After Class Activities

Our program allows you plenty of time to discover your new country, culture, traditions, and everyday life after your class is over: relax on the great beaches, enjoy the water sports, golf courses, beautiful climate and later the lively nightlife. Examples of typical cultural opportunities: visit Armação de Pêra, a typical fishing village with one of the biggest beaches on the Algarve; the Cafe Aliança, a traditional cafe on the Praça Francisco Gome; visit Feira da Senhora do Carmo and Feira de Santa Iria, festivals that have folk music and art. Get yourself started for a trip to Faro with the links below:

Ria Formosa Lagoon

The Ria Formosa lagoon, a natural park covering almost sixty kilometres of Portugal’s southern border, consists of a system of barrier islands that connect to the sea. The lagoon is home to hundreds of species of fish, rare birds and other wildlife. The preservation of the lagoon is economically supported by tourism, sustainable seafood farms and the port of Faro. In addition, there are many white sand beaches in the Ria Formosa area to visit.

Igreja do Carmo (Church of Nossa Senhora do Carmo)

This unique chapel, Igreja do Carmo (Church of Nossa Senhora do Carmo), also known as the Chapel of Bones, has walls and ceilings made of human skeletons.

Fishing

The Algarve is famous for its 5 star golf courses, great water sports and beautiful beaches. Plenty of fishing opportunities exist along the coasts and in the rivers of the Algarve. Regular deep-sea excursions go in search of swordfish, ray, tuna and shark, while freshwater anglers can cast for salmon, trout, pike, bass, barbel and chub.

Monte Gordo

At the eastern end of the Algarve, close to the Rio Guadiana and Spanish border the resort of Monte Gordo seems to sit on the beach itself. The village started as a fishing station from where a wall of net was stretched out to sea to catch the passing tuna. Today it is a community of hotels and restaurants enjoying this most sheltered part of the Algarve. There is a bus service to the nearby town of Vila Real de St. Antonio from where there is a ferry across to the Spanish town of Ayamonte.

Albufeira

This town began as a small fishing village huddled in a narrow valley. To aid access to the sandy beach where fishermen hauled their boats above the waves a passage was cut through the rocks to steps down to the sand. The passage and the village square remain but the village has grown.

Almancil, Quinta do Lago and Vale de Lobo

Near to Faro is the small town of Almancil that nearby can be found the church of São Lourenço de Matos renown for its 18th Century blue tiles. At the inland village of Estói there are some notable roman ruins of Milreu depicting a home that enjoyed more comforts than some of the newly built villas in todays world. The well known developments of Quinta do Lago and Vale de Lobo, both five star holiday areas are located west of Faro. Together they provide 7 top quality golf courses, tennis centres, riding schools, hotels and holiday resorts.

Rock of Gibraltar and Spain

Which ever direction you approach Gibraltar, whether by sea or by land, the towering rock dominates everything in sight. It's no wonder that men have fought so many battles to win this small piece of land. The road from the Algarve passes through the ancient city of Seville and past the fortress of Cadiz. You enter the city of Gibraltar across the runway built on the sand spit that joined British territory to the Spanish soil.

Behind the massive white walls and revetments lies a city British in everything but its position and self government. You could be in any busy market town within the United Kingdom. But there s lots more to do as well. This is a place steeped in history. Visit the museum or the monkeys, the caves or the marina, there is far too much to see in one day. Allow approx. 6 hours drive from Portugal.

Archaeological Museum

The Archaeological Museum (Museo Arqueologico) is situated in the Convento de Nossa Senhora da Assunção, a former 16th-century convent. Inside, exhibitions display many ancient items dating from the Roman settlement of Faro which dates back to the 3rd century. In addition, Roman statues, decorative Moorish lamps and paintings from the Baroque and Renaissance periods are prominently displayed throughout the museum.

Naval Museum

The Naval Museum (Museu Maritimo) holds replicas and models of local fishing boats that have been used in Faro’s long history. It is located by the marina and provides a picturesque view of yachts and other harbourfront sights. Although small, the museum offers visitors information about local fishing techniques Portuguese maritime artefacts. Nearby, small cafes and restaurants are in walking distance to the city’s historic walls.