Girls Weekend in Algarve

A Venturing Nomad.

Known for my avid planning and researching of any travel adventure, it was with some reluctance that I handed over this role to one of our three girl party for our annual 'mums weekend' getaway this year. Three mums, three nights, no children, partners or pets, not even a potplant of responsibility; what could possibly go wrong?

The destination, Portugal, we had all agreed on, but where in this extremely varied country, was not revealed until the night before departure. Excitement brewed over the dining table of a local Portuguese taverna as we were finally included in our destination, a well-kept secret, just minutes drive from Faro airport on the eastern Algarve, Olhao. We didn't quite know what to expect.

Bizarrely, being a loyal disciple of the inspirational Pure Style creator Jane Cumberbatch for over 25 years, I have followed her repeated visits here, and so it was a strange flush of recognition that fell upon me as we arrived, un-prepared in this picturesque, postcard-perfect Portuguese corner.

Olhao is the centre of the Portuguese land of fishermen. Fine fish and seafood are located in the heart of Rio Formosa, the fish storehouse for the Phoenicians and Romans. Today, it is the largest fishing port in the Algarve and the capital of great grilled fish, shellfish and sardines.

Dominated by the huge fresh markets on the seafront, life here follows a slightly different pattern from elsewhere. In the myriad of winding streets in the Bairro da Barrett, the bustling port and boats at the mouth of the river, the sea seems to have spirited this town over from somewhere in North Africa.

Known also as the cubist town for the white square houses, each with a flat roof for drying figs or fish, without a tiled roof insight. In summer, the kitchen moves out into the street where the sardines, fresh from the nets, are cooked communally on charcoal grills. The scent lingers in the air with each corner turned, and the delicate difference in recipe is evident from the garlic or herbs used by each family.

But it's not just the town, as Olhao is blessed with miles of sandy beaches stretching out in front of the town as if standing guard.

It is apparently here that the origins of the Portugese, or Olhao, water dog are found. Many fishermen will tell tales of the heroics of these handsome dogs, who were made famous by Barack Obama's Bo when the family entered the White House.

Apparently, these faithful animals can dive over 4 meters deep and actively guide the fish into the nets.

With its 2-hour flight time from the UK, no time zone changes and over 300 days of sunshine a year, what isn't there to lure three mums to 'abandon' their child-focused lives and head away for some grown-up girly time, even though each of us were secretly checking our phones for messages from back home, it seemed evident that we were missing them far more then they were missing us!

We quickly fell into a relaxed regime of lazy mornings by the beach for coffee, followed by markets and meandering days littered with libations and evenings spent at pavement cafes sampling fish in a festivity of flavours.

A three-night break to relax and recharge did everything it 'said on the tin' as we were ready to face responsibilities once again on our return to everyday lives.

Olhao is captivating and will have you returning again and again.

Not travelling overseas until age 19, this Venturing Nomad's work and life have taken her to just under 70 countries, with more adventures always planned. Twelve years as a Diplomat led to excitement and adventures across the globe, and she is now enjoying travelling with her young daughter and seeing the world afresh through her eyes.

A published author in fact and fiction, she firmly believes in the mantra "take only photos - leave only footprints". More of a feeder than a foodie, she has cooked her way around the globe, from the hill tribes in Thailand, Nonna's kitchen in Italy to the beachfront hotel in Morocco. There is always a story and, more importantly, a recipe.

You can contact her at [email protected]  or find out more on Instagram