A lot of factors contribute to our decision of where to go on holiday. For some, it’s the number of cultural attractions, or the level of nightlife. For me, it’s the chance to explore some beautiful natural scenery – and if the same is true for you, you should definitely head to the Azores.
Where are the Azores?
Located in the north Atlantic Ocean, the Azores comprises nine islands, and is an autonomous region of Portugal. Volcanic in origin, these gorgeous islands are, as I’m sure you’ll have guessed, blessed with some stunning landscapes.
They are also the ideal spots to visit as part of a cruise. You can find out more about the various itineraries available by visiting this website, but Madeira, the Canary Islands and Spain are among the other destinations you could visit as part of this kind of holiday.
Terceira
One of the biggest and prettiest islands in the Azores, Terceira is a prime spot for sunshine and nature-focused sightseeing. If you decide to come here on a cruise, make sure you take a look at what guided excursions are available, as these will often take you to some of the island’s most wonderful natural highlights.
Among the top places to visit is Caldeira de Guilherme Moniz, which is the island’s largest volcanic crater. The term ‘large’ doesn’t do it justice, really – its perimeter spans a massive 9 miles!
Another highlight is Monte Brasil. An extinct volcano, this landmark emerged during an underwater eruption early on in the island’s lifetime, and today offers absolutely spectacular views over both the Atlantic and the city Angra.
It’s also worth bearing in mind you can come across some fantastic natural attractions in the towns too. Biscoitos, for instance, has some lovely natural rock swimming pools that were formed by volcanic eruptions thousands of years ago. As a quick tip, this town is also renowned for its wine, and you can see vineyards, as well as explore an excellent viticulture museum here.
Other natural wonders in Terceira include Algar do Carvao, a 90 m deep volcanic chimney that gives you a chance to experience the island’s origins up close. Plus, if you head into this underground marvel, you can see some of the biggest and most spectacular silica stalactites in the world.
Santa Maria
The oldest of the Azores, Santa Maria is home to some of the archipelago’s best beaches and prettiest landscapes. What’s more, it also has the best climate – so it really is a must-visit!
One of the most unmissable stretches of sand is Sao Lourenco, which is backed by vineyards and white houses. As well as relaxing on the soft sand here, make sure you go to the Espigao Viewpoint to admire the amazing scenery as well.
Formosa Beach is another great place to stop off at, and is often called the clearest beach of the Azores. The sand here is a brilliant white, very much giving this place the feel of a classic paradise beach. It’s worth bearing in mind that it’s also a great place to try some water sports, including surfing and kayaking.
But there’s far more to Santa Maria than great beaches. Keen walkers, for instance, should definitely try out the trail from Pico Alto to Anjos. This 14 km route will lead you through some of the island’s famous laurel forests to a wholly different kind of landscape – the Barreiro da Faneca desert.
The earth here is a rust-red – though bright orange in places – and represent a distant point in the island’s past, where weather conditions led to the development of vast clay terrains known as barreiros. The colours here seem to change throughout the day – a truly magical sight.
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