Azores, And Terceira
|
| Nine little gems in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, the volcanic Azores Islands are a quick four-hour plane ride from the U.S. East Coast, so you can essentially be in Europe in less time than it takes to go from coast to coast. The Azores are Portuguese, with their own colorful maritime history, indigenous cuisine and wines, plenty of outdoor activities for travelers, and warm and friendly people. Terceira Island, third largest of the Azores, has a UNESCO World Heritage city, golf, paragliding, whale-watching, caves, and some unique and exciting customs that involve bulls and umbrellas. |
|
|
Tips in this Tour:
 | It would be good to take a Portuguese-English dictionary with you to the Azores. Some English is spoken in its main city of Angra do Heroismo, but in the countryside you may have to rely on the dictionary, and you can't fake it with a Romance language background, as Portuguese does not sound anything like Spanish, Italian, or French. |
| Be sure to ask at your hotel when and where the next bull run will take place, and go to see it. Unique to Terceira, this is a bull run like no other, and very exciting to watch. |
| Read a little Portuguese history before you come, especially that between the 15th and 17th Centuries and focusing on the maritime history of the Azores. It will make all of the historic buildings and monuments and churches on this island more meaningful when you see them. |
| Ask to have hors d'oeuvres before at least one dinner on Terceira. The appetizers, with their own cheese, pepper jelly, olives, bread, and sausages showcase all of the island's best food, and they will be enough, with a glass of Portuguese wine, to be dinner, at least on one evening, without ordering an entree. |
| A wonderful, English-speaking guide/driver on Terceira, Jose Borges, is extremely knowledgeable about Portuese and Azorean history, knows every inch of the island's geography and personalities and restaurants and historical sites, and is a friendly man with a good sense of humor. To contact him: piresborges@gmail.com. |
|
|
| Transportation: | Walking & Driving |
| Specialty: | Highway/Countryside |
| Category: | Travel Log - play before you go |
| Rating: |
 |
| Added: | 11/17/2009 |
| Duration: | 30 min |
Purchase/Download:
|
|
|
More about this tour |
Chapters in this tour:
Terceira Island
Angra do Heroismo
Terceiran Cuisine
Activities On Terceira
The Bull Runs
Holy Spirit Houses
|
|
Provider: Julie Hatfield
Julie has been a staff writer for The Boston Globe for 22 years, and is now a freelance travel writer for newspapers, magazines and websites. She contributes to travelvideopostcard.com and grandparents.com.
Other Tours by this Provider
