The Azores

The Azores, is one of the two autonomous regions of Portugal (the other being Madeira), and is an archipelago in the mid-Atlantic. The islands are characterized by dramatic landscapes, fishing villages, green pastures and hedgerows of blue hydrangeas. São Miguel, the largest, has lake-filled calderas and the Gorreana Tea Plantation. Pico is home to the 2,351m Mt. Pico and vineyards sheltered by boulders.

These unique islands lie 1500km off the coast of Portugal; nine wonderfully diverse, unspoilt landscapes which form the most-westerly outpost of Europe. They’re very much part of Portugal – in their language of course, but also in their historic architecture, their wonderful seasonal cuisine and in their warm and friendly welcome.

The Azores offer island culture that is distinct from life on the mainland. Since the first settlers arrived in 15th Century, the islands have evolved into a rural community trying to strike a balance between sustainable island living whilst taming a wild and volcanic landscape, (today, four of the islands are protected UNESCO Biosphere Reserves). It’s these volcanic landscapes that have often encouraged more intrepid travellers to visit – their calderas, crater lakes, lava caves and geothermal pools have long-held an attraction for Europeans looking to escape the busy mainland. And as you’d expect, the Atlantic Ocean has always loomed-large in the Azores psyche: in the past, the islands were a crucial resupply point for trans-Atlantic sailors, whilst over the last thirty years the Azores have become Europe’s premiere whale and dolphin watching destination.

The Azores has five international airports on São Miguel, Terceira, Faial, Santa Maria and Pico.

We will be flying into Ponta Delgada (João Paulo II Airport) - named after Pope John Paul II, it is an international airport located on the island of São Miguel, and is situated 2 km (1.2 miles) west of the city centre of Ponta Delgada, it is the primary (and busiest) airport in the Azores!