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Travel On A Budget - Comporta!
Tuesday 28th May 2013 | Alex
For ‘Travel on a Budget’ it’s pretty pricey, isn’t it? Comporta’s worth talking about because it’s a coveted getaway spot (after all, there are loads of cheap places I could write about, but they suck), it’s inexpensive for what it is, and it’s achievable (nothing else would matter if there was no hope of ever getting there).
It’s a parish on the Tróia peninsula, a 13-mile stretch of spit an hour south of Lisbon. That’s already something: it’s low risk – if you don’t like the undisturbed geography or the heaving megalopolis then you’re really in a minority. Its vicinity within the Sado estuary attracts some crazy wildlife: storks and flamingos can be spotted almost frequently, and the beaches manage to be sizzling and chilled-out simultaneously. And, not that this should swing it for you, Jose Mourinhio has a hideaway in Comporta.
Villagers sell “vintage Lacoste t-shirts” on the beachfront (at least, that’s what The Guardian’s Susannah Osborne says). It’s Comporta not Magaluf, but I’d still struggle to believe they’re not fake – in fact, I’m sure they’re fake. She had the right idea though, you can find straw hats and beaded necklaces if you’re looking. It’s important to bear in mind that Comporta is essentially a modish getaway – it’s the sort of place that’ll sell ragged sundresses if it thinks they’re stylish – the sort of place that trades in cocktails you’ve never heard of. The traditional plate is beans, rice and linguica, and you can find this sort of thing at the O Dinis restaurant (011-351-265-497-023) which hosts its summer parties (but low-key parties, seriously low-key and strictly chic) overlooking the rice fields.
Like I said it’s not stupidly cheap, but is affordable. Alojamento Local Verde e Mar will give you a double room for £50; I’m in a £20-per-person-per-night hostel right now and it’s beyond disgusting – that £50 will give a couple a night in this paradisiacal retreat is pretty cool. Just don’t come back wearing a pashmina.
Written by Alex Dean - @AlexDean94
