The Azores, the Portuguese archipelago consisting of nine volcanic islands, is located in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, a dream place where tourism has not reached massive proportions, and nature is untouched.
There are many reasons why you should visit the Azores, and below are just a few of them, which will make you fall in love with these islands:
São Miguel is the largest of a total of nine islands that make up the Azorean archipelago
The island measures 62.1 km in length and 15.8 km in width (at its widest point) and has a total area of 744.7 square km. More than half of the population of the archipelago lives in São Miguel. The Azores are approximately 1,500 kilometers west of Lisbon and are, in fact, the westernmost point of Europe.
São Miguel is the only place in the world where pineapples are grown in greenhouses
Pineapple was introduced to the islands around 1850, as a replacement crop for oranges. However, since the Azores were not warm enough for their outdoor cultivation, they were grown in greenhouses. A unique technique known locally as "fumo" (leaves and branches are burned in old barrels placed inside the greenhouses creating a dense smoke that forces the plants to flower at the same time) shows that pineapples can be harvested much faster than otherwise. possible. It takes about 18 months to produce a ripe fruit weighing 1.5-2 kilograms.
São Miguel hosts the only tea plantation in Europe
Tea was another type of culture that was introduced to the island after the disappearance of orange production. The first records of tea growing in the archipelago date back to the end of the 18th century (it is believed that Portuguese ships passed through the Azores on their way back from Asia), and the island's largest tea estate, Gorreana, was founded in 1883.
Gorreana is 135 years old and produces approximately 30 tons of tea annually.
There are web cameras spread around the island, so you can check live weather through the "Spot Azores" application
Like Iceland - where the commonly used slogan is "if you don't like the weather here, wait five minutes" - the Azores are famous for experiencing four seasons in one day! In fact, it's not unusual to experience two seasons in 10 minutes!
On Wednesdays you can relax at any of the island's lighthouses and choose a free guided tour
A small warning, however: if you intend to visit Farol do Arnel, park the car at the top and walk down. This is because the road from the bottom to the lighthouse (and further towards the port) is very steep!
There is an abandoned 5-star hotel perched on an isolated mountaintop, making this a very interesting place for urban exploration
The Monte Palace Hotel opened its doors on April 15, 1989. The 5-star hotel had 88 rooms, two restaurants, a bar, a bank, a hairdresser, three conference rooms and a night club. However, it closed just nineteen months later due to low occupancy.
There are still many visible details that suggest the former grandeur. of old... special inner courtyard, spiral staircases and bathrooms with elegant tiles.
Due to its location, the 360-degree panoramic views from the rooftops of this former luxury hotel are truly amazing.
It is currently rumored that the hotel has now been acquired by Chinese developers, so if you want to take a look inside, you may not have much time to do so.
São Miguel has been producing ceramics since 1862
La Ceramica Vieira is a family business currently in its fifth generation. Dishes, pots, bowls, vases and other items with traditional symbols and colors are made here, of a special beauty. Entrance is free and you can walk around the factory and showrooms as you please.
At the beginning of this summer you have the opportunity to discover a new corner of the world, to visit the above (and more), to relax and feel good at a yoga retreat in the Azores Islands. Choose a new extraordinary experience!
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