Algarve - the Southern secret

The Algarve, in the south of Portugal, is the most visited as well as the third richest area, following Lisbon and the island of Madeira.
It´s mediterranean climate with short winters and long hot summers, calm sea waters, historical patrimony and delicious gastronomy, attract millions of Portuguese, as well as other tourists to this area.
While I lived in Portugal it was always our favourite holiday destination, and through the years we visited a few of it´s most popular destinations - Vilamoura (still my favourite), Albufeira, Portimão, Quarteira, Lagos...

This time, we went for 6 days to Vilamoura, and it was specially great since there were 12 of us - a big family reunion!

The whole family, minus the photographer

Vilamoura Marina at night

Vilamoura is one of the best known tourist destinations with some of the best beaches in the area and lots of golf courses where some of the world championships have been held.
During summer the population triples with over 1 million visitors.

The typical products of the Algarve region are - figs, almonds, oranges and cork. The figs and almonds are used to make a variety of pastries and sweets. There is also a fishing industry, with various factories that make preserves with tuna, sardines, etc.

The gastronomy is varied with plenty of fresh fish in the menus - grilled sardines, various pork sausages, grilled chickens are some of the most known.
We also went to visit the "Fiesa 2012" - the yearly International Sand Sculpture Festival, held in Pêra since 2003. It started on 25th May and will end the 25th of October. It´s beautiful by day or night and an event that is quite unique and amazing, considered one of the largest in the world.
This year´s theme was "Idols" - from movies, science, history...

Valentino, Greta Garbo and Alfred Hitchcock

Johnny Depp

Elvis Presley

Marilyn Monroe

I also had the chance to meet up with one of my blog readers (I'm also a follower of her blog) - Carole from  Piglet in Portugal to hand her the gift she had won on my 100th post.
It was great meeting her and we spent a couple of hours chatting at the Algarve shopping centre.

Box made by me, that Carole won

And here is Carole's post about our meeting:
https://pigletinportugal.com/2012/06/27/piglet-meets-up-with-fellow-blogger-sami-from-australia/