…exploring food, discovering life

March 20-April 4, 2012

• You demand more freedom than traditional tours offer
• You enjoy the companionship of others occasionally
• Authentic local food & wine interests you
• You’d like to discover a healthy, life affirming cuisine
• Become a Port expert - white, ruby, tawny.
• Expand your network of interesting women by connecting with women of similar interests.
• Have time for your kind of activities – lounging, beachcombing, exploring, hiking, shopping, birdwatching – set your own pace, select the seminars & tastings that appeal to you.

“I would never have believed that such a diverse experience was still available. Gwen, your local knowledge and investment in exploring the off-the-beaten-path, traditional Portuguese way of life is amazing. Thanks for providing me with so much more than a standard beach vacation.”
D. Dennery, Sri Lanka, Diversity Facilitator

What’s Included in A Taste of Life?

• Ample time each day to visit local sights of historic or cultural interests, guided by your concierge
• Daily pre-scheduled culinary seminars or workshops - choose only what appeals to you
  

• Choose where, when and with whom you dine each day

• A copy of Gwen’s Guide to Dining Well in the Algarve and Deciphering the Portuguese Menu
  

• Culinary Seminars such as:  wine tasting, preparing olives for the table, Port tasting, making Piri-Piri sauce, cheese tasting …plus much more!

• Cultural Sessions with Culinary Overtones include:  visit to the best local farmer’s market,  visit to a hillside village to explore how essential almonds are to Algarvean cuisine, visit to a citrus grove to pick oranges and lemons, visit to a Spanish border town, an evening of Fado singing in an up-scale café in a mountain town …plus more!

• Cooking a traditional Portuguese meal - choose produce & participate in a cooking a collective Portuguese meal, regardless of your cooking ability

• Concierge services that support your explorations – explore independently going where whim takes you, guided by an experienced, knowledgeable person.  Your concierge is Gwen McCauley, someone deeply familiar with the Algarve as well as someone who enjoys helping people create experiences that will thrill and delight.  She’ll make maps, guide books, field guides, binoculars and other support materials available for your use.  And she’ll happily offer detailed driving directions, advice on where to go and wisdom on which spots and activities will meet your specific needs.

Max 10 participants Register Me Now! I don’t want to miss out on this great trip.

What else is there to see & do while I’m in the Algarve?

History -Portugal not only has a deep and rich sea-faring history, but was an important passage way for the Crusaders heading to the Holy Land.  The Algarve is awash with castles, forts, churches and other historical reference points for you to visit and explore. Fans of the Knights Templar will be delighted to discover that many came to Portugal when thrown out of France and the rest of Europe.  Pre-historic ruins also mark the presence of Neolithic peoples on the landscape.  Plus the Romans have left their mark in a number of locations if your preference is for mosaics, bathhouses and spas.

Beaches – The beaches of the Algarve are world famous for their variety, cleanliness and visual beauty.  Pick from long stretches of sand and dunes in the East, arcs and crescents of sand backed by cliffs and sandstone outcroppings to the West and wild surfing beaches along the Western Atlantic Coast.  But count on beauty that will take your breath away as well as lots of space.  The only thing that is missing is hoardes of people.  You’ll have lots of space to yourself whether you choose to sunbathe or to beachcomb.

Rustic Culture – The Algarve is still largely rural so if you love countryside and the sight of olive, citrus, almond, pomegranate and other fruit groves you’ll love to drive through the hills and dales of this postcard-perfect locale.  You’ll still see horse-drawn carriages, flocks of sheep and goats being herded by gnarled old shepherds and old ladies selling seasonal produce from road-side stands.

Sophisticated Urban Scene – Those who love the modern world will easily find the hustle and bustle of the many towns the coast to their taste.  Great European shopping with a focus on shoes, bags, cork products, pottery and silver & gold jewelry are everywhere.  Modern shopping centres are easily accessible and several towns have shopper friendly pedestrian streets where you can while away the day with lots of spots to stop for a coffee or a glass of vino.

How can I get more information and pricing?

Simple.  Just drop an e-mail to gwen@algarveexperiences.com.  She’ll be happy to provide you a detailed information package and stay in conversation with you until you are certain that this is the personal or professional development experience that is right for you.