Azores
5th Edition
Published on 14. November 2013
Book
Paperback/Softback
288 pages
978-1-84162-468-6 (ISBN)
Description
Lying between New York and Lisbon and sometimes referred to as Europe's best kept secret, the Azores are verdant, tranquil, diverse, exquisitely beautiful and always welcoming. These nine green islands are the embodiment of old-world charm and include an elegant capital, remote villages, glittering blue coastlines and spectacular volcanic landscapes.
Bradt's Azores is the only publication in English that not only provides details of travel and activities, but also gives in-depth background information about the archipelago's discovery, settlement and subsequent social history. David Sayers outlines how the archipelago erupted from beneath the ocean some five million years ago. Revised throughout, this new edition also includes in-depth sections on whaling, fishing and agriculture, climate, and geology.
There is now a wide choice of accommodation, from 4-star hotels to small family-run affairs, simple pensions, rented cottages and B&Bs - all detailed in the guide. Tourism services have expanded with greater numbers of marked walking trails, improved opportunities for diving, whale watching and adventurous activities such as sea kayaking and jeep safaris, and excellent new museums.
The islands remain an outstanding destination for walkers and lovers of nature and the simple life. Tourism has not been allowed to spoil the archipelago and the islands retain much of their traditional charm - they are not a beach destination, and there is little nightlife or commercial entertainment. With this guide visitors can discover the best walks, tour Europe's westernmost coast - the island of Flores - visit Europe's only tea plantations or step into the hot springs and gurgling mud pools of Furnas. Brimming with practical information this new edition of The Azores is the perfect guide to these garden-like islands.
Bradt's Azores is the only publication in English that not only provides details of travel and activities, but also gives in-depth background information about the archipelago's discovery, settlement and subsequent social history. David Sayers outlines how the archipelago erupted from beneath the ocean some five million years ago. Revised throughout, this new edition also includes in-depth sections on whaling, fishing and agriculture, climate, and geology.
There is now a wide choice of accommodation, from 4-star hotels to small family-run affairs, simple pensions, rented cottages and B&Bs - all detailed in the guide. Tourism services have expanded with greater numbers of marked walking trails, improved opportunities for diving, whale watching and adventurous activities such as sea kayaking and jeep safaris, and excellent new museums.
The islands remain an outstanding destination for walkers and lovers of nature and the simple life. Tourism has not been allowed to spoil the archipelago and the islands retain much of their traditional charm - they are not a beach destination, and there is little nightlife or commercial entertainment. With this guide visitors can discover the best walks, tour Europe's westernmost coast - the island of Flores - visit Europe's only tea plantations or step into the hot springs and gurgling mud pools of Furnas. Brimming with practical information this new edition of The Azores is the perfect guide to these garden-like islands.
Reviews / Votes
'The Bradt Travel Guide will tell you everything you need to know about each of the nine islands.'Portugal Magazine
'Author David Sayers, a botanical horticulturalist, has produced an informative, practical and user-friendly volume.'
EDP Saturday Magazine
'Recommended reading'
National Geographic Traveller
Recommended reading, Wanderlust Magazine
More details
Edition
5th Revised edition
Language
English
Place of publication
Buckinghamshire
United Kingdom
Edition type
Revised edition
ISBN-13
978-1-84162-468-6 (9781841624686)
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 trained at the Royal Botanical Garden, Kew in London and is a field botanist. After careers in horticulture and social policy he ran a travel company offering specialist botanical tours worldwide. The Azores has long been his favourite destination and he pioneered the first walking holidays in the archipelago, now offered by many tour operators. As consultant he has refurbished three important public gardens on Sao Miguel and is a freelance writer on botanical travel.
Content
Introduction
Part One: General Information
Background Information
Geography and climate, Natural history and conservation, History, Government and politics, Economy, Language, Religion, Culture
Practical Information
When to visit, Highlights, Planning an itinerary: which islands?, Tour operators, Tourist information, Red tape, Getting there and away, Health, 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 property, Cultural etiquette, Travelling positively
Part Two: Eastern Group
Sao Miguel
Background, Getting around, Where to stay, Where to eat, Nightlife, Festivals, Other practicalities, What to see and do, Walks
Santa Maria
Background, Getting around, Where to stay, Where to eat, Festivals, Other practicalities, What to see and do, Walks
Part Three: Central Group
Terceira
Background, Getting around, Where to stay, Where to eat, Festivals, Other practicalities, What to see and do
Graciosa
Background, Getting around, Where to stay, Where to eat, Nightlife, Festivals, Shopping, Other practicalities, What to see and do
Sao Jorge
Background, Getting around, Where to stay, Where to eat, Nightlife, Festivals, Other practicalities, What to see and do, Walks
Faial
Background, Getting around, Where to stay, Where to eat, Entertainment, Festivals, Other practicalities, What to see and do
Pico
Background, Getting around, Where to stay, Where to eat, Festivals, Other practicalities, What to see and do, The ascent of Pico
Part Four: Western Group
Flores
Background, Getting around, Where to stay, Where to eat, Nightlife, Festivals, Other practicalities, What to see and do, Walks
Corvo
Background, Getting there and away, Getting around, Where to stay, Where to eat, Nightlife, Festivals, What to see and do, Walks
Appendices
Language
Flora
Fish on the Menu
Further Information
Index
Part One: General Information
Background Information
Geography and climate, Natural history and conservation, History, Government and politics, Economy, Language, Religion, Culture
Practical Information
When to visit, Highlights, Planning an itinerary: which islands?, Tour operators, Tourist information, Red tape, Getting there and away, Health, 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 property, Cultural etiquette, Travelling positively
Part Two: Eastern Group
Sao Miguel
Background, Getting around, Where to stay, Where to eat, Nightlife, Festivals, Other practicalities, What to see and do, Walks
Santa Maria
Background, Getting around, Where to stay, Where to eat, Festivals, Other practicalities, What to see and do, Walks
Part Three: Central Group
Terceira
Background, Getting around, Where to stay, Where to eat, Festivals, Other practicalities, What to see and do
Graciosa
Background, Getting around, Where to stay, Where to eat, Nightlife, Festivals, Shopping, Other practicalities, What to see and do
Sao Jorge
Background, Getting around, Where to stay, Where to eat, Nightlife, Festivals, Other practicalities, What to see and do, Walks
Faial
Background, Getting around, Where to stay, Where to eat, Entertainment, Festivals, Other practicalities, What to see and do
Pico
Background, Getting around, Where to stay, Where to eat, Festivals, Other practicalities, What to see and do, The ascent of Pico
Part Four: Western Group
Flores
Background, Getting around, Where to stay, Where to eat, Nightlife, Festivals, Other practicalities, What to see and do, Walks
Corvo
Background, Getting there and away, Getting around, Where to stay, Where to eat, Nightlife, Festivals, What to see and do, Walks
Appendices
Language
Flora
Fish on the Menu
Further Information
Index