THEN OLHÃO
FOUND US...
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... and we weren't even looking! Hank and Carina's story of how they came to live in and love Olhão
elcome to our monthly column celebrating Olhão. After exploring Portugal top to bottom from Braga to Tavira enjoying so many coastal and inland locations in our RV, we decided Olhão was the place to buy our home to celebrate our “golden years”. Olhão was not on our radar at first. In fact, the discovery of Eastern Algarve was a pleasant surprise with the scale of development so much less than areas to the west. A chance winter rental introduced us to Olhão, a place we quickly found attractive for many reasons. “Walkability” is, above all, a main highlight and each month I will introduce you to places only steps away from our front door. We hope you will enjoy our column! Explore the Olhão Ria Formosa Natural Park Salt Pans! Last year, on a January afternoon, we plunked down our deposit to begin the home purchase process. As we stood on the roof of our apartment building taking in this view,
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I knew we were captured. This beautiful spot, just steps out our front door, is in fact the original inspiration for beginning our monthly column! The Ria Formosa Natural Park stretches along the eastern Algarve coast for 179 kilometres, from the Spanish border to Faro. The quiet waters and easily accessible barrier islands (and ocean beaches), connecting to the open sea are just a short ferry ride away. Here in Olhão, you can easily explore a part of this wonderful land/ waterscape that always delivers peaceful and inspirational walkability! From the Olhão Mercado, head west along the esplanade towards the “Vista Ilhas Center“ (Island View Center). This new commercial and gastronomic collection of 26 separate businesses is just now being completed and is just past the boat loading ramp. Continue along the sidewalk skirting the parking area and then dip down to the “flats” where, during low tide twice each day, you’ll witness clam diggers hard at work as the waters drain
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