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Bestseller
Bestseller
Holidays

Family Adventures in the Algarve

Portugal
17 reviews
Available Departures: Apr, May, Jul, Aug, Oct, Nov

8 days from

US$1,710

Adult

US$1,560

Child
without flights
Multi Activity
Family
LEISURELY LEISURELY

Sunshine and multi-active family adventure holiday in Southern Portugal

Trip Code: FPA
Minimum child age: 8
Child discount up to and including age: 12
Holiday Grades
          

Our Holiday Grades Explained

To show the relative difficulty of our holidays, each trip is graded on a scale of 1 to 12, with 12 being the most challenging. Although we have tried to make our grading system as clear as possible, it cannot take into account your personal interests, abilities or experience. If you have any questions about the nature of a particular trip or its suitability for you, please read the 'Is this holiday for you?' section or contact us.

 1 - 3 LEISURELY
1 - 3 LEISURELY

Suitable for most people in good health, holidays at this grade include only limited amounts of activity.

View leisurely holidays
4 - 6 MODERATE
4 - 6 MODERATE

Suitable for reasonably fit individuals, such as weekend walkers and cyclists. There can be the occasional more difficult day.

View moderate holidays
7 - 9 CHALLENGING
7 - 9 CHALLENGING

Physically challenging holidays, where you need to be prepared before you go.

View challenging holidays
10 - 12 TOUGH
10 - 12 TOUGH

Our toughest holidays, involving many long days, often in isolated areas. A high level of fitness and previous wilderness and mountain experience is essential.

View Tough holidays

Family Adventures in the Algarve

8+

Age

Kayaking

Family Bike Rides

Boat Ride

Swimming

Surfing

Highlights
  • As recommended by the Telegraph and The Times
  • Centre-based at a charming farmhouse in a remote and unknown corner of Portugal
  • Kayak along the river and swim in the fresh water lake at the accommodation
  • Surf lesson, rock climbing, beach time, t-shirt painting, boat trips and much more!
  • Enjoy delicious home-cooked food and local wine

At a Glance
  • Group Size 4 to 14
  • 6 days multi-activity
  • Centre-based
  • SWIMMING: Every day
  • Join In Faro

Accommodation & Meals
  • 7 Breakfasts
  • 6 Lunches
  • 6 Dinners
  • 7 nights Converted Farmhouse
Overview

If you are looking to get away from the busy bustle of everyday life and be enchanted by remote, wild and quiet Portugal whilst enjoying fun activities with your family and others then this is the holiday for you. We are centre-based in a charming villa in the countryside just 10km from the most southwestern tip of Portugal. The area is also part of the South West Alentejo and Vicentine coast Natural Park, which is said to be some of the finest preserved stretches of European coastline.

Our hosts take us on a selection of activities over our time here. At the start of the week we kayak down the river to the sea, have a morning rock climbing, spend time on the beach and go for a bike ride. There is plenty to do in the large grounds of the accommodation with archery, table tennis, a zip line, kayaks on the lake (water-level dependent), the vegetable farm and hammocks in the shade – perfect for relaxing with a good book and perhaps a little tipple!


We finish the week with an optional boat ride along the rugged peninsula to Cabo de San Vincente where we might see dolphins, and experience one of the best sunsets, and then a day surfing with full instruction.  In the evenings we eat delicious home-cooked meals using many ingredients grown in the garden, or we sit around the fire pit under the stars telling stories and chatting with a glass of wine. The exact order of play during the week is dependent on the weather and the group. Sunshine and adventure are the key words for this family holiday. A stress-free family friendly atmosphere surrounds the whole week and we will be well taken care of, fed and wined whilst relaxing and getting some exercise and fresh air. It’s a winning formula.

Is this holiday for you?

Suitable for children from 8yrs old

This family adventure in Portugal is centre-based at a family run villa surrounded by cork forests. It is located around 5km from the beach on extensive grounds which include a fresh water lake. The order of activities during the week is influenced by the weather and to what suits the group the best. The group may include both En …

Suitable for children from 8yrs old

This family adventure in Portugal is centre-based at a family run villa surrounded by cork forests. It is located around 5km from the beach on extensive grounds which include a fresh water lake. The order of activities during the week is influenced by the weather and to what suits the group the best. The group may include both English and French families, the tour is conducted in English. To enjoy the water based activities all participants have to be able to swim unaided for a minimum of 25m. No experience is required. The length of the bike ride will depend on the ages of the group. For all activities full safety equipment (buoyancy aids, helmets etc) will be provided as well as instruction by a fully qualified leader(s).

Why KE?

This holiday is a complete digital detox for all of the family. You'll stay in a charming villa which is completely off-grid, with electricity and hot water exclusively from solar power. Your fun hosts Jon and Violeta, will take care of you from start to finish. All your activities are included and you'll eat delicious home-cooked meals every evening using many ingredients grown in the garden.

 

Ben Westwood, journalist for the Telegraph joined us on this holiday and told us he loves this remote corner of Portugal - peace, adventure, sunshine and good food. Take a look at his article. 

 

This holiday is also voted number 7 in The Times "20 dream family holidays in 2017".

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Itinerary

Meet at the accommodation near Sagres, a single transfer is provided from Faro Airport. Once at the villa, we are shown around the grounds, and there is an introductory meeting from our hosts for the week, before some time to unpack and unwind before dinner. Please note that the order of activities during the week will change depending on the weather conditions and the group.

Accommodation

Converted Farmhouse

Meals

L D

Our first day in this little corner of paradise we head out on a walk down to the beach. This nearby beach is perfect for some swimming, body boarding and beach games, and the parasols come in handy for those less inclined for adrenalin-fuelled fun, too. We return to the villa in the minibus for some downtime and perhaps some drinks on the deck, and the kids will have the chance to run around the ample grounds that surround our picture perfect villa. A perfect start to our week in the sunny Algarve.

Accommodation

Converted Farmhouse

Meals

B L D

Ascent

50 M

Descent

100 M

Distance

6 KM

This morning we try our hand at some rock climbing. After a tasty home cooked breakfast, we take our transfer to a nearby bolted crag (20 minutes). We are supplied with harnesses and helmets and our leader will give us instructions and perform the belaying duties. There is a short walk to reach the crag, and we have to do a bit of scrambling to get down to the face. There are several routes on the crag from easy to moderate difficulty. Usually groups thoroughly delight in this morning and find much satisfaction from achieving the top of the crag. On the way back we visit THE BEST ice cream shop in the whole of Portugal! After lunch we head down to another local beach with opportunities for swimming, body boarding, and snorkelling. We return to our accommodation and enjoy another fabulous home cooked dinner and some wine on the deck, before gathering around the campfire to toast some marshmallows before bed.

Accommodation

Converted Farmhouse

Meals

B L D

Today we enjoy an outing on the bikes. Depending on the level of the group and the weather we have a few choices of routes. The simplest option is to follow the pretty river down to the coast. The route is picturesque and we can relax and take our time. A full day out involves a lovely 25km to the Point and then in the town of Sagres. The vast sea here is a stunning aquamarine colour with an immense horizon. The beaches are clean and sandy and there is always plenty of opportunity for swimming. We return to our accommodation. In the warmth of the evening we might sit around the African inspired fire pit and maybe enjoy a seafood barbecue or traditional Paella under the enormous sky of stars.

Accommodation

Converted Farmhouse

Meals

B D

For kids and adults alike it's always fun to make your own t-shirt. There are plenty of different design and pattern ideas, and we can be creative around the big table in the cool of the veranda this morning. Our hosts have lots of experience with T-shirt painting and will be on hand to give helpful tips. We have the afternoon free. There is an option to take a boat trip from Sagres along the coast. We will stop for a swim for stronger sea swimmers, and if we are lucky we might even see dolphins playing in the surf. Alternatively we can hang out at the villa, get stuck into a good book, or perhaps strike up a ping-pong tournament with our fellow holidaymakers. This evening we have an evening meal out at a beautiful traditional restaurant in the nearby village of Pedralva, with a varied menu of local Portuguese dishes, and plenty of kid friendly choices too.

Accommodation

Converted Farmhouse

Meals

B L

Today our time is spent learning how to surf. We have a full day with the surfboards and instructor. Our lesson starts on the beach as we learn the techniques of jumping up on the board in preparation for the waves. After we have got the hang of it we are try it on the water. The chosen beach for our surfing should have waves for a beginner/improvers level and it is likely that by the end of our session we should all be able to stand up on the boards! We have our picnic lunch on the beach before an afternoon session in the waves. Learning to surf is great fun and a thoroughly good work out too. In the evening, should the weather be favourable, we may go to see the sunset at Cabo de San Vicente, Europe's most Southwestern point. This is a spectacular spot, a barren headland, with steep cliffs and a small red lighthouse. In the warmth of the evening we can gather around the South African inspired 'boma' fire pit and maybe enjoy a seafood barbecue or traditional Paella under the enormous sky of stars.

Accommodation

Converted Farmhouse

Meals

B L D

Our last day in this little corner of paradise we travel up the west coast (approx. 45 minutes) and take to the water for a paddle in our two man sea kayaks along the river estuary. It is a leisurely paddle of just 3km. On arrival at the sea we have our picnic lunch on the beach and have some time here for splashing and resting before paddling back upstream. On our way back to base we will make some time for a cake or ice cream stop, a fitting sweet treat to replenish our energy stores after our day on the kayaks. We return to the villa with some time to relax before dinner. Tonight, on our final night here in Portugal, is pizza night, and we get to taste the heavenly organic pizzas made in the wood-fired hand built oven.

Accommodation

Converted Farmhouse

Meals

B L D

Our holiday ends after breakfast. A single transfer to Faro Airport is provided.

Meals

B
Download Trip Notes
The Route
Airport Airport
Point Point
Transfer

Essential Information

We've compiled some of our Frequently Asked Questions to help you learn more about this amazing trip.

  • Family friendly hosts
  • Single timed group transfers from Faro Airport on Day 1 & Day 8
  • Accommodation as described
  • All activities including qualified instruction and equipment as described
  • Meals as per the Meal Plan

  • Travel insurance
  • Airport transfers (other than the single group transfer in each direction)
  • Any meals as per the Meal Plan
  • Any additional/optional activities or excursions
  • Miscellaneous expenses - drinks and souvenir's etc


TRAVEL TO YOUR DESTINATION

In some cases you may choose to take a ferry and/or train to your holiday start and end destination. Please see further information on Travelling by Train.

If flying from the UK there are low cost airlines available to the start and from the end of your holiday.

To benefit from full financial protection, ease your holiday planning, and avoid dealing with airlines, we can book scheduled flights from the UK as part of a flight inclusive package. Scheduled flights are usually more expensive than low cost alternatives, however potentially less stressful if your flight is cancelled or delayed. If you book flights through KE Adventure Travel we will offset the carbon of your flight.

The group will meet at the accommodation near Sagres, Algarve.

A single transfer (1hr 30mins) is provided from Faro Airport to the accommodation at 12 midday of Day 1 the Land Only itinerary.

A money-saving tip is to fly on Friday and overnight in Faro, returning to the airport on Saturday for the transfer.

On the last day of the Land Only itinerary, there will be a single transfer to Faro Airport for flights departing at the earliest at approximately 1100.

There is a certain degree of flexibility with the transfer time depending on the best time for the flights of the group members, however everyone needs to leave the property by 1100.

Those with later departures can take this transfer and have lunch in Faro (5mins in a taxi), or take a trip to one of the islands. There is baggage storage at the airport.

Anyone may join the group transfers by prior arrangement. Travelling as a group or on public transport saves energy. If this is not practical, or you have an earlier flight, we can provide private transfers at an additional cost.


Hotel contact details and an emergency number will be provided with your booking confirmation.

All meals are included except for 1 lunch and 1 evening meal. This allows you to experience one of the local restaurants.

Water from the taps is perfectly drinkable on this holiday - please use this to fill your personal bottles for your daily activities. We do not encourage the purchase of single use plastic bottles.

The food on this holiday which comes out of the kitchen of the accommodation is excellent. It is traditional, modern, tasty, homecooked and fabulous. Various plates and bowls of different foods are laid out and we help ourselves buffet style – which is always a hit for children.

Breakfast is always good with lots of options of bread, porridge, eggs, bacon and croissants. Lunch we take with us in picnic form and eat between activities. Dinner is a big affair and is always a highlight and is eaten on the big table on the breezy veranda. Dishes vary from chicken, curry, burgers, spag bol, tuna, sweetcorn, salads, On warm summer evenings we can sit around the African inspired fire pit, enjoying a seafood barbecue or a traditional Paella underneath the fabulous starlit sky. Another night we have pizzas made in the wood fired, hand built oven.

A note from your hosts: We love food; good food is one of our greatest pleasures in life. We believe that the better, the fresher, the more naturally produced the original products are, the higher the quality of the meals we serve. We strive to produce foods here on the farm that are in harmony with the environment; no pesticides or un-organic fertilisers. Planting our veggie garden is a labour of love, and the crunchy salad straight from the garden is credit to this. We believe local is great and it's this greatness we search for when we visit shops and markets and our own pantry to produce meals for our guests. Herbs, spices, fresh food and an inspiration to cook means that the food always goes down a hit. We cook delicately spiced meat dishes, exotic vegetarian meals, tasty vegan and gluten-free feasts - Violeta can make you something special, whatever your needs and desires. A tasty surprise for us this winter was the discovery that our farm produces an array of the most incredible edible mushrooms. Please inform us of any dietary requirements on booking.

Our private accommodation is run by family friendly hosts, who also have children of their own who participate in some of the activities. It is a sustainable farm of around 46 hectares, hidden away from the main stream and located close to the most south western point of Portugal (Cabo de San Vincente) in the Algarve. It is surrounded by rivers, dams, indigenous cork forest and mountains, and 5km from the beach. There is a large fresh water lake for swimming in. The levels in the lake will depend on rainfall, so it can sometimes be too low for swimming. The accommodation is off grid and is all electricity comes from solar power. The rooms only have 12V, enough for the lights. The main room has 220V for charging equipment.

In the main building there are a number of areas for relaxing in including the lounge with fireplace and cosy seating. Meals are taken in the dining area which has a large covered deck/veranda, getting the morning sun and is candle lit at night.

In addition to the main building, there are several individual buildings for accommodation, all set amongst the cork forest with hammocks slung between the trees and a variety of fruit trees and vines. There are 5-6 twin/double/triple and family en suite bedrooms. Please contact the KE office if you have specific rooming requirements. We try to ensure that everyone is happy with the rooming and will do our best to arrange this.

Your hosts at the accommodation will lead you on the majority of the activities. They are fully qualified leaders/instructors. Where necessary for certain activities you will have additional specialised instructors.

Approximately €250 per family (2 adults and 2 children) will be plenty for the non-included meals, miscellaneous expenses, tips, drinks, snacks, souvenirs etc. This figure does also not take into account optional activities or alcoholic beverages. Some wine is included with dinners and other drinks can be paid for directly at the end of the week. Cash can be withdrawn from ATMs at Faro Airport and locally. If you are intending to buy expensive souvenirs, you should budget accordingly (credit cards can be useful in this respect).

Optional Activities:

Please note that these prices are correct at time of writing, but are subject to change without warning. All prices are in Euro's. Optional activities taken outside the KE holiday are at your own risk.

Boat trip 1hr 30mins: €25 per adult, €20 per child 

 

Tipping is the accepted way of saying ‘thank you’ for good service. It is important to remember that tipping is voluntary and should be dependent on good service. We estimate around £10 per family member.

For this holiday you should take one piece of luggage and a daypack. Luggage with wheels is useful for this holiday. For international flights please check your baggage allowance with your airline.

For each holiday there is a minimum number of participants required to enable it to go ahead. Once the minimum number is reached, the trip status will change from 'Available' to 'Guaranteed to run'. You can check the trip status for each departure in ‘Dates and Prices’ table. Other than in exceptional circumstances, we will not cancel a trip once it has achieved this guaranteed to run status and so you are free to proceed with your international flight booking and other travel arrangements.

Europe

Your passport must meet 2 requirements. It must be:

  • less than 10 years old on the day you enter (check the ‘date of issue’)

  • valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave (check the ‘expiry date’)

For the latest details on visiting countries within the EU or the European Economic Area (EEA), please check the UK Government website

The information that we provide is for UK passport holders. A passport with 6 months remaining validity at the end of your stay is generally required, and you should have at least 2 blank pages for each country that you visit.

It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct travel documents and visas for your holiday. Please ensure that you check for the latest advice before travel. For the most up to date information on entry requirements, please visit the UK Government website.

Travelling with children aged 17yrs and under, who are not with their parent or legal guardian - Portugal

Children aged 17 and under travelling to Portugal alone or in the company of a person who is not their parent or legal guardian, must either:

  • be met at the airport or point of entry by their parent or guardian, or
  • carry a letter of authorisation to travel from their parent or guardian. The letter should name the adult in Portugal who will be responsible for them during their stay and the identification and contacts details of the parent or guardian.

If you have a severe allergy please inform the KE office before you travel. We will do all we can to help, but we cannot guarantee an allergy free environment on KE trips. You will need to carry your own treatment for the allergy with you, as 'adrenaline auto-injectors' are not carried as standard by KE leaders and staff. You should inform your leader on arrival of your allergy, and let them know where you keep your adrenaline pen.

Vaccinations

You should contact your doctor or travel clinic to check whether you require any specific vaccinations.

GHIC / Medical cover

UK residents should carry a free Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). This entitles you to state provided medical treatment when you're visiting an EU country or Switzerland. This is not a substitute for medical travel insurance which is vital when travelling overseas.

The currency for part or all of this holiday is the Euro.

In the summer months the climate in this part of Portugal are reasonably stable. We can expect temperatures between 16-35 degree Celsius. In many of the summer months there is a wind which brings the temperature down a lot. As a general rule there is little rainfall in the summer months (1 or 2 days per month).  We should look forward to long days of sun and warm evenings. The accommodation is situated in a little valley and has it's own micro climate, which cools down at night to a prefect sleeping temperature in the summer holiday months.

As a reputable tour operator, KE supports the British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's ‘Travel Aware campaign to enable British citizens to prepare for their journeys overseas. The 'Travel Aware' website provides a single, authoritative source of advice for all kinds of travellers and we recommend that prior to travel, all KE clients visit the official UK Government website at travelaware.campaign.gov.uk and read the FCDO Travel Advice for their chosen destination. North Americans can also check out the U.S. Department of State website: www.travel.state.gov for essential travel advice and tips.

KE treat the safety and security of all clients as the most important aspect of any trip we organise. We would not run any trip that we did not consider reasonably safe.  Should the FCDO advise against travel for any reason, we will contact everyone booked to travel to discuss the situation.  We receive regular updates direct from the FCDO and are in constant touch with our contacts on the ground.  If you have any questions about government travel advice, please call our office.

KE do not encourage the use of single use plastic items. We are ensuring that our agents all over the world are working together to reduce the problem and educate those around them. We are leading by example in our KE office by reducing our plastic use.

We welcome all family dynamics and we will try to accommodate you in the roomings of your choice. The only stipulation for joining a family group holiday is that 1 party member is 17yrs or under, and they are accompanied by an adult. An average group size is around 10 members in total. Further general information and FAQ's are available here: KE Family Adventure Holidays general information.

It is an essential condition of joining a holiday with KE Adventure Travel that you have a valid travel insurance policy to cover the cost of medical treatment and to protect the value of your holiday in the event of cancellation.  When taking out insurance please ensure the policy you choose covers you for the activities and altitude included in your itinerary.

For appropriate insurance cover we recommend Campbell Irvine Direct.  Please go to our Travel Insurance page for further information and to get a quote.

This holiday is part of our Explore International range. Participants on these trips can book through KE or through one of our international partners. This helps us to gather together sufficient numbers of like-minded adventurers to get your holiday up and running quickly. Led by an English-speaking guide, the cosmopolitan nature of these groups can be an important part of the experience!

Please try to keep the weight of your baggage to a minimum. See the ‘baggage allowance’ section for further details.

YOU SHOULD BRING THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:

  • Walking shoes or trainers
  • Sandals teva or shoes that are comfortable when wet for kayaking
  • Lightweight walking trousers / shorts / skirt
  • T-shirts and/or casual shirts
  • Loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirt with collar (for sun protection)
  • Socks & Underwear
  • Lightweight waterproof jacket & overtrousers
  • Fleece jacket or warm jumper
  • Sunhat
  • Warm hat
  • Sunglasses
  • Daypack 25-30 litres (depending on how much of the kids' stuff you want to carry)
  • Sun protection (including total bloc for lips, nose etc.)
  • Insect repellent
  • Water bottles (approx 2 litre per person) (we encourage re-filling water bottles rather than single use plastic)
  • Washbag and toiletries. 
  • Antibacterial handwash
  • Swimwear
  • Swim towels (poncho-style for changing on the beach are useful)
  • Torch and batteries
  • Basic First Aid Kit. Including: antiseptic cream, throat lozenges, diarrhoea treatment (Imodium), painkillers, plasters and blister treatment, and re-hydration salts (Dioralite).

THE FOLLOWING ITEMS ARE OPTIONAL:

  • Pen-knife (note: always pack sharp objects in hold baggage)
  • Camera
  • Rash vest
  • Goggles for the kids
  • Flip-flops
  • Reusable cloth bag for shopping (to avoid plastic bags)

NOTE:

All specialist equipment required for the activities on this holiday are provided.

Snorkels & masks are available to borrow at the accommodation

If possible please bring biodegradable soap and shampoo as the shower water run off goes into a natural area

Cotswold Outdoor Red PantonMany of the Equipment items listed above are available from Cotswold Outdoor - our 'Official Recommended Outdoor Retailer'. When you book a holiday with KE you will receive 12.5% discount voucher from Cotswold Outdoor and other retailers.
>> Find out more

Reviews

5 out of 5 from 17 reviews

Total Bliss!!

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View all (12)
By Tracy from Kilmarnock | 26 July 2023

Great ★★★★★

The trip was great. We felt more like we were staying with friends than in a vacation home. Everything was fantastic. Jonathan and Violetta are very kind people. The activities were tailored to our needs and varied. Violetta is a great cook. It was exceptionally beautiful, thank you!

By Martina from Germany | 11 April 2023

Wonderful ★★★★★

We had a lovely relaxing stay at Jonathan and Violetta’s amazing eco rustic paradise. Nothing was too much trouble for the hosts; food was plentiful and excellent. All done with a smile. Activities great fun and pitched perfectly for all abilities. Extra care provided for the less able, whilst challenging for the more sporty amongst us. One of our best holidays ever!

By Rachel from Oxford | 08 August 2022

Wow, what fun, ★★★★★

We have just returned from our holiday at Aqua-Ventura that as a family we will always remember as the best and most exciting time together. Jonny and Violetta, along with their family and volunteers, are the most amazing hosts and fun people to be with. Jonny’s skill, enthusiasm and expertise ensure that whatever your ability you will get the best out of each day. We were challenged to try new activities in a safe but exciting way, building confidence as the week progressed. Violetta’s cook ing is fantastic, catering for all tastes. She certainly knows what adults and children enjoy. Not only is she a great cook, she knows how to throw a party, dance and involve everyone. This is a truly magical place for excitement and relaxation in a beautiful unspoilt part of Portugal where there are plenty of opportunities for adults and children to make new friends. Our grandchildren loved the freedom to explore the farm often accompanied by the most friendly dogs you could ever meet. It’s easy to see why people return. Sophia 11yrs - I will never forget this experience, everyone there is so lovely. Everyone should experience it at least once in their lifetime. Elizabeth 8 yrs - it was very exciting and every day was an adventure. Chocolate and Alana are such friendly dogs who I loved playing with. John and Carolyn Carpenter
By John from Ashford | 31 July 2022

Perfect family adventure holiday ★★★★★

July 2022 First trip after the Covid. Great group of random 4 single and multi parent families from Ireland, Scotland and Israel. For two of the families this was a return visit to this guest house. Wonderful hosts - Violeta and Jonathan - warm, welcome, caring, teaching. Excellent food fitting both kids and adults with plenty of local fruits and vegetables. No AC but great Atlantic breeze cools down the evenings and nights. Exciting and frequently challenging daily adventures of ocean surfing, climbing, biking, hiking, kayaking. Always super-safe, under professional patient guidance of Jonathan and his assistants who were making sure everyone feels confident and enjoys to the maximum. Relaxing evenings at the farm with great local wine and food, interesting multi National crowd: chatting, playing games, listening to music, playing ping pong, dancing. Will definitely return!
By Maria from Ramat HaSharon | 30 July 2022

Traveller Reviews
5 out of 5 from 20 reviews

Total Bliss!!

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View all (12)
By Tracy from Kilmarnock | 26 July 2023

Great
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

The trip was great. We felt more like we were staying with friends than in a vacation home. Everything was fantastic. Jonathan and Violetta are very kind people. The activities were tailored to our needs and varied. Violetta is a great cook. It was exceptionally beautiful, thank you!

By Martina from Germany | 11 April 2023

Wonderful
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

We had a lovely relaxing stay at Jonathan and Violetta’s amazing eco rustic paradise. Nothing was too much trouble for the hosts; food was plentiful and excellent. All done with a smile. Activities great fun and pitched perfectly for all abilities. Extra care provided for the less able, whilst challenging for the more sporty amongst us. One of our best holidays ever!

By Rachel from Oxford | 08 August 2022

Wow, what fun,
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
We have just returned from our holiday at Aqua-Ventura that as a family we will always remember as the best and most exciting time together. Jonny and Violetta, along with their family and volunteers, are the most amazing hosts and fun people to be with. Jonny’s skill, enthusiasm and expertise ensure that whatever your ability you will get the best out of each day. We were challenged to try new activities in a safe but exciting way, building confidence as the week progressed. Violetta’s cook ing is fantastic, catering for all tastes. She certainly knows what adults and children enjoy. Not only is she a great cook, she knows how to throw a party, dance and involve everyone. This is a truly magical place for excitement and relaxation in a beautiful unspoilt part of Portugal where there are plenty of opportunities for adults and children to make new friends. Our grandchildren loved the freedom to explore the farm often accompanied by the most friendly dogs you could ever meet. It’s easy to see why people return. Sophia 11yrs - I will never forget this experience, everyone there is so lovely. Everyone should experience it at least once in their lifetime. Elizabeth 8 yrs - it was very exciting and every day was an adventure. Chocolate and Alana are such friendly dogs who I loved playing with. John and Carolyn Carpenter
By John from Ashford | 31 July 2022

Perfect family adventure holiday
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 2022 First trip after the Covid. Great group of random 4 single and multi parent families from Ireland, Scotland and Israel. For two of the families this was a return visit to this guest house. Wonderful hosts - Violeta and Jonathan - warm, welcome, caring, teaching. Excellent food fitting both kids and adults with plenty of local fruits and vegetables. No AC but great Atlantic breeze cools down the evenings and nights. Exciting and frequently challenging daily adventures of ocean surfing, climbing, biking, hiking, kayaking. Always super-safe, under professional patient guidance of Jonathan and his assistants who were making sure everyone feels confident and enjoys to the maximum. Relaxing evenings at the farm with great local wine and food, interesting multi National crowd: chatting, playing games, listening to music, playing ping pong, dancing. Will definitely return!
By Maria from Ramat HaSharon | 30 July 2022

Family adventure
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Our family visited Jonny and Violetta’s farmhouse in July this year for a “Family Adventure” week. First things first. This is an amazing family holiday. Ten out of ten. We have travelled far and wide with our 2 children (aged 10 and 13) and have experienced many types of holidays but we all wholeheartedly agreed that our week in the Western Algarve with was one of the best, if not the best of them all. It really deserves every possible accolade for providing an action packed week, with Jo nny and his son Dylan and nephew Pau, constructively challenging the children (and adults!) to a wide variety of daily activities followed by an evening of wonderful food and hospitality served up by Violeta and her mother. This is a family run affair, which makes the holiday all the more special as you really feel you are welcomed into their home as opposed to some random holiday accommodation. If Jonny and Violeta could bottle the secret sauce in arranging this type of holiday and replicate it throughout Europe, I’m sure they’d be very wealthy people. But this is not the essence of what they are about. They are caring family-minded people, who are very tuned into their mental well-being, their environmental impact and really understand the finer details which make a family holiday really special. Indeed, I believe the family adventure week is currently something which they only offer for a small number of weeks of the year so by the end of our week we really felt one of the lucky ones who were fortunate enough to experience a type of holiday which they strongly advocate (without pushing it down your throat). This was our first time and we really didn’t know what to expect but we’ll be definitely back for another week. Indeed, it is very apparent from some of the other guests who we met that most of their clientele are repeat guests who have attended on multiple occasions. Our experience was also definitely made all the better by enjoying the company of like-minded guests who were happy to have a couple of beers or enjoy a glass of wine after a hard day surfing or rock-climbing or kayaking. A few things to keep in mind before choosing this holiday - if the items below are critical to your holiday enjoyment, this is not the holiday for you: Lounging by the pool: Whereas there was always a couple of hours each day of relaxation (typically at a beautiful beach), you are pretty much on the go from 10am to 5pm each day. Hotel luxuries: the accommodation has all you need but at the same time would not be luxurious. You just need to approach it with a positive mindset and recognise that you’re staying in a remote farmhouse which has very strong eco-credentials. Digital access: for us, the limited connectivity was a real bonus as opposed to being an issue. The week was a real digital detox for the children and whereas they could get WiFi access in the lounge room, there was so much going on that they hardly missed their phones or consoles. Remote location: the farmhouse is quite remote so walking to the nearest village for a change of scenery is not really an option. Again, we didn’t find this an issue as the scenery at the farmhouse is stunning and we were only more than happy to wind down on the veranda with the other guests after a nice shower and freshen-up. All-in-all, this is a really special holiday and we felt a little melancholic leaving the farmhouse, even though we were heading on to the Eastern Algarve for the second week of our holiday. Our 2 boys were particularly sad to be leaving Dylan and Pau who provided hours of entertainment to the children (from swimming in the pool, to card games to treasure hunts to ping-pong to disco dancing to treasure hunts….). Hats off to Jonny, Violeta and the family, they have really nailed this type of holiday. It’s just a shame it’s not available in other parts of the Mediterranean. Just means we’ll have to go back for more!
By Mark from Dublin 7 | 27 July 2022

Really fun family week
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

As a single parent, I was nervous about going on this trip but needn't have worried: I wasn't the only single parent and the hosts are so welcoming, warm and inclusive. The kids formed a tribe with the others as soon as we arrived, so their entertainment was pretty much taken out of my hands. We had a relaxing week, tried some activities we wouldn't have otherwise and were really well looked after. Tip: take a hoodie! we went in late July and the weather was cool and breezy.

By Emma from London | 16 August 2019

Fantastic
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

We spent a week here in July/August 2019 with our children aged 9 and 11, and it was one of the best holidays we have ever had. The activities were great, the food was outstanding but the real key was the passion and enthusiasm of the hosts, and the positive energy that ran through the whole week. There was always somebody happy to talk to/play with the kids so the adults could totally relax (or could play too!). We have returned home refreshed, inspired and hoping for another trip next year!

By Charles from 8810 Horgen | 16 August 2019

A unique experience and such great fun
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
We really had no idea what we were getting ourselves into, but this was one of the best holidays ever - totally not a chilled, relaxing holiday but so much fun! Violeta and Jonathon make an awesome team along with their enthusiastic, helpful and tolerant volunteers. Our accommodation was perfect; quirky with everything we needed. The food was sensational (best food ever on a holiday) using lots of homegrown, seasonal produce. As a vegan family we didn’t quite know what to expect but Violeta ca ters for everyone – she is amazing #veganheaven #vegetarianheaven #fishloverheaven #meatloverheaven – everyone loved the food. And after a day of adventure it was delightful to sit and read on the veranda listening to Violeta and her helpers in the kitchen working away to their eclectic and perfect music choices. The activities were brilliant, and our favourites were cycling, kayaking, bodyboarding and hiking as well as chilling on the beach, eating ice-cream and the speedboat trip. The beauty of this holiday was the opportunity to be active and try new activities but with everything organised to perfection. Jonathon was amazing, knowledgeable, experienced and encouraging – everything was sorted for you timings, transport, equipment, lessons, lunch. Jonathon had everything arranged spot on each day and gave. This holiday was a unique experience and such great fun….but it was only after the holiday ended that we realised how fantastic and unforgettable it really was.
By Fiona from Biggar | 03 August 2019

Best holiday experience ever
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
When my mum told me that we were going on holiday I didn't know what to expect. I actually was quite disappointed that I would be missing meet ups with friends right after school ended. Then we got there and I found the giant swing and lake. I realised the atmosphere was far more relaxed than I had initially anticipated and I met all of the other kids there. Everyone was really friendly and the food was great. On the first day we went surfing. I had tried it previously and not enjoyed it ve ry much however this time, it was amazing. I was able to stand up and really felt like I could've done it all day. The next day was climbing and I did far better than ji had expected. (I'll still need to practice though, didn't get right to the top). The food was delicious and we were able to taste the amazing fruits and veg from the farm. We also were able to try loads of activities all while becoming more familiar with the sea. I even made a flute on Wednesday and was able to try and play it.. will definitely need some improvement though. Overall it was the most enjoyable experience I've had and I will certainly want to return in the future, perhaps on holiday or as a volunteer. They were amazing and we were able to get a great bank of photos thanks to Alex. Deserves 6/5 stars. Tom Cox, 15.
By Jennifer from Oxford | 28 July 2019

A truly special holiday made by special people
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Lots of wonderful activities, super food and a beautiful setting. Our children were always engaged, active and challenged by new things and made lots of friends. The adults had as much fun as the kids. John, Violet and the whole team involved made super hosts - a real sense of energy, warmth and passion for what they do. An awesome week away.

By James from London | 27 July 2019

Amazing family holiday
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

We have just got back from a week in Portugal, staying with Jonathan and Violeta at their amazing home. We were made to feel part of the family. The accommodation was lovely, the food out of this world and the activities great fun. The kids (and adults alike) had an absolute ball! I would definitely recommend this holiday. Thank you.

By Michael from Oakham | 17 July 2019

Brilliant - especially for late teens/young adults in family
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
On behalf of my family I'd like to say just how wonderful our time here was. We all loved every minute of it and we couldn't have ever designed a more perfect break for us. I wasn’t sure quite what to expect when I agreed to go on holiday with my family (including 3 younger brothers) at nearly 21 years old but I can 100% say that it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I know that very few 17/18+ year olds would ever consider a holiday with their parents (I was definitely in the same boat for a few years) but this place is something else entirely. For the first time in years I was able to entirely forget about exams/university and just relax. The activities, the food, the location… Everything was amazing and the chilled atmosphere allowed me to be a part of both the ‘adult group’ and also to just be a kid again. Jonny, Vio and their team were amazing and I cannot thank them enough for an absolutely fantastic week!
By Kirsten from Loughborough | 29 August 2017

Amazing, active and relaxing family holiday with teenagers! Food and hosts fab !
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Just back from our perfect family holiday in Portugal - genuinely the best we've ever had! With one 12 year old and one 16. 2 other families, who we didn't know but all got on great, a real communal and happy atmosphere. Hosts were so welcoming, with amazing and plentiful food from local chef. Activities were perfect, well pitched, with help from young volunteers - local walk, beach fun, rock climbing, surf lesson, cycling, power boat trip, canoeing down river. But, it was so much more than an activity holiday - if you want to forget any debates about what to do and who's cooking and trying to keep everyone happy and entertained whilst finding time to 'relax' then this is your dream holiday! Time for mums to share an evening glass of wine on the veranda in a cool breeze, hot outside showers powered by solar panels, idyllic setting on organic farm with great sunset views, hammocks abound to read in, fresh water lake on site with zip wire, table tennis, comfortable accommodation - family cottages. Fun party and pizza night! It was so special, bonding and we will always remember it! Thank you to Portual hosts and to KE.
By Melanie from Stroud | 16 August 2017

Amazing family adventure with an amazing group in a prefect location
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
This holiday was amazing, totally surpassing expectation. This was the first adventure holiday as a family but it did not disappoint. KE were great all during the planning and organising, information and booking details all great and nothing left to chance, always available when we needed to know anything. On arrival as planned we were met at the airport by the guys organising and we met some of the other people staying with us, all good and ready to go. The guys who run the accommodation and th e events were amazing! Jon and Violetta very quickly introduced us to the other people, showed us our accommodation and made us feel immediately like we were at home, in fact home is exactly how it felt and we felt like an extended part of their family. The other guys in the group felt the same and this was the case throughout the holiday as the week went on we got to know each other better and better. The accommodation was great, very clean and everything you needed for this type of holiday - including no phone signal...which in our opinion helped everyone stop looking at screens and talk..brilliant! there was wifi, but even the kids in the group realised there is more to life :) The adventures were brilliant, so well organised and done so with fun and safety as a priority. You felt at all times that you could conquer any fears you had and Jon and Max gave you the right amount of encouragement to push you over the line should you have any doubts! Every day was arranged with so much efficiency but with the feeling that you were very much on holiday and there to relax as much as you could, each journey back home was done via an ice cream or cake shop - perfect! Then there was the food.....WOW, each and every day was a culinary delight, Violleta and Katherine each day served up a delicious array of food that left everyone going back for seconds, using all the fresh ingredients from their own land. The only disappointment was when you knew that one night you went out to a local restaurant, not because the restaurant food wasn't great (it was by the way & again organised for you :)) but because you may be missing out....the final night Pizza party was great fun, and a wood fired Pizza oven is something to behold! In summary, this was a brilliant holiday organised at a perfect location by great people who want to make your holiday very special and make all the extra efforts for you and your family to make the very most of the time together. Brilliant!
By Julian from Wilmslow | 07 August 2017

You will not want to leave!
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
My thoughts are followed by my Daughter's: I am sure that you will not have a better family holiday anywhere else. There will be holidays with different activities. Perhaps there will be holidays with activities the equal of those we did here (though that will be hard). However I cannot imagine a holiday with a better place to stay. A farm sheltered in a beautiful valley with space for the kids to find some independence but still be safe. The micro-climate here means that the days were beau tifully warm but the nights were cool enough to sleep (and the beds extremely comfortable). Our hosts Jonathan, Violeta and their team work so hard to make things look easy. They have created a special place where everyone is made to feel welcome in lovely accommodation with fabulous meals, generally a buffet with more than enough variety for the fussiest of eaters. The atmosphere generated meant all the different families gelled so well. Activities were run superbly with every child and adult catered for and able to succeed without any sense of pressure. Bring a sense of adventure and you will be richly rewarded! My Daughter's View (aged 11): I had the best holiday here. The Family are amazingly welcoming, the food delicious and the accommodation beautiful. On-site there is a lake where you could go anytime of the day. It has a deck to jump in from, paddle boards and a zipwire into the water. Also on-site are swings that are exciting and fun, not like ones in a playground. There are hammocks everywhere to go and chill and there is an outdoor African shower which is absolutely stunning. The activities are run by Jonathan who is really helpful and fun. My favorites were rock climbing and body boarding where he helped us improve and conquer any boundaries. This is a holiday I will never forget.
By Graeme from Reading | 06 August 2017

Fun

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By Graeme from Reading | 06 August 2017

Family Adventures in Algarve

By Alison from KE Adventure Travel | 05 August 2017

An unforgettable outstanding week!
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
This holiday was truly an unforgettable week that exceeded our family’s expectations. Our hosts Jon and Violetta are incredible people who clearly love what they do and enjoy sharing it with their guests. They are a joy to be around and they made all aspects of the holiday special. They (and their team of helpers) were all so welcoming and they were really great with all the kids. The farm accommodation is set in a valley nestled among cork trees. Each cottage is lovingly decorated with their own en suite. We barely used the en suite shower because there is the most awesome outdoor African shower with a sunny nature view. The kids loved the onsite “big swing” and the lake with its zipwire. The activities were all a lot of fun and challenged everyone to exactly the right level. Nobody felt held back or pushed too far. Jon went out of his way to look after everyone. With rock climbing, if you wanted to make it to the top, that was great. If you wanted to go up just a bit, that was fine too. We surfed, body boarded, kayaked, hiked and biked all on different days and everyone really enjoyed all the activities and they were well balanced with the needs of the group. Violetta and her team in the kitchen cooked up the most delicious meals with fresh ingredients and variety and plenty of it. Every meal was superb and made with attention to care and detail. By the end of the week, it felt like saying good-bye to family and there were more than a couple wet eyes. It was a wonderful experience meeting the other families and their children. I could not recommend this holiday more highly. Hints/Tips: evenings can be cool and breezy so bring enough long sleeves which I didn't! The evening watching the sunset is colder than you'd expect and the rocks are a pain in the backside. I'd bring something soft to sit on like a beach towel next time.
By Erin from Beaconsfield | 30 July 2017

Wonderful family time
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
My family just returned from a trip we will always remember. The website made it look good, but our stay with Jon and Violeta greatly exceeded our expectations. We have two boys, ages 10 and 14. I chose the trip because one of the boys needs encouragement to participate in outdoor activities. My hope was that if he was part of a group and had structure, he would do it and enjoy it -- and that is exactly what happened. He scrambled up rocky cliffs, kayaked, surfed, rock climbed...all things he wo uld have refused to do if it was just us. Our guides were wonderful at gauging our group's abilities and giving us some challenges while also making us feel safe and cared for. Tips for the trip: Bring good walking shoes, a beach towel, athletic clothes, LOTS of sunscreen and a good attitude and enthusiasm for adventure. Tell your office you will not be in touch as there isn't time for emailing and internet is limited -- plus you will want to disconnect with work and connect with the beautiful outdoors and your charming hosts. Also, the food is healthy and delicious -- some of the best food I've ever had while travelling. Can't say enough about this fabulous experience.
By Susannah from Alexandria | 20 July 2017

DATES & PRICES

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2025

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  • Family Adventures in the Algarve
    Without Flights
  • Departure Reference: FPA /01/25/
  • This trip begins on Sat 5 Apr and ends on Sat 12 Apr
  • This departure is guaranteed. Secure your place today with a deposit of US$350
  • Download Trip Notes

More Information

  • Family Adventures in the Algarve
    Without Flights
  • Departure Reference: FPA /02/25/
  • This trip begins on Sat 24 May and ends on Sat 31 May
  • This departure is guaranteed. Secure your place today with a deposit of US$350
  • Download Trip Notes

More Information

  • Family Adventures in the Algarve
    Without Flights
  • Departure Reference: FPA /03/25/
  • This trip begins on Sat 19 Jul and ends on Sat 26 Jul
  • This departure is guaranteed. Secure your place today with a deposit of US$350
  • Download Trip Notes

More Information

  • Family Adventures in the Algarve
    Without Flights
  • Departure Reference: FPA /04/25/
  • This trip begins on Sat 26 Jul and ends on Sat 2 Aug
  • This departure is guaranteed. Secure your place today with a deposit of US$350
  • Download Trip Notes

More Information

  • Family Adventures in the Algarve
    Without Flights
  • Departure Reference: FPA /05/25/
  • This trip begins on Sat 2 Aug and ends on Sat 9 Aug
  • This departure is guaranteed. Secure your place today with a deposit of US$350
  • Download Trip Notes

More Information

  • Family Adventures in the Algarve
    Without Flights
  • Departure Reference: FPA /06/25/
  • This trip begins on Sat 9 Aug and ends on Sat 16 Aug
  • This departure is guaranteed. Secure your place today with a deposit of US$350
  • Download Trip Notes

More Information

  • Family Adventures in the Algarve
    Without Flights
  • Departure Reference: FPA /07/25/
  • This trip begins on Sat 16 Aug and ends on Sat 23 Aug
  • This departure is guaranteed. Secure your place today with a deposit of US$350
  • Download Trip Notes

More Information

  • Family Adventures in the Algarve
    Without Flights
  • Departure Reference: FPA /08/25/
  • This trip begins on Sat 25 Oct and ends on Sat 1 Nov
  • This departure is guaranteed. Secure your place today with a deposit of US$350
  • Download Trip Notes

Land Only Information

We sell this holiday on a Land Only basis allowing you the flexibility to choose the travel method which best suits you. The holiday starts at the accommodation near Sagres, Algarve. A single transfer is included from/to Faro Airport.

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Private Family Groups

If you've found the perfect adventure for your family but want to travel on dates that suit you, then please contact our friendly Family Adventure Team who will be happy to discuss the possibility of arranging a private departure for you and your family.

BOOK WITH KE CONFIDENCE - No surcharge guarantee

The price of our holidays can change depending on a variety of factors but unlike some other tour operators, KE have undertaken to guarantee the Land Only price of your holiday will not change after you have booked. The price when you book is the price you will pay, whether you are booking for this year or the next. Book early to avoid any tour price increases, get the best flight prices and take advantage of our 'No Surcharge Guarantee'.

KE Adventure is a fully bonded tour operator. We hold an ATOL license (No: 2808) and are bonded with ABTA (Membership No: W4341)


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