The Azores Archipelago is a group of nine distinct islands,
lying on the same latitude as New York and Lisbon, around 950 miles from the
Portuguese capital. Legend has it that they are the tips of the lost continent
of Atlantis but the stunning craggy scenery points to volcanic rather than
mythical origins.
Weather is of a mild maritime Mediterranean
type and summers are generally very good. Average temperatures range from
15-22C (59-71F) with extremes being tempered by the passing gulf stream and
although they do get rain year round the weather is generally very pleasant.
Click here
to see what the weather is like here today.
You can fly direct to the Azores from either
Lisbon, Boston or Frankfurt with TAP
Air Portugal and SATA International. Connecting flights are available
from the UK, the US and many airports across Europe.
They
were discovered in 1427 by Portuguese explorers and colonized shortly after
by people of mainly Portuguese and Flemish descent. Visitors have included Christopher
Columbus, Sir Walter Raleigh, undersea communications cables, Trans- Atlantic
flights and yachtsmen.
Farmers
with their donkeys
The
stunning island of Sao Jorge
The Azores are a haven of tranquility and calm and the stunning scenery of these
lush green islands is breathtaking. Their main income is from agriculture and
fishing and tourism has all but passed by the islands, so the people are still
warm and genuinely friendly. In the summer there are lots of colourful festivals
to see. The walking is great throughout the islands either down the quiet country
lanes or up in the hills and you will always be safe as the crime rate is very
low.
The
islands can be a riot of colour
Where
to find the Azores (click to enlarge)
Festivals
are an important part of summer life
Mark Twain stopped by in the 1867 and described the islanders as "...all ragged
and barefoot,...with brass rings in their ears and fraud in their hearts...!".
Fortunately things have changed a lot since then.
