Halfway between Europe and North America, the Azores are one of the most spectacular island groups in the world. They rival New Zealand in scenic beauty; old Europe in historical elegance; Africa in mystery. A remnant of a Portuguese culture rich in discovery and colonial innovation, the Azores are more than a vacation destination. They're another one of those once in a lifetime experiences.
Grupa SATA (tel. 351-707-22-72-82; www.sata.pt) offers flights to the Azores through Portugal or Ponta Delgada on the island of Sao Miguel from Europe and finally, from the United States. Roundtrip airfare on the airline that also services flights between the nine islands that compose the Azores costs 420 Euros or US$549 from Boston to Lisbon or US$459 from Boston to Ponta Delgada with a Tuesday departure and US$559 with a Friday departure. Air taxes and departure fees are not included. From Lisbon, round-trip airfare to most of the Azores including Terceira and Santa Maria cost US$234. Traditionally, SATA has serviced travelers from London and several German. Flights from London directly to Ponta Delgada cost US$284.
Once you've arrived in the magical Azores, SATA can also take you to and from the distinct island locales. Ferry service is also available with all information on ferry travel and other important Azores travel details located at www.destinazores.com or www.drtacores.pt/index.php?l=lingua_eng.php, the official tourism site for the Azores island group. Airfare between the islands typically runs US$150 to US$300. From Pico to Flores, for example, an economy round-trip ticket costs $274. Flying standby, which is what most travelers do when hopping from island to island, will run you $115 for the same trip. Grupa SATA's web site has all the intra-island fares at www.sata.pt/index.php?article=210&visual=1&tema=5&engl=1.
The Azores are broken up into three groups: the Eastern group of Santa Maria and Sao Miguel; the Central group of Terceira, Graciosa, Sao Jorge and Faial; and the Western group of Flores and Corvo. Each island has spectacular views of land and sea with rolling hills, charming fishing villages, bays and alcoves with rising waves, and mountainous terrain. The island of Pico has the highest mountain in Portugal at 2351 meters. Its peak a magnificent snow cap that has been the island's symbol since its discovery sometime in the early 1400s. San Miguel has medieval churches that glow with Portuguese splendor. Flores magnificent waterfalls and rock covered in fauna.
As for accommodations, the Azores contain a mix of small bed and breakfast type pensions and larger European-style hotels. On Pico, the Hotel Caravelas (tel. 351 292 62-85-50; www.hotelcaravelas.net) is a mod-looking white structure with 67 rooms and a beautiful laid out pool. A double in the low season, now until the end of March, costs 67€ (approximately $87). The hotel is walking distance to the harbor where whale watching boats go out daily.
On the island of Terceira, big and small hotels are just as prevalent. The Angra Hotel (tel: 351-295-20-66-00; www.angrahotel.com/eng/home.asp) on a bluff overlooking the sea has 120 rooms and offers in-house amenities as well as a central location. The Angra is part of a larger hotel group that owns hotels on several of the Azores islands. Call the hotel for seasonal rates.
Smaller pensions or residence lodging is available throughout the islands as tourists can hop to from island to island staying in inexpensive local homes or small inns close to all the interesting sites and local flavor. For a pretty guest house on the ecological island of Sao Jorge, try the Turnor - Hospedaria Sao Jorge (tel. 296-48-83-37; www.destinazores.com/anuncio.php?id=-1681157759#-490571346). Located up in the quiet hills, this seven-room house with private baths offers rates starting at 30€ ($39) per night.
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