Azores -- anyone been?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2013
Programs: Aeroplan, FlyingBlue
Posts: 289
Azores -- anyone been?
We are taking 3-7 days in the Azores this summer.
I have been completely unable to book anything due to indecision. We can visit 4 islands for about 300 EUR, but I do not want to stretch it thin. At the same time, each island appears to have it's own unique landmarks, ecosystem, etc, and I don't want to miss anything!!!
So, for anyone who has traveled the Azores, any advice?
For sure we will visit Sao Miguel for the historical city. Also want to visit Santa Maria for a 1-2 day beach vacation. But then we only have 1-2 islands left and still want to see lagoons, volcanoes, everything!!!
We are going by plane from and to Lisbon, and then flying between the islands. I am assuming we are not require to arrive more than 1 hour ahead of time, as it's small/non-international.
Any advice? I'm honestly stumped.
I have been completely unable to book anything due to indecision. We can visit 4 islands for about 300 EUR, but I do not want to stretch it thin. At the same time, each island appears to have it's own unique landmarks, ecosystem, etc, and I don't want to miss anything!!!
So, for anyone who has traveled the Azores, any advice?
For sure we will visit Sao Miguel for the historical city. Also want to visit Santa Maria for a 1-2 day beach vacation. But then we only have 1-2 islands left and still want to see lagoons, volcanoes, everything!!!
We are going by plane from and to Lisbon, and then flying between the islands. I am assuming we are not require to arrive more than 1 hour ahead of time, as it's small/non-international.
Any advice? I'm honestly stumped.
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Programs: Hilton, IHG - BA, GA, LH, QR, SV, TK
Posts: 16,965
In fact all the islands have quite unique charms. Though Graciosa is the one perhaps most easily dropped from the list.
Faial/Horta is a delight, and you can take in Pico (with its volcano from central casting!) on a day trip from there.
Sao Jorge is great for dramatic walks, and Velas has a festival ("culture week") in the summer (I think July).
Terceira has an easy, rural charm while its capital, Angra, is (for me) the most attractive Acorean town.
Flores is other-worldy, very distinctive and feels very isolated. It's on the North American plate, separated (with Corvo) from the rest of the islands. You can get to tiny, tiny Corvo on a day trip.