Azores

by David Sayers, Murray Stewart, Ben Fogle (Foreword by)

Overview

Amid the quiet pastures and pretty fishing villages of the Azores, a tranquillity reigns that belies the turbulent geological past that gave birth to this cluster of volcanic islands. Fully updated for this new edition, Azores: The Bradt Travel Guide allows you to get the very most from a glorious landscape. Scale the rugged sides of Pico mountain or take a gentler stroll to the mythical lakes of Sete Cidades. Walk the length of Europe's westernmost coastline on the island of Flores or explore the narrow streets of Angra, a World Heritage City. Whatever you choose, you cannot fail to be enchanted by these 'Garden Islands of the Atlantic'.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781784770235
Publisher:	Bradt Publications UK
Publication date:	01/01/2017
Edition description:	6th edition
Pages:	288
Product dimensions:	5.30(w) x 8.40(h) x 2.20(d)

About the Author

David Sayers is a horticulturist and author who studied at Royal Botanic Gardens Kew and overseas, and has spent a lifetime exploring the world for plants. Running a travel company for 26 years, in 1984 he pioneered the first walking/botanical tour to the Azores. Sayers has been going back ever since, enjoying numerous excellent hikes on all nine islands, and has led many tours, sharing his enthusiasm for Azorean life. As the islands have gradually joined the modern world without losing their native charm, Sayers’ journey has been one of constant discovery, finding new walks, new eateries and new interests. One of his keenest memories was offshore, spotting fin, blue and pilot whales in one magical morning off Ponta Delgada. Sayers has also helped restore several of São Miguel’s historic gardens, which are now visitor ‘must-sees’. Even after a lifetime of worldwide travel, the Azores remain his favourite destination.

Read an Excerpt

The Azores are Europe's best kept secret: verdant, tranquil, diverse, exquisitely beautiful, always welcoming. All the islands are green, the flowers are mostly sophisticated and subtle, the gardens are steeped in history and, like the flowers, are more celebral than flamboyant. While some main towns have their roads and traffic, just a short distance away men ride horses to their pastures and pony carts filled with milk churns clatter over cobbles. Flashing neon lights are rare, streets are narrow, shops modest and in keeping with the streetscape, coffee bars are numerous while nightclubs are few. The islands reflect their turbulent geological past and offer rural landscapes enhanced by rocky or precipitous coasts surrounded by an often travel-brochure-blue sea. Religious and secular festivals riot through the calendar and touch the lives of every island and islander. There are sailing regattas, golf tournaments, big game fishing tournaments, cycle races, car rallies and other events that come as rather a surprise and largely leave the nonenthusiasts in happy oblivion. There is so much to explore, so much to experience, these islands should be savoured like a rare wine.

Table of Contents

	Acknowledgements	VIII
	Introduction	IX
Part 1	The Islands	1
Chapter 1	Background Information	3
	Location	3
	Origin and invasions	3
	The weather	8
	Natural history	9
	Social topics	15
	Art and architecture	17
	Festivals	27
	Between the mountains and the sea--how it was in the past	30
Chapter 2	Practical Information	35
	Attractions	35
	When to go	37
	Organised tours	39
	Red tape	42
	Getting there	43
	Health	44
	What to take	46
	Money	47
	Getting around	48
	Accommodation	49
	Eating and drinking	50
	Nightlife	54
	Public holidays and festivals	55
	Shopping	55
	Activities	56
	Media and communications	61
	Cultural dos and don'ts	62
Part 2	Eastern Group	63
Chapter 3	Sao Miguel	65
	Highlights	65
	General background	66
	Getting there	68
	Getting around	69
	Where to stay	71
	Where to eat	75
	Nightlife	75
	Festivals	75
	Useful numbers	77
	Activities	77
	Museums	79
	What to see	81
	Walks	96
Chapter 4	Santa Maria	105
	Highlights	105
	General background	105
	Getting there	107
	Getting around	108
	Where to stay	108
	Where to eat	109
	Nightlife	109
	Festivals	110
	Useful numbers	110
	Activities	110
	What to see	111
	Walks	115
Part 3	Central Group	117
Chapter 5	Terceira	119
	Highlights	119
	General background	119
	Getting there	121
	Getting around	121
	Where to stay	122
	Where to eat	124
	Nightlife	124
	Festivals	124
	Useful numbers	125
	Activities	125
	Museums	126
	What to see	127
Chapter 6	Graciosa	137
	Highlights	137
	General background	137
	Getting there	139
	Getting around	140
	Where to stay	140
	Where to eat	140
	Nightlife	141
	Festivals	142
	Things to buy	142
	Useful numbers	142
	Activities	142
	Museums	143
	What to see	143
	Walks	147
Chapter 7	Sao Jorge	151
	Highlights	152
	General background	152
	Getting there	153
	Getting around	153
	Where to stay	154
	Where to eat	155
	Nightlife	155
	Festivals	155
	Useful numbers	156
	Activities	156
	What to see	156
	Walks	161
Chapter 8	Faial	171
	Highlights	171
	General background	173
	Getting there	175
	Getting around	175
	Where to stay	176
	Where to eat	176
	Nightlife	177
	Festivals	177
	Useful numbers	177
	Activities	177
	Museums	179
	What to see	179
	Touring by self-drive car	185
Chapter 9	Pico	189
	Highlights	190
	General background	190
	Getting there	192
	Getting around	192
	Where to stay	193
	Where to eat	194
	Nightlife	195
	Festivals	195
	Useful telephone numbers	196
	Activities	196
	Museums	197
	What to see	197
	Car tours	198
	Walks	200
Part 4	Western Group	205
Chapter 10	Flores	207
	Highlights	208
	General background	208
	Getting there	210
	Getting around	210
	Where to stay	211
	Where to eat	211
	Nightlife	212
	Festivals	212
	Useful telephone numbers	213
	Activities	213
	What to see	214
	Walks	219
Chapter 11	Corvo	231
	Highlights	231
	General background	232
	Getting there	233
	Getting around	234
	Where to stay	234
	Where to eat	234
	Nightlife	234
	Festivals	234
	Activities	235
	What to see	235
	Walks	235
Appendix 1	Flora	239
Appendix 2	Language	255
Appendix 3	Further Reading	259
	Index	261

Editorial Reviews

The Bradt Travel Guide will tell you everything you need to know about each of the nine islands.

Portugal Magazine

Author David Sayers, a botanical horticulturalist, has produced an informative, practical and user-friendly volume.

Eastern Daily Press Saturday Magazine

Recommended reading

National Geographic Traveller