We offer 4 large well furnished and equipped apts, each with aircon and sleeping 4 to 6 guests. Fresh towels, bed-linen and cleaning each 6-8 days. The complex has two pool areas (each with kids pool), gym, tennis, BBQ, Bar/Bistro, two kids play areas, lush gardens, free WiFi, etc. The old town of Tavira is a 15 minute walk (or taxi Euro 4,00). Histporic Tavira, one of the most beautiful towns of the Algarve, straddles the River Gilao -- and a Roman bridge is still in everyday use! A multitide of streetcafes and restaurants awaits you along the palm-lined banks of the river. The extensive Ria Formosa Nature Park which surrounds Tavira is rich in flora and fauna. Tavira Island offers 12km of the finest white strands plus the warmest waters of the Algarve coast -- these are Blue Flag beaches (never overcrowded and even with a secluded nudist section) with restaurants, cafes, loungers and umbrellas for hire, etc. A commuter train connects Tavira with other towns along the coast.
The town of Tavira was for long the favourite watering hole of the wealthier Spanish and Portuguese and was slow to yield to the commercial imperatives of the tourist industry. Today, unlike the better known towns of the Western Algarve, Tavira is extremely well preserved. The town boasts Roman, Moorish and Crusader remains and the architecture dates largely from the 18th and 19th centuries. The local town council has jealously preserved the character of the old town with development being confined by and large to the suburbs. During the season, the council organises a busy program of street theatre, folk music and dancing, fairs, exhibitions, balloon races, aerial displays, even a film festival. The old town is largely pedestrianised making it ideal for families. The town straddles the River Gilao, the banks of which are lined with palm trees shading a myriad of street cafes and restaurants. The restaurants vary from small family-run places with aluminium tables and paper tablecloths (and astonishingly good and affordable meals) to the five star luxury of the formal restaurant in the Pousada. While disco bars and lager louts are strangers to Tavira, there are at least two clubs where those who like to dance til dawn can have fun.
The nearby Ihla da Tavira (Tavira island, but actually a large sandbar) with its many miles of white strands (you don't have to worry about crowded beaches) is reached by several small ferries (two from the old town) or by means of a little cartoon train. On the island there are bars, restaurants, loungers, umbrellas, massage facilities -- even a remote, secluded nudist beach.
The Guadiana Valley, 25km from Tavira, separates Spain and Portugal. The two countries were enemies for centuries and the valley has many old, walled towns which are fascinating to visit. It's an easy drive or you can take a cruise up the river and stop off for a leisurely lunch in one of the towns. Spain, and in particular Seville, are within easy reach -- Seville is a magnet for the shopaholic, the horse-fancier or those interested in history and architecture.
Access from Faro airport or from Seville: Take the Tavira exit from the A22 motorway and follow the N270 toward Tavira. After 4km you come to a roundabout on the N125. Turn left (East) toward “Espanha”, “Villa Real do Santo Antonio”. After 1km you cross a high bridge over the River Gilao, anoither 1km you come to a roundabout; continue always on the N125. Some 250m after this second roundabout there is a large direction panel and a garden centre. Directly opposite is the entrance to Tavira Garden but you cannot turn in (white line). Continue another 250m to the next roundabout and double back. Take the first right hand turn into Tavira Garden and the firts right again to come to Reception.
Tavira itself is encircled by the Ria Formosa Nature Park. You can go mountain-biking, horse-riding, bird-watching, pick flowers -- or simply wander.
A commuter train connects Tavira with all of the towns of the Algarve coast from Vila Real do Santo Antonio on the Spanish border via Faro to Lagos in the West. Local buses connect Tavira with the small towns of the Algarve hinterland. Express buses run to Seville and a high-speed train (from Faro) connects with Lisbon. Both buses and trains are extraordinarily inexpensive by British standards.
Tavira Garden is a 30 minute taxi ride from Faro airport (Euro 45,00 in 2012). The complex itself is about 15 minutes walk from the old town but local taxis are plentiful and inexpensive (Euro 4,00 within the urban area in 2012). A rental car is not essential but there is a rental office on site if you wish to rent for a few days -- you can drop off at Faro airport without surcharge and save one taxi transfer. You can also book trips and excursions on site.
For those with GPS, the coordinates of Tavira Garden are: Longitude -7.6385 Latitude 37.1349
