Being a land of fishermen lapped by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, the Algarve is a paradise for anyone who enjoys fish and sea food. Because every day, as morning breaks, the fishing boats return to harbour, just by the marina, laden with the night's catch and the people of the Algarve have centuries of experience in cooking the delights harvested from the sea. The simplest method is grilling the fish, be it sardine, sea bream or mullet, over the slow heat of glowing charcoals, it is also one of the most delicious methods. But the piest de'resistance of Algarvean cuisine is undoubtedly Cataplana, a delicious dish of seafood cooked casually with tomatoes, onions, cream and pieces of  bacon or sausage although it can also be prepared with other ingredients. The secret is in the cataplana, a broad copper vessel with a hinged lid that is Moorish in origin. The lid is closed while the ingredients simmer together and the flavours develop. And when it is opened - what a treat!. Cataplana’s are also widely available to buy in various sizes from local shops.

The grapes of the Algarve get plenty of sunshine and yield heady wines with lots of fruit that go well with the region's cuisine. And to round off a meal, the arbutus brandy known as "medronho" and other traditional liqueurs made with fruit and honey are well worth a try.

All restaurants stock vinho da casa, house wine in white (branco) and red (tinto). This will be the least expensive wine on offer and it saves studying the wine list (lists de vinhos) which, unless you are familiar with Portuguese wines, maybe largely incomprehensible anyway. Nearly all restaurants in the Algarve stock only Portuguese wines, of which there is a very wide range. In addition to a great variety of white and red table wines, Portugal produces many green, pink, champagne-style and dessert wines. Vinho verde (green wines), from the north west of Portugal, are light and refreshing and an appropriate lunchtime tipple, especially with fish or chicken dishes. Rose is also light, though usually without the slight sparkle of vinho verde.

The Algarve produces both white and red table wines. Although connoisseurs used to turn their noses up at them, there are now some notable exceptions. Sir Cliff Richard produces 'Vida Nova' (New Life) from his estate at Guia just a 10 minute drive from our apartment. Tours of the vineyard cost €7.50 (not including pickup) and include a tasting of four of his wines, we have done it more than once and it is a nice trip and tasting. His wines can be bought at the vineyard but are also sold in Albufeira by Soares outlets. Prices range from around €6 to €12 for the Reserva, click the link for more tour information.

Take advantage of the low prices of wines, spirits, liqueurs and cigarettes. There is no limit to what can be taken home for personal consumption. Try local liqueurs - Licor Beiriio (a subtle blend of herbs with an aniseed flavour), Brandy Mel (a mixture of local 'firewater' and honey) and Amarguinha (made from almond essence) - you'll be tempted to take home a bottle or two for an after taste of your holiday.

The Algarve also has some tempting cakes and pastries. Made with the almonds, figs and oranges that are grown throughout the area and plenty of eggs and sugar, they bear such exotic names as “Dom Rodrigos”, “morgados” and “morgadinhos”. Stuffed figs, fig cake and figs with almonds and chocolate are among the many traditional desserts. The Portuguese love their sweet pastries and so should anyone else with a sweet tooth.