Flying into Faro International Airport, we were met by a Domes representative who was ready to whisk us away to the resort in a fully electric Tesla. This was next-level ease and really set the tone for the weekend.
After a short 30-minute drive to the resort, we were escorted to the Haute Living Room where we were checked into our room. This is an exclusive space for guests staying in the Haute Living room categories, and well worth the upgrade. I had access to unlimited top-shelf wines, branded beers, soft drinks, juices, and a variety of hot and cold snacks. The room even features a book library and can host special events like champagne tastings, mixology sessions, and more.
After check-in, I had a wander this stunning 5-star resort, then lunch at Apricus which overlooks the amazing lake. This was a great spot to sit, relax and enjoy both the food and the location.
In the evening, I reconvened with my group on the terrace of Raw Bar for pre-dinner cocktails and watched the amazing sunset over the marina. Then it was time for a sumptuous meal in Gustatio, one of the resort's a la carte specialty restaurants.
After our fantastic dinner, we all headed into nearby Vilamoura marina which is only a 5-minute walk away to people watch, see some amazing yachts, and enjoy a nightcap or two.
The next morning after breakfast we decided to explore more of our destination, and headed out on a Jeep Safari tour of the local region. Visiting small local villages such as Alte and Salir, as well as Cork Oak Forests, we enjoyed a local liquor tasting experience and visited local water sources and natural pools.
Returning to the hotel in the afternoon, I took the opportunity to enjoy a relaxing 30-minute Spa treatment after a busy morning of exploring. Some of our group couldn't resist the white sandy beach right on our doorstep though, and a few even took to kayaking on the lake.
That evening we had a wine-tasting experience in the resort at Topos Floating Restaurant on the lake, the resort's award-winning neo-Greek seafood venue. Our meal was excellent, and the menu was prepared to complement locally produced wines which we really appreciated after a day of discovering the Algarve.
This may have been a quick trip, but I still managed to see, taste and experience so much. It was the ideal stay for a dose of short-haul sun!
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