It’s the end of the world as we knew it – but well worth a visit

I’VE BEEN to the ‘end of the world’ and came back with... sardines! I’m not talking about some kind of apocalyptic event (Trump hasn’t pushed the button yet, has he?). I’m describing one of Europe’s most historic landmarks.

Cape St Vincent, in Sagres in the Algarve, is the most south-westerly point in mainland Europe.

It was described as the ‘End of the World’ because it was believed to be just that – before the discovery of the Americas across the pond.

The Algarve has long been a popular tourist destination for Brits looking to soak up the summer sun.

It’s the most visited region in the whole of Portugal, so much so that it may as well be its own country.

And it’s clear to see why, with its glorious blue flag beaches, stunning hotel resorts and award-winning golf courses.

I’ve stayed in Albufeira before during a large family holiday when I was a child, but from memory I can only recall our time spent in the pool at the villa, our trips to the beach – and a day out at Zoomarine.

Now, like most people, I love a beach holiday. My last couple, in

fact, have been all-inclusive deals consisting of nothing but swimming in the sea, sunbathing and reading.

But if you’re in the Algarve and looking to get away from the beach for a couple of days, you’ll discover there’s a whole different side to the region.

After 17 years, I returned to get a flavour of the traditional Algarve.

We landed as the sun was setting in Faro after a three-hour flight from Luton Airport. A 50-minute transfer later, and we arrived at the Pestana Alvor Praia in Portimao – a traditional sleepy Portuguese village.

The hotel is located on the top of a cliff, boasting stunning views of the Atlantic which I was lucky enough to see from my bedroom balcony.

After a quick freshen up, it was down for dinner on the Sea Deck on the adjacent South Beach where we wined and dined on traditional Cataplana – a seafood stew – and fresh prawns.

On a table across the room from us, was a group on a golfing holiday, cheering intermittently after hearing the latest football scores.

Back at the hotel, breakfast was incredibly varied, with a great selection of cold and hot food including meats, cheeses, breads and pastries.

IT’S NOT hard to find great, traditional food in the Algarve, but that didn’t stop us finding a Nando’s – no, not that one, but the restaurant where the first piri piri chicken was served. Lunch at The Ramires restaurant in Guia was a little taste of home, at its actual home – and my word was it tasty! But just as you can’t escape the beach, you similarly can’t escape fish. Restaurants in the Algarve serve up the freshest and tastiest fish you could find. My favourite meal was the sea bass, pictured, I ate on my last