Astronomical Holidays

Firstly lets review the destination and how you get there.

The Algarve is the most southern region of Portugal, and is actually located to the west of Cornwall - the rough longitude being some 7.5 degrees West. In latitude it is at 37 degrees north - some 15 degrees further south then we are here in Letchworth. In fact the Algarve has a localised climate nearest to north African conditions in Europe, being the place furthest south - this is however slightly tempered by the fact that it is also the most western part of Europe, which means the Atlantic plays its part. This has an interesting effect on the local weather - in that there are a number of distinct regions with there own patterns - and these reflect the topography of the land.

Before we go onto this, however, a quick word about the time zone - this has now been moved to be exactly the same as the UK - come winter or summer, there is no difference- so no jet lag. Talking of jet lag, transport to the Algarve is by plane from many of the regional airports - Luton, Standstead, Manchester, Gatwick. These flights fill up rapidly in season so you are strongly advised to book up flights soon. Best deals in air costs range from about £120 out of season to about £160 in season. Of course to this you must add insurance c£20 each, and car hire - you need a car definitely. Pre book this in the UK - most major companies are represented - e.g. Hertz, Alamo, etc. You need a small car - not a large one, given the width of some of the roads - and especially the road up to CDEPA.

Returning to the topography, the Algarve is easily split into three main regions, along the coast to the West of Faro - the provincial capital is the main holiday area. This area consists of towns along the coast , with hotels built / being built, in holiday seaside style. Also there is villa complexes - however the government has stopped the building of these because of the problem of the drain on the resources (especially water), and it spoiling the country. It is just behind this area that COAA is located. To the East of Faro along the coast is a more rural area - traditionally this has always been the natives end of the Algarve and whilst there is one resort near to Spain, the other places do not feature hotels. There are some spectacular sandy beaches along here. The main port town along this stretch is Tavria, which is about the size that Baldock used to be before it was built up, i.e. its the size of a small UK town. Behind this stretch is located CDEPA. To the north of these two coastal stretches is the Sierras - hilly / mountainous areas with high plains backing them. The effect of this is that the Eastern side of the Algarve received very little rain indeed, being protected by the Sierras behind, and the Western area of the Algarve (and thus the Mochchique range of mountains). The Western side also receives a very good climate - although slightly more variable weather than that to the East, whereas the Sierras, get quite a downpour if and when it rains - which I still have to say isn't very often at all.

That brings us nicely on to the topic of when to go. This depends on three things. How hot do you like it when you're on holiday? What astronomical sights do you want to see? When is the Moon in the way? Taking these in turn .. the Moon is something you definitely don't want - so book your holiday around New Moon or Last Quarter. What do you want to see, at least partially relates to how hot you can stand it verses how late you are prepared to stay up at night. for instance, if you want to see Orion, then the window is probably from about September Morning through to February evenings. How hot do you like it? Remember that the Algarve is 15 degrees further south than the UK, that means if high 20s centigrade is about right for you then probably the best time to go is about late March-April and about September to early October. Remember that the rainy season is about November to February.

For the rest of the family - the non astronomical interest side, The Algarve has much of the usual holiday attractions. Water Fun parks, interesting old style towns, newer shopping towns, some really spectacular countryside, and glorious beaches (which incidentally ladies, allow topless bathing on the beach only - don't try to walk into the beach café topless, the locals don't like it). The sea off the beaches can be rough - you have to remember that it is the Atlantic Ocean - but is usually quite warm. However some of the beaches do shelf quite quickly. I'm a reasonably strong swimmer and went out about 50 feet and found myself in about 20 foot of water, and there was a strong rip current. I'm sure other beaches are better than this, but I say beware, if you go in, go in as a group of people - that way you can keep an eye out on each other. (NB Whilst we were there I asked one of the UK residents what the large jelly fish were that were washed up on a few beaches every six feet or so, I had it explained to me that they only appeared when there had been a storm in the Atlantic - otherwise they never appeared, but they were Portuguese man of War.. I think it is at this point that I should add that most tourist beaches have a medical sign where assistance can be given if required)!

I mentioned a car. You will need one, get something like we had a 3 door Clio. Also ensure that you have personal insurance for the car. The Portuguese can be relied on to overtake when the following happen together - a blind bend, a hill top, and someone's coming the other way.

This allows you to get out and about to visit other places of interest , or even nip over the border to Spain - there is nothing stopping you do this - no checkpoints. One word, keep your car hire documents in the car ready for inspection, along with you passports. If you buy anything big, whatever you do keep the receipt on you. The only way the Portuguese government get revenue is by VAT. If the police (or GDP) stop you show them your documents to let them know you are a tourist and they will be happy. Most Portuguese don't observe the speed limits strictly, but we did see 2 speed traps. National Limits are generally 120kph (76 mph)on the motorway, 90 kph (56 mph)on main roads, and 50 kph (30 mph) in towns.

Now back to astronomy. As I've intimated there are two places that you can go, COAA - the established place, and CDEPA - the new place opened March 1996. On both visits that I have been on this year (1996), its been to CDEPA. However we have talked to people that have been to COAA, so here is a short comparison.

COAA (00 351 82 471180) is run by Bev and Jan - contactable via the ad in Astronomy Now, or via the COAA Web Site. They have a well equipped set of instruments - housed in various domes, and have CCD capability. Located in the West of the Algarve behind Lagoa, the sky although transparent and therefore very dark, is lightly affected by the holiday towns to the south. Accommodation there is in the villa, and costs £17.50/ night B&B. Evening meals can be ordered for an additional £8 pp (2000 Escudos actually - but the rate at the moment is 247 to the pound - for the older generation think old pennies and you're there - that's what I did). I understand that Bev and Jan are fairly religious and insist you say grace before meals. The routine, I gather, is quite formal, and you have to book time on the telescopes. Also observing is limited to a few hours / night, as because they also hold down other jobs, they have to be OK to do these in the morning. However I gather that one or two nights a week, by arrangement and agreement with them, the telescopes can be used all night.

CDEPA (00 351 81 321754) is run by Clive and Gloria Jackson - ex members of ours from Ware. Contact for them is via the Ad in Astronomy Now - either directly to them in Algarve or via Clive's parents in Stevange. They have a main 20" f/5 driven Newtonian housed in an observatory, and also a 10" Dobsonian, and a 5.5" f3.6 Comet catcher on a Vixen Super Polaris Mount - which can be used for taking photographs. There is also (currently not in use) a 6 inch refractor. Being to the East of Faro, the skies are very clear, and dark - although there is a small patch to the south - for about 5 degrees when the Wednesday bike racing is on in Tavira - stadium lighting, and another to the East - Ayamante in Spain - some 70km away - making its presence felt. Accommodation is in the complex - which are converted farm buildings, and costs £13/night B&B. Evening meals can be ordered for an additional £6 pp (1500 Escudos). Clive and Gloria are very easy going, and Clive is a very enthusiastic amateur astronomer. It is said that behind every successful man there is a woman that can plan and organise, and Gloria does just that. Its a partnership that works extremely well. There is no saying of grace -but if you wanted to they wouldn't object - they will go with the flow. The telescopes are available for use as and when you want them there is no prebooking of them, and virtually every night they are in use, Clive is out there with you. This is also true if you want to do a complete nights observing, or getting up early morning to observe. This results from them not being committed to any other jobs. Thus the scopes can be used every clear night. When its not clear, Clive and Gloria are happy to show you slides of things that they have observed, ranging from in depth astro photos, to views of solar eclipse in Glorias native Brazil. Alternatively you can go out and have a meal in the local towns. What we did was the have a meal sometimes at base, and other times in Tavira early on in the evening - getting back at about 7.30 to do some astronomy. From Wed-Sunday (Tues.-Sunday in season) there is also a local British Bar - just down the hill (walking distance) run by a pair of elderly British ladies (who remembered us from our first visit 6 months earlier).

There are 5 bedrooms in the CDEPA complex. 1 twin, 1 ensuite twin, 2 twins with one bathroom, 1 separate triple with own bathroom & front door. There is also a shared bathroom, and separate bathroom. In the middle of the main building is the living room, and to one side a small kitchen - which is due to be expanded this winter.

Looking ahead, in the future, I can see two developments. Firstly at COAA, I can envisage a situation that Bev and Jan will be able to commit more time to the astronomy centre, and so improve the service there. However against this has to be balanced the fact that the motorway is planned to be extended - into the very valley that COAA is based in. How this will affect them I don't know. In all probability it wont directly, as the motorways are not lit, however it will bring some developments nearer to them. At CEDPA, Clive and Gloria have plans to extend and develop the centre further. Matters are well in hand to give Gloria a large Kitchen and dining area, and to put more heating in for the off season - during Late Nov-February. Also they are applying for free EEC grants that are available for more telescopes, CCDS, a planetarium and other facilities. They are able to do this as they are becoming integrated into the Portuguese education system and intend to give talks to schools etc. they have already laid the groundwork for this and have met various officials, and are members of the Portuguese Astronomy Society. (They have also held star parties on the local beaches with them).

The general area of the complex is also due for some improvement in that they are hoping to plant some Alpahoba trees, which is excellent news as the fruit makes a grand wine! (Click here for further CDEPA Details).

(Further Algrave astronomy details - for those that can read Portugeuse)

In conclusion, if you want a astronomy holiday, or holiday with astronomy, I would happily recommend to you taking a strong look at the Algarve. I'm sure you will find it interesting.

- Kev

PS If anyone has visited other establishments then let me know, and we will do a review. Also I would be delighted to hear of a southern hemisphere equivalent - I'd quite like to go there.