The Rooses

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The Rooses are a wanderlust laden family of four. Chris and Tanja both work passionately for Nectar & Pulse and their two sons, Jonathan and Victor, come along on every journey, be it near or far. The Rooses love contrasts and discovering the world in all its different aspects. They are deeply in love with each other and their adventurous (and often crazy) life.

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Our 24 Hours in Portugal South

Our youngest son Victor is six months old now. The past half year has been magical and beautiful but also intense and exhausting in many ways. Having two little ones is demanding so it’s time for the first family holiday as the four of us!

We decide on Portugal, a road trip from Faro (Algarve) to Lisbon to be precise, with some stops in between. The flight from Munich is only three hours long (which turns out to be just the right length for a first time flight with two little ones), the ocean and cliff line is beautiful and we have a long list of great spots to visit, collected over the years by our Local Soulmates. Furthermore, Portugal is very kids-friendly: no matter where you go – restaurants, cafés, hotels – they all welcome you and your little ones with a big smile and an easygoing attitude, which is a great relief for parents.

We get up at four in the morning in Munich (not my time of day at all… note to self: never again book a flight this early) and catch the first flight to Faro. Victor’s first flight goes well and as we unboard the plane we can already smell the invigorating ocean air and feel the morning sun on our skin. If you want to grab something to eat in Faro, go to Adega Nova. For us however, it’s off to pick up our rental car right away and head to Praia da Marinha – a beach known for its picturesque high cliffs, beautiful water and lovely bays. We have breakfast on the way at Helydoce Padaria in Lagoa, an authentic spot where locals and tourists meet and enjoy some Pastéis de Nata, espresso and fresh orange juice. At Praia da Marinha you have three areas, the first of which is a wonderful beach that is easily reachable, even with kids, via a staircase to the left of the parking lot (this beach also has a snack bar, which is a plus for the whole family). The two other beach areas are just as stunning, although a little more difficult to reach. From the parking lot you can also set out on a cliff hike to Nossa Senhora da Rocha or Carvoeiro. You will find signs along the way showing you where to go. After sunbathing, building sand castles, snorkelling, etc., we head to our Boutique Hotel where we’ll stay the next few days: Casa Arte, near Lagos (read the hotel story here). We relax and go for a swim in the pool, have a chat with the owner Sarah and afterwards I do some yoga in the garden. Later, we drive to Lagos for dinner. Some restaurants worth eating at are: Tasca do Kiko for tapas especially, Chico Ze for fish, O Cantinho do Mar, Chachoa Restaurant, and Restaurante dos Artistas.

Day trips we recommend:

You can make an excursion to the small village Monchique. On the way you can stop at Café Rouxinol for a bit of raspberry pie or maybe even lunch. In Monchique you should eat at Restaurante O Luar da Foia or O Poço da Serra if you fancy some wild boar. 

You could drive to Silves, in which case you should eat at Barradas or O Rui. 

Or make a trip to Burgau and eat at our friends Iris and Marco’s place, the Burgau Beach Bar, which is the only beachside restaurant there. Very relaxing because your kids can play at the beach while you have a drink on the terrace. 

Some other nearby hotels worth mentioning are Casa Modesta and Fazenda Nova.

Favorite beaches around Lagos: Dona Ana, Praia Do Camilo, Porto Mos, Meia Praia (lots of shellfish here!).
And around Faro: Praia da Rocha in Portimao, Praia de Benagil in Lagoa.

After our stay in the South we head on a little further to the Northwest and stay at Casas da Cerca (find out more about the hotel here). 

We hope you enjoy this beautiful part of Europe.

The Rooses

Locations



Adega NovaR. Francisco Barreto 24, 8000-363 Faro, Portugal

The restaurant Adega Nova serves typical Portuguese food in an old warehouse location.
Praia da MarinhaPraia da Marinha, Lagoa, Portugal

This beach is said to be one of the most wonderful and quaint beaches in the world.
Helydoce Padaria in LagoaR. Francisco Sá Carneiro LE, 8400-386 Lagoa, Portugal

A lovely breakfast spot. Gorge on some delicious Pastéis de Nata!
Nossa Senhora da RochaNossa Senhora da Rocha, Portugal

A medieval castle from where you have fantastic views of the beach and the sea.
CarvoeiroCarvoeiro, Portugal

Visit the little village Carvoeiro where you have plenty of opportunities to eat and drink or just stroll around.
Casa ArteCASA ARTE, Lagos, Portugal

Casa Arte is located in a somewhat remote area and offers five beautiful rooms for guests to stay in. Truly a hidden gem, run with great love and passion by its friendly owners Sarah and Freek!
Tasca do KikoEstr. de São Roque A, 8600-315 Lagos, Portugal

Enjoy great tapas here!
Chico ZeR. da Torre, 8600 Odiáxere, Portugal

At the Chico Ze great fish dishes are served in an authentic way.
Cantinho do MarRua do Alentejo, Armação de Pêra, Portugal

A little farther away from Lagos but still worth a visit, owing to the excellent kitchen and service.
Chachoa RestaurantEstr. Funchal-Lagos, 8600 Lagos, Portugal

A top-notch restaurant in a beautiful setting!
Restaurante dos ArtistasR. Cândido dos Reis 68, Lagos, Portugal

Located at the old town of Lagos, this restaurant serves a delicious mix of regional and international cuisine.
MonchiqueMonchique, Portugal

Monchique is a beautiful small village located in a mountainous region, offering great views from the two peaks of Foia and Picota. Another popular highlight of the area are the "Caldas de Monchique", the natural hot springs.
Café RouxinolN266 204z, 8550-232 Monchique, Portugal

When it’s still cold in the evenings, enjoy dinner in front of the wonderful open fireplace inside.
Restaurante O Luar da FoiaN266-3 2, 8550 Monchique, Portugal

Come here for excellent Portuguese cuisine and an incredible view of the area.
O Poço da SerraN266, 8550, Portugal

We instantly felt welcome at this lovely hidden spot in the mountains, and the food they serve here is typical Portuguese home cooking. Yummy!
BarradasN124-1 604, 8300 Silves, Portugal

Fine dining in a remote farmhouse.
Marisqueira RuiR. Comendador Vilarinho 27, Silves, Portugal

Another one of those absolutely great seafood restaurants in the Algarve!
Burgau Beach BarR. da Praia, Burgau, Portugal

Our friends Marco and Iris are doing a great job with this beach side restaurant where you can witness stunning sunsets while having a drink and watching your kids play in the sand.
Casa ModestaCasa Modesta, Rua das Fontes Santas, Olhão, Portugal

Casa Modesta perfectly combines clean minimalist architecture and interior design with the traditional way of life of the Algarve. Simply beautiful!
Fazenda NovaEM514 642X, 8800-509, Portugal

Stay at this heavenly boutique hotel and indulge in all their luxurious amenities.
Dona AnaPraia Dona Ana, Lagos, Portugal

This magical beach with its golden sand, crystal clear water and high cliffs is within walking distance of Lagos city centre.
Praia Do CamiloPraia do Camilo, Lagos, Portugal

Protected from the wind by the cliffs framing the bay, this beach is the ideal spot for a long day in the sun!
Praia de Porto de MosPraia de Porto Mós, Portugal

Perfect for surfing and wind surfing!
Meia PraiaMeia Praia, Lagos, Portugal

Take long and relaxing beach walks at the 4 km long Meia Praia.
Praia da RochaPraia da Rocha, Portimão, Portugal

Next to the Praia da Rocha are many small restaurants and cafés for a nice lunch break on a long beach day.
Praia de BenagilPraia de Benagil, Portugal

A small beach where you can watch fishermen bring in their catch of the day while sunbathing.
Casas da CercaCasas da Cerca, Portugal

In the middle of nowhere inside the Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina lies this hidden gem. Three little huts can be rented from the lovely owner and architect Graça Jalles. The perfect hideout for your Portuguese adventure!
‘It’s time for the first family holiday as the four us!’
Yummy breakfast.
My three loves.
Baby boy Victor at the beach for the first time.
Dreamy mornings.
  • Espressos and Pasteis De Nata at Helydoce Padaria in Lagoa.
  • This looks like a beach we wanna spend the next few hours at: Praia da Marinha.
  • Go left from the parking lot to reach this beautiful gem.
  • Let’s build a sandcastle.
  • Solo swim time at: Praia da Marinha.
  • The sky is the limit.
  • Boutique Hotel Casa Arte near Lagos.
  • The shy hotel doggy Harry.
  • Beach Bar and Restaurant in Burgau, run by our friends Iris & Marco.
  • Delicious fresh fish at Burgau Beach Bar.
  • Choose a table, enjoy the view, eat a home baked cake.
  • High tide at Burgau Beach Bar.
  • Turns out old paddle boats at the parking space in Burgau are the perfect playground.
  • Playtime.
  • On the way to Monchique. Dropping by Café Rouxinol for some lunch.
  • Piri Piri - good for young and old.
  • Restaurants with playgrounds for the win: Café Rouxinol.
  • Getting ready for dinner at Casa Arte.
  • Love eating stuff we’ve never tried before... these little things... :)

Our thoughts about Portugal South

What do you love about your destination?

The spectacular cliff line, the surfers, the family-friendly locals, the multitude of diverse beaches, the hidden gems…

What‘s a "must do" in your destination?

Swim, eat, play golf, hike along the cliff line, visit the westernmost point of Europe in Sagres, snorkel, surf, have fun!

Walking to paradise.
Mum and son.
Love is the answer.
Hello Casa Arte.
Morning bliss.
Eat. Swim. Sleep. Repeat.
Octopussy.
My three loves.
Playdate.
Hello world. You got me!

Take a vacation into Our life

What’s your background?

We are a family of four currently based in Berlin but we love to go on adventures near and far. Tanja (with both Swedish and Austrian roots) started Nectar & Pulse in 2010. Chris (originally from Hamburg) and Tanja met in 2011, fell in love, got married, and became parents to their beloved kids, Jonathan and Victor. Chris worked for BMW and holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering but switched over to working at Nectar & Pulse in 2015. We are soulmates with a shared love for family, business, travel, transformation, fashion, music, exceptional hotels and wonderful places made with love. From luxury trips to getting up close and personal with nature and locals, we love it all. Come along and follow us! ☺ We love to show you the world from our perspective.

What is the best moment of the day?

Oh so many, but mostly the tiny little moments in between, when we realise we’re living the life we always dreamed of.

What inspires you?

People of all kinds. Smart people, happy people, passionate people, funny people, successful people, small people (=kids ☺ ), old and wise people, people who dare to be pioneers and do something really well or love to do it.

Travelling. Nature. Sex. Urbanity. Fashion. Photography. Music. Films.

Each other. Love.

How would a good friend describe you?

Soulmates who just HAD to meet! Make babies, business and life together. ☺

Your lifestyle in 5 words?

Love. Family. Business. Wanderlust. Nectar&Pulse.

Which books, newspapers or magazines do you read?

Books by: Haruki Murakami, Susan Sontag, Amelie Nothomb, Martin Suter, Thomas Bernhard, António Lobo Antunes, Benedict Wells.

Books about: Entrepreneurs, business stories, photography, brands, design. Biographies.

Magazines: brandeins, Zeit magazine, sz-Magazine, Vogue, Stern, Monocle, Interview, i-D, 032, Travel Almanac, the gentlewomen, Another Man, Harvard Business Manager, Business Punk, New York Times Mag, Kinfolk, Cereal, Vanity Fair, AD, The Weekender, Numéro, apartamento, Suitcase, Elle Traveller.

Newspapers: Zeit, FAZ, SZ, New York Times.

Online: Zeit, Spiegel, Monocle, Refinery29, Huffington Post, New York Times, Guardian, Twitter, Harvard Business, Süddeutsche,..

Blogs: Mit Vergnügen, A Cup of Jo, Little Years, Journelles, Man Repeller, bleubird, Mother Mag, Romy and the bunnies, Lillies and León, Primer & Lacquer, This is Jane Wayne, Daily Dose, ohhhhmhhhh...

Which films blow your mind?

Films: City of God, most by Quentin Tarantino, Lost in Translation, Magnolia, Before Sunset, Schmetterling und Taucherglocke, Woody Allen Films, Ziemlich beste Freunde, Nowhere Boy, Peaceful Warrior, Margarete Steiff, Into the Wild, Interstellar, Darjeeling Limited, Blow, Das Leben der Anderen, Victoria, Wer früher stirbt ist länger tot, Gegen die Wand, die Verurteilten, Der Pate, Forrest Gump, Grand Budapest Hotel, Garden State, Wie ein einziger Tag, Amelie, Her, Babel, Herr der Ringe, 12 years a slave, Wall Street, Die Kinder des Monsieur Mathieu, Entdeckung der Unendlichkeit, Twice Born,...

Series: True Detective, Game of Thrones, House of Cards, Love, Chef's Table, Homeland, Die Brücke, Narcos, Mad Men, Suits, Last Chance U, The Affair,...

Person you’d like to sit next to in an airplane?

Each other.

What are your favourite destinations around the globe?

Sweden, Iceland, California, Austria, Walchensee, Japan, Lago Maggiore, Italy, New York, Maldives, Berlin, Hamburg,...wherever loved ones are.

Your life philosophy?

You only live once — make it a grand journey. Taste the NECTAR. Feel the PULSE.

Suitcase, Backpack or Weekender?

All three. Tanja: Suitcase. Chris: Weekender. Boys: Backpack. ☺

Travelling is…

broaden our horizons.

Life is…

a fulfilling journey.

nectarandpulse

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