10 Wonderful Cities In Europe That Tourists Overlook
While many of Europe's magnificent cities remain eclipsed by their more well-known counterparts, it is a treasure store of enchanted towns. From the artistic appeal…
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Tucked down in the wide Atlantic Ocean, the Azores archipelago appeals to dreamlike visitors from all around the world and captures their hearts and imaginations. Comprising nine magical islands and a perfect mild temperature and scenery that attest to their turbulent volcanic beginnings, this Portuguese territory is evidence of the artistic ability of nature. Although many would pass over this hidden gem in search of a year-round spring refuge, the Azores presents exactly that—an otherworldly escape where perpetual spring rules supreme.
The Azores, which lies roughly 1,500 kilometers from mainland Portugal—the territory of fado music and port wine—have some autonomy that distinguishes them from their continental equivalent. Often confused with Madeira, another Portuguese archipelago nearer the African coast, the Azores has special appeal to those looking for unspoiled natural beauty and peace of mind.
Appropriately called “floating gardens,” the Azores open out before guests as an oasis of unearthly beauty. Here lakes glisten in emerald tones, the sea shimmers with a sapphire brilliance. Volcanic craters, varied rock formations, and lush forests mix with magnolia gardens and vivid pastures covered with a riot of pink, purple, and blue hydrangeas in an amazing patchwork.
One of the brave captains sailing under Henry the Navigator in 1427 helped to discover this fascinating archipelago. Though its history was not without conflict, by 1431 it had become a Portuguese colony. Philip II of Spain sent the Iberian fleet to clear the Azores of French traders a century later, only to see the islands returned under Portuguese rule at the end of the Iberian Union between Portugal and Spain.
There are three separate groups among the nine scattered islands that make up the Azores. One cluster consists on the eastern islands, Santa Maria and São Miguel. The western group consists of Flores and Corvo; the central group consists of Faial, Pico, São Jorge, Terceira, and Graciosa. The Gulf Stream helps the Azores to have a perfect mild temperature marked by regular alternations between cloud cover and brilliant sunshine.
With their bases buried in the ocean’s depths, geographers believe the Azores are indeed the highest mountains under water. Volcanic activity directly results in the rich soil and exotic vegetation of the archipelago, which have sculpted craters and cones with multicolored walls—living monuments to the amazing power of nature. The most recent eruption on the island of Faial somewhat expanded its surface area in 1957.
One must travel to São Miguel, appropriately called the “green island,” to really appreciate the variety and beauty of the Azores’ landscapes. Rich vegetation here will help. Nestled 1,200 kilometers from Lisbon, the closest big Portuguese city, Ponta Delgada is the capital of the Azores archipelago.
Massive Baroque city gates greet guests of Ponta Delgada, beyond which is a treasure storehouse of architectural wonders spanning the 16th to the 18th centuries. Offering a window into the rich cultural legacy of the island, narrow coastal streets wind past traditional Portuguese homes and small businesses. For foreign visitors eager to discover this Atlantic paradise, the João Paulo II Airport acts as their main gateway.
São Miguel is well-known for producing tea, tobacco, and pineapple wine, much as its sister islands. Visitors should not miss the chance to tour one of the island’s tea estates, find a secret winery tucked away in the center of the island, or taste the wonderful pineapple liqueur—a real taste of the Azores.
Henry the Navigator let residents from Extremadura, Algarve, and Madeira to settle on the island in 1439, so starting its colonization. Later the island welcomed “foreigners,” including French, Jewish, and Moorish immigrants, so weaving a rich tapestry of cultural influences.
The topography of São Miguel is dominated by 270 connected volcanoes; the largest ones produce amazing lakes, unusual rock formations, many thermal springs, and rich botanical gardens. The island’s capacity to cook without a stove piques maybe the most fascinating interest among its residents. A result of the island’s geothermal activity, the ground is so hot in the center that residents say one can make a great meal just by excavating a hole and lowering a pot loaded with ingredients into the ground.
Within the Sete Cidades volcano in western São Miguel, two lakes—one green, one blue—touch in an amazing display of natural beauty. The crater of the volcano is 12-kilometer. The Portuguese myth accompanying this amazing view—a story of forbidden love between a shepherd and a princess—makes it even more moving.
The tale goes that the princess’s family wept for days when the star-crossed lovers were apart. Their great tears created two magical lakes, each reflecting the color of their eyes—blue for the princess and green for the shepherd. This romantic myth gives an already captivating scene still another level of magic.
Visitors will find plenty of hydrangea shrubs all around the island, and indeed the whole archipelago—one of the most obvious Azorean emblematic plants. On the eastern side of São Miguel, along the path to the Furnas volcanic lake, quiet geysers spew sulfur-rich vapor, producing an otherworldly environment.
For those drawn to wild surroundings, Pico da Vara’s 1,103-meter height calls to them. Travelers on the path to this top pass past stunning beaches tucked away in the hollows of steep coastlines, their sands glistening with the hue of old gold.
With so many events held all year long, the Azores are also renowned for their festive energy. In honor of the natural beauty that defines this amazing archipelago, the people of Ponta Delgada turn the main streets into vivid floral carpets during these happy events, so providing paths of the most exquisite and brilliantly colored blossoms through which festival parades pass.
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