Anyone been to Carvoeiro?

[Tron[ADS]]

This years vacation is begrudgingly not a WDW one.... I am going to some place called Carvoriro in Portugal of all places (I am only interested in America and going here under protest). Not really looking forward to it too much to be honest, anyone know it, and if there is much to do there to entertain the kids (2 & 4) ?

Note I say "begrudgingly" because the cost of the villa and flights are unbelievable (the villa is £900+ pw !), and all I can think is that money could be better spent (ie by going to wdw).

 

[KayleeUK]

Don't know anything about it But I am sure you will have a fab time even if Mickey isn't there.

 

[Peebee]

DW and I went there about 7 years ago now for our first holiday together and had quite a good time. Carvoeiro itself is a fairly quiet little town (or at least it was ) with a decent selection of restaurants, and well suited to a relaxing break.

There are a few attractions that the kids might enjoy nearby though. About halfway along the main road from Faro to Carvoerio (the EN125?) there is a good-sized water park. Whilst we didn't visit this a few other people I know have and their kids had a great time. There is also a minature Seaworld close to this called Zoomarine - we spent a day here and really enjoyed ourselves.

It's also worth taking a look at Krazy World, which in a little further away but worth the drive I think. This has mini-golf, a petting zoo and animal shows, plus a fairground and swimming pools. I'd think this would probably be ideal for your four-year old and the two-year old might get something from it as well.

Hope all this helps - any questions let me know and i'll try to remember or dig out any old details we might have laying around.

Paul

 

[Tron[ADS]]

Actually, its sounding like it might not be so bad afterall.
I was thinking it would be sit by the pool all day, because theres little else to do, but I am hiring a car, and I already have my sat-nav tomtom3 Europe ready to install, so driving shouldnt be an issue.
One question though....is there any language problems ? I speek no Portuguese whatsoever, how do they cope with English, or do they hate us like everyone else and not bother to accomodate ?

 

[Peebee]

No language problems from what I remember, with English understood and spoken in most places. If anything the portugese people seemed via pro-Brit when we were there.

Paul

 

[Cochise]

It is what you want to make of the holiday when you go to Europe Dave. You can sit and relax at the pool all day with the kids, Sarah will do and does this every day knowing that it drives me mad half the time. Like you say you have hired a car and are prepared to get out. Research the local area withing an ok drive distance and visit. This makes the days relaxing at the pool more acceptable. I know you are a heavy drinker so staying sober enough to drive is a challenge for a start....

 

[Tron[ADS]]

Oh yes, I am an extremely heavy drinker...the only problem being that the one and only time I do drink in the year, the works xmas do, does not fall in June.

 

[Tron[ADS]]

Well, Having spent the last week in Portugal, it wasnt as bad as I thought it would be........who am I kidding, it was a week from helll !
Actualy it wasnt that bad....what I have learnt is that my sister wont be inviting us on a "family" holiday again...in fact she probably wont be inviting me round to their house again!....I think she was a little surprised (and intolerant) at the behaviour of my 4 year old (which wasnt "that" bad), and how stressful it is for me looking after a 2 year old in a villa that wasnt atall child friendly (alkthough it was ok for the 4 year old).
Portugal itself was nice....the weather was good, the beaches (although im not really a beach person myself) were great, the locals were very friendly (although they drove like nutters - talk about tailgating!).
I would consider going back there, but in at least 3 years time when it will be easier with the kids.


But.......it wasnt Florida, ZooMarine wasnt Sea World, and the (pretty poor) Zoo wasnt Animal Kingdom.

Roll on next May.

 

[Miffy2003]

I can understand that sentiment!!!

 

[KayleeUK]

I am glad you have a Florida trip in the pipe line