an
internal war for the monopoly of determinate businesses destroyed Baal Saphon
in the 6th Century BC.
The reconstruction of the original centre was
pretty slow and the renaissance of that old wealthy site started under Tartessian
rule when the Phoenicians abandoned that land looking for fortune towards other ports of the Mediterranean and the nearest eastern Atlantic.
It was probably that
period which corresponds to the golden ages of the former town, one of the most important flourishing, historic and artistic cycles of Tavira soon known from
the current Spanish city of Huelva at
east to to the extreme villages of Algarve close to the Cabo de Sao
Vicente such as Sagres and Lagos as a very significant hub and cradle of culture highly admired.
The Tartessian
civilisation left that centre in the 4th century BC to concentrate their
activities in the current Spanish Costa de la Luz especially along
the Cadiz coastline and for that the former Baal Saphon had a sad decline. The marine
activities ceased to be successful as in the past, several pirates attacks
devastated that active and advanced settlement and that centre became almost
depopulated.
Many of the
inhabitants to escape by desolation and an uncertain destiny in a very unsafe place to live
decided to move to Cerro de Cavaco, a hill dominating the current Tavira
where they found a safe refuge a bit far from those continuous assaults and
invasions with corsairs ravaging every coastal village or hamlet.
The town was later
conquered and settled for a period by the Carthaginians which established
there one of their harbours part of a notable network including placing a relevant fleet until the conquest in the 1st century BC
of the Iberian Peninsula by the Roman Empire which re-gave importance to
that site.
The Emperor
Augustus ordered to built a Presidium a sort of base with a strategic check
point overlooking the Atlantic coast and later a Castrum, a centre
hosting soldiers and families of officers. Another considerable operation was that
related to the reconstruction of a new port which was called Balsa and that
name was derived by the junction of the first letters of the ancient former name
Baal (Bal) and Saphon (Sa).
The splendour of the
past in activities, importance and prestige returned in a very short time and
also Cerro de Cavaco which hosted scared people escaping from incursions enjoyed a new image, enlargement and development
becoming a very flourishing seat hosting some notable Patrician Families linked to the
highest noble ranking of the Imperial Rome in that time with the advent of the Octavii dynasty.
With that prosperous
life in those times Balsa received the title of Roman Civitas, an official Roman
Town and it was also awarded as Flavianas Civitas to honor that
famous Roman Patrician Flavian Dynasty , the second in the history of the Empire ruling Rome from 69 to the 96.
New several attacks
along the coast by Suebi, Silingi, Alans and Visigoths and the fall of that Empire in the 5th century determined the decay
of that superb town of Eastern Algarve. The former centre practically returned
uninhabited becoming a humble a peaceful Freguesia, a coastal village with
its main resources consisting in fishing and some small trades with the nearest
villages on the coastline and of the interior mainly concentrated in livestock.
For a new renaissance
the current Tavira had to wait for the Moorish conquest in the 8th century.
During the occupation of Andalusia, the Moorish also penetrated in the Southern
Portuguese coastline occupying all the current Algarve in a massive operation led by the Umayyad Caliphate with protagonists as leader Musa ibn Nusayr, governor of Ifriqiya who encharged his lieutenant Tariq ibn Ziyad, a Berber General member of a tribe called Nafza related to a big tribal confederation called Al- Butr which occupied in that time a large part of the current Tunisia.
Once reached the
boundaries of the former Balsa and Cerro de Cavaco and easily defeated the Visighots not prepared to face an impressive massive land of the enemy they started a fast development of that centre reusing
the foundations of many Roman buildings and linking that site to Castro Marim
and furthermore with the Costa de la Luz until the city of Welba, former Arab name
of the current Huelva.
Those new rulers renamed the former Balsa in Al-Tabira from which derives the current denomination of the municipality which translated means the "the hidden"and the region was called Gharb-Al Andalus meaning west of the Al Andalus, the big Caliphate founded in Andalusia.
That civilisation
gave a new aspect to the town with the establishment of new palaces, a
Medina,a centre with a notable cultural and social life, high imposing fortified walls but in particular the construction the main highlight was the elevation of a Ribat, a
strong castle which gave that centre a new prestige and an image of power.
The strong Moorish
influence is still very visible in the local architecture which continued since then to use the white
as predominant colour highlighted by painted doors and shutters, small stone steps and
also very rooted executions of decorated and painted handmade tiles.
Those former rulers from North Africa left new
systems of irrigation which were the pioneers of the
current marking an important development about agriculture activity with a notable production of citrus, grapes, vegetables and fruit.
Another detail which
links that civilisation to Tavira is the famous bridge called by many people Ponte
Romana, the Roman Bridge. For its name everybody can intend that
construction was left by the Roman Empire but in pretty recent studies it was
declared a Moorish construction dated the 12th century and
probably rebuilt over a former passage established in the same place during Roman rule.
In the times of the Arab
domination the town started to be very active also in terms of maritime trades
as an important cross point along the entire Algarve coast and including was
developed a very important harbour for the navigation between the
Portuguese Atlantic coastline and the Maghreb reaching the current Moroccan harbours of Tangier and Rabat.
Tavira after the
famous Reconquista, the Catholic reconquest led in that place in 1242 by Dom Paio Peres Correia was managed in a very short time expelling by the town all the Moors leaving just some traces of the ample quarter called A Mouraria, the Moorish borough which is represented in its kind the former Kasbah of the current Tavira.
The town followed the history of the the Spanish Kingdom with the
consequent Independence of Portugal in the 17th century and it became an active centre of
fishing and of salt production.
As the major part of
the country also that centre suffered the terrible earthquake in 1755 which generated several damages with a very difficult and slow
restoration trying to save the important cultural and historic patrimony.
The centre of Tavira
is mainly concentrated along the shore of the Gilão
river which ends its course in the Atlantic
crossing the Municipality from north to south. Rua do Cais is an
important street along the banks of that waterway while the wide central square
Praça Dt. Antonio Padinha is
linked to the other side of Tavira by the famous pedestrian bridge previously
mentioned, the Ponte Romana characterised by its seven arches.
That emblematic
construction was and is the main connection from the old town to the new and
not far from it there are all the most important historic attractions.
From that point you
can take Rua da Libertade, a long artery which crosses the municipal core
and starting the visit coming in Praça da Republica, a big square
which is one of the emblematic symbols of the Municipality.
That large urban space
has a considerable historic value because it was the place of the old Marche
de la Ribeira which for long time was the most important local market and
one of the busiest of the Algarve, a site in which were concentrated all
the commercial activities with the presence of many merchants coming from the entire Algarve and including from Spain to establish their businesses and trade
operations.
In the middle of the
square was erected a monument in honor of the soldiers died during the 1st
War surrounded by a series of white buildings. Today as in the past that place is one of the most important and liveliest meeting points for
locals and main transit of tourists to start the visit of the charming
historic centre of the emblematic city of 37 white Churches.
Rua da Libertade, Freedom street is one of the most important arteries in the
heart of Tavira and along it you can admire a series of fine buildings and palaces
in typical Manuelino Style that architectural style you can see in superb
examples in many streets of the Portuguese Capital, Lisbon and pride of Portuguese art.
That style was born
in Portugal and totally developed in the country, a 100% National
architectural emblem and if you visited the major centre of that country one of the most beautiful example is represented
by the iconic and magnificent Mosterio de los Jeronimos. (I wrote a post about that
magnificent city)
The concept of that
style since its inception was a sort of exaltation of the inspiration partially took from the Italian Renaissance with cradle in Tuscany transformed in an emergent National key but
also taking some specific inspirations in terms of lines by the Medieval Gothic, the Flemish and
the Spanish Plateresque styles.
That refined
movement is characterised by the development of sculptures and decorations with a
magnification of allegorical and natural figures protagonists of the scene in the layout inserted to impress to human eye at first sight and an use of special materials
consisting in different kind of stones and also the representations of images
closely linked to nature such as flowers and plants all them placed next to Christian symbols
as Crosses are other items related to Religious themes.
A large use of semi
circular vaulted arches and niches are among other highlights just like a
notable presence of conical pinnacles and in addition there is an accurate
attention to the executions of lines and curves looking for sinuous trajectories but without
particular attention to the symmetry of the architectural elements.
The name of that
street as other in all Portugal derives the famous Portuguese Revolution
dated 25th April 1974 called Revoluçao do Cravos, the Carnation Revolution,
which changed the history of the country with the fall of the dictatorship led for 34 years by António de Oliveira Salazar and ended in that year with his successor Marcelo José das Neves Alves Caetano with the final epilogue of the Estado Novo, that corporatist authoritarian regime installed in Portugal in 1933.
You can continue the visit with the Igreia da
Misericórdia one of the local historic highlights a splendid Religious construction erected by the architect André Pilarte between 1541 and 1551, a local artist who participated to the elevation of the Mosterio de los Jerónimos in Lisbon.
Until 1700 it was used as Parish
Church of the community. It is a great example of Renaissance architecture not
only in Algarve but in all Portugal and despite the sober front side, it is classified as one of the Renaissance examples established in the Algarve for its defined outlines and balanced layout and it was declared National Monument.
That splendid granite building boasting a wide facade with an image of
the Virgin placed over the main doorway and flanked by the Coat of Arms of
Portugal and another depicting that of the Municipality and under a fine vault reliefs you will also see the images of the Saints and Evangelists Peter and Paul.
The interior boasts a relevant artistic value with an magnificent use of decorated
typical painted blue and white tiles dated the 18th century depicting in 18 works the spiritual theme of Mercy, several fine works depicting the
life of Jesus Christ and a series of refined beautiful white columns with capitals.
The main central altar and the chapels on the sides
are also dated 18th century and they represent a hymn to the most
sublime Baroque art in Portugal highlighted by golden altarpieces and the complex is completed by a small charming cloister annexed to the
building.
The Fortaleza,
the former Al Tabira Ribat Moorish Castle is another of the main tourist attractions and iconic
symbol of the defencive system of the old city during the Arab-Berber rule. That fortress
was the core and stronghold of the old town with high imposing walls erected around the
centre between the 8th and 12th centuries.
The original
structure was remodelled after the Reconquest and also in the 17th
century but unfortunately today due the tragic earthquake in
1755 the only remains are a section of the ancient walled structure, a part of
the Alcazaba, the main central body, partial remnants of the central nucleus and the Arco
da Misericórdia, the Arch of the Mercy.
Despite you can see nowadays only
the rests of the original structure but you can try to think in a sort a imaginary puzzle linking those
rests imagining a bit how was big, majestic and large that castle simply looking at the perimeter formed by the visible sections.
From the fortress you
can enjoy a spectacular view towards the Atlantic Ocean and the local coastline
absolutely wonderful. detail regarding that construction is that in the
year 1939 due to its high historic value it was declared National
Patrimony of Portugal.
Adjacent to all what remains
of that relevant local symbol you can enjoy the splendid Mediterranean
vegetation of the Parque do Castillo, the park of the castle, an
excellent point to have relaxation in the shade of palm trees and that place is since a long time ago a
very loved place by locals and tourists an idea natural environment and a pleasant green municipal lung to have pleasant walks very close to the
monumental area.
Another of
relevant historic monument of notable relevance is undoubtedly the Igreia de Santa Maria do
Castelo. That Christian
religious temple which was originally erected in Gothic style replaced by a former Mosque
using its foundations.
It was erected on a rectangular plan and it is highlighted
by a charming high and light facade which is one of its main highlights with a
splendid arched doorway flanked by two semicircular windows and on the top you
will notice the presence of a huge pediment surmounted by an iron Cross.
The Church was rebuilt after the earthquake of 1755 and it
conserves in its interior the iconic tomb of Dom Paio Peres Correia, the famous Portuguese Knight member the Santiago Order who fought against
the Moors and other seven knights were buried under the altar. Another
splendid attraction is a magnificent Chapel in a refined Manuelino style considered
for lines and decorations a stunning masterpiece.
After that
magnificent visit you can continue with the small Convento San Antonio de
Capuchinos, a small Convent elevated in the 17th century. It is a very
simple construction developed on a wide rectangular base with white walls and
green doors containing interesting figures in natural mud depicting St.
Anthony and his life.
Furthermore you can admire some stupendous frescoes
by Portuguese School dated the 17th century and a beautiful
altarpiece which shows an excellent example of Rococo style, a bit pompous for someone but elevated as one of the most complete works made in the Algarve.
The Igreia de Sao
Francisco is a further mandatory during the visit and it is the Church dedicated to St. Francis representing another local marvel. That building was originally a former Monastery
built in the early 14th century and it is one of the relevant patrimonies of
medieval art established in the region all time also for all what it represented during its history.
The sad earthquake in 1755 and a
fire dated the late 19th century were causes of laborious works to save that construction which due to all that changed its former architectural aspect
in the current visible today consisting in a white structure erected on a
rectangular plan while in its interior worth a special mention a wonderful
Baroque altarpiece with magnificent refined decorations.
According to historic information it was a donation
of the Templar Knights to the Franciscan monks to develop the Catholic
Faith in that area of Portugal. After that the Sacred temple
was restored and arranged several times and closed for a period when the
Franciscan order was temporary suppressed after flourishing times when in that seat were conserved important Religious historic archived and very active in teaching of theology.
The town is also famous
for its splendid beaches and Tavira is a great point to start to explore and
enjoy kilometres of wonderful sandy golden stretches all located along the
splendid Natural Park of Ria Formosa.
Ria Formosa is
a long string of land running along the coastline forming famous salt marshes, the lagoon of
Tavira and separating in a bar of sandy dunes the mainland by the the beautiful Ilha
Tavira, Tavira Island.
The most important
beaches very recommended are Praias Ilha Tavira on the
island you can reach from the pier Cuatro Aguas or walking along
the Ponte Pedras del Rei from the Tourist complex with the same name.
They
are really spectacular consisting in over 11,0 kilometres of golden fine sand
flanked by crystalline waters and offering fantastic view towards the town.
Obviously in summer season that great place is very busy for the immense beauty
of its environment.
There are other great beaches you can admire, one of them is Praia do Barril, it is one of the favourite by tourists and locals, pretty long and
wide with a section of that magnificent sandy stretch reserved for
nudists while others very suggested are Praia da Tavira and Praia
do Homen Nu both highlighted by fabulous soft light sands while and pretty
spacious, boasting as the first mentioned a deserved Blue Flag, excellent are maintenance, cleanliness and surveillance services.
A further which worth a mention for its excellent quality and I recommend you is Praia
da Lacém, a great place with magnificent golden sand, at sunset it is simply spectacular for the tonality of the waters
illuminated by the sun rays falling on its light surface in contrast with the
emerald tonality of the waters of the Ocean and it is very loved by romantic couples and enthusiastic photographers.
In the last decades
those beaches have always been awarded with the blue flag, the area does
not suffer contamination due to the absence of industries or other kind of causes
generating pollution. That Southern Portuguese centre mainly lives of Tourism and the local Institutions preserve those marvels as main sources of revenue despite there are two other activities which continue their
long traditions such as the salt production and fishing.
The presence of those
splendid wonders makes Tavira also a wonderful seaside resort perfect to practise many water sports and in particular windsurfing,
kite surfing, sailing and also diving.
Apart those
activities linked to the sea in the surroundings is also possible to enjoy excellent
walks and excursions to the wonderful Sierra de Caldeirao also called Sierra
de Santa Maria. It is a wonderful destination for the presence of a large number of beautiful eucalyptus and pine forests, scenic
landscapes and tiny villages scattered around that stunning hilly picturesque territory .
The media altitude of
the peaks in the proximity of the municipality is approximately around the
500,0 metres and they are an excellent defence against cold winds and rain.
Those hills are also a a magnificent training space for Mountain Bikers and
cyclists with some challenging climbs and dirt trails. From their summits you
can enjoy striking panoramic views making that area very suggested also for
photographers, a perfect place to combine maritime and hilly pictures of
extreme beauty and contrasts for the presence of scattered olive groves and rows of vineyards which add a further pleasant accent to that magnificent rural area.
In that Sierra in
addition you can discover the true and genuine interior of Portugal with small farms, kind
people, excellent gastronomy and natural products and if you want to discover
more about the local life very suggested is a visit to a museum situated in Cachopo,
ideal site to know and learn more about the local crafts and artistic techniques of
the local artisans of the Algarve.
Apart that place, there
are other interesting villages and one of them I suggest is
Santa Catarina da Fonte do Bispo. It is a small centre of approximately 2,500
inhabitants famous for its white houses, a site very peaceful and
notorious for its lively market.
That place is linked to a suggestive legend saying that St,Catherine of Alexandria appeared next to the local fountain of the Bishop and from that miracle born the current name. All around its boundaries you can enjoy a very attractive environments with several almond, fig and olive trees and several scattered orchards developed on low plateaus.
A further suggested is the other small centre of Santa Luzia
equally charming,for its scenic small harbour, it is a small site of less than 1500,0 inhabitants the major part of them devoted to fishing, a well known place for the octopus catch sold in many markets of the Algarve and for that it is nicknamed the capital do polvo, the capital of that product.
Those sites are great to insert during an itinerary in the case you are
planning to visit that corner of Eastern Algarve, and other local villages worth to be visited are Conceiçao, São Estevao, Luz de Tavira and Santiago da Tavira all realities which preserved the genuine and true
charm of the past extremely rooted, small centres in which you can feel and enjoy the real appeal of the region escaping for a while from the typical touristic places and to be
delighted by the unmistakable bright colours of
that special land.
Also the most
important literature of the country is present in that Portuguese centre with that emblematic figure corresponding
to Alvaro de Campo, a heteronym of the famed writer Fernando Pessoa
from Lisbon, a sort of imaginary alter ego of that iconic and famous artist who invented
that character and he was born in Tavira in 1890 developing some poetry
works in the decadentist and futuristic literary cycles which saw Pessoa as
protagonist.
Cuisine in Tavira is
simply sublime, probably one of the best destinations of the entire Algarve offering a more than varied gastronomy with very genuine, fresh ingredients and products. In that resort you can
taste the most exquisite Cataplana, a delectable special fish and seafood stew, but also a delicious Bacalhau
Grelhado, grilled cod and a
more than tastefully Arroz Marinheira, an exquisite seafood rice.
Notable is the offer
of several kinds of fish and seafood every time more than tastefully,
such as sea bass, cod, squid, mussels, clams, prawns and shrimp among others.
The Atum Grehlado is a plate consisting in
grilled tuna simply delicious just like the Atum a Algarvia, a notorious dish containing that kind of fish seasoned with lemon, onion, pepper, garlic and
fa touch of vinegar accompanied by potatoes and also very recommended
is the
Bife the Atum, a very tastefully tuna steak.
Do not miss to try the famous Caldeirada do Peixe a delicious fish stew and
the excellent and popular Sardinhas Assadas, very tastefully grilled sardines.
The proximity of the
Sierra also offers the chance to try excellent cheeses, superb olives and including tender
pork and lamb chops.Other traditional plates very common are the Frango Assado, a delectable Roast chicken ,the Perna de Borrego,
baked young leg of lamb both served with potatoes or mixed salads and very
ample is the variety of Cozidos, special stews prepared with different kinds of meats adding
Chorizo, Morcilla, lard, beans and chickpeas combined with various vegetables.
The local fine wines
will accompany your lunches and dinners in the best way thanks to their high
quality and reputation. Touriga Nacional, a local Cabernet Sauvignon
and Castelao are among the most important selected wines but you can
find and taste in that area of Portugal a sublime Trincadeira
and a noble Siria great products highly recommended.
The grapes of that
Portuguese area are robust and resistant and their value is favoured by a very mild
and sunny climate thanks to the 300/305 days of sunshine a year. Cultivated at
a right altitude the red wines are very smooth and immediately palatable at the
first sip, very eclectic with body and texture and with that unique and unmistakable dark red tonality simply superb.
The whites have
different notable qualities, a pure and immaculate light colour, transparent
and no peculiar shades very savoury, fantastic in a meal with fish or seafood
and also drinking them very cool in social times, they are very versatile accompanying a divine a
cocktail of prawns and slices of goat cheese.
It is very easy to
reach Tavira located just 38,0 kilometres from the
International Airport of Faro via E1/ A22 Motorway and in
approximately 40 minutes driving you will reach that place.
If you are in Spain
in Costa de la Luz in the area of Huelva you can take the A49 to Vila
Real de San Antonio and following later the A22 in direction Faro and in
a short time you will be in that special site of Southern Portugal.
A stay in Tavira it
is a great way to know the genuine spirit of the true Algarve with its traditions,
lifestyle, art, history, the City of 37 White Churches with its splendid
landscapes between sea and hills and those colours and lights of that region eternally alive and intense are simply unique, absolutely something of
magic you will remember for a long time with immense pleasure and nostalgia.
Francesco Mari
Recommended Accommodations in Tavira
Hotel Vila Gale Albacora
Hotel Pousada de Tavira
Hotel Rural Quinta do Marco
Hotel Cabanas Resort Park
Hotel Herdade Da Corte
Useful links
