The Azores; The Bradt Travel Guide

by David Sayers

• ISBN13: 9781841620268
• ISBN10: 1841620262
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Trade Paper
• Copyright: 2001-12-01
• Publisher: Bradt Travel Guides

Summary

The Azores have aptly been described as the "Garden Islands" of the Atlantic, enjoying a warm climate and a multitude of species of flora and fauna. This new Bradt guide is the first general travel guide to the Azores, and comprehensively covers all nine of the volcanic islands in this peaceful Portuguese group, 3,500 km off the coast of New York. Advice on sightseeing ranges from the architectural sites of Ponta Delgada -- the capital on Sao Miguel island -- to pretty spa villages, pastoral windmills on Graciosa, volcanic terrain and dramatic coastlines, allowing visitors to compile their own itineraries. Suggestions for self-drive, local transport, and walking holidays open up the options. David Sayers' expert botanical knowledge makes the Bradt guide to the Azores particularly strong on the natural history of the islands, which have been colonized with hundreds of species of exotic flowers and plants, and are the home to many migrating birds.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements	viii
Introduction	ix
PART ONE THE ISLANDS	1	(60)
Background Information	3	(32)
Location	3	(1)
Origin and invasions	3	(5)
The weather	8	(1)
Natural history	9	(5)
Social topics	14	(2)
Art and architecture	16	(10)
Festivals	26	(4)
Between the mountains and the sea -- how it was in the past	30	(5)
Practical Information	35	(26)
Attractions	35	(2)
When to go	37	(2)
Organised tours	39	(2)
Red tape	41	(1)
Getting there	42	(1)
Health	43	(1)
What to take	44	(1)
Money	45	(1)
Getting around	46	(2)
Accommodation	48	(1)
Eating and drinking	48	(5)
Nightlife	53	(1)
Public holidays and festivals	53	(1)
Shopping	54	(1)
Activities	54	(5)
Media and communications	59	(1)
Cultural dos and don'ts	60	(1)
PART TWO EASTERN GROUP	61	(52)
Sao Miguel	63	(38)
Highlights	63	(1)
General background	64	(2)
Getting there	66	(1)
Getting around	67	(1)
Where to stay	68	(4)
Where to eat	72	(1)
Nightlife	72	(1)
Festivals	73	(1)
Useful numbers	74	(1)
Activities	74	(2)
What to see	76	(15)
Walks	91	(10)
Santa Maria	101	(12)
Highlights	101	(1)
General background	101	(2)
Getting there	103	(1)
Getting around	103	(1)
Where to stay	104	(1)
Where to eat	104	(1)
Nightlife	105	(1)
Festivals	105	(1)
Useful numbers	106	(1)
Activities	106	(2)
What to see	108	(3)
Walks	111	(2)
PART THREE CENTRAL GROUP	113	(84)
Terceira	115	(18)
Highlights	115	(1)
General background	115	(2)
Getting there	117	(1)
Getting around	117	(1)
Where to stay	118	(1)
Where to eat	119	(1)
Nightlife	120	(1)
Festivals	120	(1)
Useful numbers	120	(1)
Activities	120	(2)
What to see	122	(11)
Graciosa	133	(14)
Highlights	133	(1)
General background	133	(1)
Getting there	134	(1)
Getting around	135	(1)
Where to stay	135	(1)
Where to eat	136	(1)
Nightlife	137	(1)
Festivals	137	(1)
Things to buy	137	(1)
Useful numbers	137	(1)
Activities	138	(1)
What to see	138	(3)
Walks	141	(6)
Sao Jorge	147	(18)
Highlights	148	(1)
General background	148	(1)
Getting there	149	(1)
Getting around	149	(1)
Where to stay	150	(1)
Where to eat	150	(1)
Nightlife	150	(1)
Festivals	150	(1)
Useful numbers	151	(1)
Activities	151	(1)
What to see	152	(4)
Walks	156	(9)
Faial	165	(16)
Highlights	165	(2)
General background	167	(2)
Getting there 1691, Getting around	169	(1)
Where to stay	170	(1)
Where to eat	170	(1)
Nightlife	171	(1)
Festivals	171	(1)
Useful numbers	171	(1)
Activities	171	(1)
What to see	172	(7)
Touring by self-drive car	179	(2)
Pico	181	(16)
Highlights	183	(1)
General background	183	(1)
Getting there	184	(1)
Getting around	185	(1)
Where to stay	186	(1)
Where to eat	187	(1)
Nightlife	187	(1)
Festivals	188	(1)
Useful telephone numbers	188	(1)
Activities	189	(1)
What to see	190	(1)
Car tours	190	(3)
Walks	193	(4)
PART FOUR WESTERN GROUP	197	(34)
Flores	199	(24)
Highlights	200	(1)
General background	200	(2)
Getting there	202	(1)
Getting around	202	(1)
Where to stay	203	(1)
Where to eat	203	(1)
Nightlife	204	(1)
Festivals	204	(1)
Useful telephone numbers	205	(1)
Activities	205	(1)
What to see	205	(6)
Walks	211	(12)
Corvo	223	(8)
Highlights	223	(1)
General background	224	(1)
Getting there	225	(1)
Getting around	226	(1)
Where to stay	226	(1)
Where to eat	226	(1)
Nightlife	226	(1)
Festivals	226	(1)
Activities	227	(1)
What to see	227	(1)
Walks	227	(4)
Appendix 1 Flora	231	(16)
Appendix 2 Language	247	(4)
Appendix 3 Further Reading	251	(7)
Index	258