You can never get enough of the Algarve: Golden corner of Europe an annual hit

WITH an epic sweep of beaches, a flurry of well-equipped resorts and countless superb restaurants, Portugal’s Algarve is the one place I return to every year.

But it’s the ‘other’ Algarve I’ve discovered – sleepy villages, bountiful nature and deserted swathes of sand – that I’d really love to share with you.

This region of Portugal offers far better value than the Spanish Costas.

The biggest choice in the Algarve is whether to head east or west from Faro airport – on our latest trip we did both.

First we head west into the land of popular resorts, manicured golf courses and the welcoming embrace of famous resorts like Vilamoura, Albufeira and Carvoeiro. There are dozens of towns and villages dotted along the coast.

All have their own character and attractions – with clean, sandy beaches.

We return to Lagos, my favourite.

As well as great beaches – I recommend those in the wee coves west of town – I also love strolling around its historic old town, rambling around its waterfront castle and exploring the cobbled streets, alive with a web of pretty churches.

There is enough for families to do in the Algarve to keep kids happy for months.

One place my kids insist we head back to every year is Zoomarine.

This time we try the unique Dolphin Emotions experience.

My wee girls get the chance to learn about the bottlenose dolphins before spending carefully supervised time in the water with them – a brilliant experience that they are desperate to tell their pals about when they get home.

Our base in the west is utterly unique.

Pine Cliffs offers a holiday in itself. We spend a couple of days barely leaving the complex, which is rare for me.

It provides plush standalone apartments for families, as well as cheaper hotel rooms in the main building.

My youngsters can’t get enough of the massive kids club, while we also make use of their private beach and daddy sneaks in a round of golf.

For the second half of our week we head east of Faro, which is less touristy and ideal for those looking for somewhere quieter, or repeat visitors in search of something a little different. Just a few miles east of Faro we relax in Olhao. It’s a working fishing town with a glorious market designed by a certain Gustave Eiffel. Yes, that Gustave Eiffel!

We feast on boat-fresh, good value seafood (the girls love choosing their own fish) and take a boat trip from the waterfront out into the massive Rio Formosa National Park.

Over the next few days we follow the sinewy national park all the way east to the Spanish border.

Its brackish waters and inlets are home to a colourful array of wildlife and a string of eye-catching starched white beaches.

Our favourite is Praia do Barril, which you reach on a cute wee train.

There are no hotels or roads on this sand island, just mile upon mile of unspoilt beach.

We also explore the east’s necklace of sleepy historic towns and villages.

Our favourite is Tavira, a whitewashed, cobbled gem sprinkled with churches.

The Gilao River charmingly cuts right through the town.

We find a great mix of facilities for tourists and cafes and restaurants that keep the locals happy too.

I normally opt for a villa with a pool for exploring the Algarve’s east.

For the last three years we have gone with Vintage Travel, a tried and trusted UK company with a great selection.

We choose Casa Idalina (from just £475 per week), which has a large heated pool and sleeps up to eight just 20 minutes drive from Faro airport.

A highlight is swimming under the stars on our last night.

Whether you head west or east when you arrive in the Algarve there is a holiday experience in this warm corner of Europe for everyone.

Whatever you do you will find the same great value, superb food and drink and world-class beaches of a blissful corner of Europe that draws my well-travelled family south every year.