Portugal

[jennyjoan]

Since my friend will look after Maxie - I am coming round to the idea of going to Portugal for 4 nights and going home on the 5th. How do you look for great deals. Thanks oh by the way September time.

[Svejk]

Ask sqad to put you up.

[joggerjayne]

The Algarve is lovely in September. Just steer clear of anywhere that incorporates a golf course. It will be like being in England, but with better weather.

[Prudie]

sqad lives in Menorca though..
Have a look on some of the travel websites for good deals like expedia, travelsupermarket, lastminute.com, icelolloy.com etc

[LyndaB]

We got a great deal recently through on the beach. And Ryanair fly to Portugal - if you are only going for four days you should be able to manage with hand luggage only. It's only a short flight too (2 hours 30 mins from Manchester approx). Perfect for a short break although we went for 10 days. We loved it!

[jennyjoan]

thanks for answers. i have never been there - so maybe it could make me loose weight fat chance!!!!

[bednobs]

do you know when your schools are on holiday? That will make a big difference to price

[jennyjoan]

good answer bednobs - i fancy September or October - kiddies should be back to school (I don't have any)

[jennyjoan]

was looking at the flights - not bad - £200 return and from belfast

[yogi-bear]

Hi jennyjoan,

I book a lot of my holiday trips on-line, but I admit to like going into my local travel agents, sit down nice and relaxed, tell them exactly what I'm looking for, the price range I'm looking for and they normally give me loads of decent priced options, especially the times of the year that the kids are at school, so September will be perfect for, hopefully, picking up a bargain.

Albufeira in the Algarve will be my choice as it has everything you need for a holiday, be it short or long stay, but there are some quieter places you can go which you can discuss with your travel agent.
Enjoy yourself, JJ x

[jennyjoan]

AH thank you for that - I myself like to see a bit of action and maybe music in a bar - too old for disco bopping. Do like music or wee shows.

[jennyjoan]

Can I ask - if one was to go to say Albufeira - how long does it to get the coach. Also is it a hilly place.

[jennyjoan]

^^^^^^from the airport

[DTCwordfan]

personally, jj, I like to look up the hotels that I am interested in and then phone them directly - they usually match or better these search sites as they get to keep the commission - and at the very least even with a price match to the websites like expedia, you can get an upgrade on the room etc......some of the Poussadas in Portugal are beautiful and great value, so my first thing would be stay off the norm.

Portugal is a bit like Ireland now in that the roads have been heavily invested in, so driving is fairly easy too.....

[jennyjoan]

thanks DTC - won't be driving and ringing hotels would not be in favour as I am deaf and would have great difficulty understanding the accents. but thanks for input.

[DTCwordfan]

couldn't someone do that for you?

[yogi-bear]

From Faro Airport its about 40km ( roughly 25 miles) to Albufeira, so it should take coach, direct, and if does not stop at other hotels on way, about 35-45 mins I would say, JJ x

[-Talbot-]

Why only 4 days?

usually better deals on 7.

[jennyjoan]

cant wait till I get back to my Maxie. Last trip to Fuerteventua was 7 days and in that time I broke my ankle, my teeth, and my shoulder. So this is a very sensitive and tentative time for me. 4 wee days will be enough to break me in.

[Buenchico]

The only destination in Portugal which is served by direct flights from Belfast is Faro. Fare examples (using some of the cheapest available):

Out from Belfast International (with easyJet) at 1300 on Mon 14/09 = £67.49
Return from Faro at 1630 on Fri 18/09 = £130.49 (There aren't any September dates with cheap flights back).
Total = £207.98

Out from Belfast City (with Aer Lingus) at 0630 on Tue 08/09 = £89.99
Return from Faro at 1010 on Sat 12/09 = 91.99
Total = £181.98

NB: If you're travelling to the airport by public transport (or getting a lift, or you simply don't mind having to travel between the two airports to collect your car), there's nothing to prevent you flying out to Faro with one airline and back with the other. You might be able to get a lower total fare that way.

The (well-reviewed) Guest House São Filipe is very close to the bus and rail stations and charges £27.24 per night for a en-suite single room, making a total of £108.96 for your accommodation.

Even cheaper, at £18.92 per night for a single en-suite room, is Residencial Condado (which is also well-reviewed but accepts cash payments, not cards, only upon arrival), making a total of just £75.68 for your accommodation.

Both of those places were found on my favourite budget accommodation website:
http://www.hostelworld.com
(Don't be put off by the word 'hostel' in the title. Simply carry out a search for your requirements and then deselect 'hostels' from the filter, leaving 'hotels' and 'B&Bs' in place. I've used that site myself, to get a lovely room in a small hotel in Madrid for just €22 per night!).

Bus routes 14 & 16 can get you into Faro in just a few minutes.

[Buenchico]

Addendum:
My post was based upon "oh by the way September time" in your original question. I've now seen that you wrote "I fancy September or October" later. You can find much cheaper fares in October.

Using the easyJet flights above, but changing the dates to Mon 12/10 out and Fri 16/10 back, gets you fares of £45.49 + £84.49 = £129.98

Using those dates with Aer Lingus gets you £45.99 + £71.99 = £127.98

However travelling a week later with Aer Lingus (out 19th, back 23rd) sees the fares drop to £45.99 + £54.99 = £100.98. (So you could get your flights AND accommodation for under £180!)