1. December in the Algarve. ‘Fill yer boots or Jog on’ – Studio 17 apartment block offer late availability. One double bedroom apartment (they call it a studio) costs 9e per night. The apartment is outstanding. The location is in a typical residential area of Portimão, local amenities are all a short walk. The nearest beach is Praia da Rocha, to the west. A good walk but bike hire is available. Car rental at this time of the year is very cheap, as are flights to Faro, courtesy of Ryanair. It is quite deserted as most places are closed, the same can be said for Albufeira, about twenty miles away. The downside of going mid to high holiday season is that the coastal towns are a wash with hoards of crowds and the towns really comes alive at night and doesn’t stop until the early hours of the morning. The streets are littered with louts and drunken yobs. If that takes your fancy, then ‘fill yer boots’ and if not, ‘jog on’ swiftly.
2. Loule Coreto Hostel. ‘Bargain Time’ – This fabulous property is located on Loulé’s main avenue. Loulé Coreto Hostel offers private and shared accommodation in an immaculately restored building. It offers free WiFi access in all areas with a strong signal and benefits from large storage cupboards with security key for each resident.
Each private room has its own shade of colour and a wardrobe. The dorm rooms feature bunk beds with storage space. Bathroom facilities are shared.
Guests can use the shared kitchen to prepare meals, and a continental breakfast is served daily.
There is a large washing machine available with plenty of roof top outside space to hang and dry washing.
Loulé Market is open all days and is 600 metres from Coreto Loulé Hostel. A supermarket is nearby, just a one minute walk from the hostel.
A reading room is available, as is a lounge area with a flat screen tv. There is also a seasonal roof top terrace.
Guests can head to Loulé Municipal Gardens, located a five minute walk from the hostel. Within 500 metres, guests will find restaurants, shops, snack-bars and traditional bars.
Faro city is 16 km away, while Faro International Airport is 17 km from Loulé Coreto Hostel. Both Quarteira and Vilamoura are 12 km away.
The Epileptic Goat 