GOURMET TRIP TO THE ALGARVE: VACATION BY THE SEA UNDER MICHELIN STARS

EXCLUSIVE GROUP TRIP WITH THE MICHELIN STAR CHEF IN THE ALGARVE - PORTUGAL

This group trip to the Algarve for gourmets and connoisseurs is personally accompanied by Michelin star chef Jens Rittmeyer

A 6-day Algarve holiday of the epicurean kind awaits you: You will enjoy delicious specialties and fresh fish, explore the picturesque coast of the Algarve, visit a saltworks and taste freshly caught oysters. The culinary highlights of this trip include a gourmet lunch in the Michelin-starred restaurant of the Vila Joya and a Portuguese cooking class led by Michelin-starred chef Jens Rittmeyer.

Jens Rittmeyer emigrated to Albufeira in Portugal in 2002 and cooked alongside Dieter Koschina as sous chef at the Vila Joya for a year. In 2003, he took on the role of Chef de Cuisine at the São Gabriel restaurant in Almancil and earned his first Michelin star at the age of just 27.

Gourmet journey with the Michelin-starred chef and Portugal connoisseur, Jens Rittmeyer

During your Algarve trip with Jens Rittmeyer, you will taste delicious specialties and stunning culinary masterpieces. Of course, Jens Rittmeyer will also tell you all about the Michelin-starred world.

The Algarve for connoisseurs

Journey from Germany - for example with the Eurowings direct flight from Hamburg to Faro with arrival at 17:15.

After arrival at the airport in Faro, you will be welcomed by the German-speaking tour guide. Transfer and check-in at the 4-star Hotel Vila Galé Collection in Praia da Galé. Later in the afternoon, Jens Rittmeyer will welcome you and personally present the gourmet program for the coming days.

This adult only hotel is located in the immediate vicinity of the beach, was completely renovated in 2004 and has 40 double rooms on 3 floors. It offers its guests an idyllic pool and garden area, a spacious lobby with elevators and a reception desk which is open around the clock.

Relax at the beautiful pool area of the Hotel Vila Galé Collection

Enjoy dinner in a typical beach restaurant at Praia da Galé, which you can reach together and comfortably on foot from the hotel.

The Galé beach offers fantastic rock formations and sunsets.

Galé is a small oasis in the middle of the Algarve coast with a wide sandy beach surrounded by a golden cliff. Various rock formations give the landscape the picturesque appearance so typical of the Algarve. Albufeira, with its enchanting old town and whitewashed facades, is just 10 minutes away.

Fish dinner on the beach - the perfect start to an enjoyable adventure trip in the Algarve

Group trip Algarve for connoisseurs: Market visit, salt flats,Chicken Piri-Piri and outdoor experience with oyster tasting in the Rio Formosa Natural Park

Today, a second Portuguese breakfast awaits you at the market of Olhao. Hand-sliced ham, cheese and pickled mackerel provide a delicious Portuguese foundation for the day's program.

A hearty second breakfast awaits you in an authentic workers' taverna in the market district.

Beforehand, immerse yourself in the scents and colors of the fish and vegetable market, which is located right on the waterfront. It's hard to decide which is more spectacular, the imposing brick building or the interior of the market hall with the friendly traders and their wares, which we will get to know in detail.

Afterwards, stay by the sea and visit the Salinas do Grelha, where sea salt and the valuable "Flor de Sal" are extracted in excellent quality. If you're lucky, you might spot flamingos and other inhabitants of the salt flats, so better pack your binoculars!

The salt pans of Grelha are not only known for their excellent salt, but also for the flamingos that live there.

A typical Portuguese specialty awaits you for lunch, the chicken piri piri: chicken grilled on charcoal with a spicy piri piri sauce. Of course with starter and dessert with wine and water or coffee.

On this Portugal gourmet tour you will get to know the most delicious specialties of the Algarve

Gourmet tour in a small group in the Algarve: Outdoor adventure on an oyster farm - you'll never taste oysters fresher again!

After lunch, things get adventurous for connoisseurs as you travel by speedboat through the Rio Formosa Nature Park and visit an oyster farm.

The water channels of the nature park are extremely exposed to the tides, which is why you have to take the shallower rubber boat to the sandbank, where you have to wade through the knee-deep water, which stimulates the blood circulation, the subsequent walk over the rough sandbank then also offers the complete program of a foot massage and you can already admire the biodiversity of mussels and crustaceans here.

Pack a pair of shorts or roll-up trousers for this day and something warm to wear, as it will be windy on the boat.

Roll up your trousers and enjoy a "foot massage" - adventure is fun!

On the oyster beds you will find out why the oysters of the Rio Formosa reach the size of their French counterparts in just 18 months, which instead take three years to grow.

The quality of the oysters is absolutely outstanding: The freshness of cucumber meets the taste of the sea and the meat is wonderfully firm to the bite and in no way "slabby". The oyster fishermen open the oysters for us "on the spot" with a glass of white wine - it doesn't get any fresher than this!

Who would have thought that the Algarve could produce such treasures? For us, these were by far the best oysters of our lives so far!

Don't worry, if you're not an outdoor fan, you can simply stay in the comfortable boat and the oysters will be brought from the oyster bank to the boat for tasting.

Afterwards, explore the fishing island of Culatra, which seems to be its own little universe. The colorful little houses with their lovingly landscaped front gardens will make you go into raptures...as will the specialties from the small island bakery, which we will sample. Afterwards, you will sail back to Olhao blissfully and full of new impressions in the soft light of the evening sun.


You will travel on a private boat through the Rio Formosa Nature Park to the oyster farm.

The evening is at your leisure.

Holiday in the Algarve with Excursion to Cabo de Sao Vicente, exclusive insights at the famous fish market in Sagres and a sip of Medronho or Maciera

After breakfast, you will head to Cabo de Sao Vicente, the most south-westerly point in Europe, the "end of the world". Stop off at the cult bratwurst stand "the last bratwurst before America", where you could get a certificate as well as a bratwurst if the approaching sumptuous lunch with its delicious Portuguese specialties wasn't so tempting!

Breathtaking view at the most south-westerly point in Europe. 

Lunch in Vila do Bispo at the Eira do Mel restaurant, where 100% tasty Portuguese cuisine awaits you: Enjoy a Cataplana Algarvia, it's a sumptuous stew dish, accompanied by a bottle of good Portuguese wine.

The aromatic cataplana is a must in the Algarve and a real dream with José!

Afterwards continue to Sagres, where you can visit the famous fish market and watch the fish being landed at the local fish market. From 3 pm on Mondays to Fridays, a fish auction is held where local fishermen auction off their catch of the day.

You are watching the landing of the day's catch live in Sagres.

This fish market is one of the best in Portugal, if not in the whole of Europe. The Algarve's top chefs source the best products from the sea from here. Your host is Pedro Bastos - one of the best fish sellers - renowned chefs from all over Europe buy the freshest fish from him.

You will also be able to try a typical drink, called medronho or maciera, on site.

The fish market in Sagres is definitely worth a visit.

Afterwards, return to the hotel and spend the evening at leisure.

Group trip to the Algarve with Wine tasting in the heart of the Algarve and lunch at the Michelin-starred restaurant, Vila Joya

After breakfast today, a visit to the excellent Quinta dos Vales winery in the heart of the western Algarve is on the agenda. In addition to winemaking, the owner has also dedicated himself to art, which is easy to see from the works of art scattered around the grounds.

A visit to a winery is an essential part of an enjoyable round trip to the Algarve.

A very special experience awaits you at the end of the guided tour, because there is not just a wine tasting, you become an oenologist yourself today and create your own red wine cuvée from three very different grape varieties grown on the estate. Of course, you can then take your bottle home with you.

You will be highly focused on creating your very own red wine from three different grape varieties.

Lunch is one of the highlights of this Algarve trip: you will enjoy an opulent lunch menu in the 2 Michelin-starred Vila Joya. Enjoy a creative menu with lots of surprises and culinary twists, including corresponding drinks.

2 Michelin stars on your plates - a real treat and with a paradisiacal view of the sea.

After lunch at the Vila Joya, take a leisurely stroll back to your hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure. Enjoy the pool or the beach.

The Michelin lunch will be a feast for the taste buds!

Hike right by the sea in the Algarve - the 7 floating valleys - with a delicious lunch

Do you know the 7 floating valleys of the Algarve? Today you will get to know them up close on an easy hike (approx. 2 hours).

The region of the 7 floating valleys is one of the most beautiful trekking and hiking spots in the Algarve and was recently voted the best hiking spot in Europe. The trail leads from Praia da Marinha along the rugged limestone cliffs to the famous Benagil cave. The approximately four-kilometre hike along a section of the seven hanging valleys is one of the must-do hikes in the Algarve.

It feels like there is a more beautiful panorama around every corner on the easy trek between Praia de Marinha and Benagil

See for yourself as you encounter impressive rock formations, steep cliffs, large and small sea caves and many beautiful beaches. If you don't want to take part in the hike, you can wait at the end point of the hike. There is a beach and several places to stop for refreshments within a 5-minute walk.

Afterwards, you can enjoy a delicious lunch in a grill restaurant to regain your strength.

Breathtaking nature, the sea and blue skies - you'll love this easy trekking trail.

The late afternoon is at your leisure.

Optionally, you are free to head to the gourmet restaurant Ocean (2 Michelin stars). The imaginative 14-course menu can be booked individually at a price of €265.00 plus drinks.

Group trip to the Algarve with Michelin star chef - of course with Portuguese cooking together with star chef Leonel Pereira in Faro

Comfortable breakfast and check-out. At around 10:00 am, you will set off for Faro to get to know delicious Portuguese specialties up close during a cooking course led by Jens Rittmeyer. Look forward to a cooking demonstration by Leonel Pereira and Jens Rittmeyer, followed by lunch.

Secrets of Portuguese cuisine - learn first-hand the best tricks and tips of Portuguese cooking

Transfer to the airport directly after lunch and return flight to Germany. Of course, you can also extend your trip and spend a few relaxing days in the Algarve after this wonderful group tour.

ALGARVE TRIP: EXTENSION PROGRAM FOR ALL THOSE WHO WANT TO HOLIDAY IN THE ALGARVE FOR A FEW MORE DAYS

During the extension program, you have the opportunity to discover even more of the Algarve on exciting excursions. The excursions on offer take place with a minimum number of 6 participants.

Half-day excursion to Boliqueime - Loule

Today you will discover Boliqueime and Loulé. In Boliqueime, you will first visit the organic farmer Reinhard Falch. The journey then continues in the direction of Loulé. This village is surrounded by green hills in the hinterland of the Algarve. The people here make their living from farming, with everyone still working their own small field. Over the years, the area around Loulé has developed into a popular residential area. Loulé itself is a thriving trading town and is known for its large market.

The tour is accompanied by a German-speaking tour guide.

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The market hall of Loulé is an architectural and culinary feast for the eyes.

A full-day excursion to Monchique and Lagos

On this excursion, you will visit the once Moorish town of Silves with its castle, one of the city's most important sights. Silves itself is situated on a hill and the castle is at its highest point.

Silves will also enchant you with the town itself, which has a charm all of its own thanks to the old town center and the lively market district.

The imposing brick castle of Silves towers high above the city.

Continue to the Monchique Mountains, where you will "climb" the Monchique Mountain and hike to Foia, the highest point in the Algarve.

You will have lunch in a local restaurant before visiting the beautiful village of Lagos in the afternoon. The program includes the slave market (the first in Europe), St. Anthony's Church, the fort and the old town. The tour is accompanied by a German-speaking tour guide.

A cozy restaurant with hearty mountain cuisine is the lunch stop in the Monchique Mountains.

Lagos is simply enchanting and known for its rich arts and crafts and murals. After the city tour, we will take a 1-hour walk around the lighthouse at Ponta do Piedade, where you will once again have fantastic views of the Algarve's bizarre rocky peaks jutting out of the water.

The Ponta di Piedade offers yet more impressive panoramas of the Algarve's rocky coastline.

3-day extension with a travel price per person in a double room and breakfast from € 640.00

3-day extension - travel price per person in a single room and breakfast from € 880.00

Supplement for half board p.p./day from € 40.00

Copyright of the pictures: AT Algarve, EHTL, Joao Silva BB,