www.smartymagazine.com

The Good Plans of Xaver von Mentzingen: the and its Spells by Lili Tisseyre Xaver von Mentzingen, the associate director of the Thaddaeus Ropac Gallery, shares with us his good addresses in the South of . I wanted to talk to you about southern Portugal. Why the South? Firstly, because Portugal is fashionable and secondly, because we have already talked about the north and Lisbon and also because the south is a bit like my home. Arrival in the south is via Faro airport or also via Lisbon and then by car (3 hours to get off) or by train with a particularly picturesque route. On the way down you cross the Alentejo, a region that deserves a chapter of its own and which will certainly be presented soon by one of the next guests of the week. The southern Algarve with its mild climate, slightly warmer sea and almost Mediterranean landscape is certainly a perfect beach holiday destination, but you have to know a little bit about it, otherwise you end up on a polluted beach in front of a row of mid-range hotel towers like at the Costa Brava. Especially during the month of August I therefore recommend that you do not stay too long on the south coast, which has become a mass tourism destination, and move quickly towards the interior or the west coast. Nevertheless, there are still some pleasant spots in the south. These are my two favorite beaches: Praia do Nautilo Nestled on a small wild cape near the famous but now terrifying Praia da Rocha beach and the town of Portimao, the naturist beach Praia do Nautilo, owes its name to a huge rock shaped like a submarine that seems to rise from the depths of the ocean. The beach actually consists of a series of coves, accessible after a short walk from the Praia do Vau. As the beaches are small, it is best to go there during low tide. The peninsula of Tavira and the superb Hotel Forte Sao Joao da Barra The city of Tavira, Portuguese Venice, is charming with its old buildings decorated with tiles and with its canals. The town overlooks a lagoon that you have to cross by boat to reach a beautiful beach. If you wish to stay in the area, my favourite hotel is the very elegant Hotel Forte Sao Joao da Barra in an old fortress in the village of Cabanas. Hinterland In the hinterland I recommend a visit to the ancient capital of the Moorish Kingdom of Algarb, the fortified town of Silves (where you can also eat the best fish of the Algarve in the Marisqueira Rui) and a trip to the Serra de Monchique mountain range with its breathtaking views of the coast and the idyllic Caldas de Monchique springs. Southern addresses Hotel Forte Sao Joao Da Barra: http://www.fortesaojoaodabarra.com R. da Fortaleza, 8800-595 Cabanas de Tavira- Algarve, Portugal +351 281 370 495 Marisqueiria Rui à Silves R. Comendador Vilarinho 27, 8300 Silves, Portugal +351 282 442 682 http://www.marisqueirarui.pt West Coast Pass through Lagos (a very touristy but charming city), Cape Saint Vincent and the town of Sagres and go up through Carrapateira to . Here the whole coast is protected. This is the Costa Vicentina Natural Park. There are few constructions and the beaches are wild: the most beautiful are Praia do Amado and Arrifana, famous for surfing. The small towns of Aljezur and Odeceixe are worth stopping for a moment to visit the fortress and stroll through the narrow streets. In the restaurants you should ask for the shellfish Pouce-Pieds, very iodized, and the Batatas Doces (sweet potatoes,) which are the specialty of the region. It is also here that you can go donkey trekking and discover the coast in peaceful company. From Aljezur a small road allows you to reach Monchique and the southern Algarve. Somewhere here in the hinterland, once the haunt of the hippies, the famous Algarve Pizza Party is held every Friday. Some addresses of the Costa Vicentina: Restaurante Sitio do Forno Praia do Amado, Carrapateira, Portugal +351 282 973 914 Restaurante o Paulo, Praia de Arrifana Rua Serpa Pinto 32, 8670-156 Aljezur, Portugal +351 934 975 251 Restaurante Taberna do Gabao in Odeceixe R. do Gabão 9, 8670 Aljezur - Odeceixe, Portugal For housing: the association Casas Brancas offers a wide selection of houses for rent: www.casasbrancas.pt Burros e Artes: donkey rides: http://www.burros- artes.blogspot.com Surf: http://www.aljezursurf.com Algarve Pizza Party: www.fridayhappiness.com 12 May 2017 #Portugal

copyright: All rights reserved

www.smartymagazine.com

Contacts

smArty Intern'l Ltd Ibex House Baker Street Weybridge KT13 8AH

[email protected] www.smartymagazine.com