Sunvil Discovery shares some Azores surprises

July 19, 2011 - PRLog -- Specks in the Atlantic Ocean, sub-tropical and untouched, are the nine islands of the Azores. Appealingly unknown, there are many surprises. Sunvil Discovery, the specialist that’s covered these emerald gems for 21 years, shares some.

33 Blue Flag beaches and natural swimming pools
Imagine long stretches of silky black sand, and little coves of golden sand, in stark contrast to the deep blue of the sea. Some beaches - such as Agua de Alto near the Bahia Palace and Ribeira Grande near Quinta de Santana on Sao Miguel - have snack bars and changing facilities. Plus, all of the islands have natural rock pools - filled with ocean water and heated by the sun – meaning many an unexpected private swimming opportunity.

Cetacean expectation
Around 24 of the planet’s 80 whale and dolphin species are seen in Azorean waters, with at least four - the Sperm whale, Bottlenose dolphins, Common dolphins and Risso's dolphins - making these Gulf-stream-warmed waters their home. It is possible you will see Sperm, Blue, Pilot and Fin whales as well. Prices from £46 pp for a half-day whale watching trip.

Fabulous, unfussy food
Portuguese cuisine that’s tasty and wholesome: delicious soups, superb fish and seafood, locally sourced beef, spicy sausages, good bread and an abundance of vegetables. On Corvo – The Black Island, home to just 400 people – try turbot, sword fish, sea bream, grouper, moray and conger, and local specialities such as couves fritas (fried cabbage) and liver sauce.

Modest holiday money
The cost of living in the Azores is extremely reasonable. A coffee is about 50p; a beer just £1.30; a main course for dinner between £7 and £12. And island-hopping - between the central group of Faial, Pico and Sao Jorge - is no big deal financially when a boat ticket costs about £3 each way.

Imperilled percher
São Miguel – The Green Island - is home to one of Europe’s most endangered species: The Azores Bullfinch, only found in a few square kilometres of wood in the eastern region of the island. You can join a one-day volunteer programme to assist with the species’ conservation.

Pineapple plantation
In Faja de Baixo on Sao Miguel you’ll see the fruit at different stages of its greenhouse-bound growth and learn the labour-intensive method used to make them so sweet. Taste the very palatable pineapple liqueur, try the boiled sweets, or have it freshly sliced for dessert.

Cheese-bored (not)
You can’t be: each of the islands produces its own – and, paired with good Portuguese wine, it makes for wonderful post-dinner indulgence. On Sao Jorge – The Brown Island – its famous namesake cheese is still made in the traditional farmhouse way and aged for over 120 days.

Terra incognita
The islands really are the Atlantic’s best-kept secret. If you’re looking for an unusual destination, this is guaranteed off-the-beaten-track territory. Sao Jorge, for example, had only 8,000 visitors last year, and that’s one of the bigger islands, so figures for the smaller islands are much less.

A cuppa Europe’s oldest
Producing black, green and oolong tea since 1883, the Gorreana Tea Factory on Sao Miguel produces up to 40 tonnes per year. This 45-hectare plantation is the only tea-producing factory in Europe. Here you can learn how tea is harvested, processed and packaged, enjoying the scent of fresh flowers and sweeping ocean views.  A pack of Azorean tea makes the perfect present, too – highly unusual, light-weight and easy to pack.

Botanical bliss-out
Sao Miguel has a profusion of public gardens. The Jardim Antonio Borges in Ponta Delgada is especially remarkable, and the stunning 30-acre Terra Nostra Park in Furnas - with its giant araucarias, tree ferns, romantic streams and geothermal bathing pool – is a must and has an exotic, internationally significant collection of plants. And Faial’s botanical garden has been extended and is now worthy of a visit.

A seven-night stay in the Azores costs from just £504 pp (two sharing). The price includes B&B at the three-star Hotel Vila Nova on the main island of Sao Miguel, flights (Gatwick or Manchester) and transfers. Island-hopping itineraries include a seven-night three-island tour (Sao Miguel, Faial and Pico) from £1,080 pp and a 14-night Grand Tour taking in six of the islands - Sao Miguel, Flores, Faial, Pico, Sao Jorge and Terceira, from £1,857 pp. Prices are based on two sharing and include flights (Gatwick or Manchester), all inter-island flights and transfers, and 14 nights’ accommodation on a B&B basis.

To book, call Sunvil Discovery on 020 8758 4722, http://www.sunvil.co.uk.

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19 July 2011

Press: For press trip opportunities and further information, please contact Sarah Belcher at Travel PR on 020 8891 4440 or email s.belcher@travelpr.co.uk.

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