Which resort in Portugul - that isn't full of teenagers or larger louts, but does have some life, and doesn't have busy roads - should I visit? I want a studio for one person, as apartments are too dear for one and hotels dictate when you get up and eat in the morning; and I'd like a pool as well. Paul Whitwell, by email

Ginny McGrath, Times Online Travel News Editor responds: The Portuguese tourist board has suggested Tavira - even though this is in the Algarve, it is in the Eastern Algarve, which is authentic Portugal and has a number of restaurants and bars.They've suggested Cabanas de Tavira which costs from €200 a week.

Tavira has a fascinating history - archaeological remains have been found here that date to the 1st century when the city was called Balsa and was a centre of fishing and fish salting between the Algarvian hills and the Gilao river. Successive conquests have left their mark on the area - in the 13th century, Tavira's castle and walls were strengthened and the Church of Santa Maria was built.

In the 17th century, Tavira was a major commercial centre on the Algarve following decades of expansion - there are 21 churches in the city today including the Church of Sao Paulo (Saint Paul) and the Church of Sao Francisco.

In the surroundings, there's a beautiful small village called Cacela Velha and the quiet island of Tavira, which has a white sandy beach that is 11km long, and meets the Ria Formosa Natural Park. You can reach the island by a regular boat that departs from the city market or Quatro Aguas, or you can take a taxi-boat.

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