Welcome on the Algarve or Not ?

[witzend]

Just had this link sent to me not the best news Algarve Welcome

 

[delicagirl]

sounds like they are having legal difficulties trying to offer van facilities which dont exist at the moment ? or have i got that wrong? surely bringing new facilities is a good thing ?

 

[ScoTTyBEEE]

Just looks like a map of campsites and motorhome parks which anyone wilding will already know about, or can easily be found.

I think the argument of discharging toilets is overblown. For one, I've never seen anyone do this and this is the second year I'm wilding here. People need to go to sites to get water and so can empty toilet waste at the same time. I'm sure there's a few bad apples, much like anything - on some beach locations there is ample toilet paper wafting from the bushes to suggest bad behaviour, but this could be from anyone, not necessarily, infact - less likely from people that actually have toilets onboard.

Perhaps the answer is to increase dump stations and make it as easy as possible. Then heavily fine anyone seen to be dumping toilets incorrectly, and I mean 500 euros+.

Otherwise I can't see any other reason not to allow campervans to wild camp. The beach car parks are empty, there's plenty of room and I can't see why locals would be bothered since the car parks are still less full than summertime. Of course, half the 'locals' aren't even here now since they're holiday homes.

 

[n brown]

everything comes to an end. used to be a time when campers didn't like the Algarve, bit lawless and terrible roads, hard lingo etc, rarely saw a custom build. eventually the welcome gets worn out , so maybe time to branch out to other places in Africa and Eastern Europe and Asia. time to get daring !

 

[carol]

It's all in Portuguese for me!

 

[n brown]

It's all in Portuguese for me!

it says '' blah blah , emptying their disgusting bogs blah illegal sites blah , writes itself really . google translate adds more detail

 

[ScoTTyBEEE]

You can change the site to English in the top right. But it's full of useless information that can be summed up - go to a campsite.

It even says this, gotta laugh:

Do not remain or stay overnight in unauthorized areas, such as parking places, roadways, parking places located near the beaches, cliffs, sand dunes, pinewoods, etc. These parking areas cannot provide the facilities and services you might need (water supply, electricity, waste disposal, WI-FI, etc.), neither the comfort nor the safety required. By staying in these illegal spaces you are breaking the law and the current regulations

Ok, water supply generally you're good for a week in any campervan, electricity - solar, waste disposal - there's bins in every car park - they're everywhere, wifi - Portugal gives unlimited 4g for 30 euros - it literally has the best 'wifi' around for wilding.

The whole website and campaign is just campsites trying to gain more business. I don't come here to spend my time in a campsite, they offer LESS of an experience for more money, why would I want to stay in one. I do however pay for services and will probably spend a month in total in campsites for electricity.

 

[witzend]

sounds like they are having legal difficulties trying to offer van facilities which dont exist at the moment ? or have i got that wrong? surely bringing new facilities is a good thing ?

Reads to me like a group of people trying to ban wild camping who have just started this website to gain support

 

[Pauljenny]

The problem is that an increasing number of motorhomes and touring caravans are coming south from Northern Europe, every winter. There has not been a commensurate increase in campsite provision, because campsites are a less space efficient way of accommodating tourists, generating a lower profit per square metre, than more intensive options... Vans are bigger and often have trailers, taking even more valuable space.
The majority like to go to seaside places, near to resorts.
In this internet age, people don't keep good things secret, often over-egging the story, to impress friends and relatives..

By avoiding tourist hotspots, there is still plenty of room for a small number of motorhomes, as long as they behave themselves and don't, literally, 5hit.on their hosts.

 

[peter palance]

get

everything comes to an end. used to be a time when campers didn't like the Algarve, bit lawless and terrible roads, hard lingo etc, rarely saw a custom build. eventually the welcome gets worn out , so maybe time to branch out to other places in Africa and Eastern Europe and Asia. time to get daring !

get your nappy out,best of luck ,pj

 

[carol]

The problem is that an increasing number of motorhomes and touring caravans are coming south from Northern Europe, every winter. There has not been a commensurate increase in campsite provision, because campsites are a less space efficient way of accommodating tourists, generating a lower profit per square metre, than more intensive options... Vans are bigger and often have trailers, taking even more valuable space.
The majority like to go to seaside places, near to resorts.
In this internet age, people don't keep good things secret, often over-egging the story, to impress friends and relatives..

By avoiding tourist hotspots, there is still plenty of room for a small number of motorhomes, as long as they behave themselves and don't, literally, 5hit.on their hosts.

See you at yours then

 

[Pauljenny]

See you at yours then

Ready when you are, young 'un. Are you any good at grouting?

 

[carol]

Ready when you are, young 'un. Are you any good at grouting?

I'm a dab hand. Honest :wave:

 

[winks]

My wife thinks I'm top dog when it comes to grousing.

Cheers

H

 

[Fazerloz]

Sounds very much like here.

 

[voyagerstan]

everything comes to an end. used to be a time when campers didn't like the Algarve, bit lawless and terrible roads, hard lingo etc, rarely saw a custom build. eventually the welcome gets worn out , so maybe time to branch out to other places in Africa and Eastern Europe and Asia. time to get daring !

No no no stay where you are don’t get daring

 

[maxi77]

The problem is that an increasing number of motorhomes and touring caravans are coming south from Northern Europe, every winter. There has not been a commensurate increase in campsite provision, because campsites are a less space efficient way of accommodating tourists, generating a lower profit per square metre, than more intensive options... Vans are bigger and often have trailers, taking even more valuable space.
The majority like to go to seaside places, near to resorts.
In this internet age, people don't keep good things secret, often over-egging the story, to impress friends and relatives..

By avoiding tourist hotspots, there is still plenty of room for a small number of motorhomes, as long as they behave themselves and don't, literally, 5hit.on their hosts.

In reality many campsites could admit more punters if they turn up, however many sites are not where people want to be, many sites charge more than some people are prepared to pay ( I have heard of people claiming 2 euros a night is too much) and yes there are some sites that are full. Portugal does have a problem of bureaucracy which can make setting up any new business a nightmare and this does make providing new facilities. Mind you I sometimes wonder what some people really see in so called wild camping, parked up in mass groups barely able to walk between vans with no real services. Right now there are plenty of legal sites with space at compared to the UK good prices though after many years of no price increases are creeping in.

Portugal and especially the Algarve does want you to come, the GNR are actually quite friendly and usually leave motorhomes alone unless they get complaints. often not from the Portuguese but from the many expats of assorted nationalities

 

[Pauljenny]

In reality many campsites could admit more punters if they turn up, however many sites are not where people want to be, many sites charge more than some people are prepared to pay ( I have heard of people claiming 2 euros a night is too much) and yes there are some sites that are full. Portugal does have a problem of bureaucracy which can make setting up any new business a nightmare and this does make providing new facilities. Mind you I sometimes wonder what some people really see in so called wild camping, parked up in mass groups barely able to walk between vans with no real services. Right now there are plenty of legal sites with space at compared to the UK good prices though after many years of no price increases are creeping in.

Portugal and especially the Algarve does want you to come, the GNR are actually quite friendly and usually leave motorhomes alone unless they get complaints. often not from the Portuguese but from the many expats of assorted nationalities

Can't argue with any of that.. Plus those who spend a fortune on a rig to bring it down here and live in squalor.. And brag about it.. !

 

[witzend]

Portugal and especially the Algarve does want you to come, the GNR are actually quite friendly and usually leave motorhomes alone unless they get complaints. often not from the Portuguese but from the many expats of assorted nationalities

That was the problem a English xpat woman at Silves We saw her amongst the vans shouting at everyone saying she was fed up of looking at us from her villa which was a mile away. She had a crowd of English with her who where only there because She had told them to come they where embarrassed by her mouth and never uttered a word

 

[Pauljenny]

That was the problem a English xpat woman at Silves We saw her amongst the vans shouting at everyone saying she was fed up of looking at us from her villa which was a mile away. She had a crowd of English with her who where only there because She had told them to come they where embarrassed by her mouth and never uttered a word

She probably harangues her neighbours for not speaking English, hates the local bread and can't always buy a Daily Mail.. They are everywhere, not just Silves.. It's a necessity if you want to live in Almancil.. You have to pass a test.