Once an expanse of pine forests and empty beaches, Vale de Lobo has been transformed into the height of luxury over the last 50 years. The first of the three corners of what is now Algarve's Golden Triangle, Vale do Lobo was among the first tourist resorts ever to be built in Portugal, and indeed is the site of the first five-star hotel in the Algarve!
Of course, with two 18-hole championship golf courses, the Royal and the Ocean, Vale de Lobo is the dream destination for any aspiring golfer. So fantastic are the facilities, the resort hosted the Portuguese Open in 2002 and 2003! Indeed, across the country of Portugal, there are 14 of the world’s top 100 best golf courses, making it the perfect destination for those who enjoy a day out on the course.
Outside of golf, the Algarve is an excellent destination for other hobbyists. With a vast coastline that meets the powerful Atlantic Ocean, Portugal is a true paradise for the keen surfer, or indeed even those looking to try if for the first time, with plenty of surfing schools all along the calmer sections of the coast. And even for those less enamoured with surfing, the beaches of Portugal are well worth a visit for their beautifully clear waters.
The Algarve, the southernmost region of Portugal, is famous for its picturesque scenes of vast blue skies casting a warming glow on the expanse of the Atlantic Ocean, with untouched bays framed by jagged Limestone rocks at every turn. While the southern coast caters to every need of its visitors, to the West and the rugged interior the land remains largely untouched, with less development and endless intersecting of historic villages, hilltop castles and beautiful churches.
Portugal itself is a small, fascinating country at the most Western point of mainland Europe. The capital, Lisbon, is known for its lively nightlife, with endless bars and clubs full of fun-loving locals and tourists alike, but also has plenty of fascinating history (check out Belém, jam-packed with monuments!) and undulating terrain, famously termed the ‘city of the seven hills’.