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So you STW folks seem quite travelled. We're ( wife & I - no kids) off to the Azores this summer on our holidays for a fortnight - bought the flights cheap on a whim.
So what to make sure we don't miss? Where to eat? What to do?
Ta.
Presume you're going to Sao Miguel? Flying into Ponta Delgada?
I was out there in February - like you say, flights on a whim and I'd seen an article in Cyclist Magazine about the road riding out there. One random Tuesday evening online, booked flights, accommodation and airport parking, Saturday I was on the plane!
Ponta Delgada is a lovely little town, well worth a day wandering round.
I was there mostly for the road riding so I was able to visit most places just by riding there.
Go to Furnas - that's easily a day of volcanic steam vents, thermal baths, general wandering around the lake and also eating the local speciality, a chicken stew cooked in the steam vents.
Sete Cidades (the two big crater lakes) is amazing and you can get jeep tours or horseriding around the crater rim. There are loads of little thermal pools around the place, some open for swimming (some you have to pay to visit but for that you get changing rooms and less risk of being scalded!). The tea plantation is nice as well.
Most of the port towns offer whale watching tours, that's big business there.
https://www.geekyexplorer.com/sao-miguel-island-in-4-days/
That's a decent guide - I presume you'll be getting a hire car? The local buses are pretty good although some of the driving is erm...enthusiastic.
Before you go anywhere, check out the island webcams:
http://www.spotazores.com/
The terrain and climate sometimes make it really misty up on the tops (I mean REALLY misty, literally can't see your hand in front of your face). I had a terrifying descent off one of the hills around Sete Cidades early on when I ended up in mist so thick I couldn't see the road and the wind was whipping around the hills blowing me sideways. But down by the coast it was crystal clear and calm. Check the webcams otherwise you'll end up missing out on the amazing views by just seeing the inside of a cloud!
Also, watch out for the landing in Ponta Delgada, the island winds sometimes make it incredibly bumpy. It's a stunning island, really beautiful. Can't wait to go back.
if you've got 2 weeks there you'll have time to jump on one of the little island hopper flights and visit Santa Maria (15 minute flight).
We were there a couple of years ago in April - we didn't have the best weather but still found plenty to do.
Enjoyed walking among the tea - [url= https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1611/25875666963_a260158fb4_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1611/25875666963_a260158fb4_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
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Whale watching - yes i know it's a turtle
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Various hot springs
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(If you do have a hire car go to Furnas (above) late in the day after the tour buses have departed. We went at about 4pm after a day of rain and it was wonderful.
And just general walking and scenery. We were staying in an AirBnB place to the west but it would have been better to be a bit more central. The drive back along windy roads got tiresome after a while.
We found a great steak place in Ponta Delgada, but there was a lot not open due to the time of year we were there
Some of ours vids to help get you in the mood. All nine islands are amazing:
You’ll have an awesome time. I loved it over there.
Loads of tips on my blog https://benstravels.co.uk/azores-portugal