Discover the Azores islands, founded in the 15th Century and divided into three island groups. Mother Nature has created a land full of natural beauty, ready to be explored, in the blue immensity of the Atlantic Ocean.
To the East, on the island of Santa Maria, the beaches of warm white sand are inviting, and the vineyards covering the slopes like an amphitheater resemble giant staircases. São Miguel, the largest island, is seductive with its Sete Cidades and Fogo Lagoons. The power that emanates from the earth is felt in the geysers, hot thermal waters and volcanic lakes.
Top destination for scuba-diving as well great surf spots such as Ribeira Grande, Santa Barbara and Mosteiros. Ocean water temperature range from 16º to 24º Celsius degrees.
In the Central Group, the islands of Terceira, São Jorge, Pico, Faial and Graciosa are set harmoniously in the deep blue sea, where whales and dolphins can be spotted, to the delight of visitors.
On Terceira, the World Heritage town of Angra do Heroísmo, as well as its festivals, is steeped in history. Faial is the cool blue of the hydrangeas, the marina painted colorfully by yachtsmen from all over the world and the extinct Capelinhos volcano, which resembles a lunar landscape.
In front is Pico, a mountain that emerges from the sea and is the highest from Portugal, with vineyards planted in black lava fields, a unique culture that also has World Heritage status. On São Jorge, the highlights are the Fajãs and the cheese, a unique specialty with an unmistakable flavour. Graciosa, graceful in both name and appearance, is an island of green fields covered with vineyards that contrast with its peculiar windmills.
In the Western group, on the island of Flores, the beauty of the natural waterfalls and lakes carved out by volcanoes is dazzling. The tiny island of Corvo has a broad, beautiful crater at its centre, and attracts many species of birds coming from both Europe and America.
Very rich gastronomy being surrounded by the sea, the freshness and quality of the fish and seafood has a prominent place, as in all Portuguese cuisine, here even stronger since the location sets on the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, so delicious tuna fish, clams among many others. The meat has top quality for the Regional Steak from dairy cows that eat flee-range in the mountains, the same cows produce some of the best cheeses. Great sausages meat that are included as well in the tasty “Cozido das Furnas” slowly cooked inside the earth. Local pineapple, tea and coffee production as well. Very good wines manly the ones from Pico with unique grapes.
These are the Azores. Nine islands, nine small worlds that have as many similarities as differences, but where the friendliness of their inhabitants is shared by all.
Check the video “Azores As You Never Seen Before” and come discover the Azores islands!
