Azores
The Azores contain two of Portugal’s 15 Unesco World Heritage sites –
the vineyards of Pico and the old town of Angra do Heroismo on Terceira – and
three biospheres (Graciosa, Flores, and Corvo). The regional government has
bolstered this with an award-winning network of natural parks and marine
reserves to safeguard the unspoiled environment.
With the liberalization of the airline industry
making the islands more accessible than ever before, the Azores look well placed
to finally capitalize on their vast potential as a world-leading example of
sustainable tourism.
Culture & History
The culture of the Azores is unique in many ways. Its strongest
influence came from the original settlers brought in sailing ships from
southern continental Portugal to populate the islands beginning with Santa
Maria in 1439. By 1493, the major city Vila do Porto received a visit from
Christopher Columbus on his way back from his first transatlantic voyage where
he was mistaken for a pirate, arrested, and interrogated.
By 1444, settlements on a second island, Sao Miguel were populated by
colonists from continental Portugal, as well as from France. These colonists
were farmers and settled in the fertile agricultural areas of the islands. Export
of wheat, oranges, sugar cane, and dyes provided the main economic force in the
islands. So, the culture today is an interesting mix of agricultural, whaling,
military, and wine growing peoples, mostly of Roman Catholic faith. The
festivals are mainly religious, with parades of saints images and the Christ.
Museums display exhibits based on the seafaring days and the whale hunting
days.
Music and dance of the Azoreans culture are enjoyed by both men and
women. Many of the men play the most common musical instrument, the viola,
singing verses created on the spot. These verses sometimes are treated as a
form of musical contest. The lyrical character of the people is reflected in
the works of several well-known Azorean poets. Azorean writers are widely read
in Portugal and by way of translation to the English speaking world as well.
Flavors
Azorean cuisine, native to the Azores Islands, is a rich, hearty,
peasant-based style of cooking. Its flavors sing of seafood, spicy stews, sweet
desserts, and rich dairy products. Fish
such as tuna, blue jack mackerel, chub mackerel, forkbear, red porgy, and
swordfish are commonly served. Freshness reigns on grills, stews, roasts, or in
fish broths. There are lobsters, mediterranean slipper lobsters, crabs, spider
crabs, and barnacles. Limpets are served grilled, with Molho Afonso sauce or
are cooked in rice or mashed bread. The island of São Jorge is the only island
that offers clams.
The Azorean beef benefits from a protected geographical indication,
with some dishes being prepared from it, such as the Alcatra (rump) from
Terceira island, boiled beef, and regionally-flavored steaks. Liver sauce
cracklings and sausages are must haves, whilst linguiça can be the main course
if served with taro root, and blood pudding an appetizer if complemented by
pineapple.
Cozido das Furnas, made with various meats and vegetables, is cooked by
the geothermal heat in a pot that is placed under the ground. Some delicacies
are common during the Holy Ghost Festivals, such as the Sopa do Espírito Santo
(Soup of the Holy Ghost) and the Massa Sovada (Portuguese sweet bread). The
bread known as bolos lêvedos, typical from Furnas, is served at any time
throughout the whole year. The cheese Queijo de São Jorge is at the top of the
list of tasty dairy products, with skilled hands and ripening time being the
secret for a myriad of tastes and textures.
Urban Experience
The pretty towns and villages in the Azores will make visitors feel
like they’ve traveled back through time, so embrace that feeling and explore a
city by carriage. Many of the most popular locations, including Angra do
Heroísmo in Terceira, and Ponta Delgada in São Miguel, offer these experiences,
which can be booked on the day.
Azoreans are known as hospitable and traditional people, with a simple,
rewarding way of life. During the Summer, there are many celebrations and
festivities on all the islands, in which you can get to know the habits,
traditions, the costumes and the gastronomy of the region.
From religious to musical and even maritime themes, those warmest
months are when the islands come alive with festivals, with each island having
its event calendar. Festa do Divino Espirito Santo (the Holy Ghost Festival),
is the most popular festa, celebrating the third person of the Godhead – a day
where somebody is named empress or emperor for a day.
Outdoors & Adventure
This remote archipelago simply abounds with
adventures. It has world-class whale watching, sailing, diving, hiking, and
canyoning; excellent surfing and other watersports; rich opportunities for on
horseback, on bikes, or, for the daredevils, by paraglider. Then there is the
landscape itself: a wonderland of seething mud pots, fantastical caverns, and
vivid crater lakes that speak of a volcanic origin.
In a destination like the Azores, finding a local beach to spend a day
in the waves or on the sand goes without saying. A few great beaches include
Praia Grande near Ponta Delgada, Praia Formosa in Santa Maria, and Ribeira
Quente in São Miguel.
Before eating the cozido in Furnas (pots lowered into the volcanic
ground), head to Terra Nostra Park or Poça da Dona Beija and soak in the hot
geothermal pools. These two spots are just a couple of many hot springs on the
islands, which promote health benefits including improved circulation, reduced
stress, and healing skin conditions. The only caution is against wearing light
colors in the geothermal pool at Terra Nostra as the naturally yellow-brown
water can discolor bathing suits.