A brief recap: Since arriving at Ocean Villas Luz in August 2020, writer David Lugg has been experiencing all aspects of Luz Life. This is his review of January 2024:
The proverb ‘Birds of a feather flock together’ means that people of similar interests tend to mutually associate. Sticking together is generally quite a good thing to do. We feel a sense of belonging when we are together. We share the same common goal. We feel safe. But is it always a good thing to follow the crowd even if we think in a similar way? I would suggest not and here’s why.
Let us use holidays as a point of reference. There is a holiday that is perfect for everybody. Some people like to take cruises that offer snapshots of different destinations, all from the comfort of their own cabin. Others like to enjoy an all-inclusive experience where everything is catered for with the minimum of effort. There are also adventure holidays and walking holidays and city breaks all of which cater to different requirements.
But thinking a little differently from your peers might actually benefit you. Our beloved Praia da Luz serves as a perfect example. The vast majority of you reading this blog will have found the town purely by accident. It escapes most of the publicity of the major resorts and continues merrily under the radar. It isn’t located next to the airport like other Algarve towns. It is not even on the train line nor the airport bus route. But I bet you one thing – if you have ever had a holiday in Praia da Luz, it is likely to be one of the best holiday decisions you have ever made.
You could have followed your friends and taken the easy route by heading to a town within a stone’s throw of Faro airport. You could have listened to Auntie Maude who swears blind that a Mediterranean cruise is the perfect holiday. Or perhaps your work colleague told you that a walking holiday in the mountains was the perfect tonic. But no, you chose to make your own decision and have a holiday in Praia da Luz – what a great decision that was!
The thing is, Praia da Luz offers the best of all worlds. Fancy a cruise? Sure, boats leave from Lagos marina and range from 90 minutes to 4 and a half hours. What’s more you can come back to stay at Ocean Villas Luz for the night. Perhaps a walking holiday is your thing? No problem, there are two spectacular coastal walks to the Ponta da Piedade or Burgau that leave from our doorstep. Plus, there are plenty of fab walking routes up in the hills, not far from here.
Maybe you’d like an adventure holiday? We have that covered too. There is kayaking, windsurfing, stand-up paddle, scuba diving, horse-riding, kitesurfing, skydiving, surfing, climbing, mountain biking, sailing and wakeboarding all within 30-minutes’ drive. Okay, I grant you that the Algarve is not great for skiing or snowboarding but we have plenty of ice for your gin and tonic. We can even satisfy those looking for a city break as Lagos, Silves, Tavira and Faro all offer wonderful old towns that deserve to be explored.
So, although Praia da Luz is not an ‘all-inclusive’ resort, in a strange way it actually is. The town has everything you would need to make you happy and surely a happy holiday is what most people look for? Booking a holiday at Ocean Villas Luz is something special, something that Auntie Maude may never know about. But you can smile and reflect happily on your own secret holiday destination. Birds of a feather? No, thank you. We’re off to Praia da Luz.
More news next month.
David Lugg
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All photo images owned by David Lugg