Algarve, worth knowing.

Fun facts about Algarve

1. 1Benagil's famous sea cave has a round skylight in its roof, so sunlight pours onto a little beach inside. You can only peek in by licensed boat or guided kayak: nobody steps onto that sand.Source: Earth Trekkers; Wikipedia
2. 2Look up at Algarve rooftops: the lacy white chimneys were status symbols. Master masons would ask, 'How many days of chimney do you want?' More days meant a fancier chimney.Source: Tomorrow Magazine; Portugal Property
3. 3Behind Praia do Barril near Tavira, rows of rusty anchors stand in the dunes like a cemetery. They once held the nets of the old tuna fishery that worked this beach.Source: Turismo de Tavira; Discover Portugal
4. 4Algarve legend: a Moorish king planted thousands of almond trees so his homesick Nordic bride would wake up to 'snow'. Every late winter the blossom still turns the hills white.Source: Portugal Property; A Portuguese Affair
5. 5Cabo de São Vicente is the southwestern tip of mainland Europe. The Romans called it the Sacred Promontory, and for centuries people believed it was the edge of the known world.Source: Algarve-Tourist.com; Visit Sagres
6. 6The Algarve's signature pot, the cataplana, is a copper clam shell that clamps shut. Seafood steams inside, then the lid swings open at the table.Source: Algarve Tips; Wikipedia

Things to do in Algarve

• ◦Ponta da Piedade near Lagos is a maze of golden cliffs, arches and sea stacks. Local boat guides have nicknames for the rocks, like the Elephant. See if you can spot it.Source: Algarve Tips; Lagos Portugal Guide
• ◦Silves Castle glows red: its Moorish walls are built from local red sandstone. Walk the ramparts high above the old town, once a Moorish capital of the region.Source: Algarve-Tourist.com; Wikipedia
• ◦From the clifftop at Benagil you can look straight down through the cave's skylight to the beach below. It's a free view of the Algarve's most famous cave.Source: The Orange Backpack; Earth Trekkers
• ◦Hike the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail between Praia de Vale de Centeanes and Praia da Marinha: clifftop arches, little coves, and a peek into the Benagil cave from above.Source: The Orange Backpack; Earth Trekkers
• ◦Ride the little train across the Ria Formosa lagoon to Praia do Barril. It once carried the tuna fishermen's catch; now it carries beach bags.Source: Discover Portugal; Turismo de Tavira
• ◦Watch the sun go down at Cabo de São Vicente, where Europe runs out of land. Stay a few minutes after sunset, when the lighthouse beam starts sweeping the cliffs.Source: Visit Sagres; Portugal A2Z Walking & Biking

Questions to bring to Algarve

From Sojourn's journeys. Ask one over a long dinner or on a slow walk, and let the place do some of the work.

Going together

• When do you feel most like yourself?
• What does rest actually look like for you?
• What is one thing you wish we did more of?

Going solo

• What is the first thing this place is showing you that you didn't expect?
• What does this version of you know that the home version tends to forget?

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