The hidden, shallow inlet beach 50 steps behind Casa Armona is perfect for children, shell collecting, snorkeling, exploring the ever-changing sandbars and, of course, lounging and swimming. And the Atlantic Ocean, with its kilometers of open dunes and sandy beaches, is a 15 minute walk away.
Our beach cottage is a family retreat: a place to get away, build sand castles, read books, ride ferries, play board games, catch crabs. There is no PC, no internet. The ancient TV only receives eight fuzzy channels: four Portuguese, four Spanish. In a word: paradise.
Armona Island is reached by a 15-minute walk-on ferry from Olhão, the Algarve's largest fishing port and home to the best daily fish market in Portugal. (Olhão also has internet cafes.) Armona Island's main thoroughfare is a wide, paved sidewalk leading from the dock's little cluster of cafés, restaurants and private homes to the Atlantic Ocean beaches on the far side of the island. Casa Armona is just three minutes from the ferry dock, an easy distance to wheel your suitcases from the boat to the house.
Beach Cottage Amenities - Inside
# Fully-equipped Kitchen: microwave, coffeemaker, utensils, plates, glasses, cookware, staples (oil, vinegar, sugar, flour, rice, etc), spices and Portuguese cookbooks, in English. No dishwasher.
# Comfortable Portuguese furnishings and local artwork
# Loaner cellphone
# Library of books, board games, guidebooks and Portuguese music CDs
# Luxury Linens: 300-600 threadcount sheets; soft, fluffy towels
# Complimentary toiletries, hairdryer in bathroom
# Mini Combo Washer/Dryer, detergents provided. Note - due to septic issues, guests are limited to a maximum of one small load of laundry per day. (One load = two bath towels) Careful: more than one load a day and ugly things happen.
# Iron & travel ironing board
# VisitingPortugal Tourist Book: ferry schedules, suggested itineraries and restaurants, kid-friendly ideas, emergency information including extensive list of English-speaking doctors and more
# Sleeping Arrangements: two double beds and one double sofabed (see floorplan, below)
Beach Cottage Amenities - Outside
# Gas BBQ and covered outdoor eating area
# Patio Table and chairs for six
# Exterior Shower for rinsing sandy bodies and beach toys
# Small row boat
# Miscellaneous Beach Equipment including beach towels/chairs/umbrella, kid's toys, masks, snorkels, clamming buckets and shovels, cooler and icepacks
# Two-wheeled GroceryBag. Like the natives, use it on the ferry for bringing back fresh goodies from the Olhão fish and fruit markets
No Pets. No Smoking. No Handicap Access.
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