Lagos
LAGOS is one of the Algarve’s most attractive and historic towns its centre is enclosed in largely fourteenth-century walls at the mouth of the Ribeira de Bensafrim. It was from here that many of Portugal’s great explorers set off for the New World. For all its historical significance, Lagos’s main attraction is its proximity to some of the region’s best beaches, shops, superb restaurants and golf courses. Lagos is still a working fishing port with a market place in the centre. Here you can buy fresh fish every day and you can be guaranteed of that the local restaurants will have a variety of fresh fish on their menu every day. The restaurants we tried were all good some excellent and prices were very affordable. 
Situated in the heart of Lagos Marina is the four star Marina Club Resort. The Club’s excellent location means you can just park the car in the club’s secure car park and forget about it until you are leaving or if on a golf trip heading to the golf course! At the Marina club you are within walking distance of the old town. There are lots of little cafes and bars dotted around the marina where you can just sit and watch the boats sail in and out. There are charter companies who will take you out to see the Dolphins or on fishing trips. There is so much do in Lagos that people seem to come and stay for weeks at a time. Many of the tourists we met at the marina Club have been coming for years!.
There are 115 fabulous suites and 26 luxury apartments ranging from studios to three bedroom apartments. The spacious comfortable rooms feature air-conditioning, satellite tv, a well equipped kitchenette, a safe and a balcony. Guest facilities at the resort itself are superb, the reception remains open 24 hours a day. There is small supermarket, a TV room, lounge, Internet and laundry. There is also an excellent Spa and Health Club where you’ll find a fully equipped gym, sauna, hydrotherapy pool and Jacuzzi. Treatments at the Marina Spa include a variety massages, facials etc. Something for everyone! The resort is perfect for golfing groups, families and couples.
There are many golf courses within driving distance of Lagos, one of the closest and one I would really recommend playing is Palmares. The course was redesigned by American designer Robert Trent Jones Jr. who created a mixture of parkland with an authentic Links style. The 27 holes are laid out on the side of a south-facing hill overlooking the Bay of Lagos. Jones designed the course as three individual 9 holes, the Alvor, the Lagos, and the Praia. The first nine run through woodland and the down to the beach with spectacular views of the Alvor Estuary and the Atlantic Ocean. The Lagos nine runs down to the beach through large sand dunes. The Praia 9 holes are situated right on the sea front, the undulating and winding fairways make this par 3 interesting and challenging. I really loved this course and its unique layout. We felt we had to play all 27 holes but after 23 it was getting dark so we just had to back the following day and complete the last nine!
Staying in this region of the Algarve was such fun, there was so much to do and see. Not far from Lagos is the Quinta dos Vales winery.
This is a place full of surprises and well worth a visit. This unique vineyard is known not just for its fabulous award winning wines but for the amazing art sculptures that are exhibited through out the gardens. There are daily wine tastings and tours of the estate.
www.marinaclub.pt
www.quitadosvales.com
