Reflecting on the year that has passed.

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2013 has not been the best year for Portugal, but here at DDBC we had a fantastic year and we would like to share some of our best times with you all as we say hello to 2014.

January – The year started off with us having a few professional football teams, including FC Utrecht, stay with us. 

February – We had the resort filled up with professional cyclists from all over the World,including Team Sky Pro Cycling as well as several participants from Volta ao Algarve (Tour of Algarve –the largest cycling event in the Algarve). This February was particularly warm reaching highs of 18 °C!

March - 200 tennis players visited the resort from schools all over the U.K. They all stayed for one week  each, so overall they stayed with us for 6 weeks. The resort was very lively during this period. The sun was shining with great temperatures reaching as high as 21 °C.

During this month we also had a Norwegian Jazz band staying with us, this resulted in the restaurant being fortunate enough to host a lovely Jazz evening.

We also celebrated the Easter holiday, with the kids club creating a great Easter egg hunt for all the children around the resort.

April – As usual the resort had several golfing groups, as well as families trying to soak up the good weather. (22 °C)

 

May – On the 7^th of May, we had our yearly ‘a day in paradise’ day for special needs from central Algarve. Every year we offer the resort for this event and provide, food, drinks, games and all our other facilities for the day. Our suppliers are wonderful contributors providing us with all the food! Our fantastic staff, all work for free and it really is a memorable day open to the public to join in! They even make paintings that they sell themselves. The highlight of this day is always the Karaoke, where they all take turns in singing for us all!

In May, as usual, we had a fantastic 17^th of May celebration (the 17^th of May is the Norwegian national day). We celebrate this every year as if we were to be in Norway, with reindeer fillet, cured meat of reindeer,  gravad laks and the odd aquavit (Norwegian schnapps).

For the children we provide Norwegian hot dogs wrapped in a traditional Norwegian ‘lompe’ (a Norwegian wrap). We were a very lively group of around 100 people from all over the world joining us Vikings for this great tradition. If you haven’t experienced this yet we would strongly suggest joining us in the coming year! It really is a day to remember!

 

June – The Norwegian and Irish end of term, resulting in several families coming to enjoy their holiday.

On the 10^th we celebrated the Portuguese national day with Portuguese traditional food, wine, music as well as a miniature market with the proceedings going a Portuguese charity.

July  & August – This is the high point of the season, with guests from all over the world!  We are always fortunate enough to be fully booked during these months. We are lucky and get to meet people from everywhere! This year even included people coming over from Canada, Singapore and South Africa!

September – This year we had 3 weddings during September! What a wonderful day to be able to partake in!

All the leading Nando’s executives from all over the World came (400 people) and stayed with us! They had a wonderful celebration around the pool area.

October – Half term for European countries. This was a month packed with children enjoying the last bit of sun for the summer! We had families from Scandinavia, Ireland, U.K, Germany and Holland!

November – Our long term residents arrived to escape from the cold, and rightly so, the weather was absolutely fantastic!! The dark and cold of northern Europe simply cannot compare (and don’t forget that we have up to 40% off on long term rentals). 

In November, we also had a fantastic bridge tournament with players enjoying a lovely day with lunch and the winner receiving a cash price! Proceedings went to ACCA children's charity. (apart from 15€ p/p ) 

December – This December has been absolutely packed with events! We had a wonderful staff Christmas party (where we managed to get everything funded by our wonderful food suppliers! What great Christmas spirit!! ).

We had a lovely Latino evening with a special tapas menu and Teca, and David showed us all how to swing those hips! We had a nice group of people with a great passion for dance!

Staff children’s Christmas party – as usual we hosted a party for the children of the staff as well! 32 children showed up! We had lots of fizzy drinks, cakes and games! The kids club staff helped with face painting and danced with the children! It was so lovely to see so many happy faces. We even managed to arrange for Santa to come!! Santa gave every single child a gift and really made the evening that extra bit special!

We hope that you have all enjoyed reading about the highlights of 2013 as much as we enjoyed writing about them! We are now ready for a new year, with a new website to be going live in a months time and a fantastic New Years Eve celebration that we are truly looking forward to! Wishing you all an absolutely fantastic new year and rest of holiday! Best wishes from all the staff here at Dunas Douradas Beach Club! Hope to see you all very soon!

6 things to do as a couple in the Algarve.

When you go to the Algarve as a couple, there are lots of things to do to make your holiday together a memorable experience. We have put together a list of things that we think would help guide you through your holiday together in a very exciting way!

Sea Kayaking

Rent a kayak  and go through the caves along the coast of Lagos. Lagos is a bit over 1 hour drive from DDBC but will be well worth the drive when you see the lovely beaches and fun activities there. Sea Kayaking is an experience that can be very relaxing as you can stop and snorkel around peacefully. If you prefer to make it more extreme you can climb the rocks and jump from several different heights. The guided tours will usually take around 3 hours.

Beach Romance 

The Algarve is very well known for its beaches and another recommendation that we would give to any couple wanting a relaxed afternoon, is going down to the beach a couple of hours before sunset! If it’s summer and warm enough, bring a bit of food and a bottle of wine and just sit and watch the waves as the sun goes down. It is so peaceful and most people have left the beach by then so it will almost be completely private. If you are there in the winter time then we would suggest taking a nice stroll into the sunset. There are many beaches that are great for this, including our very own beach in front of the resort.

Swim with dolphins 

Another great activity is to go to Zoomarine and swim with dolphins! You will have to book this around a month in advance as it is really popular, but definitely worth the pre planning. Zoomarine is based in Albufeira, which is around a 40min drive from the resort.

Water Park 

When you are on holiday as a couple, it is always nice to do some fun, slightly childish things on your trip as well, therefore we suggest you go to Aquashow.  Aquashow is a water park with slides and rides to suit everyone. There is even a lazy river where you simply sit in a rubber ring and go around with the current of the 250m long river. The park is based in Quarteira and is only a 15min drive from the resort.

Palace exploring 

If you want to see a bit more of Portugal and don’t mind travelling a bit, Palacio de Pena  is most definitely worth a visit! It is absolutely stunning! The palace is located in Sintra, which is west of Lisbon meaning that you could take the train/drive/fly there and then take a coach up to the Palace (it is also possible to walk up but most people only walk down as its quite tiring). Sintra Park has several other things that would be worth looking at as it is a very large park. We recommend getting there early and wear comfortable shoes!

Adventure Park 

Another exiting thing to do in the Algarve when you are on holiday with your other half is going to Parque Aventura.  Parque Aventura is an outdoor adventure park based in Albufeira, which is a 40min drive from DDBC. The activities you can do there, include zip lines, skateboarding, rope bridges and ascenders. This is an outdoor activity and wearing sporty clothes and trainers is recommended! If you go in the summer going early or in the afternoon would be best as it may be too hot otherwise.

We hope you have enjoyed our suggestions for couples in the Algarve. We have tried to put together a list that would suit most people and that isn't just about lying down on a beach, however if you prefer the more calm holidays you can of course skip the more extreme suggestions and just relax by the pool or in a Jacuzzi with a cocktail in hand. Please let us know what you think and whether there are more things you feel should have been added to this list.

10 Reasons why Dunas Douradas Beach Club is the perfect family resort:

There are several great reasons as to why the Algarve is one of the best places to go for a family holiday. We've put together some of the features of our resort that make it the ideal place for families with children of all ages. 

1. We have a fantastic Kids Club that will make sure that the youngest ones are perfectly happy if you want a bit of alone time, or just simply want to spend some quality time with your teens. 
2. We have a restaurant in the club house that is perfect for all ages. We are very child friendly in the resort; you won’t have to deal with people getting angry with you if your children are misbehaving. In high seasons we also offer a complimentary kids area by the restaurant with movies and drawing equipment. This is a supervised area, so you can eat without running around after your children.
3. The resorted is gated and has security, so there’s nothing to worry about with regards to your children’s safety.
4. We have 4 pools; one shallow kid’s pool, two outdoor larger pools with different depths and one deep indoor pool which is heated. The pools are supervised by lifeguards.
5. We’re only 50m from the beach, with card access back to the resort, that if some of the family prefer not to visit then it’s easy to get between the two.
6. We have a gym and spa for those who want to treat themselves and keep fit during their stay. This is all in the clubhouse, so you've no need to travel far at all.
7. We have babysitters that can be called if you would like to go out on the town, or just want to have a few drinks down at the bar. 
8. We offer swimming lessons for those children who want to learn properly by a trained professional. 
9. Our apartments and villas ensure that you can have your whole family in one place rather than having to have different hotel rooms. 
10. We have a large grass lawn that gives your children plenty or space to run around, kicking a ball or playing games.

We hope these 10 reasons encourage you to stay with us as a family. If you have any more questions, please have a look on our website, call the reception: +351 289 351 300 or simply type your questions here and we will get back to you as soon as possible. 

Christmas break events at DDBC

During the Christmas holiday at DDBC, service will mainly continue as normal, with a la carte menu in the restaurant and everything open as usual. There are a few new additions to the menu to give you some more wintery dishes:

·         new dishes of the day

·         a Sunday roast option on Sundays

·         a salmon burger

·         Mozzarella “Au Gratin” (warm)

·         “Dunas” Tapas (For 2)

·         “Dunas” Vegetarian

·         Portuguese Fish Casserole

See the lunch and dinner menus here: 

Lunch menu

Dinner menu

On the 24^th  of December, however, the restaurant will only be open for breakfast and lunch (Bar open for drinks until 6.00pm)

On the 25^th of December, the restaurant & bar will be open all day. There will be a special Christmas lunch menu and dinner «a la carte».

On the 26^th of December, the restaurant will be open from 9.00am until midnight and available for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

It’s Boxing Day, and for all the football fans out there, our big screens will be showing the Premier League matches live in the restaurant. Why not come and join us for a pint or a cocktail while enjoying the matches?

The match schedule:

On New Year’s eve, we have the following programme:

• Welcome drinks from 7-8pm
•  Soup: Velvety-smooth mushroom soup served with pigeon leg
• Starter: Duck liver, tomato jelly, poached egg & trilogy of toast
•  Fish dish: Turbot, prawns & scallops, served with carrots, cauliflower soufflé and vegetab
•  Meat dish: Hunks of fillet steak in Mediterranean flavours
•   Dessert: Selection of ‘seafood’ in sweet flavours
•  Firework display

*Vegetarian options are available on request.

Entertainment:
- Band “The 4 Covers”
- Special programme (starting at 7.00pm)

Dress Code:
- Smart casual

Reservations:
- 30% deposit on Reservation
- Cancelations with refund, only until 15th December

*(**) Price:
- 105€ p/p (adults)
- 45€ p/p (12 to 16 years old)
- Special children menu available (>12 years old)

*Drinks not included. A tempting selection of wines and champagne, at special prices, will be available.
** No discounts.

NYE program 

We recommend booking as soon as you know you will be joining us for the New Years Eve celebration, because it is very popular and is always fully booked. We hope this information is helpful, if you would like to find out more please contact us on Facebook, Twitter or phone the reception on : +351 289 351 300.

We look forward to hopefully seeing you all during this Christmas holiday, and if not, see you next time! Wishing you all a great Christmas and a Happy New Year.

5 must see beaches in the Algarve

In the Algarve, there are plenty of stunning beaches that everybody should visit. Although the beaches in front of our resort, Dunas Douradas Beach Club, are great, there are so many more worth seeing during your stay. We have put together five that we feel are an absolute must see:



Praia da Galé is a stunning beach located to the west of Albufeira (approx. 40min drive from DDBC). This is one of the few beaches that has easy access by car, because it is not surrounded by cliffs like some of the other popular beaches. There is a great beach bar overlooking the beach, perfect for having a cocktail break, a snack or simply just to enjoy the view. There are also a few restaurants with a wide variety of fresh seafood within walking distance. There are lifeguards during the high seasons/swimming seasons, and there are toilets easily accessible.

 

Ilha de Farol is, as you may have figured, an island that’s a very short boat ride from mainland Faro (approx. 30 min drive from DDBC). If you want to go somewhere that has a completely different atmosphere, then this is the beach for you. There is a beach all the way around, so you can choose whether you would like to go to the busier parts or you can have a little private section to yourself (although only the main beach is supervised). Farol has restaurants, beach bars and toilet facilities. The island is great for a day on the beach or a beach party depending on what you are after. There is a small fee for the boat ride, and parking is available just before you get on the boat.

Praia da Rocha is a beautiful beach located on the edge of Portimão (approx. 55min drive from DDBC). This beach is surrounded by cliffs giving it a very nice feel, and because of the amount of bars and restaurants surrounding it, it has become one of the most popular beaches in the Algarve. There is a tarmac road leading up to the beach, making it accessible for those who can’t walk too far. There are lifeguards during the high seasons/swimming seasons and there are toilets easily accessible.

Praia da Marinha is a glorious beach located in Lagoa (approx. 50 min drive from DDBC). This beach is one of the most emblematic beaches in the Algarve. You have to go down a steep flight of stairs to reach the beach, however, it is definitely worth it. It is surrounded by picturesque orange rock formations and has been named one of the 10 most beautiful beaches in Europe. The water is crystal clear, making it perfect for those who like to snorkel.

Praia do Garrão is a beach located in Almancil  (50m from DDBC) and is a perfect family beach within walking distance of the resort. If you walk along the beach you will find several excellent restaurants, as well as watersport facilities. During the summer season there are lifeguards from early in the morning until sunset.

We hope you have enjoyed some of our beach suggestions for your next visit and we would love to hear your thoughts. Which is your favourite beach in the Algarve? Do you have any suggestions for more beaches that we could add to our next beach post?

Why you should spend time in the Algarve in the winter time.

When you think about the Algarve, you usually think about sun and beaches. What confused me is why they think this will go away in the winter time. Yes the temperature is going to be lower, but most days you will still be able to pull off wearing a t-shirt. Here are some things that are great about the lower seasons in the Algarve:

• You can go for great long walks on the beach without getting too hot and ending up not being able to move.

• The beaches are empty so it’s almost as if you have a completely private beach.

• You can go horse riding either just around Pinetrees or sometimes you might be lucky enough to even go on the beach. Something which would never be allowed in the summer time! 

• At Dunas Douradas Beach Club there is a heated indoor pool (a lot of the apartments and villas also have private Jacuzzis)

• You can play tennis without getting too hot(although that is no promise as it does get quite hot on some days)

• You can actually spend some time in your room with a view and enjoy it, rather than feeling guilty about not soaking up the rays every minute of the day.

• Winter months are perfect time to enjoy some of the best golf courses in Algarve. You can not only avoid summer queues but also have a more enjoyable game due to the temperature being better suited.  

• The prices to stay in the resort are quite a lot lower than in the high seasons. (have a look on our websites to compare the different rates)

• Flights are usually very cheap meaning that you can easily go for just a weekend.

• If you are very lucky it could still be sunbathing weather but rather than being surrounded by people constantly you actually get breathing space.

• When you go out for dinner and lunch you get better service because there are less people around, meaning that you have the waiters’ full attention.

• You can also always go to Forum Algarve and go shopping where the prices are much lower than places like the UK and Scandinavia.

Most people tend to only visit the Algarve in the summer time because they think that that is the only time worth going but we far from agree... and hopefully you will have changed your mind after reading this! 

6 Restaurants to Experience in the Algarve

“After a good dinner one can forgive anybody, even one's own relations.” 
― Oscar Wilde, A Woman of No Importance. When you are on holiday, you want to treat yourself to the best meals in the area. We have decided to treat you to a list of some of the tastiest places in the Algarve. No not only the expensive top restaurants, but also the budget gems. These are all within a 45min drive of the Beach Club.

Enjoy:

Henrique Leis (Almancil)

Website: http://www.henriqueleis.com/
One Michelin Star Restaurant
Certificate of Excellence 2013
Call (+351) 289393438
Open: dinners only (closed Sunday and Monday)






Henrique Leis is a fantastic restaurant based in Almancil. It is not the cheapest place in the world but it will definitely be worth every single penny. (At an average food without wine is around €60) The restaurant offers excellent food and a perfectly romantic atmosphere. We can assure you, you will walk out smiling. If there is somewhere worth spending that little bit more for, this is it. Booking in advance is recommended.

Vila Joya (Albufeira)

Website: http://www.vilajoya.com/en/cuisine/2-michelin-star-restaurant/
Two Michelin Stars Restaurant
Call (+351) 289 591 795
Open: Thursday to Tuesday for lunch and dinner.




If you are looking for a romantic place with good service and great food this is one of our best suggestions for you. Vila Joya offers a variety of food to the highest standard. If you have a special occasion or simply feel like treating a loved one this is the place to go. This is a very exclusive restaurant, which is based in a boutique hotel so booking in advance would be recommended. The prices aren’t exactly low, but that can only be expected going to a two Michelin star restaurant. Booking in advance is recommended.

3wonders(Loule)

Website: http://www.3wonders.pt/
Call (+351) 289 462 838
3Wonders by the road that connects Loulé to Goldra,
in Alto do Relógio, Betunes
Open: Monday-Saturday 17.00 - 23.00 
Closed on Sunday




If you want to find delicious food with a unique view, this is the place for you! 3Wonders has a spectacular panoramic terrace, located up in the hills in Loulé facing the valley and the sea in the horizon. They offer a great variety of food, from hot and cold tapas in the afternoon together with the famous Vienna coffee. They also offer a superb variety of international cuisine in the evening. A perfect romantic setting but some nights there are themed nights and live music, for those of you who prefer that. As well as this, they have a lovely gin bar and signature cocktails available.

A Quinta (Loule)

Website: http://www.aquintarestaurant.com/
Call (+351) 289 393357
Rua Vale Formoso, Almancil, Loule, Algarve
Open: Monday - Saturday
. Dinner: 19.00 – 22.30
 - Closed all day Sunday




A Quinta is a restaurant that you will not regret going to. It is based in Loule with a lovely view and ambiance. The food is delightful and so are the delicious traditional Portuguese wines. They offer everything from fresh fish and meats to the vegetarian options available. This is a great for going with a group of friends, or as a couple. Booking in advance is recommended.

Pig & Whistle (Almancil)

Website: http://en.thepigandwhistle.pt/
Call (+351) 289 395 216
Main Street towards Faro, Almancil 8135, Portugal.
Open: Every day from 6pm until 2am.


If you are on a budget, but you still want to have an enjoyable meal, Pig & Whistle have what you are looking for. The restaurant is based in the heart of Almancil and offers a variety of great dishes. It is a small and cosy restaurant with a great vibe. The staff members are very friendly and you can be sure to find something you like on the menu. Booking in advance is recommended.

Albatroz Restaurant in Dunas Douradas Beach Club (Almancil)

Website: http://www.ddbc.pt/bars-and-restaurants-algarve/albatroz-restaurant/
Call: (+351) 289 351 300
Dunas Douradas Beach Club, Sítio do Garrão, Apartado 3164
8135-902 Almancil, Algarve, Portugal
Open: Every day. Breakfast 9am-11am - Lunch 12pm-5.30-pm - Dinner 7pm-11pm


Albatroz, is a restaurant based within a 5 star resort on the coast. This restaurant is perfect for families and groups of people because of the amount of both indoor and outdoor space. In the summer time there is a kids area available while you eat and the restaurant offers live music on selective nights. The food consists of everything from Scandinavian to English as well as Portuguese cuisine. With the lovely sea view and super friendly staff, you are sure to have a great breakfast lunch or dinner here.

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We hope you enjoyed reading about some of our favourite places in the Algarve. Have you tried any of these restaurants? Do you have any more suggestions worth mentioning in our continuing restaurant posts in the future?
Please comment below or feedback on our Facebook page