The Azores has three islands capable of servicing cruise ships and delivering matchless experiences ashore for passengers: São Miguel, Terceira and Faial. Pico Island can also be added to this list, but only as an attraction, as it has become a popular excursion from Faial, its close neighbour.
Each of these islands has its own charm and its own distinctive landscapes. And yet all the islands share common charactersitics – lush green countryside and colourful flowers, volcanic phenomena such as crater lakes at the bottom of ‘caldeiras’, plus mysterious caves, rock clefts and tunnels and, in the case of Pico island, a majestic mountain. Out of a total population of 237,888 people, over half - 129,512 – inhabit São Miguel Island while Terceira has a population of 54,924. Faial and Pico are less populated each with just over 14,000 inhabitants. São Miguel Island, in combination with either Terceira or Faial and a selection of other ports of call en-route, can offer two very distinctive island experiences at the heart of an 11 day round-trip itinerary that departs from Southampton, Lisbon or Malaga.
Ideal all-year round climat e The Azores enjoys mild year-round weather, which encourages the staging of open-air festivals, sports and other outdoor activities. Air temperatures range from minimums of 14ºC in February to 28ºC in August while ocean temperature varies from 17ºC to 24ºC – with the exception of certain ‘hot spots’ heated by the Earth’s hot core material below, such as Furnas, Caldeira Velha and Ferraria on São Miguel and Varadouro on Faial.
The flora and vegetation of the islands are particularly attractive for nature lovers as they include relics of ancient floras which migrated from the tropical forests of Africa and from Europe during and after the last glaciations.
Whale-wat ching, abundant marine and bird life the archipelago is a superb location for whale-watching with 24 different species of whales and dolphins searching out its waters to feed and reproduce or simply passing through on their migration route.
These include the common dolphin, the Atlantic spotted dolphin, the bottlenose dolphin, the Risso’s dolphin and the sperm whale.
There is other abundant sea life including shore crab, conger eel, bonito, tuna, horse mackerel, scad, red grouper, swordfish, red seabream fish, forkbeard, red porgy, and wreakfish.
In the Azores, there are also some 230 species of birds; of which 33 nest on the islands and a third are an endemic subspecies (e.g. buzzard, wood pigeon, goldcrest, grey wagtail, blackbird, blackcap, chaffinch, starling, quail, moorhen). The Azores or São Miguel Bullfinch is the only one that is endemic.
First class golf courses six years after the Azores’ first first-class hotel (Terra Nostra) was opened in São Miguel in 1933, a nine hole golf course was completed to the design of Mackenzie Ross – probably best known for the Estoril Golf Course near Lisbon and for his work in restoring the world famous Ailsa and Arran courses at Turnberry in Scotland.
The nine hole course at Furnas Golf club was extended in 1986 to become 18 holes by architects Cameron & Powell who also designed the unusual 27 hole course at Batalha, also on São Miguel.
A new terminal complex at Ponta Delgada the major city of the Azores archipelago, Ponta Delgada, São Miguel Island, opened its new harbour complex called the ‘Gateways of The Sea’ in July 2008. This new multi-purpose complex combines leisure, culture and functionality to provide facilities for passenger shipping and the local population. The facilities for cruise ships includes a quay length of 370 metres with an alongside depth of 11 metres.
São Miguel – Spectcular scenery and extinct volcanoes to the west of the island, Ponta Delgada is the seat of the regional government as well as the main town and cruise port.
From the elegant new terminal complex it’s a short two minute walk to reach the town’s narrow cobbled streets which are bordered by well preserved period houses. The majority of visitors though can’t resist the temptation to spend half a day visiting what is the island’s major attraction:
Sete Cidades, an extinct volcano crater which stretches for 40 sq. km, and holds two magnificent lakes, one deep blue colour and the other emerald green.
The north-east coast is a very special and relatively undiscovered region with flower-covered plateaux, fields and wooded mountains and spectacular high cliffs plunging from high into the sea. This is the home of the rare Azorean Bullfinch and Europe’s only tea plantation.
Povoação in the south-east boasts the islands’ most beautiful gardens. The spa town of Furnas, one of the largest thermal water sources in the world with its beautiful two kilometer square azalea bordered lake, is home to a 30-acre botanical garden of great international importance. From spring to early summer, hedgerows of azaleas and hydrangeas abound.
To the south of Sao Miguel, Vila Franca do Campo (the town was the island’s first capital) and Lagoa are mountainous, agricultural and farming areas where pineapples, bananas, oranges and vines are cultivated.
Terceira – UNESCO World Herita ge site the island’s Port of Praia da Vitória once welcomed galleons laden with spices from the Orient, and gold and silver from the Americas. Today, its historic streets transport you back to the 16th and 17th centuries. Here can be found the Gothic church of São Sebastião (built by the first settlers) as well as the manor houses, churches and chapels of São Carlos, Fontinha, São Brás and Lajes which are masterpieces of imperial architecture dedicated to the cult of the Holy Ghost.
Built in the 16th Century, Angra do Heroísmo was the first European urban centre, and is now classified as a World Heritage site by UNESCO. Its old streets highlight the city’s fine architectural heritage as do its churches, palaces and museums, together with the fortress that defended the city and port from pirates.
Out in the country, flat green fields in a chessboard pattern are dotted with dairy cows, and white houses nestle against the blue sky. Verdant landscapes lead to mountain ranges that are great for walks through geological wonders like the Caldeira de Guilherme Moniz, a 15 km wide volcanic crater, and the caves of Algar do Carvão which are full of lava stalactites and stalagmites.
There is also a challenging golf course and two marinas which attract yachts making Atlantic crossings.
Faial - Ya cht regatta s and whaling-canoe races this is an island of two dominant colours – green and blue. Both are found in the indigenous flora, from the grass covered hills to the many shades of hydrangeas bordering the fields and blending with the sea and sky.This idyllic picture is completed with the intense blackness of the volcanic ash of the barren capelinhos, where nothing ever grows.
The streets of the vibrant port town of Horta are lined with whitewashed, well-tended houses, pretty town squares, colourful gardens, bell-towers on churches housing art treasures, museums displaying carvings in whalebone and fig wood, and the dark walls of the old fortress that once protected the town against pirates.
Horta Marina attracts yachts from all over the world. Their crews enjoy the atmosphere and contribute to the cosmopolitan feel of the celebrated Café Peter, a favourite with visiting seafarers.
Before each crew departs, tradition denotes they leave a picture of their yacht on the marina wall.
The high point of the season is the Maritime Week in August, when yacht regattas and whaling-canoe races bring na infectious celebration to life in the city. Pico – UNESCO World Herita ge site Just four and a half miles from Faial is the island of Pico with its scenic coastal paths, gentle rolling hills and wide plateau framed by the peaks of volcanoes – the largest rising to 2,351 metres above sea level – Portugal’s highest mountain.
Pico was developed through the centuries by farmers, fishermen and whalers who turned the barren escarpments of old volcanoes into vineyards and plantations of figs trees.
Until the late 19th Century, American whalers would visit Pico to hire local men to harpoon sperm whales. Today, Pico’s whaling tradition is remembered but not continued and instead the Island now has pride of place among the world’s whale-watching destinations, and offers specialist scientific and ecological tours.
The early inhabitants of Pico broke up the hard lava covering the earth to build rock walls, and then planted vine cuttings in small circles of fertile soil. Over the centuries, these plantings grew into the island’s vineyards and created a unique landscape given World Heritage status by UNESCO.
Modern Pico continues to produce its famous ‘verdelho’ wine while traditional crafts are still practiced too, with skilled local women producing miniature canoes and ploughs, whale bone carvings, sculptures in cedar, embroideries and fine lace.
SÃO MIGUEL ISLAND
The largest of the islands, São Miguel hás several unique features including Europe’s only tea plantations (the oldest dating back to 1883), one pineapple plantation, and the colourful Terra Nostra Garden (Furnas) which dates back to 1780 when it was created by a Bostonian merchant.
What to see Furnas Valley..for the unique volcanic beauty of its bubbling calderas, the thermal springs, sumptuous lagoon, rich flora and charming Italianate village.
Lagoa de Fogo..for Fire Lake in Serra de Água de Pau, a magnificent unspoilt paradise in a natural reserve.
Caldeira Velha..for its grand waterfall spilling over into a small caldera of orange-tinged hot water which is just perfect for a forest-fringed swim.
Lagoa das Sete Cidades (Lake of the Seven Cities)..not just for its tranquility and enchantment but also for the unique contrast of colours, with one side of the lake deep blue and the other deep green.
Vila Franca do Campo (the first capital of the island) for its ethnographic museum and Santo André Convent, where the nuns sell regional handmade crafts.
Elsewhere, the famous Azorean pineapple is grown in traditional Pineapple Greenhouses in Fajã de Baixo, Lagoa and Vila Franca do Campo while Nordeste is a quietly charming village, with magnificent views of the surrounding mountains, narrow passes and springs.
The green meadows of Serra da Tronqueira are the natural habitat of the world’s unique Azorean Bullfinch while there are forest parks like Ponta da Madrugada belvedere, fishing ports and the Lombo Gordo beach.
What to do Whale watching has been widely developed on São Miguel Island, as the sperm whale, dolphins and other cetaceans exist in large numbers just off the coast. Turtles, sharks and rare sea birds are also frequently in evidence.
Feteiras, Ponta da Galera and Ilhéu de Vila Franca are popular diving sites while regular and big game fishing is also on offer along the island coastline.
Sea bass, monkfish, sea eel, blackspot seabream, marbled Mediterranean moray, tuna, swordfish and even sharks can be reeled in.
Conditions are also ideal for sailing, canoeing and windsurfing while – on land - horseback riding and more extreme sports such as rappel, paragliding, rock climbing are also on offer.
Festivals Santo Cristo dos Milagres Festivities is one of the biggest celebrations in the archipelago. There are processions around the city centre with coloured tapestries made of flowers decorating the streets and balconies while the fragrance of incense hangs in the air.
The Divino Espírito Santo Festivities run from April to June and are the most traditional festivals of the archipelago.
These are celebrated in São Miguel with gifts of bread, meat and wine (called pensões) to the population.
Fireworks displays and several religious ceremonies are also held throughout the island.
The Cavalhadas, with Knights dressed in typical costumes on shining horses salute Saint Peter on June 29 in Ribeira Grande. This colourful celebration is a tradition harking back to medieval times and the cavalry’s tournaments.
Golf Furnas Golf club was first developed as a nine hole course in 1939 by MacKenzie Ross but extended in 1986 to become 18 holes by architects Cameron & Powell who also designed the unusual 27 hole course at Batalha.
Cuisine Cozido das Furnas has a unique flavor because of the way it is cooked – buried in the hot volcanic soil, it stews slowly with the heat of the earth for six hours linguiça with inhames (Linguica with Yams), Lapas - Limpets with Afonso sauce, Chicharros - Blue Jack Mackerel with vilão sauce and Morcelas (Blood sausages) with pineapple are some of the other local specialties.
Sweets include Queijadas da vila (local pastries), Bolos lêvedos (Portuguese muffins) and massa sovada (Portuguese sweet bread). Tea comes as green or black in Gorreana and just black in Porto Formoso. The green tea, in particular, has become very popular due to its natural healing properties.
FAIAL ISLAND
Faial Island is one of the Central Group islands of the Azores archipelago, with an area of 173,042 sq.km. (66 sq.miles), located just 4.5 miles from Pico Island. Due to the proximity of the two islands, you can enjoy the outstanding view of Pico’s mountain, the highest peak in Portugal.
Faial Island is known as the Blue Island, both because of the enormous quantity of hydrangeas adorning the landscape and also for its close connection to the sea.
What to see Horta is the urban centre of the island and a port of shelter for many recreational yachts which cross the Atlantic Ocean.
The town has a colourful marina, because of the paintings left by sailors as proof of their passage through the island.
The North coast of the island has some beautiful sights, such as Almoxarife’s beach and the Costa Brava viewpoint.
Ponta dos Capelinhos is one of the main tourist attractions: it is a unique phenomenon in the archipelago, located in the extreme western point of the island where the effects of the volcanic eruption of 1957/58 are clear from the blanket of ashes that has buried all signs of human presence, except for an old lighthouse which – over time - has risen from the black ashes and contrasts with the blue ocean.
What to do Faial is an important centre for the observation of whales and dolphins of different kinds as the island is in the centre of the archipelago where the cetaceans (and other marine species) pass between the islands.
Whale watching companies specialize in creating unforgettable moments with these giants of the seas.
Everything from bicycle rides, cave exploration and paragliding is offered on land while, offshore, there is regular and big game fishing for swordfish and tuna (among other marine life) as well as sailing, surfing, scuba hunting and diving.
Festivals Semana do Mar Festival (the Week of the Sea) takes place in the first week of August with both marine and cultural events enhanced by the presence of the ‘barraquinhas’ (small tents) offering the best of regional cuisine.
Festas do Espiríto Santo (Holy Ghost Festivals) are a part of Azorean identity and are celebrated all around the island with the well-known Holy Spirit soup and colourful ceremonies.
Cuisine fish and seafood are the highlights of local cuisine with crabs, slipper lobsters, swordfish, tuna fish, Fish Broth and fish fillets with ferrado sauce particular favourites. Other recipes include morcelas de porco (pork blood sausages) and the molha de carne (marinated beef). For sweets, there are fofas (cakes) and the rosquilhas à moda do Faial (twisted cookies).
TERCEIRA
Terceira is the most populated island of the Central Group of the Azores archipelago, with an area of 382 sq.km (147 sq. miles) located 90 miles from São Miguel and 66 miles from Faial Originally Jesus Christ Island and populated from 1450, its current name came from it being the third island to be discovered. There is an airport with a two-mile runway in Lajes, 3km from Praia da Vitoria – the Island’s port town. What to see Angra do Heroísmo - the main town – is classified as an UNESCO World Heritage site due to the beauty of its colourful Renaissance houses and its historic
churches and monasteries.
Monte Brazil - offers a beautiful view over the city and the sea.
Algar do Carvão, which is a lava tube about 100 metres deep with beautiful stalactites and stalagmites and a lagoon of crystal water.
Furnas do Enxofre, Grutas dos Balcões, the Grutas das Agulhas and the Gruta do Natal are other natural treasures of the archipelago.
What to do whale watching is again very popular on Terceira with daily trips to spot sperm whales along with other whales, dolphins, turtles and also sea birds.
Offshore, diving (including scuba), fishing, sailing, rowing, windsurfing and water skiing are all on offer while – on land – there are fascinating guided trips into caves and underground calderas.
Terceira Island Golf Club is open again after undergoing a remodelling phase to provide an 18 hole course; covered driving range; health club; indoor golf school; as well as putting and chipping greens.
Festivals Sanjoaninhas Festival is the largest festival of the Azores with music and celebrations running through the night.
Festas do Espirito Santo (Festival of the Holy Ghost) is repeated in every village and followed by a large banquet.
Touradas à Corda is a bullfighting challenge (held between May and October) in which people face a bull tied to a rope held by only three or four others.
Cuisine Alcatra is one speciality recipe of roasted cow beef while others include Espírito Santo soup and Caldeirada de Peixe (a fish and seafood stew). Typical sweets include donas-amélias, coscorões and confeitos.
The ‘Verdelho dos Biscoitos’ is a typical liqueur wine, produced from specific grapes the area of Biscoitos. Also recommended is the typical Angelica liqueur.
A new terminal complex at Ponta Delgada The major city of the Azores archipelago, Ponta Delgada, São Miguel Island, opened its new harbour complex called the ‘Gateways of The Sea’ in July 2008. This new multi-purpose complex combines leisure, culture and functionality to provide facilities for passenger shipping and the local population. The facilities for cruise ships includes a quay length of 370 metres with an alongside depth of 11 metres, linked via a boarding bridge to a secure terminal designed to enable passengers quick access to their tour coaches and to a retail zone. Here restaurants, with international and traditional Portuguese cuisine, are interspersed with a bank, travel agency, car rental outlet, handmade craft centre, nautical store, pharmacy, press centre and a disco.