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Put quite simply the Azores are stunning.

Only a three and a half hour flight from the UK the nine islands that rise from the middle of the Atlantic are bathed in the warmth of the Gulf Stream and so have good weather all year around.

The islands are characterized by dramatic landscapes, fishing villages, green pastures and hedgerows of blue hydrangeas but each one is totally different. With the people being so friendly and food so cheap, I frequently had meals for less than 12 Euros with wine. With relatively few tourists the islands reminded me of Mallorca fifty years ago.

Flores, the Azores Flores, the Azores

I was just there to visit two of the islands but I met couples who Sunvil had arranged for them to visit five or even six over a two-week period.

Sao Miguel is the biggest island of the archipelago, some 40 miles in length and 9 miles at its maximum width it is dominated by beautiful highlands. All the islands have so much to offer from casual exploration of their incredible volcanic scenery, history and culture to special activities such as birdwatching, riding and walking.

In fact, the islands give amazing walking whether it be on the cliff top paths or looking down on the tree lined lakes that now fill the old volcanic craters. You can go horse riding in the hills too if you wish. They are also a popular destination for cycling/mountain biking and whale watching.

The latter is what most people who come to the Azores try to do as it is one of the best destinations in the world for this activity with Sperm, Blue and Humpback whales all seen. I took a trip on a rib with seven other people that skipped across into the Atlantic and were soon joined by a pod of some sixty dolphins, some with young, that played, breached and leapt from the water and seemed to be smiling at us and so close that at times I felt I could touch them. Indeed, some people in other boats were snorkelling with them!

That night I strolled out in the streets of the capital for a beer and a meal in the bars and restaurants that line streets of the old area around the centre. As a general rule, Azorean cuisine tends to be much more country rustic than mainland Portugal’s (this is not a hard and fast rule, but is generally true).

The cheeses are superb and there are different types all of which you have to try. Pineapples are grown on Såo Miguel, you can get a really good tour of the plantation, and they are frequently seen on the menu of restaurants for dessert and are a nice alternative to the richly sweet flans and tarts that are very yummy!

The next morning, I was taken to the airport to board my flight to stay on the western most island, Flores some ninety minutes away. Top tip here, do get yourself a window seat, you can’t book one you just have to get near the front of the queue, as you fly over the five islands that form the central group of the archipelago and it’s an amazing sight.

The beauty of this place is that it is the most westerly point of Europe and still isolated and under developed from the tourist point of view. The same is true of all the other islands so do and go and visit before it’s too late and they catch up with Mallorca.

The Sunvil Family

By The Sunvil Family

2nd December 2016



The Sunvil Family
The Sunvil Family
The Sunvil Family

Sunvil's holidays are designed by passionate travellers just like you. Our reservations experts and product teams, many of whom have been with us for many years, are passionate about our destinations and, through their personal, first-hand knowledge can answer any questions that you may have. They are well qualified to advise and recommend, based on your own holiday criteria. We can point you to those special, little-known places, some not found even in guidebooks.

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We promise that a member of our specialist reservation teams will reply personally to your holiday enquiry before 5.30pm if received before 12.00pm (Monday to Friday). Enquiries received after 12.00pm will be replied to within 24-hours (excluding Sundays).

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We promise that a member of our specialist reservation teams will reply personally to your holiday enquiry before 5.30pm if received before 12.00pm (Monday to Friday). Enquiries received after 12.00pm will be replied to within 24-hours (excluding Sundays).

If your enquiry is of an urgent nature, please telephone our dedicated reservation teams on the numbers listed below.

Our lines are open from 9.00am to 5.30pm Monday-Friday and from 9.30am to 4.30pm Saturday.

  • Greece: 020 8758 4758
  • Cyprus: 020 8758 4759
  • Portugal, the Azores, Spain, Italy, Sicily and Scandinavia: 020 8758 4722
  • Latin America: 020 8758 4774
  • Marketing: 020 8758 4731

Required Information

* Mandatory Information
Title *
First name *
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Alternative telephone number
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Confirm email address
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  • Portugal, the Azores, Italy, Sicily and Scandinavia: 020 8758 4722
  • Latin America: 020 8758 4774

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