AÇORES

Açores – secret islands of adventure

In the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, Azores is a nine islands archipelago of pure nature and a great whale sanctuary.

Very well preserved, is a “must go” for nature lovers.

The environment, heritage, aesthetics, culture, and its resident’s well-being, make it also known as geo-tourism destination.

To the east, on the island of Santa Maria, the golden sanded beaches are warm, and the vineyards that cover the amphitheater-like slopes look like giant staircases.

São Miguel, the largest of the islands, is enchanting with its “Sete Cidades” and “Fogo” lakes. The power of the land can be seen in the geysers, the hot thermal waters and the volcanic lakes, so that the tasty “Cozido das Furnas” is slowly cooked under the ground.

In the Central Group, the islands of Terceira, São Jorge, Pico, Faial and Graciosa are harmoniously arranged in a sea often visited by dolphins and whales, which are delightful for the all visitors.

Terceira is rich in history, Angra do Heroísmo is classified as a “World Heritage” site.

In Faial there is the fresh blue of the hydrangeas; the marina, coloured by the paintings of sailors from all over the world and the “Capelinhos” volcano which, now extinct, reminds us of a lunar landscape.

Ahead, Pico, the mountain that rises into the sea, with its vineyards planted in black lava fields.

In São Jorge, it is obligatory to visit the “Fajãs” and taste the cheese, a unique specialty with an exquisite flavor.

Graciosa in name (gracefull) and appearance, is a green island with fields covered with vineyards contrasting with its peculiar windmills.

In the Western group, the island of Flores dazzles us with the beauty of its natural waterfalls and lakes carved by volcanoes.

Corvo, the miniature island, has a large and beautiful caldera at its center and attracts many species of birds from both the European and American continents.

This is the Azores: nine islands, nine small worlds, which, although different, have in common the friendliness of their inhabitants.