Azores

With some of the tallest mountains on the planet, the nine volcanic islands of the Azores are of great morphological value, most of them carrying a ''colorful” name. Portugal's ''blue” Archipelago stands out through terrestrial wonders like coastal lava fields, caves and inactive volcanic cones but also through the rich environment of maritime species, one of the most appealing being the black coral. The Angra do Heroismo on the Terceira Island is also a UNESCO World Heritage site representing the oldest continuously settled town in the Portuguese archipelago.

Blue Birds

The Azores Archipelago carries a name derived from the word ''blue” and is also commonly associated to a bird type, the goshawk, present on the island at the time of their discovery. The nine volcanic islands are set in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean, about 1500 kilometers from Portugal's capital city, Lisbon. The islands covering 2.346 square kilometers (906 square miles) were discovered in the 15^th century by Goncalo Velho Cabral.

The nine islands of the Azores each unique through culture, dialect and traditions are Corvo, Faial, Flores, Graciosa, Pico, Sao Jorge, Sao Miguel, Santa Maria and Terceira.

A Rainbow of Variety

Corvo, the smallest of the bunch is also called the Island of the Crow. Pico, the highest in elevation was entitled Black Island. Despite its mixture of volcanic cones and plaines, Graciosa is also called the White Island and its name is translated as graceful, enchanting. Faial is distinctive through its shield volcano, through the so-called caldera Cabeco Gordo and is associated to the color blue due to the large quantity of hydrageans, flowers which bloom in the summer. Terceira, the location of one of the largest craters is almost circular in shape and is nicknamed the Liliac or Violet Island. The oldest, most eroded island is Santa Maria and the largest one is Sao Miguel also known as the Green Island. Flores got its name because of its many valleys and escarpments and Sao Jorge can be described as a long, slender island formed from eruptions.

Swimming with Sea Turtles and Wine Festival

If any of the Azore Archipelago islands seem appealing, explore their colors and their attractions. Taste the differences in the local cuisine, feel the mystery of subterranean lava tubes at the Grota de Torres or Algar de Carvao or swim with the sea turtles admiring the abundant marine life. There are a number of events which can enhance your island experience like the Festa das Vindimas (the festival of wine harvest) held on Pico Island, the Festival of Nossa Senhora de Lourdes (festival of whale-hunting) or one of the religious events which are celebrated from May to September.

Absorb a unique island experience where the variety of each colorful Azore island is felt considerably.