Tourist Tips

Below are just a few suggestions out of the many wonderful experiences waiting to be had in the Azores. For further information or suggestions contact the Congress Secretariat who will be happy to help you or organize tailor-made tours.

The following sites are worth visiting: Azorean Adventures  and Azores Tourism

THE AZORES

Said to be the lost Atlantis, the magical islands of the Azores are ready to be found again. Nine poetically named islands and the last outpost of the European Union are spread over some 600 km of ocean roughly midway between Europe and North America.

The Azores were discovered during the first half of the 15th-century by Portuguese navigators. The nine islands are divided into three groups: the eastern (São Miguel and Santa Maria islands), the central (Terceira, Graciosa, São Jorge, Pico and Faial islands), and the western (Corvo and Flores islands). Apart from international airports of Santa Maria, Ponta Delgada and Angra, there are flights (operated by the regional airline SATA) and ferry boats between the islands.
A unique experience....

The legends of this magical volcanic set of islands provide the backdrop for memorable events and experiences...visits to tea and pineapple plantations... swimming in volcanic heated healing waters... eating food cooked in a volcano...seeing breath-taking beauty... swimming with whales and dolphins...reliving the legends of pirates and star-crossed lovers. Certainly one of the most memorable stories often repeated is that of a foreign couple silently looking at the Caldeira das Sete Cidades, who were interrupted by their six-year-old son, who asked them: “Is this where God lives?”.

Four and a half hours of flight time from Frankfurt, 5h10 from Munich, 2h from London and two hours from Lisbon the Azores are ideally and strategically-located midway between the European and American Continents. This destination offers a manifold of unexpected opportunities. Nature, history, culture, gastronomy, action, the cities and villages… they all work together making the Azores stand out as a sensation.

The heritage and lifestyle of a bygone era is still very much in evidence all around. The traditional way of life has been well preserved and co-exists with the modern living environment, thus presenting a pleasant blend of the old and new, the simple and the sophisticated. The Azores then supplemented these intrinsic gifts with the appropriate infrastructures making these islands an attractive conference location.

Some Suggestions

The Journey of a Tea Leaf

Pineapple Growing

The Azores produce some of the sweetest varieties of pineapple. Visit the greenhouses, learn how to serve and eat pineapple and how to choose the best one. Sometimes you may be allowed to pick pineapples yourself and learn how to cut and serve it properly. The most popular part is usually the tasting.

Experience 18th century life in the Azores

When you visit the Quinta do Martelo you get a first hand view of life in Azores in the 18th Century. Learn about the houses of the time, what professions were popular, how food was cooked, how cheese was made, the music of the time etc. Take part in all these activities first hand and then end the day with a traditional 18th century farmer’s party with wine, song and farm grown food.

Swimming with dolphins and Whales

There can be no greater experience than to see these animals in their natural habitat right in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. As you watch them swim by or if you are lucky enough for one to decide to visit the boat, you may come face to face with a dolphin, the memory will last forever.

Activities

Nine islands, nine experiences. For those who love adventure, dare climbing the Pico volcano at night and watch the sunrise (Pico Island). The views are spectacular. At the Terceira Island visit the UNESCO World Heritage City of Angra do Heroismo. Visit the Flores Island, walk and enjoy the stunning scenery.
Every sports option is catered for from taking part in rallies, competition, military style adrenaline charged events and practice any activity from climbing, sailing, trekking, orienteering, archery or simply play golf. Wide open spaces, mild climate and even if your preference is yoga or Tai Chi the landscape will make every activity unforgettable.

Jeep off-road safari & photo hunt

The Azores are a feast for the senses and are definitely a place to be seen, tasted, smelt, heard etc. There is no better way to see the natural landscape of these islands than to follow the trails by Jeep. Small farms, giant craters, mysterious natural formations, undulating vineyards as well as ages-old landmarks of the past. Get acquainted with meadows, cities, woods and locations you would otherwise not see and a camera is definitely a must. Review photos together on big screen in the end of safari & hunt. Photos will be saved on the Video CD.

A feast for the Soul

Experience the traditional wine produced from regional grape varieties in the Azores. Taste the best beef in the world. Experience a gastronomic demonstration of some of the most traditional recipes and even take part by learning how to make them. All of this is of course accompanied by the wealth of folk music and song. Watch as your food is buried in the hot soil in the volcanic earth and a few hours later experience the aroma as it is lifted from the location and served for you to eat at your pleasure. An unusual experience and flavour which will delight your eyes and your taste buds and certainly something to tell them about back home.

Live the Legends

These magical islands are replete with legends and stories. Live the legends by learning about the unusual characters as you learn the history of the locations and the people who made them throughout history; the Princess and the Shepherd of the Seven Cities Lakes, the pirates and corsairs who visited or set up home on these islands in the centuries when ships laden with gold and spices crossed the horizon on their way back from far away continents.

Traditional & Historical Azores

Enjoy the traditional handicraft of the Azores, from ceramics to embroideries to objects made from fish scales and onion peel. Learn about the intricate work and talented creativity of the artisans and take part and produce a small object of your own. There are organized walking tours and circuits in the oldest cities of the Azores. Learn about the religious and secular traditions and customs.