The Algarve region of Southern Portugal is home to some of Portugal's best festivals and events. Book your flights to Faro in particular, and catch the mesmerizing celebration of Faros' favourite Saint at the annual Feira de Santa Iria this October.

Feira Santa Iria is not just another religious weekend festival. The event lasts for a week and there is something for every age group. As well as a modern day 'fun fair', there are live concerts from local bands and groups most evenings; the atmosphere is unbeatable and each island puts on various differing activities. So if you fancy popping over to Lagos or Tomar for a slightly different version, then hop on a boat and explore!

The old part of the town is particularly attractive. Surrounded by Roman walls which date back to the 9th century, you really feel like you have stepped back in time. Inside a spacious open square that was once the site of the Roman Forum is a 13th Century Cathedral that faces the 18th Century Episcopal palace. An interesting building is the neighbouring 16th Century Convent that is now turned into the home of the city's archaeological museum which has many interesting Roman artefacts on display.

For those who like their excursions a bit more grizzly, try the 'golden' church of Nossa Senhora do Carmo, claimed to be the best example of gold-leaf woodwork in southern Portugal. It also contains the macabre spectacle of a chapel lined with the bones from over 1,200 monks! Next to the small boat basin bordering the Praca de Dom Francisco Gomes is a small Naval Museum composed of scale model boats and galleons showing the maritime history of the coast. There is also the Faro Jewish Heritage Centre which consists of a cemetery and a small museum.

Faro is also the home of the Ria Formosa lagoon, a nature reserve of over 17,000 hectares and a stopping place for hundreds of different birds during the spring and autumn migratory periods. If you fancy taking a stroll around the lagoon, the breeze and shade from the trees is a welcome respite from the hot sun. Sit back and soak up the scenery while watching startlingly beautiful sunsets.