Here´s one for the keen cyclists out there in Algarve. On the 10th of October there will be the chance to take part in a cycling competition with 3 trails of 25km, 50km and 80km. So if you are as fit as a butchers dog, or would like to get that way, why not head to the central Algarve and meet at the EB 2, 3 SB Messines school at 7.00am for an 8.30 start. The event costs 18 Euro to enter and this includes insurance, food and a gift. Click on the photo for full details

During the 8th to the 16th of August, Silves will step back to the 12th, 13th and 14th centuries … That´s right, it´s time for a visit to historic Silves and it´s famous medieval festival. Once again the city’s castle, streets, alleyways, cul-de-sacs and corners will be transformed into everyday medieval life. The streets of the historic town centre will be bustling with life, exuding a distinctive atmosphere in a unique setting and environment. Showmen, travelling musicians, jugglers, exotic characters and precessions of wealthy citizens are just some of the attractions that await you in this journey to the past.Here is a short video that shows what to expect and conveys some of the special atmosphere that this event and setting generate….

There is a free concert tonight in the Armacao de Pera fort, Armacao de Pera, Algarve. The music will by performed by the Silves Philharmonic Band and will start at 9.30pm. So if you are in the area and fancy some free entertainment get yourselves down to the fort this evening.

There is a free concert tonight in the Praca Al´Mutamid, Silves, Algarve. The music will by performed by the Silves Philharmonic Band and will start at 9.30pm. So if you are in the area and fancy some free entertainment get yourselves down to Praca Al´Mutamid this evening.

Get on your bike. If you go east, to the border, as far as the town of Vila Real do St Antonio, you can arrange free bicycle hire and discover the area at your own pace. The scheme includes the hire of 100 bicycles, so pick one up from one of four participating shops, available free of charge every Saturday, from 25th July to 12th September. If anyone knows what happens to these bike during the rest of the week, please let us know. It does seem a bit odd that you can only use them on a saturday.

Dont forget that it´s the 28th bike fest in Faro, This weekend, starting on Thursday 16th July and finishing on Sunday the 19th. Loads to do and see. Four days of biker fun, festivites, parties, stalls and concerts. Performances by Europe, Children of the dammed, Hora Zulu, David Fonseca, Tara Perdida, Loquillo, St Dominic´s and Fatal Smile. Here´s a video that gives an idea of the size of this event,

Demonstrations, competitions and a national dog exhibition: for two days the Portuguese water dog will be king in Olhão.

The biggest event devoted to the Portuguese water dog will be taking place in Olhão on 18th and 19th July. So find out more here with a short video showing these dogs training in the sea…

Whatever else you do during the week of the 10th - 15th of August make sure that you spend a night at the 14th Festival do Marisco in Olhao, just east of Faro. This seafood festival is one of the regions highlights and takes place in the Jardim do Pescador Olhanese on the seafront.

The building work that began in 2003 involved the restoration and consolidation of the archaeological ruins, the conservation of the cistern, repair of the towers, reconstruction of the paving and the construction of infrastructure for water, electricity and drains is now complete.

In addition to landscaping and external access routes, internal wooden walkways were built to enable visitors to walk around the archaeological ruins of the two Islamic palaces, and a garden with water circulation systems.

Once the capital of the entire region, the historic castle town of Silves, in the Central Algarve, southern Portugal sits on a small hill next to the Arade river and is truely one of the regions gems. The red sandstone castle walls with their huge towers dominate the town as they have since the Moorish occupation in the 11th century.