A River Runs Through It

'A river runs through it' aptly describes dreamy Tavira -- the 'Venice of the Algarve' -- resting elegantly on either side of the Sequa-Gilao River, which runs under a seven-arched roman-style bridge. Praca da Republica's arcaded town hall is near a seven-arched Roman bridge and honeymooners stroll through romantic adjacent gardens. The bridge and gardens are overlooked by the church of Santa Maria do Castelo and by medieval castle battlements. The tomb of Portuguese Christian commander, Dom Paia Peres Correia, who defeated the Moors in 1242, lies within the medieval church.

From the castle hill site is a sprawling view of 18th-century pyramid-shaped rooftops, distinctive of the eastern Algarve region of Portugal. This ancient town, no longer accessible from the sea, was once a busy port village, shipping salt, wine and dried fish to northwest Europe and north Africa. Salt-pans there are still active.

Cruise to Tavira's Honeymoon Island Paradise

A honeymoon island vacation is just down the the road from the Praca de Republica parallel to the Gilhao riverfront that runs past the market. The"Rua Jose Pires Padinha", lined with charming Portuguese cafes and restaurants, runs far and away past boat hulks and across salt pans, to a jetty from where you can take a brief cruise out to Portugal's most tranquil beaches of Tavira Island (Ilha de Tavira).

Tavira is the perfect travel site for sore eyes and a balm for the too-busy body. It's also a place to sooth the weary soul, as more places of worship welcome visitors in Tavira than any other town in the Algarve. The most ornate is the Carmo church, with an interior that some have described as "baroque gone barmy".

 

 

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