This past September, I returned to the Algarve, a region I have been visiting for many years. For my partner, the Algarve feels like parts of Southern Italy, which he is nostalgic for – the slow life found in fishing villages by the sea. For me, the allure is in the interior of the Algarve, dotted with small villages surrounded by carob and orange trees, as well as the craft. But to be honest, these smaller towns and destinations have taken years for us to discover. When you first arrive in the Algarve, you usually follow the primary tourist circuit. It's easy to get caught in that trap and often feel underwhelmed by the mass tourism which is quickly taking over certain areas. To have an authentic experience in the Algarve, you need to know where to go.