Step into 2 wonderful beach side restaurants in Praia da Luz and Lagos

Fortilaza do Luz

Fortilaza do Luz

Fortilaza do Luz is a splendid restaurant situated on a rocky outcrop overlooking the wonderful beach of Praia da Luz. They say they source the best ingredients and prepare everything from scratch.  They source the fish from local market daily.  Which means it was caught locally. They say all vegetables are organic and also sourced locally. Personally nowadays I want to see from where its sourced.  All in all well worth a visit. As is Praia da Luz with its wonderful self-catering apartments and self-catering villas.  Praia da Luz has excellent holiday rentals.  Sunday lunch can be a very special occasion at Fortilaza do Luz.  For 20yrs they have held their famous Jazz Lunches every Sunday from 12pm to 3 pm, which take place from March to November.  Also every Thursday evening they do a dinner dance with various bands providing the music. It is in the centre of the holiday rentals location.  Enjoy!!!

Gaivota Branca ( White Seagull) at Meia Praia, Lagos

Gaivota Branca ( White Seagull) at Meia Praia, Lagos

Another great beach side restaurant is Gaivota Branca ( White Seagull) at Meia Praia, Lagos.  Had notices this place have been refurbished over the last few years. Lately just wondered into it by accident for morning coffee.  Wasn't that busy but on entering we met a  very friendly and welcoming waiter who treated us as if we were his best clients.  Perception is everything and straight away the impression of the hostelry was positive.  Even knowing we weren't eating suggesting  we look at the menu as we might come back again.  I personally like that attitude.  The menu was excellent by the way. It is well located on Meia Praia beautiful decorated the high glass doors off the decking area gives it a touch of luxury.  They are in business since 1968 and the business has been handed down from father to son.  A place well worth a visit not just if your staying in a nearly hotel of self-catering apartment or self-catering villa Lagos, but also in if your in holiday accommodation in Lagos.

Comparing Bus and Train fares in and out of Birmingham

Because I have a commercial interest in Birmingham in England West Midland I at times research certain aspects that might connect to those interests.

Grand Central Birmingham

They are mainly property related.  Have units rented by a serviced apartment company but on our website www.goholidaylets.com we also promote serviced apartments in Birmingham.

With this point of interest I casual researched rail fares and their alternatives in and out of Birmingham.  To my somewhat amusement and curiosity I came across various degrees of difference which I will explain as best I can.  Before doing so I am somewhat suspicious of comparison websites and their credentials to compare.

Ok I searched rail fares London to Birmingham, up popped Goeuro.  Honestly hadnt seen site before but could see straight away fares were in dollars $.  Which is fine but only one Rail Company appeared Virgin.

That s fine as well the cheapest fare on the 30th November to Birmingham was $15.08.

I know London Midlands  and Chiltern also have routes from London to Birmingham albeit from different stations within each city.

But lets stay with Goeuro its not a bad website they also give  the options of bus, car or plane.

National Express to Birmingham same date slightly earlier time price $9.05 which is good.

Carhire was with rentalcar.com and their best deal was $26.76 and they offered a Hyundai i10.  Honestly didnt read about extras and addons.  I am sure they ll be there somewhere.

Next piece of information surprised me.  There was no flights to Birmingham to London they were all to Manchester with either BA or Flybe.

Next site was the Redspottedhanky.  To be fair I think that is a great name for a site, not a keyword in sight.

To my relief yes London Midland were there as was Chiltern Railways.  The later arriving to Moore Street Birmingham a station that has been preserved in the past. I priced a comparison fare London---Birmingham after 9am on 30th £15 so Goeuro win out there.

Ok London Midlands website  London  9.49  Birmingham 12.02  £6.   A little shorter stops in more places I would think.

Hope if your reading this it has put you thinking.

Remember click on www.goholidaylets.com and book a excellent self-catering and serviced apartment in Birmingham and get there on a cheap train.

Side by Side in Birmingam's Southside

Arcadian

Birmingham is a place I know very well.   First started going there on business nearly 10 years ago. My awareness was mostly of the City Centre.   I had been involved in a number of  Buy to Let property developments in the Birmingham City Centre.  Some of these are now self-catering and serviced-apartment businesses.

The area I first got to know was Southside which is now very well established.  Back then it was a huge apartment block on the edge of the  Chinatown/Arcadian. 

It also consisted of the Theatre District, over the years the place has been rebranded as SOUTHSIDE.

It was fascinating to arrive here and watch a multicultural ethnic group go about their daily business.  On top of that a sizeable Gay Community was also existed here.   Which was was interesting, I have always been a live and let live sort of person so the sight of same sex couples holding hands in no way distracted me from my task on hand on any particular day.  Even at 50 + and a life time in Irish Police in Middleton it gave me a self awareness that people are different but everyday we still have to get on with everyday life side by side. Its just happens to be Birmingham at our moment in time.

Southside

But was a vibrant and still is a vibrant community the sense of multi-national cultural is every where.  Weather its the 1,900 seater  Hippodrome Theatre Victorian theatre with modern foyer. Where hosting musicals, ballet, opera and West End shows. Or the Old Rep  Theatre, nearby Staycity serviced apartments, IBIS Hotel, The Glee Club which hosts first class comedy acts from around the world,

The Arcadian car park managed by APCOA is accessed from Bromsgrove Street via Bristol Street or Hurst Street and is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and provides safe and secure parking with over 500 car parking spaces spread over three floors. 

Chinatown Birmingham

The Arcadian car park is the closest car park for the Hippodrome as well as being convenient for access to the Bullring and the Chinese Quarter.  The car park has achieved 'The Park Mark Award' for safer parking presented by the Home Office and cost effective contracts are available for regular users and tailored packages for short or long term parking can be accommodated.

Visit Southside for the most diverse range of entertainment options, for all the family. Eat in one of our fabulous restaurants, drink in any of bars, dance the night away in one of our clubs, be entertained in one of our theatres or visitor attractions. Stay-in-a-nearby-serviced-apartment or hotel.

Catch It Clean It Cook It on in a Holiday Home Lagos Portugal Style

Recent read the Portuguese diet of excessive fish eating been criticized. Have to be honest was some what surprised to see criticism of the type.  But on further reading I could gasp the essence of the report.  It was the Portuguese love of tuna "atum" and other scarce fish species that was been looked at closely.  Yes indeed the Portuguese love their atum but the equally love their frango and porco.

They are a fish crazy nation, to be fair quite alot of their fish is farmed nowadays.  As well their is no waste your Sea Bass is served with head on eyes in and everything on the plate apart from the bones are eaten.
At weekends some very ingenious BBQs are produced on the side of streets and roof tops and the charred smell of sardines cooking hangs in the air as a reminder of healthy eating and goodness.

The Portuguese fishing in many ways Lagos has a full harbour of small fishing boats.  If your staying in a local self-catering holiday accommodation in Patio Do Convento or The Marina Apartments. Take a stroll any time on year at night down the Avenida and you ll see the fishermen with their poles hanging out over the canal wall.   Indeed the benefit of self-catering you can buy fish in the market and cook yourself.  Fish is so much in demand Lidl have a fresh fish counter in their stores in Portugal.

Harbour Fishing

There are many long breakwaters protecting the harbours and marinas these offer good fishing for many species in all sea conditions.

Boats, there are a number of charter boats available, some are excellently run, catering for experienced big game anglers, others are frankly only suitable for people looking for a trip out to sea for a few beers and possibly a few fish. At certain times of the year when the water temperature is high we get a run of Marlin, both Blue and White, there are yearly competitions run from Vilamoura marina and Tavira.

Cliff Fishing

On the weekend you can find people perched on the top of 200ft. Cliffs even on ropes half way down the cliff. They catch a variety of fish including many types of Bream, Bass, Mackerel, Garfish, Mullet etc. Best baits are Sardine, prawns and worms. A piece of fresh Mackerel with the blood oozing out is good for many species. Main problem in this fishing is lifting large fish up the cliff and a variety of lift net is usually employed
Beach fishing, there are miles of beaches that can offer some nice fishing, especially for bass. Bass to near 20lb are reported but more normal is 3 or 4lb.

Game Fishing

We have some of the greatest game fishing in the World off the Algarve coast and offer you the opportunity to experience this with our charter boat skipper who has been very successful in tracking down the various species available off this fabulous coast. Marlin, blue and white, tuna, a wide variety of sharks and much more. See the gallery below for more detail.
When you book a self- catering holiday in Lagos, or a holiday villa in Vilamoura if interested in fish make sure and get local details from the agent or owner.

Chestnuts Roasted on a Portuguese Fire

I can recall in childhood some 54 yrs ago street vendors on the side of the street selling roasted chestnuts.  Have to be honest its a vivid memory but I think it was on a visit to London. Personally my memory is triggered more often than not by smell.  The recollection of a smell of something brings back the image of the scene.  It the case of the roasted chestnuts its more the smell of the coal created the heat that I recall.  In particular I can recall the smoke coming from the roaster.

                                                          The poisonous Horse Chestnut

Horse Chestnut

It was a time we were less environmentally aware and small of smoke was a sign fires were burning and you d be heading home out of the winter cold.  But eating roasted chestnuts on side of the street as Irish was a thing other nationalities done.  We looked on curiously in the cinema or early television with the thought some people would eat anything.

Not that we were short of chestnuts the Irish countryside has been full of Horse Chestnut Trees for unfortunately are poisonous if eaten.  I can remember as a young guy going  the "Big Park" in Waterford city in the South of Ireland and collection what we referred to as Congers.   They normally would have fallen from the majestic Horse Chestnut Trees the Inner nut was protected by a green outer shell which nature allowed to have small barbs or thorns.  Its European Cousin the edible version has somewhat hairy outer jacket.

Anyway the sole purpose of this Big Park expedition was to prepare for a game of conkers.  I was one of those seasonal childhood games.   Must confess was always curious how they started or who was the first in the season and how did the last guy know the time was up.   In fairness you really stood out from the crowd if you carried on a season game whose tome had passed.

Congers was a simple game you used a nail to put a hole in the chestnut.  Then ran a piece of twine or string tied a big knot at one end and you were ready for action.

Cantasha Roster in Lisbon

Lets move forward quite a few years I was sitting in a Irish/Portuguese family home in Lisbon. I was staying a in an magnificent self-catering apartment in the centre of Lisbon booked on www.goholidaylets.com.  I was asked would I stay for dinner and to my surprise we had meat stuffed with chestnuts or in Portuguese  castanhas. I was once again in self-catering accommodation in Lagos for a short stay having golf in Vilamoura.  I called to a Cafe Cisne  to see owner Anna and she produced some wonderful roasted castanhas to have with my coffee.  The were excellent rich wholesome taste far cry from the Hores Chestnut congers of the Big Park In Waterford many years ago. If you have self-catering accommodation in the Algarve make sure you list free with www.goholidaylets.com

Tags. self-catering accommodation, luxury villas Vilamoura, self-catering accommodation Lagos,self-catering apartment in centre of Lisbon, Waterford, London.

Flights in and out of Malaga on a self-catering holiday

Flights in and out of Malaga on a self-catering holiday
Malaga in Spain is a beautiful place to visit and stay on a self-catering holiday in the glorious Costa Del Sol sunshine.

Our website www.goholidaylets.com has some splendid properties listed in the south of Spain  Marbella Cadiz to name a few.
Getting there is not an issue either as a number of large airlines fly daily and weekly.  Norwegian Air from London Gatewick ,,Easy Jet from Stanstead, Monarch out of Lutton,  Ryanair everyday of the week out of Stanstead,  British Airways  out of London Gatewick.

We have listed for your information the Airlines and their Flight Nos that fly in and out weekly
For total information check the websites of the relevant  airlines  Some of the flights are not direct.


6:45 am 8:25 am Norwegian Air International 5580 AGP-LGW
8:00 am 9:40 am Norwegian Air International 5580 AGP-LGW
10:55 am 12:50 pm easyJet 3112 - - - - AGP-STN
11:15 am 1:05 pm easyJet 8602                          AGP-LGW
11:25 am 1:25 pm Monarch 13 - - -          AGP-LTN
11:40 am 1:35 pm easyJet 2404 - - - - AGP-LTN
11:45 am 1:40 pm easyJet 3112 - - -        - AGP-STN
11:45 am 1:50 pm Ryanair 8163                                AGP-STN
12:10 pm 2:05 pm British Airways 2713 - AGP-LGW
1:00 pm 2:55 pm British Airways 2715 - AGP-LGW
2:00 pm 3:50 pm easyJet 8606                             AGP-LGW
2:20 pm 4:05 pm British Airways 8488         - AGP-LCY
3:00 pm 4:40 pm Norwegian Air International 2467- AGP-LGW
3:00 pm 4:55 pm British Airways 2717 - - AGP-LGW
3:35 pm 5:30 pm British Airways 2713     - - AGP-LGW
4:25 pm 6:30 pm Ryanair 8165                              AGP-STN
5:30 pm 7:25 pm easyJet 3112       - - - - AGP-STN
5:50 pm 7:35 pm British Airways 8488           AGP-LCY
6:00 pm 7:50 pm easyJet 8608 - - - - AGP-LGW
6:40 pm 8:35 pm British Airways 2713 -- - AGP-LGW
6:45 pm 8:40 pm easyJet 2404 - -         - AGP-LTN
7:05 pm 9:00 pm easyJet 2404             - - - AGP-LTN
8:05 pm 10:00 pm Monarch 743                    -       AGP-LGW
8:20 pm 10:15 pm British Airways 2715 - - AGP-LGW
9:00 pm 10:50 pm Monarch 743 - - - - AGP-LGW
9:10 pm 11:00 pm easyJet 8610                                AGP-LGW
9:25 pm 11:25 pm Monarch 19                             AGP-LTN

Connecting flights

4h 30m+ Iberia Express via Madrid
4h 30m+ Iberia via Madrid
4h 45m+ Vueling via Barcelona
4h 50m+ Air Europa, Air France via Paris
4h 55m+ Swiss via Geneva
Enjoy your self-catering stay