This luxury apartment is one of just 28 within a small complex in Gale, close to Albufeira and only 40 minutes from Faro airport. With the pool right in front of the patio, you can literally crawl out of bed and go for a swim if you want. The patio has a table and six seats so you can comfortably eat breakfast in the sunshine. The front door faces extensive vine yards, where you can watch the locals tending to their land or indeed admire the stunning backdrop of a mountain range.
The apartment itself will comfortably sleep 4. One bedroom upstairs with lots of built in wardrobe space and storage. The view from the shuttered windows upstairs is stunning, looking out for miles over towards Armação de Pêra. There are also two single beds, based on the feature mezzanine floor, again with wardrobe space. The stairs up to this area are quite steep and would not be recommended for those with walking difficulties or indeed young children. There is a sofa in the lounge which converts into two single beds (with orthopaedic mattresses) and therefore can more than adequately be used as beds for the duration of your stay, therefore the apartment could sleep 6 if necessary. The bathroom is upstairs and comprises of a modern suite including bidet and shower within the bath.
There is a flat screen TV, with a DVD player available for use, along with a few DVDs we have left behind. There is a docking station so that you can play music whilst you relax and enjoy the surroundings. The kitchen is fully equipped with oven, hob, microwave, fridge freezer and dishwasher and washing machine. The lounge is on two levels with the suite fitting cosily around the real fire. During the winter, when the nights are colder, you may choose to take advantage of the real log burning fire, there is a wood yard just up the road from the apartment, where for 15€ you can get all you may need, including pine cones to give that warming aroma that will really make you feel snug. Alternatively in the heat of the summer, there is air conditioning available and fans in each bedroom area. All windows on the apartment are fitted with electric shutters which not only keep the property secure but act to keep the apartment cool in the summer.
There is a bus service from just down the road that will take you to Albuferia or even on a tour of the area should you wish. Within easy walking distance there is a large supermarket which will cater for all your needs and in fact there is a shopping trolley on wheels (at the apartment) to help you transport your shopping, if you don’t have a car. The property is maintained by an English couple who live in Albufeira and whom offer services such as taxi from the airport or shopping for arrival on request. The location is suitable for those with or without a car really depends on what you want to do, but there are plenty of beaches and restaurants all within easy walking distance. The apartment is located just 10 minutes walk from Gale Beach, with others a little further along including Lourenco, Sao Rafael and Salgados .
Gale beach is a wide sandy beach featuring huge rocks on the entrance to the sea which you will often sea locals fishing off at dusk. There are three restaurants set high at the back of the beach, one with a snack bar so you can choose to either have a sandwich or you may wish to sit in the decked area and eat their delicious fresh sardines and gaze out over the Atlantic Ocean. This beach is more Portuguese than those you will find in nearby Albufeira, which tends to be more commercialised. At night the three restaurants offer the perfect place for an early evening jug of champagne sangria whilst watching the sunset. One of the restaurants now also has Italian options on its menu following its recent refurbishment. At the entrance to Gale beach you may be greeted by a Portuguese lady who in the summer sells fresh fruit and veg but in the cooler months sells hot roasted chestnuts.
Salgados Beach sits in front of the area's nature reserve, depending on the time of year you can "twitch" to your heart's delight. This beach tends to be slightly more commercialised than Gale with the options of pedalos etc available. Sao Rafael is also a beautiful sandy beach and has a few more up market restaurants set up high, occasionally they have a DJ on the decking in the evening - no wild parties, but certainly a great atmosphere. Vila Moura famous both for its golf and its marina is around 25-30 minutes by car from the apartment. You can choose to play golf on one of the many world renowned courses or eat and drink in the lap of luxury by the marina; you may simply want to go an people watch, its a great experience.
