Vila Real de Santo Antonio is both a city and a municipality in the Algarve region of southern Portugal. With a population of around 14,000 this municipality contains three parishes each with their own features, but it is the city of Vila Real de Santo Antonio that this article is focusing on.

Vila Real de Santo Antonio is situated on the western bank of the Rio Guardiana and faces Spain. A bridge was built in 1990 that connects Vila Real with the town of Ayamonte in Spain and has become a popular entry point into Spain without the hassle of having to wait for a ferry. This small city has a unique history in that it was completely submerged by the tidal wave caused by the earthquake of 1755. It was swiftly rebuilt thereafter, but gone were the haphazard and narrow roadways and instead a well planned street grid was built that is reminiscent of the downtown area of Lisbon. As such, Vila Real is one of the easiest cities to navigate and makes exploring it a pleasure.

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Like many other towns located along the Rio Guardiana, Vila Real enjoyed much early success as a river-port town and its economy depended heavily on river traffic as well as sardine and tuna fishing. Also like many other towns along this river it began to stagnate and slowly eased into a period of decline as river traffic slowed and the movement of goods to the coast no longer required the river. Once the tourist boom of the mid 20th century hit, Vila Real was once again enjoying a time of prosperity.

Today this attractive town is very popular with the retired generation and families. This is due primarily to its location in the furthest southeast corner of Portugal and is somewhat distanced from the major tourist attractions that draw the younger crowd. The town itself has a large center square called Praзa Marquкs de Pombal that is paved with a beautiful mosaic design and is surrounded by fragrant orange trees and lined with cafes and boutiques for passing a lazy afternoon.

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The riverfront area is of particular appeal to residents and visitors and is complete with a marina for watching the boats come and go. Like the central square, the riverfront is perfect for leisurely walks and enjoying the pristine weather and on clear days Ayamonte is visible. River trips on the ferry across to Spain or travelling by boat up the river to Alcoutim is a popular activity for both tourists and residents.

The beach at Vila Real is also a popular spot and is quite long. It stretches several kilometers nearly all the way to Tavira. As such, even in the height of summer it never feels overcrowded. And, unlike many other towns in Portugal, Vila Real is relatively flat and is perfect for cycling or long walks to explore the city and the outlying areas.

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Life in Vila Real is leisurely and sedate. Endless days of sunshine follow one after the other and this area is nearly perfect for hedonists. Vila Real offers the best of all worlds: beach, riverfront, perfect climate, Portuguese hospitality and tranquility. It is also immensely popular with the older generation who are looking for the right spot in Portugal to retire. With plenty of open land available for building many expatriates of the United Kingdom find this the perfect place to call home. It is also a wise location for those purchasing property with the intent to let, as many people desire this area for medium and long term stays. Vila Real is very different from the over-commercialized larger cities in the Algarve but that is just fine, for those who call Vila Real home are pleased to do so.

Located in the least populated of all the Algarve’s municipalities, Pereiro is a small village with a population of less than three hundred residents. Though it may be small, this parish in the municipality of Alcoutim doesn’t lack for charm or picturesque qualities.

Pereiro stands a short distance from the town of Alcoutim and is representative of many other small Algarvian towns. Relatively untouched by time or the tourist industry, Pereiro stands testament to true Portuguese tradition. The whitewashed houses, narrow winding streets and the 16th century church that stands near the center of the village are all indicative of traditional Portuguese architecture.

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The modest church in Pereiro is dedicated to St. Marcus and is well worth visiting despite its humble appearance. Inside one will find a varied and immensely interesting collection of retables and an admirable collection of religious images.

Pereiro is also home to the Pereiro Museum Nucleus that documents the rich mining history of this mountain village as well as the rural heritage that Pereiro embraces.

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The area around Pereiro is a stunning example of the dichotomy between natural beauty and man’s stamp on the land. On one hand there is the quaint and humble village of Pereiro that is surrounded by natural flora and fauna, but closer examination of the surrounding area reveals that mankind has inhabited this area for millennia. The best way to see the relationship between Pereiro, the land and its history is by following the Pereiro Pedestrian Trail. This ten kilometer trek will take you on a loop through the area around Pereiro and on your tour you will see the Pereiro Irrigation Dam and the myriad wildlife that call that area home. In addition you’ll pass through Silveira, a long abandoned ancient village with remains of antiquated stone structures. The windmills standing between Silveira and Pereiro are a fine example of ancient technology still in use.

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Pereiro has a certain pastoral charm that entrances visitors. Some of these visitors choose to build on the land surrounding Pereiro in order to fully embrace a quiet tranquil life but still be close enough to the coastline and all that Algarve has to offer. Even though Pereiro is not a bustling hub of activity, this is exactly what some people are looking for when choosing a location to purchase property.

Bangkok offers tourists lots of opportunities for sightseeing, shopping, and entertainment. While the hotel pool can be a great spot to do some cooling off, the water parks in Bangkok have so much more to offer. In fact, taking the family to a few water parks is a great way to break up the trip while cooling off and having fun. Typically, the water parks in Bangkok charge affordable admission fees. A few of the most popular ones include Fantasia Lagoon, Siam Park, and Leoland Water Park.

Fantasia Lagoon

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Fantasia Lagoon sits enticingly on the rooftop of the Fantasia Mall Department Store, Bang Kae. This is a popular water park that offers a lot to do and opens at 8:00 am. The whirlpools and long water slides are among the most popular water activities at Fantasia Lagoon. Connected to this water park is another theme park known as Fantasia Island. This theme park offers an enclosed, air-conditioned environment. If you have the stamina, a visit to both parks in one day is a possibility. However, you probably need two full days to do both parks justice, especially if you have children with you. Visitors should realize that the weekends are the busiest times to visit. Fantasia Lagoon’s setting offers excellent panoramic views of the city as well as terrific photographic opportunities.

Siam Park

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Siam Park is one of the most popular water attractions located in Bangkok. This park is quite large and includes the famous 400-metre Super Spiral waterslide. Siam Park also has several towering waterslides in addition to the Super Spiral as well as a number of whirlpools and swimming pools. A man-made sea pool that features artificial surf is another of the popular spots within this water park. The park includes changing rooms for those who desire to change after they have entered the park or before they exit the park. Fast food service is available as well as swimsuit rentals. Siam Park includes a number of playgrounds for families. For those visitors who appreciate nature, an aviary, zoo, and botanical garden are available for public perusal. The gardens of Siam Park are rumored to be quite beautiful. A visit during the week might prove to be less crowded than one that takes place on the weekend.

Leoland Water Park

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Leoland Water Park sits atop the roof of the Central City Bagna shopping mall. It is located on the eastern section of Bangkok. The park offers a variety of fun and exciting things to do including tube rides and waterslides. Leoland Water Park is especially entertaining for your children since it features a number of giant sea creatures for the children to climb on. Since the creatures are made from plastic, there’s no worry that the children can get hurt from rough surfaces. A number of comfortable sun beds have been carefully set up near the play areas so that parents can observe their children whilst relaxing.