I’ve visited Albufeira a couple of times now, and on my last trip, I stayed at a beach resort just half a mile from the famous “Strip”.

Portugal is such a beautiful and fascinating country, and my time in Albufeira, in the heart of the Algarve, was nothing short of perfect. The town offers an appealing mix of shops, bars, and restaurants, ideal for both exploration and relaxation.

Avenida Francisco Sá Carneiro, known locally as “The Strip”, is the centre of Albufeira’s nightlife. Although it’s located a little way from the town centre, it’s a magnet for the younger crowd with its vibrant clubs and bars echoing with music and dancing into the early hours. It’s definitely a great place to people-watch and soak up the atmosphere.

Perhaps it’s my age, but I found myself preferring Praia dos Pescadores, or Fisherman’s Beach, which is located at the eastern end of the town’s seafront. A very welcome outdoor escalator helped ease the burden on my then 45-year-old, slightly creaky bones!

Here, my son and I enjoyed peaceful strolls through the typically narrow, winding streets, where enthusiastic waiters did their best to entice us into the many restaurants and cafés. The smell of freshly caught fish filled the air, teasing our senses and appetites.

As a retired chef, I was especially drawn to the traditional dishes of the Algarve. One highlight was Cataplana, named after the clam-shaped copper cookware in which it’s prepared — a delicious stew brimming with local shellfish. Caldeirada, another fish stew, and the simply grilled sardines were also favourites on many menus.

The waters around Albufeira are teeming with wildlife. And you don’t necessarily need to dive in to witness some of the region’s more exotic marine life. There’s a good chance of spotting common dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, and even minke whales if you opt for one of the many boat tours offered around the harbour.

I was inspired to recreate a dish called lulas fritas — fried calamari. Personally, I thought it turned out quite well, served with a homemade tartare sauce. But it was met with horror by my son Jay, who at the time, aged 15, claimed it was “the worst onion rings he’d ever tasted.” Thankfully, his palate has matured since then!

Summer is the best time to spot marine wildlife, as many species move closer to the shore to escape the colder waters of the Atlantic Ocean.

Now, this wouldn’t be one of my travel tales without a little drama. This particular story involves my son once again, who insisted we go on a high-powered speedboat ride to spot dolphins and view the breathtaking cave formations along the coast.

Anyone who knows me knows that I have a healthy fear of the sea. I admire it — from the safety of the beach. Which is ironic, given that my father was a sailor in the Royal Navy!

After witnessing the beauty of the caves and the magical sight of dolphins playing near our boat, things took a bit of a turn. Suddenly, we were off — bouncing across the waves at alarming speed, the Portuguese coastline shrinking behind us.

My face was contorted with what felt like G-force. Clutching my life jacket tighter, I turned to Jay and shouted over the roar of the engine, “The way we’re going, we’ll end up in Morocco by teatime if we don’t turn around!”

That’s when I realised maybe I shouldn’t have taken him out of school for this holiday — especially when he looked out across the ocean and said, “But that’s Ireland over there.” Geography has never been his strongest subject.

Eventually, we turned around and made our way back to dry land — a little bruised, slightly breathless, but with memories that I’ll cherish forever.

The Algarve truly has something for everyone, and I know I’ll return again one day. Sun, seafood, and speedboats — what more could you want?