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                                           THE AZORES 

For more than 500 years the Azores, an archipelago of nine widely dispersed islands in the middle of the Atlantic, have remained almost completely unspoiled, mainly on account of their remoteness. Volcanic in origin, they are pitted with deep craters, some filled with shimmering
lakes, others covered with lush vegetation. Geysers and health-giving
sulphur springs abound. The Azores is also characterized by large tracts of
arable farmland, sprinkled with tiny settlements of whitewashed houses. The
gently sloping hillsides are planted with vineyards and fruit trees. The
coastlines tend to be rugged and somewhat forbidding, but there are plenty
of bays, and rocky inlets for swimming and sunbathing. Water sports are
widely available; equally popular are yachting, horse riding, cycling and
hiking. Tourist development throughout is on a modest scale and there are
few signs of change.

Eastern Islands:
 
                  SÃO MIGUEL: This is the largest island in the group and
arguably the most beautiful. One of the most spectacular sights is Sete
Cidades – a 40-sq-km (15 sq mile) volcanic crater with two lakes, one of
deep blue, the other emerald green. The former fishing village of Ponta
Delgada is now the administrative and commercial centre of the archipelago
with a population of more than 60,000. The historic centre consists of
narrow streets, faced with attractive whitewashed houses, many of which date
from the 17th and 18th centuries. The best vantage point is the waterfront
promenade. At Furnas, visitors can enjoy the Terra Nostra Park, a tropical
garden created in the 18th and 19th centuries, and bathe in therapeutic
sulphurous spring water. Gorreana has what is said to be the only tea
plantation in Europe. From the miradouro at Santa Iria, there are views of
almost the entire northern coast. Pineapple products and embroidery are
typical souvenirs of the island.

 
                  SANTA MARIA: The first island to be discovered, Santa
Maria is characterized by vineyards, emerald green fields, palm trees and
windmills. Praia Formosa has a first-class beach, said to be the best in the
archipelago, and is the setting for a music festival in August. The beach at
Bahia de São Lourenco, is a rockier alternative. Vila do Porto, the only
settlement of any size, has a 15th-century parish church and the town hall
is located in a former 16th-century convent. The island is popular with
divers and water-skiers.   MORE.