Leave home first thing in the morning and take a wander through the streets to visit the traditional shops in the historical cities and towns. While you’re there, buy a cane basket, typical of so many East Algarve counties.

Now that you have your traditional basket, head in the direction of the fresh fruit and vegetable markets. On the way, allow yourself to be enthralled by the little houses, the monuments and the folk you’ll meet as you go, who will always give you a warm welcome.

When you reach the market, introduce yourself to the friendly stallholders who are there to pass on a little of what the mountains, countryside and even their own vegetable gardens have to offer. An appealing invitation, wouldn’t you say?

If you arrive early enough, you can even see the fish, fresh in from the sea and still alive, wriggling around on the stallholders’ counters.