Having a car available does make life easier, and makes it possible to see a lot. But you may be nervous about driving after having heard rumours about the native drivers?

The drivers in the Algarve appears to be some of the most relaxed in Portugal, which is a good thing when you don't quite know where you are going. Having said that, some appear always to be a bit late and trying to catch up - pull a bit to the side and let them pass. Others find that 50km/h is plenty where 90 is allowed.

Motorways are more or less the same as everywhere; the quality of the A22 is quite good and there is rarely that much traffic. And it is free.

On the N125 (the old road following the whole south coast), as well as other smaller roads, the quality varies from excellent to poor. There is a large number of speed control traffic lights, often marked with the limit 50 but some change to red if you do over 40. Also, look out for horse carts - they are really slow compared to cars

In urban areas, take it easy as the local roadbuilders have a different set of design templates than their colleagues in Nothern Europe and at times come up with quite creative road layouts. In addition, roadmarkings are often dirty and hard to see.

Oh, yes, and the coordination between the various gardeners and road planners could also be improved. You often see plants obscuring road signs and pedestrian crossings; never mind the illegally parked cars.

Speaking of which: they are often marked by the emergency lights; someone I know seriously suggested that the purpose of the big red button with a triangle was to tell the world that you knew you had parked badly, but you really would not be long.