JoeDavola Posted July 8, 2014 Share Posted July 8, 2014 I have a flight to Faro Portugal, which is due to leave this weekend and return home in 6 days. I booked it on a whim and originally was gonna stay in a cheap airbnb in Faro. I booked it without doing any research, and then found out there was **** all in Faro really. I cancelled the accommodation and due to feeling a bit depressed at the moment I'm planning on just not going now, as I don't know much about Portugal and don't know where to go, and not sure if I have it in me to spend a week on holiday alone. Albufeira would appear to be nearest place to Faro but I get the impression it's a bit .... tacky? Does anyone have any recommendations for anywhere reasonably near Faro? (i.e. somewhere that I can get to easily from Faro airport as I'll be landing at about 8pm) I also see that Lisbon is only 3 hours away by train; I guess that could be another option depending on how easy it is to get from airport to train station. Anyways, if anyone has any opinions on Portugal you can let me know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crashmonitor Posted July 8, 2014 Share Posted July 8, 2014 You might do a spot of house hunting while you are there. Could start with those expats who appeared on Escape to the Country Home or Away around 2008...wonder how their dream investments are going. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StuG III Posted July 8, 2014 Share Posted July 8, 2014 Not going is hardly going to help your depression. Why not just go and see where the wind takes you? Maybe rediscover a sense of Adventure? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DTMark Posted July 8, 2014 Share Posted July 8, 2014 I don't know anything about Portugal so I can't help with places to go. I would echo the above comment however - time out/away is great for depression, especially if the alternative is to basically sit at home ruminating about the same issues that led to it. You'll find yourself more resourceful and self-sufficient than perhaps you imagine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onlyme2 Posted July 8, 2014 Share Posted July 8, 2014 Carvoeiro, smaller port/fishing village setting, not as built up. Stayed there once and really liked it. Should be decent bus links all along the coast this time of year. Trip to Atlantic coast amazing cliffs - trick will be to suss the public transport, won't feel so isolated travelling that way either. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carvoeiro_%28Lagoa%29 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dances with sheeple Posted July 8, 2014 Share Posted July 8, 2014 Only time I have been there I could only handle one night in Faro, that is just tourist central. Took the bus to Lisbon (scary driving!) one night there in a hostel, and then took the train up to Porto for a few nights in the YHA type place there. I would recommend Porto, although I can`t comment on safety/ crime etc. since their financial worries kicked in, it had dodgy areas then (late 90`s) don`t know what it is like now. The journey up the coast is better than sitting around in Faro IMO, and you will meet plenty of single Brits/Americans/Europeans (unless Portugal has gone Mad Max?) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hail the Tripod Posted July 8, 2014 Share Posted July 8, 2014 If you play golf, Vilamoura is great. The golf clubs tend to group odd numbers of people to make fours so you would meet people. I went with two mates, and we had an extra slotted in to our group every day, some of whom joined us for a few beers after. Close to Faro too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dances with sheeple Posted July 8, 2014 Share Posted July 8, 2014 In answer to your original question, I would most definitely go, putting things off is a trick of the ego mind to get you wallowing in more depression which the ego mind just loves to feed on. Get out in the sun and talk to some hot women, print out the Deluded Scrapper thread as your blueprint! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bendy Posted July 8, 2014 Share Posted July 8, 2014 Loved camping in Faro and Albufiera and that was when England fans were chucking chairs around!! I can't recall what the camping resort we stayed at just outside of Albufiera was called but it had an excellent pool and restaurant which I imagine would be much calmer/nicer without hoardes of footy fans signing about German Bombers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winkie Posted July 8, 2014 Share Posted July 8, 2014 Go....what is six days out of a lifetime......go with the flow, take some good reading material and find yourself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reddog Posted July 8, 2014 Share Posted July 8, 2014 I visted Lisbon about a month ago. A great city, highly recommended, a lot of interesting history and some good nightlife. If you used airbnb there is probably somewhere fairly cheap to stay. Train journey takes 3 hours according to a quick google search. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reddog Posted July 8, 2014 Share Posted July 8, 2014 If you don't mind staying in a hostel you could stay here: http://www.theindependente.pt/?lang=en great location, and it was recommended to me by a Portugese guy (I didn't stay there). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankief Posted July 8, 2014 Share Posted July 8, 2014 I visted Lisbon about a month ago. A great city, highly recommended, a lot of interesting history and some good nightlife. Really? It's a few years ago now but I found the Portugese a lot more quiet and reserved than their neighbours, bars in the centre were shutting at 10pm whereas in Spain they would just be opening! If the OP can drive, why not hire a car and cross the border to visit Huelva/ Seville/ Cadiz / Cordoba - all are within easy reach. Don't forget to report back on the HPC situation if you meet any expats! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wherebee Posted July 8, 2014 Share Posted July 8, 2014 If you don't mind staying in a hostel you could stay here: http://www.theindependente.pt/?lang=en great location, and it was recommended to me by a Portugese guy (I didn't stay there). GO. travel is almost never a negative. sitting at home *****ing and reading HPC is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tankus Posted July 8, 2014 Share Posted July 8, 2014 Rented a minimoke and we just tooled around on whim , one of my fav holidays ever ... Deffo go up into the mountains to the castle at Silves and then onto Monchique ,the coast is somewhat concrete med ish surrounding seemingly not very historical small villages ,very friendly people ...Go Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reddog Posted July 8, 2014 Share Posted July 8, 2014 Really? It's a few years ago now but I found the Portugese a lot more quiet and reserved than their neighbours, bars in the centre were shutting at 10pm whereas in Spain they would just be opening! If the OP can drive, why not hire a car and cross the border to visit Huelva/ Seville/ Cadiz / Cordoba - all are within easy reach. Don't forget to report back on the HPC situation if you meet any expats! Well I can only say in the Barrio Alto area of Lisbon it was completley pack at 1am on Friday and Saturday nights. The first picture in the link gives you an idea how packed: http://www.portugaldailyview.com/whats-new/bairro-alto-lisbons-melting-pot cheap night, you could buy a beer a cheap bar and wonder around the streets, or even get a beer in an off license if funds are really short. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LC1 Posted July 8, 2014 Share Posted July 8, 2014 Really? It's a few years ago now but I found the Portugese a lot more quiet and reserved than their neighbours, bars in the centre were shutting at 10pm whereas in Spain they would just be opening! If the OP can drive, why not hire a car and cross the border to visit Huelva/ Seville/ Cadiz / Cordoba - all are within easy reach. Don't forget to report back on the HPC situation if you meet any expats! The Spanish town of Ayamonte just over the river/border is quite pleasant and some nice beaches around that way too. I would simply do a little mooching along the coast (either West into Portugal or East into Spain) and see what life brings your way. I would be perfectly happy to spend my time lounging on beaches, swimming in the sea, and spending the evenings in local tapas bars eating great food with a book and a cold beer to hand. If you happen to get chatting to any of the young locals (many of whom will know either a bit or a lot of English) then all the better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LiveinHope Posted July 8, 2014 Share Posted July 8, 2014 Oh, FFS the hard part is over. You have the tickets. Seems fine for a few days. Just do as LC1 suggested. http://*******.com/ml35wcj or plan a bit and get on a bus and go somewhere more rural / isolated. Probably too late to advertise in Private Eye, The Lady or the Telegraph for a traveling companion. I've managed to enjoy myself in far worse places in England, London for example. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeDavola Posted July 8, 2014 Author Share Posted July 8, 2014 Spent a while today looking at hotels in Albufeira - the affordable ones were getting bad reviews on tripadvisor. Then I struck lucky, found an apartment complex overlooking the sea, has very good reviews, and had one studio apartment left. £350 for 6 days. Snapped it up. Sod the depression, I'll push myself to go anyway. Depression won't get any better spending a week sat in my own bloody flat. And of course I'll maybe end up with an interesting story to post on HPC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LiveinHope Posted July 8, 2014 Share Posted July 8, 2014 Spent a while today looking at hotels in Albufeira - the affordable ones were getting bad reviews on tripadvisor. Then I struck lucky, found an apartment complex overlooking the sea, has very good reviews, and had one studio apartment left. £350 for 6 days. Snapped it up. Sod the depression, I'll push myself to go anyway. Depression won't get any better spending a week sat in my own bloody flat. And of course I'll maybe end up with an interesting story to post on HPC. Sounds good If you had planned it earlier you could have arranged an HPC meet up in Faro Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeDavola Posted July 8, 2014 Author Share Posted July 8, 2014 If you had planned it earlier you could have arranged an HPC meet up in Faro Haha, maybe next year! By the way Joe...heres some pictures of 'Tacky' Albufeira, taken 3 weeks ago. It was torture I tell ya Doesn't look too shabby at all! Looking at how to get from Faro to Albufeira now - there seem to be a few companies that do shared minibuses/cars - I'm assuming these don't take you to your hotel though, right? They take you to a fixed place in Albufeira and then you'd have to get another Taxi sorted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeDavola Posted July 8, 2014 Author Share Posted July 8, 2014 Actually I see I can book a private driver to get me directly from Faro airport to my hotel and Albufeira and back for £50 - might actually go for that option as it's less hassle than having to take bus + taxi. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onlyme2 Posted July 8, 2014 Share Posted July 8, 2014 Haha, maybe next year! Doesn't look too shabby at all! Looking at how to get from Faro to Albufeira now - there seem to be a few companies that do shared minibuses/cars - I'm assuming these don't take you to your hotel though, right? They take you to a fixed place in Albufeira and then you'd have to get another Taxi sorted. Shared shuttle looks v cheap. http://www.resorthoppa.com/airport-transfers/portugal/faro-airport-fao/albufeira-abf?refid=ppc&ddlAdults=1&_$ja=cgid:2581457294|tsid:45480|cid:67892294|lid:34157647023|nw:g|crid:39492091094|rnd:10725795379878907139|dvc:c|adp:1t1|bku:1&gclid=CIfM3p-ktr8CFfMgtAodnDwA4A Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrPin Posted July 8, 2014 Share Posted July 8, 2014 GO. travel is almost never a negative. sitting at home *****ing and reading HPC is. You might see interesting things! You could always take a 3G tablet for the "HPC fix", or go to an internet cafe! I'm sure they have them! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeDavola Posted July 8, 2014 Author Share Posted July 8, 2014 Shared shuttle looks v cheap. http://www.resorthoppa.com/airport-transfers/portugal/faro-airport-fao/albufeira-abf?refid=ppc&ddlAdults=1&_$ja=cgid:2581457294|tsid:45480|cid:67892294|lid:34157647023|nw:g|crid:39492091094|rnd:10725795379878907139|dvc:c|adp:1t1|bku:1&gclid=CIfM3p-ktr8CFfMgtAodnDwA4A But whenever you share a shuttle, does it leave all of you at the one place or does it drop you all off at your respective hotels? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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