A practical guide to your holiday in the Algarve

With its temperate and sunny weather, the Algarve is the destination of choice for many tourists. With the arrival of warm weather, it's time to start planning your vacation. If you're visiting the Algarve this summer, we've prepared the best suggestions for you to use and abuse on your stay and ensure that you have everything you need to enjoy your time in this seaside paradise.

Travelling is an enriching experience and that's why it's important to choose and organize your suitcase according to your final destination, to ensure that your journey is smooth and surprise-free. That's why your suitcase shouldn't lack skin care products. During the summer, skin becomes more dehydrated and requires extraordinary care due to exposure to the sun. We all strive to have healthy skin and achieve the much-desired golden tan and “sun kissed” effect. At Designer Outlet Algarve you'll find all the products you need to maintain consistency during your vacation with products in the ideal size for traveling. We'll also reveal the best tips for organizing your suitcase and this season's swimwear trends.

The skin is the largest part of our body and, for this reason, we should take care of it the way it deserves and not “take a vacation” from our daily care routine. Your skincare routine should be consistent and should include:

Cleansing: To remove the impurities and pollution we are exposed to on a daily basis.

Treatment: Usually in the form of serums that vary according to your goal, focused on treating your skin

Moisturizer: To nourish your skin

Sun protection: To protect against UVA and UVB light and as an ally against ageing and skin-related diseases

When carrying out your daily skincare routine, remember that it's important to start with lighter products, such as foaming cleanser and serum. After these products you should start applying heavier products, such as moisturiser, to ensure better absorption of all the products and guarantee better results.

Before travelling to a sunny destination, you should not only moisturise, but also exfoliate your skin to ensure a longer-lasting tan. There are also solutions such as self-tanner that can prepare you for the start of your holiday and help you feel more confident in your skin.

The essential item that can't be missing from your luggage when travelling to the Algarve is sunscreen. Here are some tips on how to choose the ideal sunscreen to enjoy your stay in the Algarve while keeping your skin protected and healthy.

The Algarve is known for its warm temperatures and it is therefore recommended that you use sunscreen SPF 30 or higher, especially if your skin is more sensitive. Sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours so that the protection remains unchanged and to guarantee the product's effectiveness.

Although there are countless sunscreen formulas, in cream, spray, gel and mineral form, our tip is to have a facial sunscreen stick, as it's easy to apply and carry around. This facial sunscreen stick can also be used as a lip balm, thus reducing the number of items you need to carry around.

When choosing your sunscreen, you should also consider its spectrum (UVA and UVB) and water resistance, especially in a destination that involves a lot of water activities. You should always check the product information for the resistance time.

Apply sunscreen 15 minutes before sun exposure. Our last tip, but no less important, is the recommended amount. The equivalent of a teaspoon should be applied to the face. This should serve as a guide for the rest of the body, taking into account your individual characteristics.

Sun protection is essential to ensure that your skin stays healthy and that you can enjoy every moment of your holiday in the Algarve.

Everything you need to know!

When choosing the correct suitcase, it's important to take into account various factors such as the size and capacity of the suitcase, its type and the wheels. We'll also give you some tips on how to pack your clothes and personal items and what you shouldn't leave in your hand luggage.

Your suitcase should be the right size and capacity for the number of nights you'll be at your destination. There are small suitcases, known as hand luggage or ‘carry-on’, ideal for a getaway of up to 3 days. If you're staying between 4 and 7 days, a medium suitcase is ideal, as it offers the ideal amount of space without being too voluminous. For holidays longer than 7 days, you should decide on a large suitcase to ensure you can accommodate everything essential for your needs.

In addition to size, there are other characteristics that are important when choosing your suitcase. There are essentially two types of suitcase, hard shell and soft shell. The hard shell type tends to be heavier, but offers greater protection for more fragile items and is water resistant. The soft shell suitcase is lighter and offers the possibility of expansion, which can be very useful if you plan to purchase souvenirs at your destination. Four-wheel suitcases are an excellent option to two-wheel suitcases as they are easier to manoeuvre.

Don't forget that in your hand luggage you should always carry essential items such as personal documents, electronic equipment such as a mobile phone charger, moisturising cream and lipstick and dental hygiene items. These items will be essential if your hold bag gets lost.

To ensure the safety of your personal belongings, don't forget to put a padlock and an identification label on your suitcase, this label should be on the outside, but also on the inside in case the first one is lost.

Finally, don't forget to weigh your suitcase to make sure it's within the limit set by the airline and to avoid surprises and additional fees at the airport.

Choosing and preparing your suitcase is a very important step in planning your trip and will help make it a smoother one. You should always consider your final destination, the length of your trip and also your personal needs when making your essentials list.

A must-have item in your suitcase is beachwear. Bikinis, paréos and swimming shorts are a must-have and shouldn't be missing from your list of essentials.

This summer's bikini trends are inspired by the depths of the sea. Whether you're enjoying the Algarve's most awarded beaches or your own private pool, the trend reveals the beauty of the oceans' most precious creatures.

Starfish tops, realistic crochet creations or even shell-filled bikinis reveal that the ‘little mermaid’ trend is here to stay.

Stripes, a timeless pattern that made a strong comeback last autumn/winter, are still on trend for this summer 2024. Stripes are the perfect option for those who don't like to take risks but want to maintain a discreet and minimalist style.

Last but not least, don't forget your towel and beach bag so you don't leave anything behind when you set foot on the golden sands of the Algarve coast. Go for strong, fun colours that reflect your days in the sunny, distinctive Algarve.

With this essential travel guide, you'll be ready to enjoy everything the Algarve has to offer in comfort and style. Travelling to the Algarve will be a wonderful experience, full of sun, sea and fun.

Enjoy your holiday!