The Algarve has always been a popular destination with golfers, many who travel to spend their holidays playing their favourite sport in the warm Portuguese sun on Europe's most prestigious golf course-studded holiday coast. However, the Algarve is also becoming an interesting destination for art and culture lovers and this will continue throughout 2011.

The region is advancing as a cultural attraction lately thanks to galleries expanding their collections and working to entice visitors with new exhibitions and activities. The increase in the Algarve's art-tourism is also thanks to several fine art events that will be held throughout the Algarve this year.

The artistic history of Portugal is rich and fascinating, and many of the stories of this nation are told through its paintings, sculptures, tiles, and other masterpieces. In nearby Lisbon, the Coach Museum gives a visual history of this traditional mode of transport, with some incredibly ornate antique coaches on display. The Navy Museum examines the art of boat-making and life at sea, while the Ancient Art Museum showcases works from throughout history. Lisbon also features the Tile Museum, where viewers can see the blue and white traditional tiles that were used to create scenes of how life used to be.

Also, guests visiting the Quinta do Lago villas region in the Algarve will find several local galleries surrounding the resort, offering everything from paintings, jewellery, glasswork, crafts, pottery, and much more. Other stores offer fine art framing services as well as interior design and home decor. An art lover with an eye for the fine and beautiful could spend hours browsing the handicrafts and artworks on display in this area.

In addition to the extensive collections in the dozens of fine art galleries scattered throughout the region, guests can also view great works of sculpture in the outdoors at the Roman archaeological site Cerro da Villa. As was recently announced by Four Seasons Fairways in their online events guide, starting in January 2011 and continuing until September, the exhibition “Ten Monumental British Sculptures” will be held at this historical site. The ten sculptures will be placed around the Roman ruins, blending in harmoniously with their surroundings and creating an interesting relationship between the art piece and the landscape in which it is displayed. The ten works of large-scale sculpture belong to the Berardo Collection. Four Seasons Fairways resort has promoted this event so that its guests can take advantage of the unique opportunity to see these priceless sculptures in an ancient setting.

Also nearby the Quinta do Lago villas region is the Teatro das Figuras in Faro. This lovely theatre is putting on a dance show entitled “Nortada” during the end of January which is sure to challenge the minds and emotions of its viewers. A nostalgic look at a childhood home, strong with feelings of longing and innocence, this avant-garde dance piece promises to be unique and haunting.

Also, some tour companies offer art-themed tours of the Algarve region, which provide tourists with a great way to see the interesting cultural sites as well as meet others who share the same passion.

Four Seasons Fairways resort is the ideal location for a tourist planning to attend these and other cultural events. Situated at a prime location in the Algarve, it is nearby to several galleries, theatres and museums and yet still gives a feeling of quiet, peaceful isolation.

As well as the Algarve's Four Seasons Fairways the accommodation available to rent at the Monte da Quinta Suites is also exquisitely designed, and fans of classic architecture will love the traditional Portuguese features that have been incorporated into their modern design.

As a result of its many quality galleries and upcoming events, the Algarve region in Portugal is becoming a very desirable fine art destination for culture-fans from all over the globe.

Author Bio

Established in 1982, Select Resorts is a leading villa holiday operator based in Dorset (UK). For over 25 years we have prided ourselves on offering our guests handpicked, quality accommodation, in some of the most premium resort destinations all over the world.