Casa Tavira

I had a few questions prior to booking and Maria replied promptly. She was extremely helpful and arranged an airport pickup for us from Pedro..... Her husband which was really helpful. The rental,is the downstairs if her house with a lovely double bedroom and a smal bedroom with bunk beds. There us a lovely garden, which is a little overgrown but a spacious patio with a good sized table, chairs and comfortable seat pads. Vines grow across the shading trellis and we picked grapes for breakfast! Two tortoises kept us company in the evening when they strolled down the garden path for watermelon and grapes. The kitchen is well equipped and the house has an abundance of lovely period features. The beds were comfortable. We wanted for nothing apart from a map of the town. We wanted bread and milk and essential supplies on arrival and struggled to find a food shop or supermarket. But it is just a few steps to the local cafes and bars as well as the river front. The ferry is a 5 minute walk and about ten minutes to the railway station with a very good coffee shop in the way. A map would have been useful and I mentioned this to Maria. She said she would ensure there was one available for future guests. The tourist information office is just around the corner, we later discovered! There was no air conditioning but there are electric fans everywhere and the house is pretty well shaded. Maria called in on our second or third day to welcome us and provide some more information along with a lively and amusing chat. Restaurants and tapas bars are everywhere and they are really good. Try the fish and fruit/ veg market at the top of the town past the ferry station. The stall holders were so helpful. Mia tapas bar was excellent... modern tapas and a small menu but very good. Eat sword fish and tuna, great bread and Portuguese tarts and buy very good quality wine at a ridiculously cheap price at Lidl next to the railway station. We can't wait to return to this great property and have recommended it and our hosts, to friends in UK. Once in Tavira you don't need a car as the railway station is nearby and you can walk around the sights or take a ferry to the vast stretch of local beaches.