Getting there: Faro is very well served throughout the year by a wide range of airlines from all over the UK and from elsewhere in Europe.

At Faro airport, there is an orderly rank of spotless, metered taxis at the ready. The journey to Tavira Garden (which is known to most of the drivers) takes about 40 minutes and costs 35-40 euros. Also at the airport are the offices of a dozen or so car rental companies and a Tourist Information office.

Finding the apartment: Directions to Tavira Garden are issued once bookings have been confirmed and paid for in full. Our local agents are always present to greet guests when they arrive at Tavira Garden, introduce them to the apartment, and attend also at the time of final departure. At guests' own expense, a range of additional services may be commissioned from the agents; these include being met at the airport, advance booking of hire cars and the provision of a "welcome pack" of supplies. The hire of cots and high-chairs can also be arranged.

Getting around: For those who prefer not to rent a car, getting around from Tavira Garden presents few problems. The centre of town is a 20-minute downhill stroll. Taxis are quickly and easily obtainable by calling the Tavira taxi service which has English-speaking operators; their telephone number is displayed in the reception area at Tavira Garden where there is also a public call-box. All taxis are metered, and most journeys within Tavira, or between Tavira Garden and the town centre, cost 3 or 4 euros. The taxis will take clients virtually anywhere in the region they want to go, and can be hired for day excursions. A number of travel companies offer bus tours to local and more distant places of interest. Short boat trips are available on the River Gilao.

The railway line which runs along the entire length of the Algarve passes through Tavira, and offers regular and inexpensive - but rather slow - services to the west and eastwards as far as the Spanish border only. The journey to Faro takes about 40 minutes and the timetable allows for a full day's visit there from Tavira; the return fare is less than 5 euros and a good printed timetable is available at the railway station. From Faro, there is an express connection to Lisbon. There are also bus services from the centre of Tavira to surrounding towns and villages. Timetables can be mystical to visitors, and enquiries should be made at the bus station or the Tourist Information office.

Within Tavira, the little train which runs to the beach ferry also does a tour of the town with a stop which allows a visit to the castle.