Photo: Prestigious contemporary villa, Vale do Lobo, Algarve
Have you ever wondered why Paul McCartney chose the Algarve to write "Yesterday," the most hummed Beatles song? The composer and bassist of the most iconic band in the history of music wrote the ballad that we all know by heart - "Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away ..." - on May 27, 1965, while traveling by car from Lisbon to Faro. In his biography, he himself said that he completed the lyrics of "Yesterday" on a five-hour road trip along the Mira river, on the way to Albufeira. "I always hated to waste time and the trip was very long," he confessed. Therefore, "Yesterday" would not exist if McCartney had not discovered Portugal and elected the Algarve for his holidays when he was only 21 years old.
The episode, over half a century ago, shows that the Algarve has long been one of the most popular regions in the world. But it is also, even if many do not believe it, one of the best kept secrets. It is true that on all maps with dream destinations, the Algarve is fairly ranked in the top places: for the beauty of the beaches, for the tranquil sea, for the blue ocean without pollution. It is the quintessential vacation spot for those who appreciate sunbathing, golfing, enjoying the amenities of the marina, the smell of the sea air, or the benefits of iodine. But the Algarve's architecture remains like the secret that haunts the ones who stumble on it, because it contains a kind of secret code, which is actually the bar code for happiness.
Why? Because all the Algarve architecture is new or recent, counts less than 300 years. All that existed before was taken by the earthquake of 1755. Instead of indulging in the disorderly discouragement of this collapse, the Algarve made this destruction a road to create a unique region in the world, which is not unrelated to real estate. The Algarve architecture is thus a proof of overcoming history that combines a modern and contemporary aesthetic to a tradition marked by comfort and luxury. And it balances, like few places in the world, the interior, with its dazzling country houses scattered by the mountain, and the coast, with its properties facing the sea.
The secret of architecture that makes people dream all over the world is the past that inspired those who decided to buy houses or apartments and raise their lives there. Hence the abundance, for example, of villas with pools terraces instead of roofs, in Loulé, Alvor or Tavira. Or the luxurious real estate and exclusive plots that are the brand image of places like Vilamoura, Almancil, Quinta do Lago or Vale do Lobo. Hence, the houses of cities such as Lagos, Portimão, Carvoeiro or Aljezur, which are the best tribute to the architectural heritage of centuries past, because they knew how to reinvent.
That is why it is easy to get to the Algarve but, once known, it is very difficult to abandon it. In addition, the trip that Paul McCartney took five hours to do in 1963, takes only 50 minutes today. Dont give up on having your Algarve hideaway. Contact the LUXIMOS Christie's International Real Estate Agents for any additional information.
