Casa Josephina is in a quiet and secluded area just on the outskirts of Quelfes. The village is dreamy and quiet - time seems to stand still. The villa is only 5 minutes drive from Olhao, the focal point for fishing in the Algarve, where you can find many shops and restaurants and, of course, lots of fresh and delicious fish. In a different direction, you are 5 minutes from Moncarapacho, a town which is well worth a visit and which has many fine restuarants.
In the immediate (rural) area, there are a number of restaurants, marked by signs along the roads and country lanes. Driving on these roads you will pass many orange and lemon groves, and plantations of olives, agaves, figs and palm trees. Their different flowering periods ensure that it always smells wonderful!
One of the great features of the East Algarve is an extensive lagoon system that runs from Faro to Manta Rota with beautiful wide, long, soft sandy beaches. This sheltered lagoon area is protected from the Atlantic Ocean by islands and sandbanks off the coast where there are even more paradisiacal beaches! These beaches are amongst the finest in Europe.
From several places (Olhao, Fuzeta...) it is possible to walk, take a boat or even a small train (Pedras d'el Rei) to visit these islands and sandbars. This whole area is approximately 1800 hectares and has been declared a national park: the Ria Formosa. Of interest too is the Visitor Centre, Quinta de Marim.
The nearest beaches are just minutes away from your house: in Olhao and in the village of Fuzeta. Fuzeta is still an original fishing village with a beautiful beach and a nice lagoon! A ferry takes you five minutes to a fantastic, miles-long beach on the other side of the lagoon. A little further towards the Spanish border lie the world-famous and idyllic beaches of the Ilha de Tavira.
The delightful old towns and villages of the Eastern Algarve coast are fascinating to explore. The 'jewel of the Algarve' is the old town of Tavira. Located just 10 - 15 min drive away, Tavira invites you to wander through its winding streets, explore its wealth of churches (30 in all!), or just relax with a drink at one of the riverside restaurants.
Olhao is even closer - a Moorish-looking town with a strong fishing tradition - don't miss the lively fish market. Take a stroll through the tiny streets an alleys and have a closer look at the many interesting shops. Also interesting is the lively covered market on the quayside where you can drink delicious cappuccino (or something stronger!) overlooking the marina or the sea.
East of Tavira is the tiny Cacela Velha, an older 'robbers'den' situated above the lagoon, witha fantastic view over the Ria Formosa and the coast.
It is fascinating to visit the Moncarapacho church museum where one of the former priest's archaeological and ethnographic private collection is on display. The adjacent church has beautifual yellow-blue and olive green azulejos (tiles) from the 16th and 17th centuries. In the 'Olaria' at the entrance to the village, the ctraftsmen still bake the traditional ceramics.
The Eastern Algarve has some of the finest beaches in Europe. From Faro to Manta Rota in the east, there is an extensive lagoon system with beautiful long, wide sandy beaches. This sheltered lagoon area is protected from the Atlantic by a string of offshore islands, where the beaches are even more paradisiacal! You can catch a boat to the islands from the little fishing village of Fuzeta, or from the busy fishing town of Olhao, both of which are only 5 minutes drive away. Or at Pedras del Rei, you can walk to one of the islands or even take the miniature railway.
A huge variety of watersports awaits you - sailing, surfing, diving, big game fishing and dolphin watching. For children, there is a great range of activities on offer - zoos, pony rides, karting, aqua parks, Zoomarine, miniature golf and even swimming with dolphins.
The area is great for all kinds of walks - on deserted beaches, by the lagoons, in the hill. Or just stroll in the lanes round Casa Josephina where you can enjoy the rolling green landscapes, with orange, lemon, olive and almond groves, and stunning views to the sea.