A Trip to the Azores
Jun 24, 2018, 4:12 pm
#21
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Lewes
Programs: HiltonH. Gold Starwood Gold BA BLUES! Mucci.
Posts: 4,833
I had an excellent week here. Stayed in an apartment and local food costs are low, restaurants are modest too.
There are some beaches to the East of PDL.... but the seas (Atlantic) can have huge swells. The yacht club Is worth a visit... (for a T Shirt!) Really good bus net work if you want a break From the car..again at reasonable cost.
Some excellent walks / hikes with a relax in the thermal baths ! The weather can change very quickly and it can be very very wet.... I hope to return.!
There are some beaches to the East of PDL.... but the seas (Atlantic) can have huge swells. The yacht club Is worth a visit... (for a T Shirt!) Really good bus net work if you want a break From the car..again at reasonable cost.
Some excellent walks / hikes with a relax in the thermal baths ! The weather can change very quickly and it can be very very wet.... I hope to return.!
.
Jun 25, 2018, 9:24 am
#24
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: TPA
Programs: DL Diamond, HH Diamond, IHG Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,256
Thank you!
Great trip report!
A few things to add...
1. SATA provides free inter-island flights to the other islands. You don't get to choose which flight, and it's usually the first non-stop to that island. If you time things well, you can spend 24 hours at your gateway, and your inbound and outbound gateways can be different (e.g. fly into PDL, out from TER). So theoretically you can visit 4 islands for the price of 1, spending 24 hours at your inbound and outbound gateways. There's an inter-island ferry between Horta, Pico and São Jorge, so you can even do 5 islands for the price of 1 if you time it well
2. I'll +1 Ilha Verde - not super cheap (they're usually cheaper through consolidators like economycarrentals) but they do have new cars.
3. The highest point in Portugal is the top of Pico Island. It's a must-do hike for hike-lovers. It's not an easy hike - you go up about 1200m over only 3-4km over a very uneven terrain. The views are worth it though.
4. Lots of hiking on São Jorge.
A few things to add...
1. SATA provides free inter-island flights to the other islands. You don't get to choose which flight, and it's usually the first non-stop to that island. If you time things well, you can spend 24 hours at your gateway, and your inbound and outbound gateways can be different (e.g. fly into PDL, out from TER). So theoretically you can visit 4 islands for the price of 1, spending 24 hours at your inbound and outbound gateways. There's an inter-island ferry between Horta, Pico and São Jorge, so you can even do 5 islands for the price of 1 if you time it well
2. I'll +1 Ilha Verde - not super cheap (they're usually cheaper through consolidators like economycarrentals) but they do have new cars.
3. The highest point in Portugal is the top of Pico Island. It's a must-do hike for hike-lovers. It's not an easy hike - you go up about 1200m over only 3-4km over a very uneven terrain. The views are worth it though.
4. Lots of hiking on São Jorge.
Jun 25, 2018, 9:27 am
#25
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: TPA
Programs: DL Diamond, HH Diamond, IHG Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,256
It was certainly a great trip. Awesome scenery, good food, great weather and affordable. What else could I ask for?
Enjoy the trip! Hopefully the service returns next summer.
Thanks!
Glad to hear, I'm very surprised it isn't more frequented by Americans to be honest. It may not be tropical, but it's certainly not a boring place. Only being five hours off the east coast isn't bad either.
Thanks! Not sure about the beaches, though I've been told there are some east of Ponta Delgada.
Thanks!
Glad to hear, I'm very surprised it isn't more frequented by Americans to be honest. It may not be tropical, but it's certainly not a boring place. Only being five hours off the east coast isn't bad either.
Thanks! Not sure about the beaches, though I've been told there are some east of Ponta Delgada.
Jun 25, 2018, 9:35 am
#26
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: TPA
Programs: DL Diamond, HH Diamond, IHG Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,256
Thanks!
Yes, the service just began this month and continues through Sept. Hopefully it'll return next summer.
Thank you!
I see what you did there Thanks
Thanks! Stunning indeed.
Get going!
Thanks!
Good to know they have a good bus system, though I think I'd still want a car (since I'm usually all over the place for sunrise and sunset).
Thanks DanielW. I just wish I had gotten in before this trip!
Absolutely!
Amazing photos. My wife and I have been thinking of going to the Azores, and this report makes me want to go even more! I didn't realize that Delta began a flight from JFK there - we'd been struggling to find transportation there, as it looked like the only options were through BOS.
Thank you for sharing!
Thank you for sharing!
Thank you!
I see what you did there
ThanksThanks! Stunning indeed.
Get going!
Thanks!
I had an excellent week here. Stayed in an apartment and local food costs are low, restaurants are modest too.
There are some beaches to the East of PDL.... but the seas (Atlantic) can have huge swells. The yacht club Is worth a visit... (for a T Shirt!) Really good bus net work if you want a break From the car..again at reasonable cost.
Some excellent walks / hikes with a relax in the thermal baths ! The weather can change very quickly and it can be very very wet.... I hope to return.!
There are some beaches to the East of PDL.... but the seas (Atlantic) can have huge swells. The yacht club Is worth a visit... (for a T Shirt!) Really good bus net work if you want a break From the car..again at reasonable cost.
Some excellent walks / hikes with a relax in the thermal baths ! The weather can change very quickly and it can be very very wet.... I hope to return.!
Absolutely!
Jun 28, 2018, 9:47 am
#27
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Arizona, USA
Posts: 2,403
The photo of Miradouro da Lagoa do Fogo... wow. That took my breath away!
I liked the flowers photo as well.
I had no idea that the Azores were so green and so photogenic.
I'm glad you got to go on this trip, and--above all--that you took the time to share it with us.
I liked the flowers photo as well.
I had no idea that the Azores were so green and so photogenic.
I'm glad you got to go on this trip, and--above all--that you took the time to share it with us.
Jul 7, 2018, 5:46 am
#29
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: SYD
Programs: Too many golds, no plat: OZ*G, AC*G, NZ*G, VA Gold, QF Gold, HH Gold, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 5,350
Interesting report, and great pictures. Azores seem to be popping up on all sorts of 'must-visit' lists at the moment so I think DL is onto something...
Jul 9, 2018, 10:55 am
#30
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: IAD/DCA/BWI or MEX
Programs: Somewhere in my wallet
Posts: 76
The Azores are a truly beautiful part of the world. I bought a Groupon package to Sao Miguel on a whim in 2013, with no idea what to expect. The greenness of the island was stunning, and I loved the pace of life. Went back a couple of years later independently, to Horta and Sao Miguel again. These islands are a place I'd like to retire someday.