Azores islands, Portugal VIP services

Volcanoes and the Azores go hand-in hand: Nearly every volcano to be found on Portuguese soil is set on these islands. There are spectacular clues to their power at a peninsula on Faial that was formed in the 1950s, or in the geothermal activity around the town of Furnas on São Miguel where local chefs use the heat to cook food. Also on São Miguel are peacefully dormant calderas that have become lakes with ferns, juniper bushes and conifers lining their craters. With all this natural splendour, and a mild subtropical climate, the Azores are an awesome place to be outdoors, hiking, diving or watching the many whale species that congregate offshore. Lets explore the best things to do in the Azores: São Miguel. Most visitors head to São Miguel Island, the largest and easiest to reach by air—the airport in Ponta Delgada receives the greatest number of direct flights from Portugal, Europe, the UK, the USA, and Canada. Terceira. Terceira is the third largest island of the group geographically but the second largest in terms of population. The capital, Angra do Heroísmo, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Pico. Pico’s major standout feature is its mountain of the same name (meaning “peak”); it reaches 2,351 meters and is the highest in all of Portugal. Faial. Faial’s Varadouro natural swimming pools may be the best spot for a swim. While all of the Azores are fantastic for marine activities, Faial is the nautical center; the University of the Azores department of oceanography is located on the Faial island. Flores and Corvo. Flores and Corvo make up the western-most islands. Ferry rides travel regularly between the two. In Flores, canyoning (jumping into fast-flowing water, like a waterfall) is very popular and there are ample opportunities for first-timers to partake in the sport. Corvo is the smallest of all the islands with one small town called Vila do Corvo. For the beach, head to Portinho da Areia. Otherwise, simply take in the natural beauty of this island, which has been named a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. São Jorge. Marine activities and fantastic hiking routes await in São Jorge. It is also the home to one of Portugal’s favorite foods, the Queijo São Jorge, a spicy, semi-hard yellow cheese that can be found throughout the Azores and continental Portugal. Graciosa. Graciosa, also known as the White Island, contains many different bright hues–from the purple-dotted vineyards, to green expanses, and deep blue waters. There are smaller islands also belonging to Graciosa, like Baleia Islet which is named for its whale shape. Santa Maria. This southernmost island offers the unique white-sand beach of Praia Formosa (while the other islands mostly feature dark sands). It is also the warmest of the islands. Surrounded by caves and cozy islets, it’s an excellent spot to visit for activities like paragliding, swimming, and windsurfing. If visiting in August, keep an eye out for the Festival da Maré de Agosto (or the August Sea Festival).