Nick: What were your first recollections of Carvoeiro?

Julio: Well when I arrived in Carvoeiro for the first time it was 1974 - there was only one hotel, one restaurant..

Nick: Is that restaurant still open?

Julio: Yes, yes "O Patio" is still open - it was the only restaurant here and a bank.. and Smilers Bar. So nothing else - lots of dogs, old people and plenty of sunshine. That's how I remember Carvoeiro in those days.

Nick: And the hotel, can you remember anything about that?

Julio: Well that was this hotel, the Carvoeiro Sol - it was constructed in 1973. At that time I was in a hotel in Lisbon and this hotel was built at the same time.

Nick: I have heard a lot of stories about Carvoeiro in those days. Apparently all the rich people used to come here and the Beatles were here...

Julio: Well yes, I don't remember the Beatles but Cliff Richard was always here and most of the good players in England, they came here.

Nick: Why did they come to Carvoeiro then and not now?

Julio: Well maybe because Carvoeiro was a small fishing village, when you didn't see many villages like Carvoeiro around, you know traditional Algarvian villages - it was very different, very quiet and that's why they came here.

Nick: I see there is a village called "Vale del Rei" or "Valley of the Kings" near where I live - did the king stay there?

Julio: Probably, I know that a king lived in Silves - that I know - but I´m not sure about Vale del Rei.

Nick: So you started here at this hotel in 1974?

Julio: I started here in 1977 and I have been here ever since. Many things have changed, however the centre of the village hasn't changed that much, but outside...its bigger, beautiful houses, more villas of the rich people... and around Carvoeiro it is very beautiful.

Nick: Some people say that Carvoeiro might be losing its charm - do you think so?

Julio: I don't think so - because the Camara in Lagoa doesn't like to allow big constructions.

Nick: With Lagoa having recently been declared a city, do you think this will influence Carvoeiro?

Julio: I was surprised when I heard about Lagoa becoming a city, because it doesn't have many things at all. That's what I feel.. it is too small to be a city - especially when I come from a big city like Lisbon.

Nick: What changes would you like to see take place in Carvoeiro.

Julio: Well it depends on what kind of change you want. There is no place for the children, first they have to play on the street because every restaurant is outside, you know, chairs on the street - which is very dangerous for the children playing. We don't have many playgrounds. I know that is difficult with the space shortage but we need a playground for the children. Also another problem we have here is parking your car. I don't know what they want to do with that - they have to do something.

Nick: Rumour has it that they are planning a parking are near the new Hotel Mirachoura Praia.

Julio: Yeah, that could be a solution.

Nick: Okay, what have you heard about the Internet?

Julio: (laughs) A LOT! A lot, yeah my Internet is Vicki Good! (Vicki Good is the group sales manager who is at lunch with us) www.vickigood.com (laughs). Of course the Internet is a good thing, it is a shame that I don't know anything about the Internet. Normally I have the pages sent to me (by fax) - I mean if the people want to know anything about where to eat, about the hotel then they just use the Internet. It's a shame I don't have it here, I don't know why.

Nick: It is good to see the Internet getting more and more exposure here in Portugal.

Julio: What I think about the Internet at the moment here in Portugal is that it is a little expensive - I know it because I have a Sega Dreamcast in my house for the children and I get the phone bill every month.

Nick: Tell me about this hotel, the Carvoeiro Sol.

Julio: Ahh the Carvoeiro Sol, let me see, it is a small hotel we have 54 rooms, one restaurant, a bar and a bar at the swimming pool. We have live music three times a week which is open to non-residents as well. The bar and restaurant are also open to non-residents. What happens in the summer is that we have music outside in the square - so naturally the guests go outside to see the music (note. see our Event Calendar - www.carvoeiro.com/events). At the moment the service is very good - this is my passion.

Nick: How many stars does it have?

Julio: Four stars - it is a beach hotel and we have a pool...

Nick: Well thank you very much for your time, and I wish you the best of luck.

Julio: No problem.. it was a pleasure

We adjourned to the outside "atrium" for a lunch of magnificent Dourado. Thank you to the Carvoeiro Sol for supporting Carvoeiro.com and for the great lunch!