Eastern Algarve Towns -2023 May - Vila Real STO Antonio -Monte Gordo -Castro Marim -Ayamonte Spain

Late in May 2023, our grandkids visited us from the US in our permanent home in Vila Real de Santo Antonio, Portugal.
After some time in Madeira & Lisbon, they boarded an Express train from Lisbon to Faro. We met them at the Faro train station and accompanied them on the Regional train station to our home in Vila Real de Santo Antonio. After they unpacked and settled into our apartment, we did a walking tour of the area near our apartment in VRSA and returned home for a relaxing dinner in.
Next day was a beach walk followed by a stop on the Guadiana River for a pitcher of great Tinto Sangria on the riverfront rooftop at 818 Centro Nautico. More walk touring followed by a wonderful Portuguese dining experience at Di Vino on the riverfront near the Praça Marquês de Pombal town square.
Next day was E-Bike day. We rented 2 e-bikes from B-Cool near the town square and joined the kids with our e-bikes for a ride to nearby Monte Gordo, a beautiful beachy town about 2 kms from VRSA. We lunched at Willem, a Dutch restaurant on the main street facing the beach in Monte Gordo. After returning to VRSA for a mercado visit, we did a bike trek to nearby Castro Marim which was a former stronghold of the Knights Templar in the 140os. We toured a medieval Castle from the 700s/800s and then toured the quaint streets of town. Then home for grilled shrimp and steaks with accompaniments and bebidas.
On their last full day in the Algarve, we all went over to Ayamonte Spain by ferry for a day of shopping, walking and taking in the sights. Samplings of Jamon Iberico and a nice lunch near the town Marina made for a relaxing way to absorb local culture and architecture. A meat and cheese board, snacks and Port sampling was followed by some really good thin-crust pizza 1 block from our apartment. They returned home to the US the next day.
This video documents much of our travels during the week. This video is a shorter version that highlights all the towns and places that we visited without many of the personal interactions that we had with our family. We hope Caity & Chris had a wonderful time in Portugal and we hope that you enjoy this video.

[@solocoastalwalker60plus]

thank you 😊

[@CraigandJoan]

Thank you for the great tour of VRSA. We visited there last November and fell in love with it. Please feel free to show more of VRSA!

[@exploringportugal9995]

Thanks for your kind comments. We love living here. We have another video on VRSA at Christmas time on our channel. @exploringportugal9995

[@missamericausa]

Looks ruff walking around. No one at beach.

[@exploringportugal9995]

It was mid-April when we recorded. Beach days in August were more crowded.

[@natuurgek]

Nice video, we have been there for more than 15 years now. Our next trip Oct. 23 until April 24. We live in the Netherlands.

[@exploringportugal9995]

Reach out to us when you are in town. Perhaps we can meet for lunch

[@clarelessels2713]

We had 4 nights in VRSA in April, visited all the places you have shown today. Enjoyed our stay very much, had beautiful weather though very hot. Travelled on to Alcoutum and Mertola which were lovily too. Clare New Zealand.

[@pumpsnguns]

Very nice video! I almost feel like I’m there with you guys 😸

[@pedro94341]

Finally they're putting electric traction on all the Algarve line, which should've been done 30 years ago... so we'll can travel between Lisbon and Vila Real de Santo António/Lagos faster and without train change!

[@josemiguel-pepe-fainberg7047]

I really enjoyed your video, and believe me when I tell you I envy you your luck. I wish I could find a legal way to move there, without losing my pension. I dream of places where there is this quiet life, with quality. How are medial services there? Are there hospitals if you need anything? Thank you for shearing!

[@exploringportugal9995]

There are hospitals and clinics with good doctors that do not over-prescribe. Once you are an official resident, you can apply for public healthcare which is free. You can acquire private healthcare also which costs a fraction of that in other countries

[@entrophyentrophy9562]

I’m looking for a place to retire in Pt and considering VRSA. Public transportation is a huge concern for me. I don’t bike. What is the transportation system for getting around in town and other places? Great video. Very informative. I’m so glad you talk about the area. Thanks❤😊

[@exploringportugal9995]

There is a tram/Trolley that runs from July to Sept that has 6 stops/pickup point that goes to the beach. Taxis are abundant for local trips and you can schedule in advance to go outside of VRSA. Walking and biking are easy due to flat terrain. A ferry goes to Ayamonte Spain frequently. That is it for public transport in VRSA but the town and the people are wonderful. You can take a local (Regional) train to Faro and then take a taxi to Faro airport. You can also utilize selected transport services to take you directly to Faro train station or Faro airport directly fo rbetween 50 and 65 Euros. From Faro train station, and you can connect with Express tarins to Lisbon, Porto & Northern Portugal. Hope this helps.

[@exploringportugal9995]

There are also buses that regularly go to Portugal and Spain locations.

[@naturerelaxmusic2598]

Did you move to Portugal using the D7 Visa?, if so, was it difficult?

[@exploringportugal9995]

Yes in early 2022. Our residency was approved in July 2022. It was moderately challenging but not overly so. Recent changes in policy are making it more difficult and there are backlogs in processing applications.

[@naturerelaxmusic2598]

@@exploringportugal9995 Thanks !!

[@bobbykelly4910]

Promo-SM 💔

[@pierreandersson3875]

The flip-flop noice when walking and filming is not that nice!

[@exploringportugal9995]

We do not disagree with you, and we will try to do better.