The Road Trip to Burgau, Portugal
Early start from our campsite at Tarifa on the southern tip of Spain, traveling to Burgau, Portugal. Packing up always takes a bit of time so did it mostly the night before. Towing an 8m caravan keeps us on all main roads and highways, safer, with fewer hassles. This took us up through Seville before crossing the border into Portugal. Map says 4+44 hrs but doesn’t take into consideration the tow. Towing a caravan can be a little tiring so regular stops help keep me alert. We always take a flask and snacks so we don’t have to stop at busy roadside cafes. This trip took a total of six hours arriving at our house sit in Burgau at three pm that afternoon.
Our House Sit
Burgau is a small village near the towns of Luz and Lagos in the Algarve area of southern Portugal. We spent a couple of charming months house-sitting in Burgau caring for two beautiful dogs, Milo (Stafford Terrier) and Lucy (Great Dane).
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We were able to park our caravan in the courtyard of the house which was reassuring and very secure. The town of Luz was about an hour’s walk along the cliff coastline with great views, keeping us springy fit. The major town of Lagos was only a 15-minute drive away.
Praia da Luz
Praia da Luz is a small resort town close by. Attractions are its beautiful sandy beach, and lovely esplanade scattered with cafes and restaurants. Wonderful climate, delicious food, and a welcoming ambiance create the perfect destination for a relaxing beach-based holiday. One of our favorite local restaurants was the Fortaleza da Luz, the food was great and the views breathtaking.
Lagos
Lagos was only a fifteen-minute drive from Burgau. A very historic city situated on the beautiful Western Algarve. It is a city that boasts a rich seafaring past and a coastline of dramatic natural beauty, and today is one of the Algarve’s finest holiday destinations.
Book Recommendation:
The Outing by Fabian Foley
“As the mother of a gay son, I wasn’t only aware of homophobia, I was frightened. I still am. The overt attacks are easily recognised, if not dealt with, but the covert ones – the insidious secretive attacks – aren’t.” Homophobia – The irrational fear of, aversion to, or discrimination against homosexuality or gay people. For a long time our leaders, our society, and our culture not only encouraged discrimination and abuse, it rewarded it.
In some places, it still does, despite the legislated freedom and equality we hear so much about. Stories like The Outing are thought-provoking and hopeful reminders of where we’ve come from, where we want to go, and why we don’t want to go back. In times where outbreaks of regressive backlash are becoming more common, it is a timely read.
For a holiday, Lagos offers picturesque beaches, buzzing nightlife, and outstanding tourist facilities. Although Lagos has not succumbed to mass tourism, the city still retains its distinctive character and charm. Found within the historic centre is a proud Portuguese city, with cobbled streets, authentic restaurants, and an atmosphere that is relaxed and welcoming. Lagos perfectly combines traditional Portuguese culture, with beautiful beaches and modern tourist facilities.
Algarve – Surrounding Area
Camping
We did have a short stay in the local caravan park just behind Luz after our house sit. This park was 5 star as the facilities included indoor and outdoor swimming pools, wellness centre, tennis courts, children’s play centre, great gym, supermarket, cafe, restaurant, and bar. The showers and toilets are clean and modern with adjacent laundry facilities.
The camping park was called Camping Algarve – Turiscampo, run by a French company called Yelloh! Village. Their website is https://www.yellohvillage.fr/turiscampo.
In the high season, the average cost per night ranged from 35 to 45 euros. Of-season 20 to 25 which covers, two adults, an 8m caravan, a car, and power, These prices are a guide as they change each year. (2019)
For all-year travelers, I would recommend joining a campsite discount club, there are many of them. The most popular for us was the ACSI card. ACSI is an off-season discount card.
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Check-Out Spaceship Motorhome Rentals Here, See ya on the Road
Spaceships have a range of campervans & motorhomes for hire which can accommodate from 1 to 7 people. All their custom-designed campervans and motorhomes are packed with features that make them ideal for holidays, short breaks, touring, road trips, visiting friends & family, or going to festivals and events. Spaceship hire services are available in the United Kingdom, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. Click the links below to explore.
Some of our favorite pages: Touring Campania Italy, The Italian Riviera
