Santa Claus Is Coming To Algarve Town

♪ You better watch out ♪
♪ You better not cry ♪
♪ You better not pout ♪
♪ I'm telling you why ♪
♪ Santa Claus is comin' to town ♪
♪ Santa Claus is comin' to town ♪
♪ Santa Claus is comin' to town ♪
♪ Santa Claus is comin' to town ♪

Regency Luxury Villas are proud to present, Christmas in The Algarve!

Forget the cold winter weather of Britain and treat the family to a Christmas they will never forget within the wonderful areas of Quinta Do Lago, Vale Do Lobo and Vilamoura.
The Algarve provides traditional and alternative thoughts, it is an ideal festive destination for all to enjoy. 
It's thought that more than 94% of Portuguese are Catholic and hence, one can expect to hear traditional caroling, brightly decorated Christmas trees and Santa Claus (Pai Natal) firmly in town spreading the festive feel good vibe. 

Much like in Britain, The Portuguese are a big fan of Christmas traditions. 'Christmas Madeiro' and the 'Christmas Feast of the Immaculate Conception' are big calendar events that locals look forward to each and every year.

So what can you expect from a Portuguese Christmas?

Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve takes centre stage in Portugal. It is on this day where most of the Christmas celebrations are in full swing. Families gather around the Christmas tree and sing songs embracing the festive spirit. Another important part of this is the set up of the creche for a nativity scene.

Traditionally, the children are in charge of collecting the materials for the creche and help the adults set it up. Some families are believed to display only the sacred family, while the others include more in-depth detail.
The Christmas Eve Feast, translated as the 'Consoada' consists mostly of boiled codfish with potatoes and cabbage. You also have to make room for fried desserts such as: 'Filhoses' or 'Filhós' - these are made out of fried dough and are essential to the feast. Another popular delicacy is the traditional Christmas cake known as 'Bolo Rei'.

Christmas Day
Christmas Day is centred around family gatherings. Many families attend a morning mass at church, before returning home where children have the opportunity to open their presents. 

For the adults Porto wine is consumed with stuffed turkey and traditional desserts. Once food is digested, families often venture out to the shops, watch a film or venture out to a bigger city centre to take in a creche event. The town of Penela offers one of the largest living creches in the world, with the locals joining hands to recreate the Nativity Scene. 

'Christmas Madeiro'
In the regions of Penamacor, a special Christmas tradition known as the Christmas Madeiro takes place in the regions of Penamacor. Portugal sees many young boys join the army, but before they do this they must steel whole trees and make the tallest fire in their neighborhood. This fire is usually lit on the Eve of Christmas or during Midnight Mass to 'warm baby Jesus'. The trees burn right through to Christmas as a tradition that has lasted many years.

Portuguese festive celebrations highlight the importance of tradition, folklore and culture. The country love Christmas so much that the festivities of Christmas usually end on the 6th of January, on a day called 'Dia de Reis'.

He sees you when you're sleeping
He knows when you're awake
He knows if you've been bad or good
So be good for goodness sake

If you're looking to embrace Christmas in another country this year, you can benefit from low-cost, last minute airlines from Faro Airport to Southern Portugal and then once you arrive, food, drinks and transport follows suit within a low budget - you might even want to stay until the New Year celebrations!

Regency Luxury Villas are on hand to provide the perfect luxury villa in beautiful locations for your festive break away. We can advise and recommend where and when to go throughout December, January and beyond.

Browse our website for our carefully selected luxury villa rentals within Quinta Do Lago, Vale Do Lobo and Vilamoura villas or complete the contact form and let us do the work by sending you the perfect recommendation for you. 

On behalf of the team and villa owners at Regency Luxury Villas we would like to take the opportunity to thank those who have benefited from staying in our luxury accommodation throughout 2019 and welcome those looking to stay with us in the future of 2020.

We wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2020 to come!