november-2010

130 | DESTINATION GUIDES
Edinburgh
UK
always mentioned by
beer enthusiasts, this
traditional two-room bar
is the perfect snug for
a session of real-ale and
fi ne-whisky drinking in
front of the fi re.
LIVE MUSIC The
Cabaret Voltaire (36
Blair Street, tel: 0131
220 6176) Before the
late-night clubs open at
11pm, the vaulted arches
of the “Cab” throb to
the sound of smaller
indie bands on the
touring circuit. A sweaty,
intimate environment
for the appreciation of
music at high volume.
LATE & LIVELY The
Hive (15 Niddry Street,
tel: 0131 556 0444)
Nestling deep in the
vaults under South
Bridge, this student
favourite is open from
10pm–3am every night
of the week. The music
changes nightly but the
emphasis is on the party,
whatever the genre.
THIS MONTH
SHOP Independent
boutique Goodstead
is a destination for
those who like to make
an individual style
statement, with brands
such APC, Sessun
and Folk. But the real
attraction is its attentive
service (76 Rose Street,
tel: 0131 228 2846).
SEE At least one of
Edinburgh’s rival football
teams – Heart of
Midlothian (Tynecastle)
and Hibernian (Easter
Road Stadium) – will be
playing at home every
weekend in November,
kicking off with the local
derby at Easter Road on
Sunday 6th (heartsfc.
co.uk; hibernianfc.co.uk).
GO Calton Hill, with
its impressive Grecian
columns, is part of
the Edinburgh vista.
A quick walk here
provides great views of
the city, particularly in
the early evening.
ESCAPE The old
fi shing port of Dunbar
is 40 minutes by train
east of Edinburgh. Best
known as the birthplace
of conservation
movement founder
John Muir, the town
houses a small museum
about his work and life
(126 High Street).
NO WAY!
Bovril meat extract, a
British favourite, was
invented in Edinburgh
in the mid-19th century,
when John Johnston
experimented with
making “liquid beef” in
his butcher’s shop.
Thom Dibdin
RADISSON
BLU HOTEL
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Located in the heart
of the Royal Mile,
this is the perfect
hotel for business
or leisure trips.
Breakfast Included.
From €99, book at
hotels.easyJet.com
Faro
Portugal
DIALLING CODE +351
CURRENCY €
FLY FROM
Belfast (BFS),
Bristol, Doncaster
Sheffi eld, Geneva,
Glasgow, Liverpool,
London (LGW, LTN, STN),
Newcastle, Paris (ORY)
FROM THE
AIRPORT
TAXI
SINCE
1999
Pre-book your
taxi at easyJet.
com. The fare to Faro is
about €10, Vilamoura
€25, and Albufeira and
Tavira €40.
Eva buses go to
various cities.
Tickets to Faro: €2.
Visit the Europcar
desk for special
easyJet rates.
BON APPETIT
UP TO €15
La Crêperie (Praça,
Vale do Lobo, tel:
289 353 429) Crêpes,
snacks, light meals
and salads are popular
at this modern café
in the heart of the
Vale do Lobo resort.
The ice cream and
smoothie bar does
good business, too.
UP TO €30 O Bote
(122 Avenida 5 de
Outubro, Olhão, tel:
289 721 183) With
a down-to-earth
atmosphere, this
locals’ favourite serves
excellent fresh fi sh
and seafood, grilled
within sight of your
table on the busy
promenade, which
teems with activity by
night as the locals
walk off their dinner.
UP TO €50 Gourmet
Natural (Estrada
Ferrarias-Almancil,
Almancil, tel: 289 355
271) Smart interiors
and a lovely courtyard
give you the bad-good
weather option at
this time of the year.
The former Ermitage
is now a Uruguayan
steakhouse, serving
sizzling steaks cooked
over a fi rewoodfl
ame barbecue,
with a choice of
rib-eye, sirloin, fi llet or
rump. The waiting
staff will convince you
to keep your steak
nice and rare.
EXCLUSIVE Paixa
(52 Quadradinhos,
Vale do Lobo, tel: 289
412 775) Pared-back
luxury design, with
the food – a
Portuguese take on
tapas – among the
best in the Algarve.
The xerem (corn
meal) with prawns and
cockles is one of the
highlights. Enjoy
a drink or two in the
Champagne bar and
formal dining inside,
or alfresco lunches
in the garden if you
wrap up warmly.
AFTER DARK
LOW KEY Duna
Beach Club (Meia
Praia, Lagos, tel: 282
762 091) The summer
at Apex Hotels in Edinburgh (4 hotels)
Book at least 7 days in advance and SAVE 10% *
Book at least 28 days in advance and SAVE 15% *
Book a 3 night stay in advance and SAVE 20% *
* Discount off the Best Flexible rate.
theme parties are
over, but the beat
goes on at this relaxed
beach bar with its
circular swimming
pool centrepiece. Ease
into the evening with
a cocktail and some
easy-listening sounds.
Although a midnight
dip at this time of year
is not recommended!
LIVE MUSIC
Manoel’s Jazz Club
(Monte Carvoeiro, tel:
282 086 869) From
laidback jazz on the
fi rst Friday of every
month to mainstream
rock and pop on
other nights, this is
something of
an Algarve institution.
LATE & LIVELY
Gingko (Rocha dos
Castelos, Praia da
Rocha, tel: 282 402
210) An ultra-modern
minimalist bar. Party
the night away to the
funky jazz and Latin
beats with a wicked
mojito in hand.
THIS MONTH
SHOP Paulo Miranda
Joalheiro is one of
the Algarve’s leading
luxury jewellers,
stocking top names
in watches, jewellery
and exclusive gifts
including Breitling,
Omega and Chaumet,
plus Portuguese
exclusives (21 Rua
de Santo Antonio,
tel: 289 821 441).
SEE For high-speed
motor-racing action
in the great outdoors
head to the Casinos
do Algarve Rally
(13–14 November),
with Peugeot, VW
and Vauxhall among
the cars fi ghting
it out in the hills
between Portimao and
Monchique. If you’re
in to fast cars
screeching round
curves and corners,
this event is for you
(clubeautomovel
algarve.pt).
GO There’s more than
high-end, exclusive
real estate to Vale do
Lobo: the luxury
resort offers endless
options for holidaying
visitors, including
villas and apartments
to rent, some of
the region’s top
restaurants, shops,
beaches, golf courses,
a spa and extensive
leisure facilities,
making even a rainy
day an opportunity to
relax and unwind.
ESCAPE See a new
side of the Algarve
on foot, bike or
horseback on the Via
Algarviana’s extensive
pathways, which
stretch for 240km and
now link up the length
of the region, from
Alcoutim in the east
to Cape St Vincent
in the west
(viaalgarviana.org).
NO WAY!
In a largely west and
southwest-facing
region famous for its
maritime sunsets,
Praia do Martinhal
is one of the few
east-facing beaches
where you can see
the sun rise out of the
Mediterranean sea.
Paul Rouse/
inspirationsalgarve
SAVE up to 20%*on Autumn / Winter Rates
Small Hotel Group
of the Year 2010 - 2011
Visit
apexhotels.co.uk/edinburgh
and book online using our
New Lowest Rate Calendar
T 0845 365 0000