The entrance to the campsite was very secure you could only leave or enter with a card.
Easy to find and the campsite directions were good.
We were really pleased we had been booked in, as the site was full.
The site was populated by a variety of people in all kinds of units. Some had been there since October and were very tanned. Things were looking up! The toilet block, one of two, was fine with really hot water. There were inside and outside washing up sinks and a good laundry. The swimming pool was well maintained and open every day not that it was quite warm enough to swim in.
The site had a restaurant which was open most days except on the day of our arrival!
Lots of gravel and paving slabs but this was tempered by the greenery, olive and orange trees amongst them.
We settled the van in and went for an explore. The site is on the edge of a small village Cabanas de Tavera which is about a 10 minute walk down the road. By the beach it was beautifully sheltered and usually very warm. We spent a few happy hours in the bars and walking on the boardwalk, pretty well populated with happy Brit holiday retirees.
Fishing boats in the harbour. To get to the beach you had to catch a water taxi. Sadly they don't run in January. We will have to visit again!
Most of the time it was warm enough during the day for shorts and tee shirts although the cold wind at the site did make the evening and early mornings seem chilly. In the village was a well stocked supermarket, a bread shop and a great butchers shop. We were so well set up that after the initial stock up at a local Lidl on the way in, we didn't need to go out shopping . Other campers who didn't want the bother of driving caught the train to Tavira as the station was next door to Lidl, very handy.
The little church of Santa Maria. Mass in Portugese was shall we say, "an experience". Not sure what the sermon was about but it seemed very up lifting.
The nearest big town of Tavira was just about walking distance from the site using a rather wobbly bridge.
An interesting concept in the days of the Elf & Safety Elves. There was a kind of barrier but no safety notices. Most people climbed over and as it was a bike track walked the bikes over. We watched a whole Dutch party of walkers crossing. We made it safely!
Beneath the wonky bridge they were digging in the river. Something tasty for dinner perhaps??
The walk across the salt flats took us just over an hour. It was actually a lovely walk through the open expanse of the salt flats and incredibly quiet.
Not masses to do in Tavira but a nice bridge, restaurants, castle and bars. 2 euros for two glasses of wine.
The high spot of Tavira the town centre.
A little light refreshment here an Irish pub no less, excellent food.
The another attraction in Tavira, the castle and museum complete with rebuilt tower of course.
A shady spot in the castle gardens.
The quickest way to Tavira was by train, two stops down the line at the massive cost of 4 Euros 50, return for two. The train station was a five minute walk from the camp.
We soon got into a routine. Breakfast, coffee and shopping in the village, lunch and a walk or bike ride in the afternoon. We caught the train into Tavira and spent a happy few hours wandering around the town and sampling the local cuisine. We ate at local restaurants a few times and the campsite did an excellent lunch for 7 euros 50 including a drink and coffee.
Our two weeks at Rio Formosa flew by. It seemed we were busy every day. The weather was lovely I think we only really had one wet day. There were loads of easy local walks and we managed a few miles every day so we didn't feel too lazy.
One of our favourite strolls through the back lanes to the beach.
All too soon time to leave we were off to our next stop in the mountains for a week. Let's hope the sun stays shining!
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