Tired eyes but for a good reason. After 24 hours in Dublin, I’m escaping again 😊 – next stop Faro #upupandaway on a pre-dawn flight – the best option of you want the first day to be a full day in the Algarve… this is going to be a great adventure, with lots of new places and experiences and a new take on some of my favourite things to do #offthebeatentrack #watchthisspace #winterescape #feelthesunonyourface 😎
As the temperature hit 25 degrees we headed up to the village of Sarnadas in the parish of Alte and a little weaving workshop, Casa do Esparto, based in the repurposed Escola Primária das Sarnadas. It’s one of a network of artisan spaces of the Loulé Criativo project which is revitalising ancient creative traditions in the region. There I met this wonderful woman Donna Aldegundes Gomes, born in the village, she proudly tells me she’s 89 years old and 60 years a weaver. She has a big heart, skilful hands and a wide smile. You can tell she loves what she does. Now she is passing on her knowledge to new generations and enthusiastic amateurs like me. She and the other women in the collective use Esparto grass which grows wild in this area – the Barrocal lands of the Algarve interior. Essential back in the day for carpets, rugs, baskets and much more, the women are bringing back the traditional method and weaving patterns to create lovely unique pieces, some decorative, many practical. I was in the baby class making key rings which was a lovely hands-on, gentle and calming experience. Hands touching hands, heads bent close together nudging the grasses into new shapes and patterns. #creativityinaction @loule_criativo @visitalgarve
As the temperature hit 25 degrees we headed up to the village of Sarnadas in the parish of Alte and a little weaving workshop, Casa do Esparto, based in the repurposed Escola Primária das Sarnadas. It’s one of a network of artisan spaces of the Loulé Criativo project which is revitalising ancient creative traditions in the region. There I met this wonderful woman Donna Aldegundes Gomes, born in the village, she proudly tells me she’s 89 years old and 60 years a weaver. She has a big heart, skilful hands and a wide smile. You can tell she loves what she does. Now she is passing on her knowledge to new generations and enthusiastic amateurs like me. She and the other women in the collective use Esparto grass which grows wild in this area – the Barrocal lands of the Algarve interior. Essential back in the day for carpets, rugs, baskets and much more, the women are bringing back the traditional method and weaving patterns to create lovely unique pieces, some decorative, many practical. I was in the baby class making key rings which was a lovely hands-on, gentle and calming experience. Hands touching hands, heads bent close together nudging the grasses into new shapes and patterns. #creativityinaction @loule_criativo @visitalgarve
As the temperature hit 25 degrees we headed up to the village of Sarnadas in the parish of Alte and a little weaving workshop, Casa do Esparto, based in the repurposed Escola Primária das Sarnadas. It’s one of a network of artisan spaces of the Loulé Criativo project which is revitalising ancient creative traditions in the region. There I met this wonderful woman Donna Aldegundes Gomes, born in the village, she proudly tells me she’s 89 years old and 60 years a weaver. She has a big heart, skilful hands and a wide smile. You can tell she loves what she does. Now she is passing on her knowledge to new generations and enthusiastic amateurs like me. She and the other women in the collective use Esparto grass which grows wild in this area – the Barrocal lands of the Algarve interior. Essential back in the day for carpets, rugs, baskets and much more, the women are bringing back the traditional method and weaving patterns to create lovely unique pieces, some decorative, many practical. I was in the baby class making key rings which was a lovely hands-on, gentle and calming experience. Hands touching hands, heads bent close together nudging the grasses into new shapes and patterns. #creativityinaction @loule_criativo @visitalgarve
As the temperature hit 25 degrees we headed up to the village of Sarnadas in the parish of Alte and a little weaving workshop, Casa do Esparto, based in the repurposed Escola Primária das Sarnadas. It’s one of a network of artisan spaces of the Loulé Criativo project which is revitalising ancient creative traditions in the region. There I met this wonderful woman Donna Aldegundes Gomes, born in the village, she proudly tells me she’s 89 years old and 60 years a weaver. She has a big heart, skilful hands and a wide smile. You can tell she loves what she does. Now she is passing on her knowledge to new generations and enthusiastic amateurs like me. She and the other women in the collective use Esparto grass which grows wild in this area – the Barrocal lands of the Algarve interior. Essential back in the day for carpets, rugs, baskets and much more, the women are bringing back the traditional method and weaving patterns to create lovely unique pieces, some decorative, many practical. I was in the baby class making key rings which was a lovely hands-on, gentle and calming experience. Hands touching hands, heads bent close together nudging the grasses into new shapes and patterns. #creativityinaction @loule_criativo @visitalgarve
As the temperature hit 25 degrees we headed up to the village of Sarnadas in the parish of Alte and a little weaving workshop, Casa do Esparto, based in the repurposed Escola Primária das Sarnadas. It’s one of a network of artisan spaces of the Loulé Criativo project which is revitalising ancient creative traditions in the region. There I met this wonderful woman Donna Aldegundes Gomes, born in the village, she proudly tells me she’s 89 years old and 60 years a weaver. She has a big heart, skilful hands and a wide smile. You can tell she loves what she does. Now she is passing on her knowledge to new generations and enthusiastic amateurs like me. She and the other women in the collective use Esparto grass which grows wild in this area – the Barrocal lands of the Algarve interior. Essential back in the day for carpets, rugs, baskets and much more, the women are bringing back the traditional method and weaving patterns to create lovely unique pieces, some decorative, many practical. I was in the baby class making key rings which was a lovely hands-on, gentle and calming experience. Hands touching hands, heads bent close together nudging the grasses into new shapes and patterns. #creativityinaction @loule_criativo @visitalgarve
Me right now #algarvelife @loule_criativo #craftwork #artisans #creative spaces @visitloule.pt @visitalgarve Loulé, Algarve, Portugal
Out on the ocean… the Atlantic Ocean but not as you know it… on a catamaran on the stunning #riafermosa visiting the #barrierislands #deserta #culatra #amarone #hangares #farol #livingthedream #theworldsyouroyster 💚 Ilha Da Culatra, Faro, Portugal
I left @dubai 24 hours ago, it was my third visit but the first time to do all of these amazing experiences – from street food in the old town to Michelin star dining in #dubaihills… a balloon flight to see the sun rise over the desert, breakfast at a #bedouincamp and that memorable camel ride! We cruised The Palm and shopped the souk and still found time for swimming and sunshine – four days of action packed fun staying at a beautiful hotel @jumeirahzs with amazing company – better still you can fly direct from Dublin @emirates and in just eight hours you’ll be transported for a #longweekend of #wintersunandfun 💚
Read the full review @womans_way 🙌
I left @dubai 24 hours ago, it was my third visit but the first time to do all of these amazing experiences – from street food in the old town to Michelin star dining in #dubaihills… a balloon flight to see the sun rise over the desert, breakfast at a #bedouincamp and that memorable camel ride! We cruised The Palm and shopped the souk and still found time for swimming and sunshine – four days of action packed fun staying at a beautiful hotel @jumeirahzs with amazing company – better still you can fly direct from Dublin @emirates and in just eight hours you’ll be transported for a #longweekend of #wintersunandfun 💚
Read the full review @womans_way 🙌
I left @dubai 24 hours ago, it was my third visit but the first time to do all of these amazing experiences – from street food in the old town to Michelin star dining in #dubaihills… a balloon flight to see the sun rise over the desert, breakfast at a #bedouincamp and that memorable camel ride! We cruised The Palm and shopped the souk and still found time for swimming and sunshine – four days of action packed fun staying at a beautiful hotel @jumeirahzs with amazing company – better still you can fly direct from Dublin @emirates and in just eight hours you’ll be transported for a #longweekend of #wintersunandfun 💚
Read the full review @womans_way 🙌
I left @dubai 24 hours ago, it was my third visit but the first time to do all of these amazing experiences – from street food in the old town to Michelin star dining in #dubaihills… a balloon flight to see the sun rise over the desert, breakfast at a #bedouincamp and that memorable camel ride! We cruised The Palm and shopped the souk and still found time for swimming and sunshine – four days of action packed fun staying at a beautiful hotel @jumeirahzs with amazing company – better still you can fly direct from Dublin @emirates and in just eight hours you’ll be transported for a #longweekend of #wintersunandfun 💚
Read the full review @womans_way 🙌
I left @dubai 24 hours ago, it was my third visit but the first time to do all of these amazing experiences – from street food in the old town to Michelin star dining in #dubaihills… a balloon flight to see the sun rise over the desert, breakfast at a #bedouincamp and that memorable camel ride! We cruised The Palm and shopped the souk and still found time for swimming and sunshine – four days of action packed fun staying at a beautiful hotel @jumeirahzs with amazing company – better still you can fly direct from Dublin @emirates and in just eight hours you’ll be transported for a #longweekend of #wintersunandfun 💚
Read the full review @womans_way 🙌
I left @dubai 24 hours ago, it was my third visit but the first time to do all of these amazing experiences – from street food in the old town to Michelin star dining in #dubaihills… a balloon flight to see the sun rise over the desert, breakfast at a #bedouincamp and that memorable camel ride! We cruised The Palm and shopped the souk and still found time for swimming and sunshine – four days of action packed fun staying at a beautiful hotel @jumeirahzs with amazing company – better still you can fly direct from Dublin @emirates and in just eight hours you’ll be transported for a #longweekend of #wintersunandfun 💚
Read the full review @womans_way 🙌
I left @dubai 24 hours ago, it was my third visit but the first time to do all of these amazing experiences – from street food in the old town to Michelin star dining in #dubaihills… a balloon flight to see the sun rise over the desert, breakfast at a #bedouincamp and that memorable camel ride! We cruised The Palm and shopped the souk and still found time for swimming and sunshine – four days of action packed fun staying at a beautiful hotel @jumeirahzs with amazing company – better still you can fly direct from Dublin @emirates and in just eight hours you’ll be transported for a #longweekend of #wintersunandfun 💚
Read the full review @womans_way 🙌
I left @dubai 24 hours ago, it was my third visit but the first time to do all of these amazing experiences – from street food in the old town to Michelin star dining in #dubaihills… a balloon flight to see the sun rise over the desert, breakfast at a #bedouincamp and that memorable camel ride! We cruised The Palm and shopped the souk and still found time for swimming and sunshine – four days of action packed fun staying at a beautiful hotel @jumeirahzs with amazing company – better still you can fly direct from Dublin @emirates and in just eight hours you’ll be transported for a #longweekend of #wintersunandfun 💚
Read the full review @womans_way 🙌
I left @dubai 24 hours ago, it was my third visit but the first time to do all of these amazing experiences – from street food in the old town to Michelin star dining in #dubaihills… a balloon flight to see the sun rise over the desert, breakfast at a #bedouincamp and that memorable camel ride! We cruised The Palm and shopped the souk and still found time for swimming and sunshine – four days of action packed fun staying at a beautiful hotel @jumeirahzs with amazing company – better still you can fly direct from Dublin @emirates and in just eight hours you’ll be transported for a #longweekend of #wintersunandfun 💚
Read the full review @womans_way 🙌
What a treat… out cruising the ocean on a pristine white yacht – seeing @dubai from another side while swimming and sipping a little fizz… taking lots of mind snaps to carry my though those blustery rainy days ahead @burjalarab @aindubai #ferriswheel @atlantisthepalm @mmmdubai in good comoany with @sophie_morgs @hannah_stephensonpa @esohe.ebohon @andrealvaradot @finnpartnerstravel #sometimeslifeisgood 💚
As experiences go… this was way up there – the world’s first Michelin star indian vegetarian restaurant @avatara.ae with 16 courses of heavenly food #chakrainspired delivered by a team of knowledgeable chefs – amazing flavours and tastes – a perfect treat before #diwali @sophie_morgs @andrealvaradot @hannah_stephensonpa @esohe.ebohon @dubai @finnpartnerstravel
Under a 2000 year old olive tree we sat at the ‘farmers table’ at the family owned @morgadodoquintao and shared #slowfood and #slowwine made using ancient Algarvian traditions listening to the stories of the unique and the hands off approach to wine production. You can enjoy a #flightofwine at the #farmerstable or rent one of the charming cottages for a few days. It is beautiful and remote perched where the Monchique mountains meet the Atlantic ocean and was founded in the early 1800s by the Count of Silves, and still remains in the same family #grapetoglass #hiddenalgarve Morgado do Quintão
I know I say this every year but this year it really is the most spectacular #lightshow @dublinzoo_official – themed the #enchantedzoo there are magic and mystical illuminations (the one on the green is spectacular 🤩) me and Aria and @ohshauna had a blast, lots of laughter and a bit of skipping 😂 you’ll love it, your kids will love it (borrow some kids if you have to) left with a warm, fuzzy, Christmassy glow #alittlemagicgoesalongway 💚 Dublin Zoo
#wineoclock🍷 fantastic wine tasting at this great family owned restaurant serving local produce, great cheese, lots of game all in a space lined with wine bottles – very special #restaurantveneza in Paderne Albufeira @visitalgarve
Magical morning @loule_criativo visiting little artisan workshops in the #centrohistorico these wonderful ladies tell us it’s very therapeutic for them to spend time knitting and weaving with friends, you can see by all the smiles they they love what they do and it shows – from the master copper crafts man to his two protégés, their little studio is also a shop and you can see the passion, creativity and laughter first hand which makes each piece all the more special – everything is repurposed, making new from old, every unique craftwork tells a story and I was so happy to take some home to remind me of the beauty of purpose, art and skills blended into #sustainabledesign 💚 #anothersideofthealgarve @visitalgarve
Aria says it all #amazing @dublinzoo_official #enchantedzoo 💚
