I Love Italian Wine And Food – Liguria Region, Tuscany Wine

If you are looking for fine Italian wine and food, consider the Liguria region of northern Italy. You may find a bargain, and I hope that you’ll have fun on this fact-filled wine education tour.

Liguria, also known as the Italian Riviera, is located in the northwest corner of Italy. It borders France, Monaco, and has a 350 kilometer (over 200 mile) coastline on the Ligurian Sea. The region is hilly and mountainous, but has been inhabited since prehistoric times. The Romans captured Liguria in the Second Century B. C. It was subsequently conquered by Barbarians, and by the Lombards. In area it is the third smallest Italian region with a population of about 1.6 million.

The land in Liguria tends not to be particularly fertile. Agricultural products include flowers, olive oil, fruits, and vegetables. Some claim that Liguria introduced pasta to Italy. Most of the pasta is wheat. Pesto is a regional specialty. A wide variety of seafood is available. Heavy industry is on the decline. Tourism is so important that in some areas the July and August population is ten or fifteen times that of the slow season. The area is particularly popular with retirees.

Liguria’s capital and largest city is Genoa, a city of six hundred thousand. Parts of the old city have been placed on the World Heritage list as of 2006. Among its many sights are the home in which Christopher Columbus was said to be born, and La Lanterna, the oldest working lighthouse in the world. Another special tourist destination is Cinque Terre, five tiny villages along the coast. They are a hiker’s paradise, but make sure that you are in good shape before attempting the complete route of about 13 kilometers (8 miles). This area is home to two DOC wines, Cinque Terre and Cinque Terre Sciacchetrà, neither of which is often found in North America.

Liguria devotes slightly under twelve thousand acres to grapevines, it ranks 19th among the 20 Italian regions. Its total annual wine production is about 4.4 million gallons, also giving it a 19th place. About 34% of the wine production is red or rosé, leaving 66% for white. The region produces 8 DOC wines. DOC stands for Denominazione di Origine Controllata, which may be translated as Denomination of Controlled Origin. Almost 14% of Ligurian wine carries the DOC. Liguria is home to almost three dozen major and secondary grape varieties, somewhat more white than red varieties.

No international white grape varieties are widely grown in Liguria, whose most important white grapes are Bosco, Pigato, and Vermentino. Given its limited wine production, little Ligurian wine is exported to North America. In the unfortunate absence of any Ligurian wines, we are reviewing a Vermentino-based wine from Tuscany. If I am ever in Liguria, I promise to drink and review a few local wines.

No international red grape varieties are widely grown in Liguria. The best-known Italian red variety is Sangiovese, which is grown elsewhere including California. Other Ligurian red varieties include Rossese, Ciliegiolo, and Ormeasco, also known as Dolcetto.

Before reviewing the Ligurian-style wine and Italian cheese that we were lucky enough to purchase at a local wine store and a local Italian food store, here are a few suggestions of what to eat with indigenous wines when touring this beautiful region.

Start with Torta Pasqualina; Artichoke Savory Pie.

For the second course try Cappon Magor; Ligurian Seafood Caponata (you may have to order this dish in advance).

As dessert indulge yourself with Pandolce; Sweet Bread From Genoa.

OUR WINE REVIEW POLICY While we have communicated with well over a thousand Italian wine producers and merchants to help prepare these articles, our policy is clear. All wines that we taste and review are purchased at the full retail price.

Wine Reviewed

Rocca di Montemassi Vermentino Maremma Toscana IGT 12.5% alcohol about $12.50

Let’s start with the marketing materials. “Vermentino is an attractive, aromatic grape variety that is widely grown in Sardinia and Liguria. Montemassi believed that the conditions along the coastal Maremma region of Tuscany would be ideal. Their instincts were correct and the result is a pear/peach aroma wine that would be ideal as a sipping wine or with mildly spiced Mediterranean cuisine.”

My first pairing was with chicken thighs slowed-cooked in a sweet and sour sauce. The wine was floral, light tasting and refreshingly acidic. It was an excellent accompaniment to the dessert of thin, dry biscuits containing pistachios and almonds, which brought out the wine’s subtlety.

I then tried this wine with poached Tilapia fillets in a red pepper, onion, and chicken broth sauce accompanied by potato patties and green peppers in tomato sauce. The fish was delicate and not overwhelmed by the wine, which presented fruit and a bit of pepper. But frankly, the wine was too light and too short.

The next meal was kube, or kibbe, a Middle-Eastern specialty, balls of ground rice filled with ground meat. They were cooked overnight with potatoes in a somewhat spicy sauce. The wine was fruity and floral, with just enough acidity to counteract the meat’s fat and soften the spices. It was a fine companion for a side of more powerfully spiced Moroccan carrots. Just when I was thinking that the wine was a chameleon, changing itself to match the food, I tried it with fresh pineapple. The pineapple was excellent, its sweetness and acidity was a great way to end the meal. But in its presence, this wine was flat.

The cheese pairings had mixed results. Asiago is a nutty-flavored cheese from northeastern Italy. The wine went well with this cheese and seemed to pick up fruitiness. On the other hand in the presence of a strong, actually overripe, Pecorino cheese from nearby Tuscany it seemed to lose its flavor.

Final verdict. I don’t plan to buy this wine again. As a Tuscan wine it can’t meet the stiff local competition. I think I’ll wait for a true Ligurian wine. It may be a long wait.

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Wine Match Making

Reflections: What my favorite French wine is and why – Part 3

I would love to consider myself a wine buff’, but sadly that accolade is unlikely to be afforded me since I have almost entirely no sense of smell since contracting a virus some nine years ago. Prior to this I spent as much time as possible tasting various vintages of various wines from various regions.

I still enjoy wines, and on a good day I can differentiate a little, though my palate is sadly wasted on the really fine wines. My favourite French wine is Pommard, and the reason for it being my favourite has nothing whatever to do with any visit I have made to the Bourgogne region of France where it comes from. Many years ago, I went to a Lions Club dinner with my parents and a dear family friend, Jack Holland and his wife. Because I had accepted the invitation late in the day, I was seated near Jack.

When the waiter asked whether I would prefer red or white wine (the Brits were less discerning back in those days), I was about to ask for red, when Jack made a gesture to me from across the table to decline. I didn’t know why, but I trusted Jack and declined any wine.

As the meal was served, Jack produced from under the table a bottle of chateau bottled Pommard, inviting me to join him and his family in consuming it. This was a gesture of kindness very typical of the man.

About a month later, I went to Paris on a three week stay, and when I returned to England I learned that Jack had died very suddenly. He was under fifty years old and it was a huge shock to his family and to everyone who knew and loved him.

Seven years ago, another family friend, Pierre, died in Normandy where he lived. Pierre really was a wine buff, and kept a perfect cellar of which he was fiercely proud. A couple of years later I saw his widow, who insisted I took a bottle from Pierre’s cellar in his memory. I selected a 1996 chateau bottled Pommard ( a very good vintage) which I still have not opened. Pommard if kept correctly is good for drinking after five to fifteen years.

My wife and I are planning to emigrate to France permanently within the next few weeks. Once the wine has settled, it will be ceremoniously uncorked, and I shall drink a nostalgic and no doubt slightly tearful toast to both Jack and Pierre.

As a footnote, Pommard is a strong tasting Burgundy wine, produced between the towns of Beaune and Volnay. Its reputation in recent years has dwindled slightly, but it is making a comeback, with 2003 being a particularly good vintage. It is a good accompaniment to roast beef or lamb, venison, game bird or hare.

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I Love Italian Wine and Food – The Sardinia Region

If you are looking for fine Italian wine and food, consider the Sardinia region of southern Italy. You may find a bargain, and I hope that you’ll have fun on this fact-filled wine education tour.

Sardinia is the second largest island in the Mediterranean, located in the Tyrrhenian Sea west of mainland Italy. Sardinia’s terrain is mountainous, and its beaches are excellent. Sardinia is known for archeological ruins and has become a tourist destination for the international jet set. Because of its exceptional location Sardinia has always popular, Invaders include Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, and Spaniards, without mentioning numerous Italian peoples. During part of the 18th and 19th Century it was united with the northern region of Piedmont in the Kingdom of Piedmont-Sardinia. The population is about 1.6 million.

Sardinia’s administrative center is Cagliari, an ancient university town on the southern coast of the island. Its population is approximately one hundred sixty thousand. The famous author D. H. Lawrence compared this beautiful city to a “White Jerusalem.” Another city of interest is Sassari, which has the best collection of Sardinian art.

Sardinia is Italy’s leading source of organic produce, and includes nearly one-third of Italy’s land cultivated biologically. The climate is subtropical and more than half the territory is devoted to pasture land. Food is plentiful, it is said that there are over 500 kinds of bread, perhaps one for every village. The inland is full of meat, including lamb, goat, pork and game, while the coast teems with fish, lobster, and eel.

Sardinia devotes about 107 thousand acres to grapevines, it ranks 8th among the 20 Italian regions. Its total annual wine production is about 28 million gallons, giving it a 12th place. About 57% of the wine production is red or rosé (only a bit of rosé), leaving 43% for white. The region produces 19 DOC wines and one DOCG wine, Vermentino di Gallura, one of the two DOCG wines produced in southern Italy. DOC stands for Denominazione di Origine Controllata, which may be translated as Denomination of Controlled Origin, presumably a high-quality wine. The G in DOCG stands for Garantita, but there is in fact no guarantee that such wines are truly superior. About 15% of Sardinian wine carries the DOC or DOCG designation. Sardinia is home to almost dozen four major and secondary grape varieties, about half white and half red.

There are no widely grown international white grape varieties in Sardinia. The best known Italian white varieties are Vermentino, Nuragus, and Vernaccia.

Widely grown international red grape varieties include Cannonau, known as Garnacha in Spain, and Grenache in France and elsewhere, and Carignano, known as Carignan in France. The best known Italian red variety is Monica, which probably originated in Spain, and may be related to California’s Mission grape variety.

Before we review the Sardinian wine and cheese that we were lucky enough to purchase at a local wine store and a local Italian food store, here are a few suggestions of what to eat with indigenous wines when touring this beautiful region.
Start with Melanzane in Pinzimonio, Smoked Eggplants in Mint-Basil Oil.
As a second course try Aragosta Arrosto, Roasted Lobster with Parsley and Bread Crumbs.
For dessert indulge yourself with Seadas, Pastry with Cheese and Bitter Honey.

OUR WINE REVIEW POLICY While we have communicated with well over a thousand Italian wine producers and merchants to help prepare these articles, our policy is clear. All wines that we taste and review are purchased at the full retail price.

Wine Reviewed
Sella and Mosca Cannonau di Sardegna (V) DOC Reserva 2003 13.5% alcohol about $12.50

Cannonau wine may qualify as the mother of all European wines. It is made from the Grenache grape, which originated in Spain. The producer, Sella and Mosca, has the second largest contiguous vineyard in Italy. Over 6 million bottles are year are produced on an estate of more than 1500 acres. Some will say that such a humongous estate is unlikely to produce an outstanding wine. Such a claim may be incorrect, but this wine was far from outstanding.

The marketing materials stated that this wine is more or less ruby in color, tending to orange upon aging, with a light scent of grapes with a characteristic flavor ranging from dry to sweetish. It was aged three years in oak prior to its release and may be cellared for a decade or more. The wine is said to be particularly suitable to accompany red meats and seasoned cheeses. Uncork it at least one hour before serving.

I found that it had quite a light color for a red wine. To my mind, it was thin but pleasant with very little nose. I first tasted it with a rib steak marinated in a spicy sauce. This pairing brought out the fruit, and the wine was pleasantly acidic, but I would have preferred a more robust wine to balance the meat. I finished the bottle withy barbequed hamburgers, and it didn’t go quite as well. The wine was weak, perhaps affected by staying too long in the bottle.

Pecorino Sardo is a traditional sheep’s milk, semi-cooked hard cheese that comes in a “sweet” or “ripened” variety. The sweet variety is soft, and the ripened variety is hard. My cheese was ripened and treated with balsamic vinegar. A commercial roasted eggplant with sweet red peppers accompanied the wine and cheese. Everything went well together, the nutty flavors of the cheese balanced the wine’s fruit. In conclusion, I liked the wine best with the cheese. I don’t plan on buying this wine again, I found it a bit overpriced. Even though it didn’t cost a lot, one might have thought that a mass-produced wine from Sardinia would be somewhat less expensive.

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French Wine Can Cost Over 1000 Per Bottle

Wine is undoubtedly one of the great national treasures of France, which over the years has become an integral part of French culture and is rooted in history with around half a million vineyards.

Although you can find many great value wines and numerous different varieties to choose from whatever your palette, there are also some of the most expensive wines in the world that are produced in France, and the vast majority of people will never be able to experience in their lifetime.

In fact, a vintage Romanee Conti red wine produced from the pinot noir grape in Burgundy can cost anything upwards of 1,000 for just one bottle. And a rare vintage case of 12 sold at auction in London for a staggering 58,500 making this the most expensive case of wine sold at auction up until the year 2007.

Both Bordeaux and Burgundy have always contested that they produce the best wines and in their own ways the are probably both correct, and yet apart from the Champagne region, famous for the sparkling wine of the same name, Bordeaux wines are far more widely known than those from Burgundy.

No matter what region in France you go on holiday to, you will be able to sample a wide variety of different wines and it is a good idea to get to know your preferences before trying different ones. Whether you prefer a red wine or a white wine, sweet or dry, still or sparkling the choice is immense.

Going to a wine tasting session can be great fun trying out different varieties, yet for some it can also be a little daunting, especially if it is not on an arranged tour of which there are plenty to choose from. However, there are some general pointers that will get you through.

When wine tasting, you should always start off with the lightest wines such as sparkling wines and work through to full bodied whites, then through the reds from the light to the full bodied and end on dessert wines. This will help to keep your taste buds more sensitive so you can better appreciate each wine and in some places they even supply water in between so as to get the full flavour and texture of each wine you are tasting.

You should swill the wine round in the glass a couple of times, which will help aerate it and provide you with the full aroma. Plus it is customary to spit out most wine, rather than swallow it, although you can swallow a small amount on occasions to experience what it is like after it has gone down.

The Loire Valley is a massive wine producing region that produces a variety of wine such as Muscadet, Cabernet Franc, Gamay reds and even reasonably priced Sauvignon Blancs. And with the beautiful chateaux plus the tranquil winding river it makes the Loire region one of the most visited areas in France for experiencing wines and fine French food to accompany them with the stunning backdrops so synonymous with this region.

Yet for hundreds of years Bordeaux has had a long and internationally famous history of high quality wines and is also a very popular place to go, although you can still pick up a good value Bordeaux wine if you travel to the outskirts of the region.

And yes, who could not think about champagne, which is so tightly controlled for what can be classed as a true champagne, you will get to appreciate why some varieties are so expensive and are only produced in this region for consumption throughout the world. However, there are some vineyards that will charge far less for a bottle of their champagne with the same finesse, compared to that of the famous brands we have all come to know.

The Languedoc region in France is one of the biggest wine producing regions and to put this into perspective, it has over two times more land planted to vines than the whole of Australia! Even though in the past, they concentrated more on quantity rather than quality, this is changing where you can pick up a reasonably priced wine that can match up to some at double or even triple the cost.

But France is a country that has such a different range of wines from the many wine regions and each one will provide a taste, aroma and body like no other and some regions themselves offer such a diverse range it can be quite mind boggling, yet a fascinating experience.

Obviously, white wine has long been associated with fish and chicken, whereas red wine is normally paired with red meats and game. Yet when you are in France experiencing the fantastic culinary delights of the regions speciality French food, take the time to choose a wine that will enhance the experience or ask for advice and enjoy.

Excursions Direct 2007 Algarve excursion review

As the Algarve season draws to an end for another year, Excursions Direct is able to bring you the 2007 Excursion review.
Each year we produce a review Blog that will hopefully help and guide next years visitors to the excursions, days and nights out that you enjoyed this year. We have had quite a few changes for the 2007 season, and not just including the attractions. The Algarve has undergone a transformation over the past 2 years where roads and junctions have changed dramatically as the infrastructure has been dragged into the 21st century.
This year more than ever has seen many of the junctions replaced by roundabouts, the usual single lane roads widened to dual carriageways. It is with these changes in mind that we advise all visitors for the 2008 season to use the transport provided by many of the excursion companies, this will save you masses of time and effort in navigating the new improved Algarve traffic system. We hope by 2009 the majority of the works undertaken will be complete and normality can resume.

Right, enough of the rambling lets get down to business. We have reviewed the top 5 excursions that you booked through us last year as well as consulting our friends at Thomas Cook to get a broader picture of what was hot in 2007. A couple of the reviews actually contain more than one excursion this is because depending on which part of Algarve you chose would depend on the trip you would take (you will get what I mean when you read on). Also please remember that you can get exact prices and group quotes from our website.

The sections included this year are;

Zoomarine
For about the 300 hundredth year running Zoomarine has toped the charts once again. Locals struggle to remember an Algarve without the famous park; some say it was built during the Moorish invasion and that Henry the navigator himself brought the original dolphins after his Atlantic voyage (sorry I am being ridiculous). The park has become an integral part of any Algarve holiday for all nationalities. Zoomarine was actually founded in 1989 as a marine learning centre for adults and children alike since then it has grown into the Algarve’s most famous excursion. The dolphin shows, Sealion theatre (in 2007 called “Magic book”), the birds of prey display and the shark tunnel, not to mention the log flume, the swinging pirate boat and the mini rollercoaster. 2007 also saw the addition of the 4D cinema, this incredible movie shows how we are changing and affecting our planet through how we treat nature. All of this accompanied by the huge swimming pool and sun deck, bars, restaurants and shops you can begin to see why it wins every year. Oh and on top of all this did I forget to mention that with an advance booking through Excursions Direct you can swim with the dolphins, yes that’s right SWIM WITH THE DOLPHINS. The dolphin interaction is a fantastic way for visitors young and old to fulfil what is for most a life long dream. Zoomarine was priced at €21.50 for 2007 we will keep you posted on any price rises for 2008 on our website, Excursions Direct. However for a full day out including transport with everything inside free (with the exception of food, drinks and gifts) £13.00 per adult is unbelievable value. Excursions Direct would just like to say a huge thank you to Rosa and all the team at Zoomarine for another superb season.
Contact us for exact prices and opening times.

Waterparks
The waterparks produced the Excursions Direct team with yet another headache this year with the Algarve split once again depending on where you were staying. The West coast visitors had Aqualand and Slide and Splash at a 40, 60 split in favour of Slide and Splash, whereas the East coast visitors all flocked to Aquashow in Quarteira, so to give you a run down of all three here goes.
Aqualand
They can be found in between Alcantarilla and Lagoa on the EN125, known locally as “The Big One” for strange phallic reasons which we can only imagine refer to the fact it sports the highest waterslide on the Algarve called the Kamikaze, you can also enjoy the Anaconda, Congo river, Surf beach wave pool, the raging rapids, the crazy race, the banzai boggan plus all the swimming pools, bars and restaurants. There is an assortment of gift shops and return transport from as far away as Vilamoura to the east and Praia do Roche (Portimao) in the west. The pricing starts at €21.50 for an adult staying locally up to €25.50 for an adult staying at the furthest pick up point, children are slightly less roughly 75% of the adult price. All in all a great day out and a summer favourite.
Slide and Splash
Just pipping Aqualand at the post according to our records (not by much mind), Slide and Splash is a family favourite, with pick up points from one side of the Algarve to the other it is an easy park to get to. The park can be found on the west side of Lagoa towards Portimao, with huge slides and rides, multiple swimming pools and the usual Bars, and restaurants Slide and Splash is a absolute must for the water babies amongst us. Again with prices ranging from €21.50 right up to €30.50 from Spain (yes Spain, they will travel to get you).
Aquashow
What can we say about Aquashow and Senor Calderinhas team that the park doesn’t say for itself? Packed with incredible rides and shows as well as a full on rollercoaster. Situated on the main road from the EN125 at the “Quatro Estradas” roundabout heading towards Quarteira. The park provides transport from just about anywhere and charges the same price of €21.50 for entrance. The park is heavily pushed by the major UK tour operators for their Eastern Algarve visitors and we must confess that wherever you may be staying on the Algarve it is worth the trip to pay the guys a visit.
Waterparks are an essential part of any Algarve holiday, you can soak up the sun, relax on manicured soft grass, sip refreshing ice cold drinks from the bar all in the knowledge the family is safe and being supervised every step of the way by experienced and professional lifeguards.
Contact us for exact prices and opening times.

Coach tours
Now all you guys that visited Algarve this season certainly enjoyed your days out on board our famous coach tours. From the Eastern Algarve to the best of the west and everywhere in between. It was a hard one to call this year but Excursions Direct came up with the defining top three coach tours, somehow. Starting in reverse order at number three we have the Seville shopping trip, we are not really sure what is going on here but you guys are visiting Portugal and your number three coach trip is to Spain??? Besides that we have to admit it is a fantastic trip, the day begins pretty early (around 7.30am) where you are collected from your hotel by air conditioned (or heated) coach. On board is your guide (You can choose from English, German, French, Portuguese and Spanish) for the day that will help with any questions or queries you may have during the 2 hour journey through Eastern Algarve and out onto the vast flatlands of the Costa de la Luz, Huelva and finally your destination, Seville. On arrival in Seville you will be given the coach meeting point (very easy), maps and of course all the locations of the shops. You can either spend the entire day at the main shopping centres or you can explore some of the sights and sounds of this remarkable city from the incredible cathedral to the art quarter. At around 4pm you will return to the coach where your guide will make sure everyone is aboard and accounted for (it has been known for customers to spend the night in Seville and make their own way back the next day or catch another coach on another day) we will then head back across the border where you will be dropped off at your hotel or drop off point.
At number two is 2 trips on different days but doing almost the same thing, Loule and Quarteira market trips These are both half day tours and are very self explanatory they will collect you from your hotel, apartment, villa or nearest pick up point at around 8am depending on where your staying. If you are visiting the Quarteira market you will be travelling on a Wednesday if its Loule you have chosen it will be a Saturday. The markets are a favourite where you can browse the clothing, lace embroidery, gift and local art stalls. If its food and local produce that gets you going there is the local fresh fish and meat market as well as deli stands and street food sellers. Both of the markets are very much local affairs and you will be rubbing shoulders with the locals as much as other visitors, the locals seem to find all the fuss about their markets a little strange they are simply there to buy their weekly shopping but still it’s a great experience. The markets will begin to close at approximately 2pm where you will be collected by your coach and taken back to you accommodation. Both markets are very local to Vilamoura and Albufeira so if you want to stay on in either town for some late lunch or even an afternoon browsing let the coach driver know and off you go (no refunds for one way trips mind ha, ha, ha). So to the top of the pile for the Excursions Direct coach tours we have the Historical Algarve trip. Again you will be collected from your hotel or nearest pick up point at around 8.30am and off to the first stop on the tour which is Silves. This is the ancient Moorish capital of Algarve and is steeped in history dating back almost 1000 years you can visit the cathedral (entrance fee not included). Travelling west we head to the Monchique Mountains where the views are spectacular from the peak of the famous 3000 foot high mountain top where you can sample local wines and brandies in a free tasting. The next stop is down towards the coast and the ancient city of Lagos where you will have time to reflect at the location of the very first human slave market in Europe and pause for thought in the old baroque style church of St Anthony. Our next destination is Cape St Vincent, the most westerly point in Europe where many centuries before Henry the Navigator once stood and pondered on what really lay beyond the horizon. We take the time to visit Baleeira the small fishing village and the fortress where Prince Henry started the very first navigation school. We then make our way back eastwards to your drop off points along the Algarve. The trip runs every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday and costs an incredible €25 (£17) per person with discounts for groups children and OAP´s.
Contact us for exact prices and opening times.

Nights out
When it comes to letting your hair down it’s a difficult one to call as everyone is different, you can find people in traditional restaurants in Algarve’s beautiful countryside, chatting at the bar of a golf club or partying on the strip in Albufeira or the old town. We have included a couple of reviews in this section as well as some info on some organized nights out available through , Excursions Direct. If your looking for the party atmosphere you need to be heading to one of three places. The strip in Albufeira, the old town (square) in Albufeira or the marina in Vilamoura (summer only). These areas are filled with bars, restaurants and nightclubs, there are Karaoke bars, fun pubs and theme bars as well as the new trendy wine bars around the revamped square in Albufeira’s old town. The Algarve has a huge range of restaurants and cafes from the Michelin stared Willy’s in Vilamoura to the popular Churrasco (bbq’d meat) restaurants where a Prata do Dia (Menu of the day) would cost around €6 for a 3 course meal (yes that’s £4 per person). We also have the proverbial Indians, Chinese, Italians, burger joints and pizza restaurants but we can have them anywhere cant we, so we wont spend much time on those. For more detailed information on the bars and restaurants of Algarve feel free to drop us a line through the Excursions Direct website
As far as organised days out are concerned there are two main options that we have had huge feedback from, the casino shows and the Portuguese evening.
The casino shows
We have three casinos on Algarve, one is at Praia do Roche (Portimao) one in Monte Gordo (near Spanish border) and the other is in Vilamoura, all have different shows on throughout the year so here is a low down.
Vilamoura
The Vilamoura Casino will present for the first time the show “Amor Latino” -production and choreography by the Russian Sergey Denisov. In a cigarette factory, somewhere in a country with a Caribbean aroma, a North-American officer (“Romeo”) falls in love at first sight with the sensual beauty of a factory worker (“Julia”) who is engaged to be married. It is a small city and the love triangle meets in a discotheque. The jealous lovers fight for their dear one. “Romeo” is put in jail but manages to escape with his lover’s help who hides him in a boat. However, as carnival time starts there is a masquerade where anything can happen, even the unexpected. When entering the magnificent hall of the Casino, you may visit the Commercial and Art Gallery, where exhibitions are frequently held and artists, photographers, sculptors delight lovers of the different artistic expressions. In one of the comfortable lounges we have at you disposal, you may choose to have a chat, read a magazine or enjoy an appetizer before dinner. In the Royal Restaurant/ Lounge, with a capacity for 200 people, you may enjoy a comfortable and elegant atmosphere, which is the ideal place to hold celebration dinners of all types. The Miralago Lounge, with 500 places, offers a magnificent view and presents, daily, a wide variety of shows that carry you to the most idyllic sceneries while you appreciate unique flavours. Situated in the hall of the Vilamoura Casino, the Arabesque Bar is the meeting point where you may appreciate the most exquisite international cocktails before and after meals. The Arab décor takes us into the world of magic stories, such as “1001 Nights” by Sherazade or “Ali Bábá and the 40 Thieves”. It has been for over ten years one of the most popular places for the Algarve night. This is especially due to the modern and refined décor.
Portimao
Situated in the extreme south of Portugal, the Algarve coast is famous for the immense blue of its sea as well as infinite, warm water beaches with the finest sands.
The rich gastronomy, traditions, handicrafts and magnificent golf courses are unique requisites of this irresistible place, situated between the mountain and the sea, and a clear invitation to tourism.
In the heart of Praia da Rocha, the Algarve Casino Hotel offers the ideal scenery for holidays that combine comfort with elegance, entertainment wi

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