Archived destinations
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Algarve
Flowers and birds on Portugal’s south coast
Most admired for its magnificent beaches, Algarve has other assets that are little known and explored – beautiful countryside and wildlife. Spring arrives early in this most southerly part of Portugal and brings with it a mass of blossom. The past and the present live in harmony here and treading along the wilder coasts or in the limestone hills, it is easy to chance upon the prints of much earlier visitors, Carthaginians, Romans and Moors. All have left their mark on the culture and landscape.
In spite of heavy development in some central coastal regions, there are still footpaths along wild, unspoilt stretches of coastline to explore for flowers and birds. Inland, the rolling hills of the limestone barrocal, hiding pretty villages, extensive fruit growing areas and an abundance of flowers, invite detailed exploration. There is where we expect to find naked man orchid, yellow bee orchid and sawfly orchid.
Wetlands give opportunities to see black-winged stilts, avocets and migrant waders. Nature reserves, like the Ria Formosa near Faro, protect some of the more precious habitats for both birds and flowers.
Our base for this tour will be Hotel Belavista da Luz, at Praia da Luz in the very west and quieter side of Algarve.
Azure-winged magpie
Ponta da Piedade
Sombre bee orchid Ophrys fusca (Brian Anderson)
Lagoa dos Salgados at Pera
