TAVIRA & SANTA LUZIA |
|
 Eglise à Tavira  Toits à 4 eaux de Tavira  Jardin à Tavira  Vieille Ville de Tavira  Fleuve Gilão à Tavira  Murailles à Tavira  Eglise à Tavira  Clocher à Tavira  Vue du Château de Tavira  Bord de mer à Santa Luzia  Marée basse à Santa Luzia  Barques colorées à Santa Luzia  Bateau équipé pour la pêche à la poulpe  Cabanes de pêche à Santa Luzia  Chutes d'eau campagne de Tavira  L''île de Tavira vue de Santa Luzia  Réparation de bateaux à Santa Luzia  Vue du Port de Santa Luzia  Vue de la promenade à Santa Luzia  Envol de Flamants roses dans les salines de Santa Luzia |
To enlarge picture, click on this
Principal ActivitiesWelcome to East Algarve, the sunniest part of Portugal, in the Natural reserve of Ria Formosa considered for its splendid beaches of fine sand and the quality of its ocean without pollution. This sanctuary reminds us of the French Camargue region with its flamingos, herons, egrets, coots, curlews, redshanks and ducks . You can choose from waterskiing, windsurfing or sailing, diving to watch the corals, golfing 18 holes (approx. 4 km), tennis (approx. 1 km), hiring of bicycles, kayak, horse back ride and safari in the uplands… Santa Luzia, next to Tavira, is located between Faro and the Spain border, 90 minutes drive to Seville by the motorway. Short history of TaviraFounded in 1520, Tavira was the first and main town in the Kingdom of The Algarve. At the time, the town had over 6.000 inhabitants and used to shelter in its harbour 44 high tonnage ships from Flanders, Germany, Great Britain and Biscay. With its men involved in North Africa conquest (Ceuta, Arzila and Tanger), and later in the discovery and colonization of the whole African coast the town became the main harbour supporting the Portuguese maritime expansion. At the beginning of the XVllth century, the nobility counted 49 families enjoying special rights and royal privileges, and among other things, the right to a 3 month, tax-free fair, the right to bring slaves from Africa three times a year for farm work, and the right to sell their merchandise in all African harbours as far as Mecca. The progressive abandonment of all African market-places by the Portuguese, the growing development of Seville, a key town of trade with the West Indies, the increase of ship tonnage, the silting up of the river, the devastating effects of the plague of 1645 largely contributed to the decrease of population, the weakening of trade and a pronounced decrease of harbour traffic. In the 1960's, the end of tuna fishing reduced commercial fishing to a more modest local activity, at present, agriculture, trade and recently tourism are the areas of major economic importance in the region. Hiring Tavira Transport
Principal distances
Santa LuziaLocated 2 km from Tavira, Santa Luzia, fishermen village specialized in octopus fishing is located near the lagoon where fishing boats and yachtmen anchor. Octopus fishing with is done by immersion of terracotta pots, marked with owners references, between 10 to 30 meters depth. The sea bottom is sandy and flat. It allows the dissemination of the pots where octopuses come to hide and fish. Santa Luzia fish market sales octopuses by auction upon boat arrival in the morning. On the other side of the arm of the sea, which has from 20 to 30 meters large, the Island of Tavira protected by its natural reserve classification, accommodates hares, chameleons as well as any species of birds coming to nest and reproduce thanks to the abundant food and the absence of pollution. Santa Luzia is thus a small natural paradise. During the estival period, "tag and release" big game fishing practice protects white and blue Marlins, tunas, sharks as well as prolong this sporting fishing for the future years. This Algarve coast is located in a sub tropical area with strong rains spread out over one or two weeks during March or April and November .There are more than 300 sunny days in a year time which allows very mild winters with blue sky. Summers are hot with a light refreshing breeze of the Atlantic Ocean. Being located next of the sea, Santa Luzia offers in several high quality restaurants all kind of fish from the coast as well as the local delicious fruits such as oranges, strawberry, figues, grapes, apricots, peaches….. Its local pharmacy, its bank, its post office, its butchery and fish shop, its groceries make it possible to the holiday maker to be supplied without taking the car. Tavira offers a daily market (8-13h) except Sunday as well as big super markets. Several Golf's, horse riding, tennis, scooter, bicycles and car renting are available in Tavira.
Photos taken by M. François Laurent during their stay with us in July 2011
|