Playing and Relaxing at Martinhal Resort

At the recommendations of some trusted Amsterdam Mamas, I researched Martinhal, "Europe's Finest Luxury Family Hotels and Resort" for our trip. It was considerably farther than our first resort and with less consistent weather given its location at the far Southwest corner of Portugal where winds and storms are more likely. Still, after reading 1. how child-friendly the resort is and 2. seeing photos of the natural beauty of the area around the resort, I was sold. 

The resort was exactly as I imagined it. Cooler weather with one day of heavy rain and serious winds, but with more fun things for Jude to do than we had time for. We were finding new indoor and outdoor play areas through our last day. As it is the off season, one of the restaurants was closed and was turned into a soft gym play paradise for the little ones. Then there was the heated indoor pool, heated outdoor splash pool, numerous outdoor playgrounds, a ball pit and slide room, a child-friendly cafe with an old VW bus that the kids could pretend drive, an outdoor play space near the beach complete with trampoline and the beach of course. Jude really had a blast. 

We only ate out once at the resort, but as advertised, there was a designated play corner in the restaurant with staff to mind the kiddos while the parents ate. It played out more like Jude and his new 3-year old twin friends chasing each other screaming like banshees through the restaurant, but no one seemed to mind. 

I got this one shot of Jude looking super cute. Pete and I, not so much :)

Falling asleep eating lunch with daddy

Hotel beds are the best for jumping in

Pool was heated to 85, but with temps outside in the high 50s, these were some brave souls!

And major selling point #3, free kids club as an off season perk. Each morning, we took Jude to "school," where he made some new friends and got to "play, play, play" to his heart's content. Meanwhile, Pete and I had three child-free mornings in a row to relax. Day one, we explored the beach and found a cozy cabana to read in.

Day two, we took a short hike from our apartment down to a pebbly beach and day three, with the rains pouring down, we went to the spa and alternated between the hot tub (feet only for me) and reclining chairs, reading and resting. As Pete aptly put, "this is so civilized!"

Some light vacation reading :)

If you are considering Martinhal, be forewarned that the affordable 150 euro/night rate that we scored for a one bedroom garden house soars to over 500 euros/night in the high summer season (for the cheapest accommodation) + fees for the kids club.

Praia de Marinha

Yesterday we made our way from Albufeira to Sagres, about an 1.5 hour drive. I had read a bit about the Algarve coast in a guidebook and starred a few places to go on the map. We thought we would check out the closest one, Praia de Marinha, and then go to another town for lunch before continuing the drive to coincide with nap time. 

So we made it to Praia de Marinha and were overwhelmed with its beauty! Totally exceeded any expectations that we had. The parking lot is at the entrance to a 5.7km walk along the cliffs with views as below. Jude saw the beautiful, sparkling beach below and demanded that we go there instead of on any sort of hike. Fine by me! Especially since Pete did the hard job of carrying him down and then back up the ~100 stairs. It was cool on the cliffs and I thought I should be wearing pants, but down on the beach it was really sweltering and I wished I'd packed my swim suit! 

It was such a lovely spot, that we took a picnic lunch down to the beach and spent over an hour there before continuing to Sagres. 

The joy of doing your business in the great outdoors! 

The beach below grabbed Jude's attention

Lovely Portuguese cliff home near the beach

Soaking in the Sun on the Algarve Coast

We are on Crocus break holiday on the Algarve coast of Portugal. A much needed break for Pete who has been working his patootie off since Winter break. We left for the trip with the news of a tragedy back home weighing heavy on our hearts. A young husband and father taken too soon. A sad reminder to not take time with your loved ones for granted. The chance to spend the whole week as a family, having fun and making memories was much needed and we didn't waste any time. 

We checked into a resort in Albufeira, 30 minutes drive from the airport in Faro. I found an unbeatable rate for a 2 bedroom apartment during this off season time. We'll spend two nights here before heading to Sagres to our splurge at Martinhal resort. 

Today was one of the best weather days forecasted all week so after a cool morning spent grocery shopping and swimming in the indoor pool, we spent a long afternoon at the beach. The coast is stunning and we found a quiet spot in front of a cliff cave (perfect for bear hunting!). Lots of fun digging in the sand, running in the water, collecting rocks, soaking in the sun, and building sand slides. 

Fresh fish dinner at a local restaurant followed by some dancing with daddy rounded out a perfect first day of vacation. 

Oh, and tomorrow marks the beginning of the 3rd trimester (week 28)!!? All of a sudden, I am looking really pregnant :)