Add to this the fact that the Algarve is a relatively small geographical area with few major resorts very far from Faro airport and you can add further savings on airport transfer costs. Car hire in Portugal is also good value and the size of the car hire industry in Portugal means that there are good value deals, particularly outside the main holiday season.

A survey by the Post Office showed that Portugal is now one of the cheapest places for typical holiday spending. When considering items such as meals in a restaurant, drinks and even buying sun cream, Portugal is one of the top holiday destinations where your money is likely to last longer. This comes as no surprise to anyone who has taken a family to eat out in Portugal. Not only great food and great value, but a great welcome for children!

An average three course meal for 2 people, with wine, will come to less than €40 – €45 (£35 -£39) in most of the restaurants in Silves, where Duas Quintas is located. And there is no need to rush away at the end of your meal, often on weekend nights free music is also included.

The best that the Algarve has to offer all comes free.  Beautiful beaches, stunning rock formations and magnificent seascapes are part and parcel of an Algarve holiday. And the amazing thing is that car parking is free! Inland, there are wonderful rural villages, rivers, hills and mountains all waiting for you to explore them. Walking on the Algarve is slowly becoming less of a secret and in spring and autumn in particular more and more visitors are taking the opportunity to have an Algarve walking holiday or short break.

All of this is good news in a time when value for money is an important consideration when choosing our holiday destination.

Jet2.com has announced a 70% increase in its  Faro – Edinburgh flights this summer. The new service  will start on May  1st and means that holidaymakers to the Algarve can choose between four different flights to and from the Scottish capital. The announcement will particularly interest independent travellers, many of whom come to the Algarve for short breaks, staying in local guesthouses and bed and breakfasts.

Philip Meeson, of  Jet2.com, said ‘With other operators ceasing services from this airport we have stepped in to ensure that the demand for flights and summer holidays from Edinburgh in 2010 can continue to be met.” Algarve guesthouse owners are delighted with the news as they are only too aware of the attraction the Algarve holds for Scottish people. The lure of warm weather, beautiful beaches and wonderful golf courses means that many people from Scotland choose the Algarve for short breaks and for their main summer holiday. Jet2.com has online check in facilities as well as a generous baggage allowance of 22kg. Lots of extra room to bring back local crafts, shoes and fabulous Portuguese wines!

The  new service continues until October 31st, allowing  visitors to take advantage of the low season prices and special offers offered by many Algarve guesthouses.