A DRIVE OR A WALK IN THE REAL ALGARVE!

Leave the town of São Brás de Alportel on the 270 heading for Santa Catarina. On arrival, you can visit the Church in the centre of the village (18). There is a pleasant walk along the Alportel brook. There are also a lot of Hand Made Tile makers in the area and it is worth a visit to watch them (19). The Santa Catarina farmers Co-operative on the Tavira side of the village is where you can visit the Olive Press and on certain occasions, enjoy a Medronho tasting (20).

You can now select the two smaller tours out of the village. The first takes you to Eiras Altas. The journey commences a Km outside of the village on the Tavira road .This is a beautiful route along the course of the Ribeira (brook) Asseca. The second route takes you to Várzea do Vinagre where you can find Medronho Spirits, the local "Firewater".

After these short detours, get back on the 270 to Tavira and travel along this road for approximately 12 kms until you reach Tavira. In Tavira, you can visit the current exhibition in the Pálacio da Galeiria (21) and also the Castle (22) and Church of Carmel (23), one of the extraordinarily large number in the Town. A walk along the Gilão river, crossing using the Roman Bridge (24) and finishing at the Cultural centre, built on the site of the old fish market. Finally, end your day with a meal in one of the many fish restaurants on the Quayside. or perhaps catch the ferry out the large sandbar which is known as Tavira Island and soak up the rest of the day's sun (25).

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