Elena here....
Want to share about my time in the Azores and let me tell you, this place is absolutely and unequivocally SPECIAL!!!!
I knew absolutely nothing about the hidden gem that is the Azores prior to heading there with 150 travel professionals this past November. I was so pleasantly surprised at how special this cluster of volcanic islands truly is.
There are 9 islands in total and each of them has its unique tone and vibe. We had the privilege of visiting and immersing ourselves into 2 of the 9 - São Miguel and Terceira. The former is where our journey began with a direct flight from Toronto on SATA airlines which was a mere 5.5 hour duration.
I stayed at the Octant hotel which was absolutely lovely with incredible views of the marina and a short walk into downtown Ponta Delgada. I enjoyed the magnificent scenery, the friendly locals and the food.
We explored the island extensively and it was absolutely breathtaking. Whether it be nature, food, wine, golf or beach that is your interest, this island checks off all the boxes.
Friendly locals, great restaurants, mild weather…really enjoyed my time here.
A short inter island flight then brought us to Terceira. Ahhhhhh Terceira. That was very much my vibe and truly captured my heart. The cobblestone streets, colorful buildings, the sea and the wine. My favorite adventure brought us to a splendid wine museum called Museu Do Vinho Dos Biscoitos where I had a truly special moment interacting with its owner, Luis who proudly shared about the history of his special winery and its 5 generations of existence. So many more wonderful experiences but that one stood out to me immensely.
Would I go back to the Azores? In a heartbeat. Why? It was special. The pride of the locals when sharing and talking about their home is powerful. The natural beauty of the islands is unique and breathtaking. The vibe is serene, tranquil and very, very special. A gem.
It’s a must visit. An absolute must.
I am an extremely emotional being on all levels and travel intensifies these emotions. I learned at a very young age how enriching visiting other lands and understanding other cultures is. Been to some pretty spectacular places over the past year and all of them have impacted me tremendously. But I have to say that the Azores invoked something very, very different in me. It’s indescribable. Something that you MUST experience for yourself. 