Azores
Bradt’s Azores 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. Thanks to the experience of expert botanist and author David Sayers, and the ongoing involvement of author Murray Stewart, the book retains a depth of knowledge about flora and fauna and continues to provide the strong geological and botanical information that is so integral to getting to know the islands. This new edition has been thoroughly updated and also has an expanded focus taking in the land- and sea-based activities which have become a significant part of Azores attractions in the past few years.

In Bradt’s Azores, full background and practical information is complemented by a region-by-region breakdown and nine chapters - one per island - to provide all the details needed for a successful visit. There are also 29 maps and separate sections on language and the islands’ flora. This new edition includes details of Ponta Delgada’s new 5-star hotels and Santa Maria’s new round-island walk, plus a full update on the accommodation upgrades that have taken place in recent times. Information about new waymarked walks is also covered, plus new bike-hire and whale-watching companies.

Safe and welcoming, the islands attract geologists, bird-watchers, whale-watchers and anyone who loves nature in all its forms. Mountaineers head to Pico to climb Portugal’s highest peak, while the diverse landscape makes a suitable backdrop for excellent walking, mountain-biking or canyoning. 

A geological curiosity, nature-lover’s paradise and, more recently, mid-Atlantic adventure playground, the Azores have become increasingly accessible in recent years, notably with more flights arriving direct from North America and an increasing number of visitors arriving on cruise ships. Despite the increase in visitor numbers, though, the islands retain an authenticity, a genuineness which in most places remains true to its roots.
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Azores
Bradt’s Azores 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. Thanks to the experience of expert botanist and author David Sayers, and the ongoing involvement of author Murray Stewart, the book retains a depth of knowledge about flora and fauna and continues to provide the strong geological and botanical information that is so integral to getting to know the islands. This new edition has been thoroughly updated and also has an expanded focus taking in the land- and sea-based activities which have become a significant part of Azores attractions in the past few years.

In Bradt’s Azores, full background and practical information is complemented by a region-by-region breakdown and nine chapters - one per island - to provide all the details needed for a successful visit. There are also 29 maps and separate sections on language and the islands’ flora. This new edition includes details of Ponta Delgada’s new 5-star hotels and Santa Maria’s new round-island walk, plus a full update on the accommodation upgrades that have taken place in recent times. Information about new waymarked walks is also covered, plus new bike-hire and whale-watching companies.

Safe and welcoming, the islands attract geologists, bird-watchers, whale-watchers and anyone who loves nature in all its forms. Mountaineers head to Pico to climb Portugal’s highest peak, while the diverse landscape makes a suitable backdrop for excellent walking, mountain-biking or canyoning. 

A geological curiosity, nature-lover’s paradise and, more recently, mid-Atlantic adventure playground, the Azores have become increasingly accessible in recent years, notably with more flights arriving direct from North America and an increasing number of visitors arriving on cruise ships. Despite the increase in visitor numbers, though, the islands retain an authenticity, a genuineness which in most places remains true to its roots.
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Azores

Azores

Overview

Bradt’s Azores 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. Thanks to the experience of expert botanist and author David Sayers, and the ongoing involvement of author Murray Stewart, the book retains a depth of knowledge about flora and fauna and continues to provide the strong geological and botanical information that is so integral to getting to know the islands. This new edition has been thoroughly updated and also has an expanded focus taking in the land- and sea-based activities which have become a significant part of Azores attractions in the past few years.

In Bradt’s Azores, full background and practical information is complemented by a region-by-region breakdown and nine chapters - one per island - to provide all the details needed for a successful visit. There are also 29 maps and separate sections on language and the islands’ flora. This new edition includes details of Ponta Delgada’s new 5-star hotels and Santa Maria’s new round-island walk, plus a full update on the accommodation upgrades that have taken place in recent times. Information about new waymarked walks is also covered, plus new bike-hire and whale-watching companies.

Safe and welcoming, the islands attract geologists, bird-watchers, whale-watchers and anyone who loves nature in all its forms. Mountaineers head to Pico to climb Portugal’s highest peak, while the diverse landscape makes a suitable backdrop for excellent walking, mountain-biking or canyoning. 

A geological curiosity, nature-lover’s paradise and, more recently, mid-Atlantic adventure playground, the Azores have become increasingly accessible in recent years, notably with more flights arriving direct from North America and an increasing number of visitors arriving on cruise ships. Despite the increase in visitor numbers, though, the islands retain an authenticity, a genuineness which in most places remains true to its roots.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781784776237
Publisher: Bradt/Sawday/Wh
Publication date: 10/22/2019
Edition description: 7th Edition
Pages: 312
Product dimensions: 5.40(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Horticulturist and author David Sayers ran a travel company for 26 years and in 1984 pioneered the first ever walking/botanical tour to the Azores. He has been going back ever since and has led many tours, sharing his enthusiasm for the life of all nine islands. Over the years it has been a journey of constant discovery, finding new walks, new eateries, new interests as the islands have gradually joined the modern world without losing their native charm. Empathy for these isolated islands brought requests to help restore several of São Miguel’s historic gardens, which are now visitor ‘must sees’. After a lifetime of worldwide travel, the Azores remain his favourite destination. While David has continued to lend his considerable expertise and knowledge to the writing of this new edition, general authorship has rested with Murray Stewart. While working on the previous edition of this guide, he spent some months visiting the Azores, and for this edition he has returned once more. A keen walker, he has fully enjoyed the numerous excellent hikes on all nine Azorean islands, crossing landscapes sculpted by years of volcanic activity. One of his keenest memories was offshore, spotting fin, blue and pilot whales in one magical morning off Ponta Delgada. ‘I love the islands’ authenticity’ he says, which remains intact despite increasing visitors numbers. Murray is an experienced guidebook updater and author with a passion for wildlife and the outdoors in general. He speaks five languages, including some Portuguese, and in 2016 won the British Guild of Travel Writers’ Award for Best Travel Guide for the first edition of Bradt’s Basque Country and Navarre.

Read an Excerpt

The Azores are Europe's best kept secret: verdant, tranquil, diverse, exquisitely beautiful, always welcoming. All the islands are green, the flowers are mostly sophisticated and subtle, the gardens are steeped in history and, like the flowers, are more celebral than flamboyant. While some main towns have their roads and traffic, just a short distance away men ride horses to their pastures and pony carts filled with milk churns clatter over cobbles. Flashing neon lights are rare, streets are narrow, shops modest and in keeping with the streetscape, coffee bars are numerous while nightclubs are few. The islands reflect their turbulent geological past and offer rural landscapes enhanced by rocky or precipitous coasts surrounded by an often travel-brochure-blue sea. Religious and secular festivals riot through the calendar and touch the lives of every island and islander. There are sailing regattas, golf tournaments, big game fishing tournaments, cycle races, car rallies and other events that come as rather a surprise and largely leave the nonenthusiasts in happy oblivion. There is so much to explore, so much to experience, these islands should be savoured like a rare wine.

Table of Contents

ContentsForeword 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, LGBT+ 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 São Miguel Background, Getting there and away, Getting around, Tourist information, Ponta Delgada, Walks, Touring the island 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 153Chapter 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 São 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 islandChapter 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
Appendix 1 Language Appendix 2 Flora Appendix 3 Fish on the menu Appendix 4 Further information Index

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