The Azores - our chosen areas

Azores | Our chosen areas
The Azores our chosen areas
The Azores have been named the No.1
sustainable tourism destination for a second
year running, making them the world’s first
destination to be awarded the Platinum
Quality Coast Award (2014-2015).
These volcanic islands have low levels of development and offer many
sites of natural heritage and protected marine life, which include UNESCO
Biosphere Reserves sites (Corvo, Flores and Graciosa). Marine life includes
dolphins, sperm whales, great whales, marine turtles and birds, pelagic fish
and cold water corals. The islands, which were also certified as a UNESCO
European Geopark in 2013, offer well-regulated hiking and cycling trails,
33 Blue Flag beaches, snorkelling and scuba diving. The archipelago truly
is a unique paradise that should not be missed.
WESTERN ISLANDS
A T L A N T I C
Corvo
• Vila Nova do Corvo
O C E A N
• Santa Cruz das Flores
Graciosa
Flores
• Santa Cruz da Graciosa
CENTRAL ISLANDS
A
Faial
Velas •
Terceira
São Jorge
Z
•
Angra do Heroísmo
• • Madalena
Horta
O
R
E
Pico
S
A
R
C
São Miguel
H
I
P
E
L
A
Ponta Delgada
G
O
•
EASTERN ISLANDS
Santa Maria
Vila do Porto •
Suggested Itineraries – See pages 55-63
Three Island Tour C (São Miguel-Flores-Corvo)
Whale & Dolphin Watching (São Miguel)
Whale & Dolphin Watching (Faial)
Walking Inside Volcanoes (São Miguel)
Family Holiday (São Miguel)
Three Island Tour A (São Miguel-Faial-Pico)
Three Island Tour B (São Miguel-Terceira-São Jorge)
Four Island Tour (São Miguel-Terceira-Faial-Pico)
Azores Grand Tour (São Miguel-Flores-Faial-Pico-São Jorge-Terceira)
Activities in the Azores – See page 66
Choose from a wide range of activities available on each island
WEB: For additional properties, photos and information on the Azores
please visit www.sunvil.co.uk/azores
38 | Sunvil
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Azores | Our chosen areas
Eastern Islands - See pages 40-45
São Miguel is the largest of the nine islands
of the archipelago. It is a land of lakes
nestled in volcanic craters that are many
kilometres wide.
Western Islands - See pages 52-54
Santa Maria is the oldest island of the
archipelago. The island is primarily known for
its white sand beaches, distinct chimneys,
and dry warm weather.
Flores and Corvo, the westernmost islands of
the Azores and indeed Europe, will mesmerise
any visitor who travels to their shores.
Caldeirão
CORVO
Mosteiros
•
Ponta da Ferraria
• Santa Bárbara
•
•
Lagoa das
Nordeste
Ginetes •
Ribeira
•
Sete Cidades • Capelas
Grande
Gorreana
• Rabo
•
•
de Peixe
•
Batalha
• Furnas
Lagoa do Fogo
Lagoa das
•
• Fajã de Baixo
Furnas •
• Povoação
•
Ponta Delgada
Água de Alto
•
•
Vila
Franca
•
do Campo
Caloura
•
Vila Nova do
Corvo
• Anjos
São Pedro •
•
Vila do Porto
Baia de São
Lourenço
Pico
Alto
•
Santa
Bárbara
•
Santo
Espirito
Praia
Formosa
Santa Cruz
das Flores
•
Fajãzinha
Fajã • •
Lagoas
Grande •Mosteiro
Maia •
Cuada •
FLORES
Lagoas
Lajes das
Flores
Central Islands - See pages 46-51
Terceira is the location of the historical
capital of the archipelago; the Azores’ oldest
city and UNESCO World Heritage Site - Angra
do Heroísmo.
•
Biscoitos
Algar do
Carvão
Pico das Caldeirinhas
•
•
Velas
•
Santa Cruz da
Graciosa
• Lajes
Furnas do Enxofre•
São Jorge is an island for walking, for
exploring the little settlements on the fajãs
along the coast by car and for admiring the
stunning scenery.
Graciosa, the northernmost of the Central
group of islands in the Azores, is a tranquil
island, harder to reach and therefore
untouched by time.
Praia da •
V itória
Fajã dos
Cubres
•
•
Pico da Esperanca
Serra do
Cume
Doze Ribeiras •
Fajã do
Ouvidor
•
SER
Calheta
Praia •
Silveira
São Mateus • • •
Angra do
Heroísmo
Furna do
• Enxofre
RA
Fajã do
• Santo Cristo
DO
TOP
O
• • Loural
Fajã dos
Vimes
•
Fajã de São
João
• Topo
•
Carapacho
Pico is dominated by its volcano, at 2351m
it is the highest point in Portugal. There is
no mistaking that the Black Island, as it is
referred to, is volcanic.
Faial is the resting place of transatlantic
sailors and has a cosmopolitan feel. The
atmosphere at Peter’s Café, on Horta’s
harbour-front, encapsulates the very essence
of nautical adventure.
Daily temperatures (ºC)
Jan
14
Jul
22
Feb
14
Aug
24
Mar
14
Sep
22
Apr
15
Oct
18
May
17
Nov
17
Jun
18
Dec
16
May
50
Nov
110
Jun
25
Dec
110
Baia do Cachorro
Madalena
Bandeiras •
•
• Gruta das Torres
Criação Velha •
Mount
Pico
•
Misterio de
S.Jopp
Average rainfall (mm)
• São Roque
do Pico
• Prainha
•
Santo Amaro
• Silveira
• Lajes do Pico
• Vulção dos
Capelinhos
•
Capelos
• Caldeira
Flamengos •
• Horta
Photo: São Miguel
Jan
110
Jul
25
Feb
95
Aug
25
Mar
75
Sep
50
Apr
50
Oct
95
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Azores | 39