Algarve Portugal 2022 (CABANAS de TAVIRA)

[@BrianandCarrie]

We've just started our 2 months stay here in the Algarve, Portugal. Let us know in the comments below if you have any questions or suggestions on what you'd us to show you while we're here!

[@janvisser5979]

Hey guys, love following your journey. Maybe I am missing the correct sequence - but 10 days ago you were in Santorini and now in the Algarve with an jet lag - assumingely because you went back home? Anyway - maybe filling in some of the missing pieces would be cool. I’d be interested in how you make decisions on how to get to the next location and what you’re spending on that as well. Enjoy Portugal!

[@BrianandCarrie]

Hi Jan! We left Santorini on April 13th and flew home to Bellingham Wa. for about 2.5 weeks. We have been in Portugal now since May 5th. We try to only do long-range flights when we go home. If we can we travel by train or bus whenever possible. We will also do short inexpensive flights if the price is right and it's the only way to get to where we need to be. For example, going from Spain to Dubrovnik we flew. We are trying to keep our yearly travel expenses around $2000 each. That may be pushing it because we will be going home twice a year. This is our first year out so we will have a better idea moving forward on that. Thank you for watching and supporting us!!! Cheers!!!🍻

[@janvisser5979]

@@BrianandCarrie Thanks for responding. We’re planning a month to 6 weeks away from the Chicago polar vortex this winter for the first time. Cordoba/Seville/Cadiz ranks highest on our list - mostly because of the temps of course. I was born in Amsterdam and my wife is from California - so a warm European place makes for a good compromise! Safe travels!

[@brad5534]

@4:22, "Bartender walks up before we have a chance to say anything, two large beer. I think Brian found a spot. How did you do that?" You are underestimating your international following! 🍻

[@BrianandCarrie]

Haha! I hope that's the case. Today he brought me another beer after I told him I was done. He said I still looked thirsty! 😆

[@marcvtaub]

Welcome to Cabanas Carrie and Brian. We are your neighbors and moved to Cabanas in January 2022 from Florida and are also doing the early retirement thing. We will say Hi if we see you around.

[@BrianandCarrie]

Please do! We'd love that!!

[@cookmaster3626]

Hi B&C- Glad to see you guys back in Europe and that too in Portugal one of my bucket list countries. Been watching a lot about Portugal and all i heard from many Expats have been Lisbon, Porto and Algarve and never heard this town of Tavira that looks very new. Thanks for introducing us to a new place. By the way your Santorini video was very useful and last week we spent time in the Greek islands (4 days in Santorin, 2 in Paros and then a day in Mykanos). By the way we sat in the same bench in front of Atlantis Hotel in Fira and watched the sunset. The only thing is that the Sun sets behind teh mountains ad was still pretty good. From Mykanos we headed to Naples and stopped for 10 days and staying in a town called Sant Agnello about 2 km from Sorrento for our daily trips to places near by. We went to Amalfi coast, Ravello and Sorrento and the bus ride thru the winding roads with the ocean on the side was incredible. The weather has been pretty good and we have the next week supposed to be in the 70s. Again thanks for the nice info you bring. Cheers!

[@BrianandCarrie]

Cook Master!! That sounds like an amazing trip!! Someday we will cruise around the Greek Islands in the same manner. So nice to hear that our videos have some value.😀 That's our goal!! The Algarve is an amazing place with towns all along the coast. We hope to hit most of them by train in the next two months. The little town we are in is just outside of Tavira called Cabanas. Safe travels and as always, thank you for the support. Cheers!!!🍻

[@maypage6030]

please show us Faro, and also show us tinside the churches you pass thanks....we love watching you guys

[@mjmoore777]

I love you guys, everything you do is wonderful

[@BrianandCarrie]

Thank you so much!!!🙂 Cheers!!!🍻

[@johnfitzpatrick7343]

Have been going to cabanas for a week every year for the past ten years traveling from Ireland,lovely people everywhere,nice restaurants,bars,beautiful beach,not too expensive,and a train station up at the top of the town if you want to visit anywhere else.heading over this Saturday.😎

[@BrianandCarrie]

We are loving being here John! The forecast looks great!!! Get down here!!! Safe travels. Cheers!!!🍻

[@Lat41]

Cheers from Alaska. Love Bellingham! We will be moving to Portugal in the fall. Tavira is high on our list. I look forward to hearing your thoughts as you travel through the Algarve over the next 2 months. Interests for me include biking areas, cool and unique gourmet food shops, and natural areas where critters can be spotted. Obrigado!

[@BrianandCarrie]

Hi Marty! Alaska to Portugal!? Wow!! Thanks for the ideas! We will add biking areas, gourmet food shops, and critters to our list. Safe travels!! Obrigado!! 🍻

[@Lat41]

@@BrianandCarrie Obrigado! Happy Monday to you. We are more likely to end up in the north. Ore water so better gardening. Plus they have good beer up there, too. 😛

[@BrianandCarrie]

The north is very nice as well!! Great wine country also!! Cheers!!🍻🍷

[@michaelthatcher3825]

Cabanas is OK but if you travel just a few more kilometres East, you will come to towns like Manta Rota and Altura (where I live). The main difference is you get direct access to the fab beach, no 1.50 euro water taxi that, for say, a family of 4 on a two week budget holiday can cost quite a bit....those taxis generally do not run over the winter months either, and the winters here are just wonderful. There is also a brand new wooden walkway which connects the towns and is a super 3.5 kilometre-long walk. Hope you had a great stay in the Algarve though....you probably also found out that the pool's here are not heated!

[@BrianandCarrie]

Hi Michael! Thank you for the pointers. You are correct about the water taxi; it can really add up over time. We still have a couple more weeks here in Cabanas so we will definitely check out Manta Rota and Altura. Thanks again!! Cheers!!!🍻

[@PhilipJohnson-rr7ee]

Good Morning Welcome watching you from Cabanas 👏😊😊👍

[@BrianandCarrie]

Good morning! Looking like another fantastic day!!! Thank you for watching! Cheers!!!🍻

[@KP-uj1wf]

What month of the year were you there? Weather looks amazing! Thx

[@BrianandCarrie]

We were there mid-April-mid May! Thank you for watching!! Cheers!!🍻

[@KP-uj1wf]

@@BrianandCarrie Thx for getting back to me so quickly. We’re thinking of heading over in early March, so it will likely be a wee bit cooler. We’re also looking at staying at the Airbnb in Cabanas where you guys stayed… looks great. But I’m comparing it to a place in the ‘Golden Club Cabanas’ at a similar price. Did you look at that location when researching places to stay in Cabanas? Thx again!

[@BrianandCarrie]

We don't recall seeing that one. The only issue we had with the one we had was the pool was in the shad most of the day, especially in March. May not be a big deal but worth mentioning. Other than that, it was great.

[@dobiechic]

So glad I found your channel! We’re heading to Portugal for 3 weeks in October, spending some time in Lisbon and in the Algarve. Our first time to Portugal and your videos have been very helpful in planning our trip so thank you! Really enjoyed your packing video as well.

[@BrianandCarrie]

Thank you so much! We will be in the Algarve until July 1st so we will have several more videos out in the coming weeks. Thank you for watching!! Cheers!!!🍻

[@elricko9077]

Cheers 👍 looks fantastic!

[@BrianandCarrie]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@ilbobisss]

We love you guys! Your videos are SUPER helpful. Question about Tavira and surrounding area. How is the mosquito situation? Is Portugal your favorite country so far? Have you guys been to Madeira? If so, what are your thoughts? Lastly, what you didn’t like about Spain? You mentioned in one of your videos that you guys do not go to north of Spain because it is expensive. From my research, some cities in that area are much more affordable than the touristy areas in the Mediterranean. Your thoughts are greatly appreciated. Thank you kindly

[@BrianandCarrie]

Thank you, KB!! We haven't experienced any mosquitos at all. Maybe the time of year?? Portugal is our favorite country so far, love it here! We have not been to Madeira but it looks amazing!! What we didn't like about Spain? Hmmm...Wed have to say the attitude towards tourists is much like what the French are known for. The people in Montenegro and Albania were over the top friendly, Portugal, and Greece much the same. We looked into San Sebastian at one point and found it to be out of our price range. However, we have learned that there are places you can go that are more comparable to the rest of Spain. We also believe that it's much more seasonal up north. Cheaper prices in the winter months when the weather isn't what you would prefer. Great questions!! Hopefully, our answers help!! Cheers!!!🍻

[@BasicBeachCommunity1]

Great area and beach..." Algarve addicts" on YT introduced me to that region of Portugal...

[@BrianandCarrie]

We have watched him a few times. We could easily stay in this region for months on end, love it here!! Cheers!!!🍻

[@BasicBeachCommunity1]

@@BrianandCarrie Yes...not too many places in the world where you could be relatively safe and enjoy a beautiful beach 🌴

[@BrianandCarrie]

And have it be affordable...

[@laurieperrone7043]

Thank you, are there restaurants in Cabanas or do we need to go to Tavira and how far to walk there?

[@BrianandCarrie]

Everything that you see in the video is Cabanas. Tavira is too far to walk but you can take the train.

[@laurieperrone7043]

@@BrianandCarrie ok thanks

[@kenesee]

Looks like a nice little town. Can’t wait to see more. There’s a town not too far East of you, Vila Real de Santo Antonio. It’s been high on our potential retirement list. There’s a KZbinr , “American in Portugal”, that does great videos on it. (She’s always looking for someone to join her for happy hour, lol). Really cool attraction is a ferry there that goes between the town and a small town in Spain where you can eat, drink and shop for the day. Inexpensive too if I remember. Maybe you get a chance to check it out and we can see it through your eyes. Have a great week. Kenny

[@BrianandCarrie]

Hi Kenny! We have watched her and it's been on our list as well! We are going to take the train later this week to finally see it for ourselves. Thanks for watching and the suggestion. We will do a video in the next couple weeks. Cheers 🍻

[@MariaNunes-po5rc]

Before any major decisions. Just to let people know. That Algarve is facing a severe drought...and othet countries arond the Mediterranean...are also facing shortage of water... Really ,??? Who want to move to s place with no abundance of water.water. That person must be very ignorant.😊

[@petebuck9889]

We are staying in Tavira in a weeks time, it looks sooooooo quiet

[@BrianandCarrie]

Hi Pete! We are about 6 miles from Tavira in Cabanas de Tavira and it is quiet!! We were in Tavira yesterday and it was also very quiet. Great time of year to be here. High 70's to mid 80's with very few people!!! Our video on Tavira won't be out in time for your trip but make sure you pack a bag and go out to Tavira Island! Best beach we have ever seen!! Safe travels and thanks for watching! Cheers!!!🍻

[@ginettelepine9107]

Good morning to you both. I really like watching your travels videos. We are spending the month of February 2023 in the Algarve, 2 weeks in Cabanas de Tavira, 2 weeks in Alvor. Is it better to spend the 2 weeks in Tavira instead of Cabanas de Tavira? We like walking everywhere, take a bus. Thanks

[@BrianandCarrie]

We were in Cabanas in May and loved it!! Everything was open so we had plenty to do. The train station is an easy walk and Tavira is only a short ride away. The train station in Tavira is also an easy walk into town so you really can't miss on either location. My only concern would be that Cabanas is a small community that will close in the winter months. Places may be opening by February, if it weren't for that we would stay in Cabanas. Thank you for watching and safe travels! Cheers!!🍻

[@therobshox]

Great to see you back in the Algarve. We’ve been a few weeks behind you on almost all places on your journey from Alicante. We are in Lagos currently heading up the coast soon. Why back in Portugal again?

[@BrianandCarrie]

Sorry, we keep missing you!! We will be in Lagos next month. We were supposed to go to Poland, Hungry, and Romania but when the war broke out we decided to change it up. Only spending three days here the last time we wanted to get back and really explore the area so made the decision to wait on eastern Europe. We have decided on Romania in July and August, hopefully, things are better soon!!! Hopefully, we are in the same place at the same time someday!! Cheers!!!🍻

[@TravelonlineWalk]

great video 😍

[@BrianandCarrie]

Thank you 🤗 Cheers!!!🍻

[@ruimiguel1976]

Get ready for the hot weather :)

[@BrianandCarrie]

Ha! It was warm yesterday and it's only May! We will be here until July 1st!!! 🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻

[@olegkon1]

Can someone suggest how to get from Faro to Cabanas de Tavira? Planning to visit the area in Sep (never been to Portugal yet)

[@BrianandCarrie]

You can get easily get there by train 😊

[@trockfield4593]

Train, about 45 minutes (get off at Conceicao and it's a ten minute walk into Cabanas itself) - easy-peasy

[@oldachyrunner]

Nice! So glad you are in Portugal and I'm really looking forward to all of your videos as you travel throughout the Algarve. Even though I won't be traveling there soon, I was curious about Airbnb prices in the Algarve. I just looked a bit and it seems like most of what I was finding were all priced higher than your monthly budget allows - and I did look at getting the monthly rate discount. Any tips on finding the good Airbnb deals? When I was in the Algarve about 5 years ago, I made Lagos my home base. I did have a rental car and drove around to different beaches and a few other towns. One of the locals I got to know in Lagos told me they thought that Aljezur would be a good fit for me after I told them that I may want to move to the area after retirement. Less busy, more relaxed, and much more bang for the buck than Lagos (at least in terms of housing prices), but it was at the end of my trip and I didn't get to explore it. I think it's a popular surfing destination. I don't surf, but I'm a beach bum at heart (currently stuck in Seattle). Aljezur is in the northwest part of the Algarve about a 30 minute drive from Lagos - not sure how long by bus. It may be too small with not enough to do, but I'll be curios to see if you make it there in the next couple of months. Have a blast! And have a beer (or two) on the beach for me! Cheers, Cary - the male kind - like Cary Grant ;-)

[@BrianandCarrie]

Thank you, Cary! The Airbnb pricing is very seasonal. We pay less to get the monthly rate but we are also in the shoulder season. Our options are limited going into the summer months in almost anyplace we look. We are above what we have spent in the past at about $1100. We are in Cabanas now because Tavira was too expensive. Unfortunately, there is no real secret to getting a discount. We will be staying in Lagos the second month we are here. We won't be renting a car so we will be relying on busses and the train so getting up to Aljezur may be difficult but haven't looked at the bus schedule so it may be easy. Car rentals have gone way up!! After spending 50 years in the PNW and Bellingham winter we had to get out!! We love Bellingham but it was time to go. We still have family there and return home twice a year. Thanks again and we will have a couple beers for you!! Cheers!!!🍻

[@oldachyrunner]

@@BrianandCarrie Thanks for the reply! I did not visit Tavira when I was in the Algarve, so I'm looking forward to all your videos of the area. I absolutely loved Lagos. You are going to have an amazing two months with incredible beach after incredible beach! Love what you two are doing! 👏🍻

[@BrianandCarrie]

Thank you! We are really excited to be here! We explored Tavira today and we were not disappointed! Thanks again for the support! Cheers 🍻

[@boriknj4409]

Hi, can you tell if there are a lot of english speaking expats there and how much is T2 apartments for sale around that area now ?

[@BrianandCarrie]

Hi Borik! There are a lot of English-speaking ex-pats in the Algarve. Many from the UK and the US. I'll leave a link from Idealista.com as a good resource for T2 apartments below. Thanks for watching our channel!! Cheers!!! 🍻 www.idealista.pt/en/point/arrendar-casas/16/com-apartamentos,t2/?shape=%28%28qiuaFvxhm%40%3F%60dD%60v%40%3F%3FadDav%40%3F%29%29

[@buck-a-roo1324]

Would you say that October/November is a good time to visit Cabanas de Tavira?

[@BrianandCarrie]

The weather will still be nice and there will be fewer tourists so yes, that is a great time in Cabanas, one of our favorite spots! Safe travels! Cheers!!🍻

[@jameslarue4190]

Don't forget to put those new cup holders under miscellaneous expenses. That is a very nice beach. You asked what we might like to see...We would like to see a nice wine bar...just a quick view inside would be ok.

[@BrianandCarrie]

Nope!! We bought those while we were home, doesn't count!!!😆 Great idea on the wine bar!! I haven't looked yet but I'm sure there are some wineries and wine bars in the area. We will most definitely look into it! Thanks, James! Cheers!!!🍷

[@joanfelt8069]

happy to see you are back on the road again . We are heading to PNW from Maz atlan this month .stated to research Portugal and looks like we have missed the less expensive rents. maybe by July or is August better . Or should we be looking at Croatia, Albania , Montenegro? 🤗

[@BrianandCarrie]

Hi Joan. We have found no matter where you go July and August are the most expensive. Albania and Montenegro will be cheaper than most anyplace else, however. We are planning on Romania in July and August for that very reason. Croatia is a bit more. We will be there in Sept. and Oct. and still paying more than we would like. Thanks for watching and supporting our channel!! Cheers!!!🍻

[@johnperkins5450]

Great beach to recover on! 🏖 What drone do you use? What license/s do you have to have for it. Is the a special license for Europe? Thanks!

[@BrianandCarrie]

Hi John. We decided to purchase drone footage online rather than pack a drone around and worry about license and customs. The beach was perfect to recover on!!! I didn't sleep at all the night before!!! Thank you for watching!! Cheers!!!🍻

[@johnperkins5450]

@@BrianandCarrie oh interesting 👍🏼, thanks for the reply. Cheers 🍻

[@laurieperrone7043]

Hi, what is the difference between Tavira and Cabanas de Tavira?

[@BrianandCarrie]

Cabanas is a small community about a 10 minute drive from Tavira.

[@JeanPinto.]

Cool

[@BrianandCarrie]

Absolutely! Thank you for watching!! Cheers!!🍻

[@maypage6030]

Please show us Faro, the town and also if you pass a church, take us inside Thanks May

[@BrianandCarrie]

We will absolutely do a video on Faro and find a few churches. Thanks, May!! Cheers!!🍻

[@zack00attack]

[QUESTION] Hey Brian and Carrie, love your channel! My partner and I are going to be going on a six month trip in the next three weeks(!). Just curious, has Shengen affected how you're traveling? I'm asking in case you know a way around the 3 month restriction. Ps. We've watched a lot of different travel channels preparing for our trip (like, a lot) and yours is our favorite!

[@BrianandCarrie]

Hi Zack!! YES! Schengen has most definitely affected the way we travel. In July, we will use up our 90 days here in Portugal and need to go to a non-Schengen country. We will probably be back in the Balkans starting in Romania. The UK and Ireland are options but unfortunately too expensive for us, and Cypris and Turkey are just way too hot in the summer months. We haven't tried this yet but some countries will allow you to extend your visa in that country. The only catch is that you cant leave for another Schengen area. For example, we could TRY to get an extension past 90 days here in Portugal but when we leave it would have to be non-Schengen. We haven't found any other way around it. We really appreciate the support, Zack. We are new at this so comments like this are very encouraging, thank you so much. We would love to hear a travel update in the coming months. Safe travels!!! Cheers!!!🍻

[@zack00attack]

@@BrianandCarrie thanks for the insight! The Schengen is great, but also a pain. How is 90 days enough for so many amazing countries! Absolutely! We'll be in Portugal, Peniche in a month today, and the off to Croatia. All the best with your travels :)

[@BrianandCarrie]

90 days isn't nearly enough! We will be in Croatia in Sept. and Oct. Reach out with some good tips!!! Safe travels! Cheers!!!🍻

[@rockduton9709]

Too much talking for my preference, but still nice to see where i will be next week 🌞

[@gillbegbie8156]

Hi we are staying in Lagos for 8 nights in August. Where would you recommend closer to Faro to spend our remaining 3 nights? We are a family with two kids 7 & 11. Thanks ☀

[@BrianandCarrie]

Hi! Tavira was a great place with plenty to do. They had a great beach/island area you went to on a boat that was a lot of fun! Thanks for watching!!

[@sylvianepilot2468]

Would be great to know how much is your Airbnb, as a reference for May 2022

[@BrianandCarrie]

Hi, Sylviane! We do a cost of living video at the end of each country that we visit. Check out our "Cost of Living" video on Portugal. We break down ALL our costs. Thank you for watching! Cheers 🍻

[@GeorgeMeszaros]

Let's look at some rentals.

[@BrianandCarrie]

Hi George! We will do pricing on our two rentals at the end of our stay, we use Airbnb most of the time. We have looked at Idealista.com as a resource to compare pricing in the past. Thank you for watching!!! Cheers!!!🍻

[@nbandpinportugal]

Can you turn the clock back 30 years to the time before they ruined it ?

[@BrianandCarrie]

Neil, the clock needs to be turned back in so many ways!! Unfortunately, things just aren't the same as they used to be. Cheers to you!! 🍻

[@nbandpinportugal]

@@BrianandCarrie Can't argue with that.

[@ianwhittaker3041]

Hi guys, just found you and loving your videos. Quick question. You're enjoying Europe but any plans to travel to far flung places like Asia (India, Thailand, Philippines etc), Australia, South America in the near / medium future? Thanks

[@BrianandCarrie]

Hi Ian! Yes, we do. Actually, our original plan last September when we started was Spain then Argentina, Chile, and up through Central America. Covid wouldn't allow us to do that so we changed our plan. We will be in Europe until Nov. 2022, home for the holidays then off to South East Asia for six months. We haven't nailed down that trip yet but we are definitely going. Any suggestions are absolutely welcome! Cheers!!!🍻

[@MrRobin61]

Nothing new for me .... I've been coming here for the last 12 years ...Great place to be and get old

[@BrianandCarrie]

Very nice! We are starting to think the same thing! Love it here!!! Cheers!!!🍻

[@josedc9916]

Do not go to cabanas, go to sagres and albufeira and lagos

[@BrianandCarrie]

Hi Jose! We will be here for two months and plan on going to Albufeira in a couple weeks. We were in Sagres the last time we were in the Algarve 3 years ago and really enjoyed it! Thank you for watching!!! Cheers!!! 🍻

[@josedc9916]

IT'S a very nice place, go also to the beach of piedras del rey in santa luzia and tavira island....we have an apartment, near where you staying, in Conceição, very close to the train station...may be tomorrow we can go for 2 weeks....we live close to Seville and always thinking on good weather that is now on......now until 15 of July you can go and stay there Aug is full of people, and then Sept Oct and Nov. Are very good months to stay also.Enjoy

[@josedc9916]

And if you want to eat well and not expensive, find in conceiçao a restaurante called ROSÁLIA, and another one very close, called MARMITA.Both have dish of the day....".prato do dia " and ask for the vinho da casa blanco.... In a future let me know how it was....regards

[@BrianandCarrie]

Jose!! We will absolutely be going to these restaurants!! We are about a 10 min walk to the train station and have already looked up where they are. Thank you so much! Cheers!!🍻

[@BrianandCarrie]

We went to Tavira Island yesterday and it was amazing! We actually stayed in Saville in Nov. and really liked it. You have the best of both worlds, Jose! We have three more weeks here in Cabana than a month in Lagos so we hope to hit as many places as possible in the Algarve. Again, thank you for the advice! Salud!! 🍻