The author of the Greenbowler blog has not been to Portugal for two winters. Finally, the pandemic has sufficiently moderated so that my wife and I feel safe to travel again. Since Spain and Portugal have access to natural gas pumped by pipeline from Algeria, energy will be more available there than in the rest of Europe. In any case, the Algarve is not particularly cold- between 14 and 19℃ during the daylight hours- and in the sunshine substantially warmer.
In the past, the clubs we play at, Valverde and Balaia, are swarming with Brits in the winter months. Will Brexit have made any difference? I’m sure the Portuguese government will have done everything it can to make all the usual visitors welcome.
The Algarve is the best place for North Americans to go for winter bowling. Everyone in the tourist-sensitive businesses speaks English. There is fresh produce in the Saturday markets. Rental accommodation is plentiful. Internet service is good and reasonably priced. Good wine is cheaper and the restaurants aren’t crowded.
There are very few American visitors because the weather isn’t quite warm enough for them. For Canadians, it’s good October weather.
