Great Days Out
For all the Family!!
Portugal has so much to offer, a stunning natural beauty, mild climate, the best beaches and golf courses, spectacular tourist attractions and sightseeing and some really fun activities for some great days out for the whole family…
 Zoomarine
Located near Guia, Albufeira (Algarve) on the EN125 is a spectacular ocean life theme park both entertaining and educational and a real treat of a day out for the whole family. There is an outstanding zoological centre, a cinema, fairground, aquarium and a marine museum. There are also open air shows that run all through the day with features such as the ‘Sea Lion Show’, the ‘Tropical Bird Show’, the ‘Birds of Prey Show’ and the ‘Dolphin Show’. There is also a wonderful opportunity to share and interact in the world of the dolphins at really close quarters as participants are able to enter the water under expert supervision and get to know the dolphins whilst taking part in various aquatic sequences. As well as the wonderful array of shows on offer, you can also relax in the tranquil gardens or enjoy the amusement rides in the park. There are swimming pools for both adults and children and a variety of shops and restaurants, all of which make Zoomarine a really fabulous day out for all the family. Don’t miss it!!
Krazy World
Krazy World located in Algoz (also close to Guia) is another theme type park where again you can come into close contact with a whole variety of animals, snakes, alligators, crocodiles, turtles, iguanas, parrots and is a highly entertaining animal park. For the more cuddly variety of animal, there is the pet farm and pony rides. Looming over all of this are the dinosaurs that you can encounter whilst playing their 18 hole Krazy Golf course through the jungles of the ‘Lost World’. And if that wasn’t enough to keep you occupied, you can also enjoy quad bike rides, the fairground and a delightful swimming pool. A real must for the kids and a really great family day out!
 Aqualand also known as ‘The Big One’
For those hot sunny days, this is a great opportunity to get wet and cool down and enjoy a whole variety of rides at this great Water Park. It has a whole range of rides and slides for the very small right up to the very brave- either head first or feet first, dare to disappear down the huge tubular water chutes, through spiral loops to emerge with a huge splash into a vast swimming pool below. It is reputed to be one of Europe’s biggest open-air waterpark and boasts more than 1500 metres in length of great aquatic activities and fun. Set within a landscape of shady palms, where you can relax and watch the younger children at play. Located on the EN125 near Alcantarilha (Algarve).
Slide and Splash
With rides such as the ‘Corkscrew’, ‘Black Hole’ and ‘Crazy River’ this waterpark offers you yet another opportunity to stay wet for the whole day! They also have some great water chutes here that can really get your adrenaline pumping! The park has slides and plenty of entertainment and thrills for the whole family. Situated only about 5 minutes
away from Carvoeiro, it is located at Estombar, east of Lagoa (Algarve) and is signposted on the EN125 road.
 Lagos Zoo
The zoo is only about a 15 minutes drive from Lagos (Algarve) and sits between the villages of Barao de Sao Joao and  Bensafrim. Located in its own beautifully landscaped gardens it houses more than 120 animal and 200 botanical species, a real menagerie of exotic wildlife. You can expect to see emus, wallabies, monkeys, lemurs, gibbons, Vietnamese pigs, toucans,squirrels, exotic birds and graceful flamingos. Popular with the children as they have the opportunity of close contact with a variety of domestic and farm animals such as ponies, sheep, goats, ducks and chickens and the children can even touch them, if they wish. There is also a 60m flight tunnel which allows you the opportunity of watching the wonderfully coloured exotic birds in flight. The monkeys live on their own specially constructed island with climbing frames and ropes to swing through the trees. As well as this, there is a souvenir shop, restaurant, snack bar and a playground for the children. A great day out for the whole family.
Karting in Almancil
Located in a Leisure complex near Almancil, the Karting track is real fun for the family. Situated around 12km from Faro Airport and 8km from Vilamoura (Algarve). It is a perfect place for having some quality family time. The circuit was inaugurated by Ayrton Senna and is a replica of the ‘Jacarepagua’ Formula 1 circuit in Brazil. Surrounded by a Western Theme Park, there is a snack bar, table top and computer games, picnic tables, bungy trampolines with safety harnesses and motorised rides on water for infants.
 Fabrica do Ingles
Inaugurated in 1999 as the Fabrica do Ingles, this old cork factory now hosts a variety of restaurants and a museum showing the various stages of the cork industry in Portugal. In the Summer it becomes a lively show ground with clowns, dancers, jesters and musicians and mesmerising cybernetic water fountains play throughout the day. In the evenings there are concerts and live music and a dazzling multimedia ‘Aquavision’ water show.
Adega do Cantor
The Winery that produces Sir Cliff Richard’s Vida Nova Wine
The Adega do Cantor or Winery of the famous singer is situated at Guia (Algarve) just a few kilometres northwest of Albufeira. The easiest way to find it is to head towards Guia on the EN125 and follow the signs for AlgarveShopping – the winery is situated some 500m behind AlgarveShopping.
Built principally to produce the Vida Nova range from three surrounding Quintas, Quinta do Moinjo, Quinta do Miradouro and Vale do Sobreiro. The aim of the winery is to produce the highest quality wines that the region can offer using a combination of traditional and innovative modern winemaking techniques. The winery is situated at the top of Quinta do Miradouro and has stunning views of the surrounding vineyards and coastline.
 You can experience an exclusive tour of the vineyards and winery at Quinta do Miradouro and enjoy tasting Sir Cliff Richard’s Vida Nova. The shop there sells the full range of Vida Nova wines as well as other wine merchandise and souvenirs. Sir Cliff Richard has loved the Algarve for over 40 years and it was his idea to plant a vineyard at his property, Quinta do Moinho. Sir Cliff also takes a very active part and can be often seen in the vineyard or winery getting his hands dirty!
If you wish to experience one of the tours, there are several tour times throughout the day depending on the time of the year and availability. Please contact Quinta do Miradouro on Tel: 00 351 968 776 971 or email adegadocantor@mail.telepac.pt or for more information, take a look at the winery website www.winesvidanova.com.
Boat Trips
Boat trips are very popular along the Algarve and you can find a variety of different boat and sailing trips offered to suit all. Small fishing boats are available from Carvoeiro and Benagil and allow you the opportunity of admire the beautiful coastline and grottoes. Some of the larger sailing boats are available from Portimão and Vilamoura and offer Big Game Fishing trips, pleasure cruises, and grotto with secluded beach trips and dolphin seafaris (some of which will include lunch which normally consists of grilled sardines, salad, bread and wine). There are lots of ticket agencies all around that are happy to provide further details on the different boat trips available and how to get booked up. Some of the trips will also offer the necessary transportation needed to the chosen marina.
 Surfing
Surfing, wind-surfing and kite-surfing goes on all around the Algarve and there are a number of surf shops throughout the whole region that can offer equipment hire. Any local tourist information centre will be able to assist you with where you can hire equipment. Generally it is acknowledged that the west coast offers the best conditions for surfing. It has become an increasingly popular sport within the Algarve and there are centres throughout the Algarve now offering lessons and equipment hire.
Fishing 
There are many opportunities to go Big Game Fishing from either Portimão or Vilamoura. You can be offered the chance to catch Marlins, Swordfishes, Tuna, Bonitos, Blue fish, Large Bass, Giant Conger Sea Breams and all types of sharks that roam the waters. It is usual for a lunch to be provided consisting of Chicken Piri-Piri, Chips, bread and fruit and other cold drinks can be purchased on board. The best period of the year for fishing is usually June - September. Again, any local tourist information centre will be able to assist with the types of trips available and the bookings.
 Horse Riding
Most of the riding centres and stables have English-speaking instructors and are happy to deal with beginners and the more advanced. There are many available options to choose from and to suit everyone. Beginners can book an hour’s ride and the more advanced riders can enjoy a half or full day’s riding. There are lots of centres for horse riding in Algarve, such as those at Silves, Porches, Penina, Portimão and Albufeira.
Jeep Safaris
A good fun day out for all the family are the many jeep safaris offered. Be sure to check out our Lifestyle Directory for further information. Often taking you on a journey along the Algarvian mountains with various stops on the way to taste the typical Algarvian Medronho (‘firewater’). Not for the fainthearted! The tours normally include a Chicken Piri-Piri lunch and bookings can be made at the local tourist information centre at your resort.
 Cycling
For those that enjoy cycling, cycles can be hired by the hour by those who wish to explore at their own pace and off the beaten track. Again, make sure you check out our Lifestyle Directory and the ‘Mountain Bike Adventure’, who specialise in offering a whole variety of different cycling trips such as ‘Lagos by bike’, ‘Coastal Café Ride’ ‘Monchique to dam’, ‘Sunset Ride’ ‘Inland tour’ and their very
own top-secret ‘Freeride Track’ ride built down the side of an extinct volcano!
Monchique Mountains
From the peak, some 3000 feet above sea level and a few kilometres uphill from the town, there are the most spectacular and breathtaking views of the Algarve to be seen. The Monchique spa water has been famous since Roman times and over the centuries the hot mineral springs that can be found here, are said to have eased all types of pains for the many people that flock to this region. Monchique is also noted for its variety of handicrafts and the cottage industry of the distilling Medronho (‘firewater’), which is a very strong alcohol from the fruit of the arbutus tree. There are numerous restaurants along the eucalyptus lined roads up to the peak and Monchique is well worth a visit, away from the hustle and bustle as it offers breathtaking scenery and has a calm, tranquil atmosphere all of its own and is a welcome change from the other sights and sounds.
 Tours
There really is so much to choose from…whether it be sailing, boat trips, jeep 4 x 4 safaris, pousadas, cultural and winery…be sure to check out our own Portugal Tours listed here for further information on a whole variety of tours and trips and for bookings…(Read More)…
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