Attractions and hotels that make Albufiera and the Algarve in Portugal such a delight year after year.

Albufeira in the Algarve, Portugal's main tourist area, is blessed with almost all year sun. The area has fantastic beaches, great accommodation, a wide choice of hotels and top class golf course - you can understand why so many visitors return each year.

Some of the staff at LoDeals have stayed at Hotel Vila Gale Cerro Alagoa and found it to be in a great location, just a short walk to Albufeira Old Town. They had a garden view which they found to be peaceful and, as you'd expect in Portugal, the staff were very helpful and friendly. The location of the hotel was perfect in their view, with a short walk to the Old Town of Albufeira or a quick bus or taxi ride to "the Strip" in Albufeira - although they did walk back to the hotel one night from "the Strip" it's not to be reccommended during the daytime sun. Across from the hotel there is a very pleasant shopping parade with internet cafe, fast food restaurants, fine dining and boutiques.

To the west, Old Albufeira is actually a very pretty town with a strong moorish influence, Old Albufeira has some great fish restaurants and excellent bars with good entertainment.

Whilst staying in Albufeira they met up with Julie and John who were returning to the Algarve for the first time in many years having spent their honeymoon at the Montechoro Hotel. They stayed at the same hotel and were pleased to find that it had been refurbished yet retained warmth and charm that is sometimes hard to find in a large tourist hotel. This hotel sits at the top of "the Strip" in Albufeira and has all the facilities you'd expect at a large hotel.

Along "the Strip" there is an abundance of restaurants, shops and bars to suit all tastes. It is very lively and a fun way to end a day whatever you've been doing, be it sun bathing, playing golf, sight seeing or shopping.

Local attractions include Algarve Shopping, Aqualand Algarve, ZooMarine.