Azores
6th Edition
Published on 21. November 2016
Book
Paperback/Softback
304 pages
978-1-78477-023-5 (ISBN)
Description
Bradt's Azores guidebook is the only comprehensive guidebook to the nine-island archipelago, a nature-lovers' wilderness perched at the western extremity of Europe in the mid-Atlantic, and one of the best places in the world for whale watching. This new edition continues to provide the strong geological and botanical information that is so integral to the islands and essential for all nature lovers, but it also has an expanded focus taking in the land- and sea-based activities which have become a significant part of the Azores tourism offering in the past few years. Also included is all of the practical information needed to make the most of these new opportunities, plus a full update on the accommodation upgrades that have taken place in recent times to cater for the influx of new visitors.
Green, and with a mild climate throughout the year thanks to the Gulf Stream, each island has its own attractions and identity. Safe and welcoming, the islands are drawing in a whole new group of visitors, mainly from Europe and the USA, attracted by the diversity of outdoor activities, easier accessibility and improvements to the visitor infrastructure. The Azores volcanic origin make for a rugged, diverse landscape, a suitable backdrop for excellent walking, mountain-biking and canyoning, while whale-watching, kayaking, windsurfing and fishing provide off-shore opportunities for independent travellers and adventurous families alike.
The islands' 500 year history is well-documented in a host of museums, allowing visitors to learn about the fluctuating fortunes and strategic importance of the archipelago across the centuries. Attractive architecture, carefully preserved festivals, three islands with UNESCO Biosphere Reserve status, an interesting range of flora and many botanical gardens are all covered in this guide.
Green, and with a mild climate throughout the year thanks to the Gulf Stream, each island has its own attractions and identity. Safe and welcoming, the islands are drawing in a whole new group of visitors, mainly from Europe and the USA, attracted by the diversity of outdoor activities, easier accessibility and improvements to the visitor infrastructure. The Azores volcanic origin make for a rugged, diverse landscape, a suitable backdrop for excellent walking, mountain-biking and canyoning, while whale-watching, kayaking, windsurfing and fishing provide off-shore opportunities for independent travellers and adventurous families alike.
The islands' 500 year history is well-documented in a host of museums, allowing visitors to learn about the fluctuating fortunes and strategic importance of the archipelago across the centuries. Attractive architecture, carefully preserved festivals, three islands with UNESCO Biosphere Reserve status, an interesting range of flora and many botanical gardens are all covered in this guide.
More details
Edition
6th Revised edition
Language
English
Place of publication
Buckinghamshire
United Kingdom
Edition type
Revised edition
ISBN-13
978-1-78477-023-5 (9781784770235)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Persons
David Sayers is a horticulturist who studied at Kew and overseas, and has spent a lifetime exploring the world for plants. Abandoning gardening after 20 years and graduating in social sciences, he worked in social policy and corporate planning, at the same time using annual leave to lead adventure/botanical holidays to the Himalayas for Thomas Cook and others. In 1982 he formed a company specialising in botanical and garden travel and for 26 years arranged and led tours worldwide. In 1984, he offered the Azores for the first time and led the first ever tour group to climb Pico and to visit Sao Jorge, Flores and Corvo. He now writes on botanical travel.
Murray Stewart is an experienced guidebook updater and something of an island and archipelago specialist having updated Bradt's guidebook on Cape Verde , another mid-Atlantic destination. He is a keen walker and has a passion for wildlife and the outdoors in general. He speaks five languages, including some Portuguese.
Murray Stewart is an experienced guidebook updater and something of an island and archipelago specialist having updated Bradt's guidebook on Cape Verde , another mid-Atlantic destination. He is a keen walker and has a passion for wildlife and the outdoors in general. He speaks five languages, including some Portuguese.
Content
Contents
Foreword by Ben Fogle
Introduction
PART ONE GENERAL INFORMATION
Chapter 1 Background Information
Geography and climate, Natural history and conservation, History, Government and politics, Economy, Population, Language, Religion, Culture
Chapter 2 Practical Information
When to visit, Highlights, Planning an itinerary: which islands?, Tour operators, Tourist information, Red tape, Getting there and away, Health, Women travellers, Gay and lesbian travellers, Travellers with a disability, Safety, What
to take, Money, Budgeting, Getting around, Accommodation, Eating and drinking, Public holidays and festivals, Shopping, Arts and entertainment,
Activities, Media and communications, Buying a property, Cultural etiquette, Travelling positively
PART TWO EASTERN GROUP
Chapter 3 Sao Miguel
Background, Getting there and away, Getting around, Tourist information, Ponta Delgada, Touring the island, Activities, Walks
Chapter 4 Santa Maria
Background, Getting there and away, Getting around, Tourist information, Where to stay, Where to eat and drink, Other practicalities, What to see and do, Activities, Touring the island
PART THREE CENTRAL GROUP
Chapter 5 Terceira
Background, Getting there and away, Getting around, Tourist information, Where to stay, Where to eat and drink, Other practicalities, What to see and do, Activities, Touring the island
Chapter 6 Graciosa
Background, Getting there and away, Getting around, Tourist information, Where to stay, Where to eat and drink, Nightlife, Shopping, Other practicalities, What to see and do, Activities, Touring the island
Chapter 7 Sao Jorge
Background, Getting there and away, Getting around, Tourist information, Where to stay, Where to eat and drink, Nightlife, Other practicalities, What to see and do, Activities, Touring the island
Chapter 8 Faial
Background, Getting there and away, Getting around, Tourist information, Where to stay, Where to eat and drink, Entertainment and nightlife, Shopping, Other practicalities, What to see and do, Activities, Touring the island
Chapter 9 Pico
Background, Getting there and away, Getting around, Tourist information, Where to stay, Where to eat and drink, Shopping, Other practicalities, What to see and do, Activities, Touring the island
PART FOUR WESTERN GROUP
Chapter 10 Flores
Background, Getting there and away, Getting around, Tourist information, Where to stay, Where to eat and drink, Nightlife, Other practicalities, What to see and do, Activities, Touring the island
Chapter 11 Corvo
Background, Getting there and away, Getting around, Tourist information, Where to stay, Where to eat and drink, Other practicalities, What to see and do, Activities
Appendices 1 Language, 2 Flora, 3 Fish on the menu, 4 Further information
Index 284
Foreword by Ben Fogle
Introduction
PART ONE GENERAL INFORMATION
Chapter 1 Background Information
Geography and climate, Natural history and conservation, History, Government and politics, Economy, Population, Language, Religion, Culture
Chapter 2 Practical Information
When to visit, Highlights, Planning an itinerary: which islands?, Tour operators, Tourist information, Red tape, Getting there and away, Health, Women travellers, Gay and lesbian travellers, Travellers with a disability, Safety, What
to take, Money, Budgeting, Getting around, Accommodation, Eating and drinking, Public holidays and festivals, Shopping, Arts and entertainment,
Activities, Media and communications, Buying a property, Cultural etiquette, Travelling positively
PART TWO EASTERN GROUP
Chapter 3 Sao Miguel
Background, Getting there and away, Getting around, Tourist information, Ponta Delgada, Touring the island, Activities, Walks
Chapter 4 Santa Maria
Background, Getting there and away, Getting around, Tourist information, Where to stay, Where to eat and drink, Other practicalities, What to see and do, Activities, Touring the island
PART THREE CENTRAL GROUP
Chapter 5 Terceira
Background, Getting there and away, Getting around, Tourist information, Where to stay, Where to eat and drink, Other practicalities, What to see and do, Activities, Touring the island
Chapter 6 Graciosa
Background, Getting there and away, Getting around, Tourist information, Where to stay, Where to eat and drink, Nightlife, Shopping, Other practicalities, What to see and do, Activities, Touring the island
Chapter 7 Sao Jorge
Background, Getting there and away, Getting around, Tourist information, Where to stay, Where to eat and drink, Nightlife, Other practicalities, What to see and do, Activities, Touring the island
Chapter 8 Faial
Background, Getting there and away, Getting around, Tourist information, Where to stay, Where to eat and drink, Entertainment and nightlife, Shopping, Other practicalities, What to see and do, Activities, Touring the island
Chapter 9 Pico
Background, Getting there and away, Getting around, Tourist information, Where to stay, Where to eat and drink, Shopping, Other practicalities, What to see and do, Activities, Touring the island
PART FOUR WESTERN GROUP
Chapter 10 Flores
Background, Getting there and away, Getting around, Tourist information, Where to stay, Where to eat and drink, Nightlife, Other practicalities, What to see and do, Activities, Touring the island
Chapter 11 Corvo
Background, Getting there and away, Getting around, Tourist information, Where to stay, Where to eat and drink, Other practicalities, What to see and do, Activities
Appendices 1 Language, 2 Flora, 3 Fish on the menu, 4 Further information
Index 284