Discovering the Algarve Differently: A Journeys Site Visit

There are certain destinations that feel familiar long before you arrive. The Algarve is one of them.

Golden cliffs, Atlantic views, long lunches by the sea. It’s a place many feel they already understand. But as soon as we arrived, it became clear there is far more to it than that.

Day One: Arrival and First Impressions

We arrived in the Algarve and were immediately welcomed by Cristina Nugas, from Portugal No Limits, who set the tone for the entire trip. Before anything else, she took us out for a traditional lunch - frango - delicious grilled chicken. Simple, local, and exactly what we needed after travelling. It was relaxed and a perfect introduction to the region.

After that, we checked into the Viceroy at Ombria Algarve, our host hotel for the event. It didn’t feel like a typical hotel, more like being in your own small town. Everything is thoughtfully laid out, calm, and easy to settle into. In our rooms, we were welcomed with pastéis de nata, local wine, honey and salt, small details that immediately grounded us in the destination. We spent the afternoon exploring the property and meeting with the Viceroy team, aligning on how the event will come to life in a few months.

Day Two: Faro, Culture and Contrast

The next morning, we headed into Faro to meet with Hugo Nascimento from Visit Algarve.

It was a key moment in the trip, and in many ways, a long-awaited one. There has been a shared ambition for some time to bring Journeys to the Algarve, and this felt like the point where that vision was really beginning to take shape.

The conversation focused on how the Journeys Fam-Meet® format will come to life in the Algarve, not just as an event, but as a way to showcase the destination in a more immersive and meaningful way. From there, the day unfolded across a series of visits.

We started at Teatro Lethes, intimate and full of character, and one of those places that immediately makes you pause.

Dating back to the early 17th century, the building has a long and layered history, originally part of a Jesuit college before becoming a theatre. Today, it still holds that sense of heritage, with ornate details, rich colours and a setting that feels quietly atmospheric. Standing inside, it feels less like a venue and more like stepping into a story.

From there, we moved on to the Conrad Algarve, where we were welcomed by Rui Montes.

The Conrad brought a completely different perspective. Polished and refined, with a strong sense of structure and attention to detail, it offered a clear insight into the level of hospitality the Algarve can deliver at the highest end.

We spent some time exploring the property before sitting down for lunch, which was a real highlight. The food was exceptional, beautifully presented, full of flavour, and thoughtfully put together. It felt like a true reflection of the region’s culinary strength.

We then continued to the Museu Municipal de Faro, adding another layer, more cultural, more rooted in the history of the region.

In the afternoon, everything slowed down. We travelled by speedboat out on the Ria Formosa, heading towards a small desert island, home to a restaurant called Estaminé. The setting felt completely removed, open skies, soft sand, and the kind of quiet you don’t expect so close to the mainland. It was a very special experience and one that really stayed with us.

From there, we continued into Loulé, which felt almost magical. Quaint streets, small independent shops, and a real sense of local life. We visited artisan spaces where pieces were handmade and painted by the owners themselves. We couldn’t resist and ended up buying a few pottery pieces to take home, small reminders of a place that felt authentic, creative, and full of character.

Day Three: Westward and New Perspectives

After saying our goodbyes to the Viceroy, we continued west. We met with Algar Experience, exploring the potential of bringing guests out onto the water at scale, adding a completely different dimension to the programme.

In between, we stopped for lunch at the Grande Real Santa Eulália Resort, which couldn’t have been more perfectly timed. Sitting overlooking the deep blue sea, the sun warming our skin, we enjoyed a delicious relaxed lunch before heading off to the next venue.

Our next stop was the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve, where the contrast shifted again. A bold, high-energy venue, and something completely different. We were lucky enough to see and hear a race car while we were there, which brought the whole place to life. It’s unexpected, but that’s exactly why it could be such an interesting addition to the programme.

That evening, we arrived at Vila Vita Parc, just in time to meet Katya Bauval for dinner at Atlántico. The setting alone was incredible, with views stretching out as the sun slowly set, creating a really beautiful atmosphere to end the day. The whole experience felt calm, refined, and effortless. The food itself was exceptional, thoughtful, flavourful, and beautifully presented. It’s one of those meals you remember, not just for the quality, but for how it all came together with the setting and the moment.

Day Four: A Slower Finish

On our last morning, we visited Arvad Winery, surrounded by rows of vines, blue skies and sunshine. A calm and beautiful way to end the trip, something more grounded and connected to the land, which balanced everything we had seen before.

We left the Algarve feeling inspired. Not everything we saw will be part of the final programme, and that’s the point. This stage is about exploration, understanding the rhythm of a place, and shaping something that feels both immersive and commercially strong. What’s clear is that the Algarve has a lot more to offer than people might expect.

The next stop for the team is Ibiza in May for a pre event site visit, but for now, the Algarve has definitely set the tone.

More to come soon.