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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

Azores

22 replies

amiw · 26/08/2019 15:01

Hi, has anyone been to the Azores and have a must do/ visit/ see / eat? Going for 40th birthday in November. MN tips for Madeira were so useful!

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Branleuse · 26/08/2019 15:06

following, as ive been wanting to go for years

Original poster
amiw · 26/08/2019 15:18

Thanks @Branleuse its a place I was vaguely aware of but do not know anyone who has been except DP mother. Her cruise to NYC had to shelter there for a bit due to bad weather/ rough seas in the atlantic but they did not really get off the ship!

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Branleuse · 26/08/2019 15:20

id love to take ds2 there whale watching, and it just looks so beautiful, but i cant work out when best time to go is

Original poster
amiw · 26/08/2019 15:29

@branleuse will let you know what early November is like 🤗

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Branleuse · 26/08/2019 23:27

ooh please do

TapasForTwo · 29/08/2019 21:14

We went in 1994. Back then there were no direct flights from the UK, so we flew via Lisbon to Ponta Delgada on Sao Miguel. It is a very pretty island and very interesting.

which1 · 31/08/2019 16:45

Almost went there but research told us that unless you rented a car (which we did not wish to do) it was very difficult to get out and about.

So we went to Madeira instead.

AFAIK it is not that well known about as a holiday destination.

Great dolphin/whale watching if you didn't already do it in Madeira.

Ginfordinner · 31/08/2019 17:17

Yes, we hired a car while we were there. TBH we don't like driving abroad any more so we hired a taxi for the day when we were in Madeira earlier this year. It cost less than booking a tour for the three of us.

OneKeyAtATime · 31/08/2019 19:16

We went last year and had an amazing time with lots of hikes ( get your own car), hot springs, etc. You can also go whale watching. There's not much to Ponta Delgada although it's not ugly. I can't remember any names though so not being helpful but if you look up a few travel blogs you will find all the answers there. Have fun!

Original poster
amiw · 29/09/2019 08:50

5 weeks to go!

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Ginfordinner · 29/09/2019 20:19

Which island are you going to: I can recommend some places to visit if it is Sao Miguel.

Original poster
amiw · 29/09/2019 23:06

It is Sao Miguel!

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DotBall · 29/09/2019 23:55

Definitely hire a car. The roads are very good. The hot springs are great fun and the caldeiras in the west are interesting.

Ginfordinner · 01/10/2019 07:20

This website lists all the must see sights on Sao Migual.

The main things I also remember are the attractive architecture with the whitewashed buildings and volcanic stone edging, the unexpected fumaroles on the sides of hillsides, and the beautiful hydrangea hedges, although I think it will be the wrong time of year for the hydrangeas. Oh, and the potatoes there are like nothing else. Who would have thought that plain boiled potatoes could be so good.

Enjoy your holiday.

Original poster
amiw · 26/10/2019 11:53

Just a week left to go so will post when back @Branleuse

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Branleuse · 26/10/2019 16:34

:D looking forward to hearing all about it. Will you go whale watching?

Original poster
amiw · 27/10/2019 07:42

@Branleuse we are planning to!

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Original poster
amiw · 13/11/2019 00:16

Truly beautiful. We swam in the thermally heated sea. Went in the hot iron rich pool in terra nostra. Climbed up to view the twin lakes and explore the abandoned hotel. Climbed down to lake fogo. Lots of climbing!

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Branleuse · 13/11/2019 12:14

sounds incredible. Thanks for reporting back!

Jungfraujoch · 21/11/2019 14:41

Hi - I’m looking at Azores for next summer! Anyone got accommodation recommendations please?

Original poster
amiw · 23/11/2019 08:28

We stayed in a house. There are a few options on booking.com

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Jungfraujoch · 23/11/2019 11:22

Thanks Amiw. I’ll have a look.

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