Writer David Lugg has been a Luz resident since the summer of 2020. This is ‘A Letter from Luz’ – Summer 2026.

Last week, the entire town of Luz had a 2-hour power cut. Though it was not without its frustrations, from a tourist perspective it went relatively unnoticed. One little girl was concerned that she might not be able to get an ice cream and, in true dry British humour, one gent said he would be forced to drink red wine instead of white.

Mercifully, the power returned – ice creams were duly licked and white wine was undoubtedly supped. I don’t wish to make light of the situation as there are many businesses that rely not just on refrigeration but on infrastructure such as ovens or the internet. But I would suggest that at least half of our guests had no idea that the power had gone.

The point of my anecdote is that the west Algarve is not as reliant on power as much of Europe. I vividly remember when I worked in London, my office had a power cut for around five hours. The company came to a complete standstill. Though it seemed fun at the time, I had to play catch up and work late into the evening when the power returned. Cities like London and Lisbon just don’t cope at all when the power gets turned off.

But it transpires that building sandcastles on Luz beach requires nothing more than the power of creativity. It’s a similar situation when swimming in our pool, or the sea. Or perhaps taking a walk along the cliffs. Or maybe a game of beach frisbee, kicking a football, surfing, kayaking, or even just sunbathing. Many of the best pleasures of Luz derive from having simple fun. It’s far more satisfying than being glued to a screen.

But even when the power is running at its normal capacity, I urge you to turn off the technology and enjoy the west Algarve for what it does best. It serves as a gentle reminder that, in our increasingly digital lives, we often confuse “essential” with “convenient.”  When the gentle hum of technology recedes, the rhythm of life here is dictated more by the tides and the sun than by the grid.

In fact, it’s not just power you can switch off – it is our minds. I have long been an advocate of the art of doing a bit of nothing when on holiday. Dolce far niente as they say in Italy – the sweetness of doing nothing. It can be just as important as doing something, and perhaps the most valuable souvenir you can take home.

To truly step away from technology is a conscious decision and takes inspiration. The stunning scenery in the west Algarve provides a means of escapism away from laptops, commuter trains, meetings and zoom calls. The setting allows you to put your phone, and indeed your mouth, on silent. Reading a book on the terrace or watching the waves crash relentlessly onto the beach are effective ways of disconnecting and help us re-discover our vigour.

Ultimately, this corner of Portugal offers a rare and precious luxury: the freedom to reconnect with the natural world and, more importantly, with ourselves. Sometimes it takes a power cut to remind us, but a trip to Luz is far more pleasurable.

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All photo images owned by David Lugg