São Jorge Azores

[Jordan Tucker]

Themodern, elegant furniture in my suite was intriguing enough that I wanted to find a way to fit it into my suitcase. When I opened my bedroom window the first morning, cows were quietly munching on grass in the morning glow outside. I could almost reach out and touch them.

The Azores have been part of Portugal for centuries, minus about 60 years under Spanish rule. For a couple of years around 1580, the small port town of Angra do Herosmo was even the Portuguese national capital, after being the only place in Portugal to successfully repel the initial Spanish invasion. Two years later, though, the islands did fall to Spain.

Out of the pastures, these islands were a rare safe harbor in the mid-Atlantic for centuries of sea trade. The town of Angra do Herosmo, which was our home base on the island of Terceira for 7 days, has been an important hub for centuries. It was where Vasco da Gama brought his dying brother in the late 1400s, because the town had the only hospital in the Atlantic.

But in this case, it does mean that people are traveling to the Azores not to spend money in over-airconditioned, foreign-owned beach resorts, to shop international fashion brands, or for any kind of mass-tourism.

Can you go and just hike, or are they all part of tours? We are self-proclaimed sloth hikers, and like to take our time, and look at everything! Lol any insight would be appreciated. Have a great day!

we are considering a 2 week vacation to the azores. we are departing from miami. how do you feel about 2 weeks? is it too long, and should we consider adding a couple or so days in lisbon or elsewhere? thanks for your comments.

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