Sean C
3e84541048
New fly-drive section with 3 destinations: - Portugal Algarve: £1,600-2,150 (10-12 nights) - Mallorca Spain: £1,710-2,350 (7-10 nights) - Croatia Split: £1,800-2,000 (10 nights) All include: - Flights from Manchester - Car hire - Pool access - Self-catering - Child-friendly activities - Sample itineraries - Budget breakdowns
334 lines
9.1 KiB
Markdown
334 lines
9.1 KiB
Markdown
# Option 1: Portugal - The Algarve 🇵🇹
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## Why Choose This?
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✅ **Cheapest flights** from UK
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✅ **Shortest flight time** (2h 50m)
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✅ **Amazing beaches** - some of Europe's best
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✅ **Family-friendly** - very welcoming to children
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✅ **Great pools** - most accommodation has them
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✅ **Vegetarian-friendly** - fresh seafood alternatives, markets
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✅ **Car hire very cheap** - from £30-40 for 10 days!
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## Overview
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| Detail | Information |
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|--------|-------------|
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| **Destination** | Algarve, southern Portugal |
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| **Airport** | Faro (FAO) |
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| **Flight from Manchester** | 2h 50m direct |
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| **Airlines** | Ryanair, easyJet, Jet2, TAP |
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| **Car Hire** | Essential - £30-60 for 10-12 days |
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| **Best bases** | Albufeira, Lagos, Vilamoura, Carvoeiro |
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## Flight Options (Manchester → Faro)
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### Airlines & Typical Prices (July 2026)
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| Airline | Typical Price (return, family of 3) | Notes |
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|---------|-------------------------------------|-------|
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| **Ryanair** | £150-250 | Cheapest, basic |
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| **easyJet** | £180-300 | Good balance |
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| **Jet2** | £250-400 | Includes 22kg bag |
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| **TAP Portugal** | £300-450 | Full service |
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**Estimated Cost:** £200-350 for family of 3
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**Flight Times:**
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- Outbound: Morning/afternoon departures available
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- Return: Flexible times
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- Duration: 2h 50m direct
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**Book at:**
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- https://www.easyjet.com
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- https://www.ryanair.com
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- https://www.jet2.com
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- https://www.skyscanner.net
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---
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## Car Hire (Faro Airport)
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### Prices (10-12 days, July)
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| Car Type | Daily Rate | 12 Days | With Insurance |
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|----------|-----------|---------|----------------|
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| Economy (Fiat 500) | £5-8 | £60-96 | £120-150 |
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| Compact (VW Polo) | £8-12 | £96-144 | £160-200 |
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| Family (Golf/ Focus) | £12-18 | £144-216 | £220-280 |
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**Estimated Cost:** £100-200 with full insurance
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**Book at:**
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- https://www.kayak.com/car-rentals
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- https://www.rentalcars.com
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- https://www.economybookings.com
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**Tip:** Book in advance for better rates. Full insurance recommended.
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---
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## Accommodation: Apartments/Villas with Pools
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### Option A: Airbnb Apartment (10 nights)
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| Type | Price Range (10 nights) | Pool | Location |
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|------|------------------------|------|----------|
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| 1-bed apartment | £500-700 | Shared | Albufeira |
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| 2-bed apartment | £600-900 | Shared | Carvoeiro |
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| 2-bed apartment | £800-1,100 | Private | Lagos area |
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**Estimated:** £700-900 for 10 nights with shared pool
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### Option B: Villa with Private Pool (10 nights)
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| Type | Price Range | Pool | Notes |
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|------|------------|------|-------|
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| 2-bed villa | £900-1,300 | Private | Near beach |
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| 3-bed villa | £1,100-1,600 | Private | More space |
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**Estimated:** £1,000-1,400 for 10 nights with private pool
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### Option C: Mix (5 nights hotel with pool + 5 nights apartment)
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- **Hotel (half board):** £400-600 for 5 nights (child-friendly resort)
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- **Apartment:** £300-450 for 5 nights
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- **Total:** £700-1,050
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## Budget Breakdown (10 nights)
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### Budget Option (Shared Pool Apartment)
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| Item | Cost |
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|------|------|
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| Flights (Ryanair) | £250 |
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| Car hire (economy, fully insured) | £150 |
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| Accommodation (shared pool apartment) | £750 |
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| Food (self-catering) | £300 |
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| Activities | £150 |
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| **TOTAL** | **£1,600** |
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### Mid-Range Option (Private Pool Villa)
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| Item | Cost |
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|------|------|
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| Flights (easyJet) | £300 |
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| Car hire (compact, fully insured) | £200 |
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| Accommodation (villa, private pool) | £1,100 |
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| Food (self-catering + some meals out) | £350 |
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| Activities | £200 |
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| **TOTAL** | **£2,150** |
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### Budget Option (12 nights, staying under £2,000)
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| Item | Cost |
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|------|------|
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| Flights (Ryanair, booked early) | £200 |
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| Car hire (economy) | £150 |
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| Accommodation (shared pool, 12 nights) | £850 |
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| Food (self-catering) | £350 |
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| Activities | £150 |
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| **TOTAL** | **£1,700** ✅ |
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---
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## Child-Friendly Activities (Age 6)
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### Beaches (All Free!)
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| Beach | Why It's Great | Distance from Faro |
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|-------|---------------|-------------------|
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| **Praia da Marinha** | Stunning cliffs, rock pools | 45 min drive |
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| **Praia de Dona Ana** (Lagos) | Safe swimming, beautiful | 50 min drive |
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| **Praia da Falésia** | Endless golden sand | 25 min drive |
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| **Praia do Vau** (Portimão) | Calm waters, family-friendly | 40 min drive |
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### Attractions
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| Attraction | What It Is | Cost (family) |
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|------------|-----------|---------------|
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| **Zoomarine** | Water park + dolphin shows | €100-120 (~£85-100) |
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| **Slide & Splash** | Water park, slides | €80-100 (~£70-85) |
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| **Krazy World** | Zoo + mini golf + pools | €60-80 (~£50-70) |
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| **Lagos Zoo** | Small, child-friendly zoo | €35-45 (~£30-40) |
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| **Benagil Cave boat trip** | Sea caves by boat | €50-60 (~£40-50) |
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| **Algarve Shopping** | Mall, cinema, bowling | Free to browse |
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### Free Activities
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- Beach days
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- Pool time at apartment
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- Walking old towns (Lagos, Albufeira Old Town)
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- Markets (fresh fruit, veg)
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- Cliff walks
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- Rock pooling
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---
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## Vegetarian Food
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### Self-Catering (Best Option)
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**Supermarkets:**
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- Continente, Lidl, Aldi, Pingo Doce
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- Fresh fruit, veg, cheese, bread excellent
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- Large supermarkets in every town
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**Local Markets:**
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- Daily markets in most towns
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- Fresh, cheap produce
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### Vegetarian-Friendly Portuguese Dishes
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- **Gaspacho** (cold tomato soup)
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- **Salada de legumes** (vegetable salad)
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- **Queijo da Serra** (local cheese)
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- **Omeletes** (everywhere)
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- **Pimentos** (stuffed peppers)
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- **Cataplana de legumes** (vegetable stew)
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### Restaurants
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Most restaurants have vegetarian options. Look for:
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- "Vegetariano" on menus
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- Pizza/pasta places (everywhere)
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- Indian/Thai in larger towns
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---
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## Sample 10-Day Itinerary
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### Days 1-3: Albufeira Area (East Algarve)
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**Day 1 (Arrival)**
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- Morning: Fly Manchester → Faro (2h 50m)
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- Afternoon: Pick up hire car, drive to accommodation (30 min)
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- Evening: Explore local area, supermarket shop, pool dip
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- **Food:** Self-catered dinner
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**Day 2 (Beach Day)**
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- Morning: Praia da Falésia - stunning cliff-backed beach
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- Afternoon: Beach play, paddling, sandcastles
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- Evening: Albufeira Old Town - ice cream, wander
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- **Food:** Breakfast at apartment, beach picnic, dinner at apartment
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**Day 3 (Water Park)**
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- Morning: Zoomarine or Slide & Splash (water park)
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- Afternoon: More slides, dolphin show
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- Evening: Relax at apartment, pool time
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- **Food:** Breakfast, water park lunch, dinner at apartment
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---
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### Days 4-6: Lagos & West Algarve
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**Day 4 (Move West)**
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- Morning: Check out, drive to Lagos area (1 hr)
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- Afternoon: Check into new accommodation, explore Lagos
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- Evening: Lagos marina, dinner out
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- **Food:** Breakfast, lunch out, dinner out
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**Day 5 (Beaches)**
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- Morning: Praia de Dona Ana - beautiful, family-friendly
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- Afternoon: Praia do Camilo - stunning cliffs (walk down steps)
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- Evening: Sagres Point (sunset) - dramatic cliffs
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- **Food:** Breakfast, beach picnic, dinner at apartment
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**Day 6 (Boat Trip)**
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- Morning: Benagil Cave boat trip - see famous sea caves
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- Afternoon: Praia da Marinha - one of Europe's best beaches
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- Evening: Relax, pool time
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- **Food:** Breakfast, picnic, dinner at apartment
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---
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### Days 7-10: Return East & Relax
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**Day 7 (Lazy Day)**
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- Morning: Sleep in, pool morning
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- Afternoon: Local beach
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- Evening: Albufeira Strip - family-friendly restaurants
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- **Food:** All self-catered
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**Day 8 (Adventure)**
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- Morning: Krazy World - zoo, mini golf, pools
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- Afternoon: More activities or pool
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- Evening: Relax
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- **Food:** Breakfast, lunch out, dinner at apartment
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**Day 9 (Market & Beach)**
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- Morning: Local market - buy fresh produce, souvenirs
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- Afternoon: Final beach day
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- Evening: Farewell meal out
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- **Food:** Breakfast, picnic, dinner out
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**Day 10 (Departure)**
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- Morning: Pack, final pool dip
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- Afternoon: Drive to Faro airport (30 min), drop off car
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- Evening: Fly home
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- **Food:** Breakfast at apartment, airport food
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---
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## When to Book
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| Item | When to Book | Why |
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| **Flights** | 3-4 months ahead | Best prices |
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| **Car hire** | 2-3 months ahead | Availability |
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| **Accommodation** | 3-6 months ahead | Best selection |
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| **Travel insurance** | Asap | Covers cancellation |
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---
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## Booking Checklist
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- [ ] Flights Manchester-Faro return
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- [ ] Car hire Faro Airport
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- [ ] Accommodation with pool
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- [ ] Travel insurance
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- [ ] EHIC/GHIC cards
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- [ ] Check passport validity
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- [ ] Notify bank of travel
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---
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## Pros & Cons
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### Pros
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- ✅ Short, cheap flights
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- ✅ Amazing beaches
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- ✅ Very child-friendly culture
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- ✅ Great weather (guaranteed sun)
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- ✅ Cheap car hire
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- ✅ Affordable overall
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- ✅ Lots of pools
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- ✅ Good vegetarian options
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### Cons
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- Can be very hot (30°C+) in July
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- Some areas very touristy
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- Need car for best beaches
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- English breakfast pubs everywhere (avoid!)
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## My Verdict
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**Portugal Algarve is your BEST OPTION for staying under £2,000 with a pool.**
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With careful booking (Ryanair flights, economy car, shared pool apartment), you can do 12 nights for ~£1,700, leaving £300 for activities and treats.
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The beaches are world-class, it's very child-friendly, and the flight is short enough not to be exhausting.
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*Created: 15 March 2026*
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*All prices estimates - verify before booking*
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