Travel Consultants
Get expert advice on planning your Azores vacation, including island selection, routing, hotels, transportation and activities.
Articles by Eunice Costa
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Self-Drive vs. Guided Tour in the Azores: Find Your Travel Style (2026)
The Question Every Azores Visitor Asks You have decided to visit the Azores. You have seen the photographs of emerald crater lakes, volcanic hot springs, and whale-filled Atlantic waters. You may have even chosen which islands to visit. But now comes the question that trips up nearly every first-time visitor: how exactly do you get […]
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Azores Island Hopping: How to Visit Multiple Islands in One Trip
Visiting more than one Azores island in a single trip is absolutely practical, but the best itineraries are built around good island combinations rather than the highest possible island count. The archipelago has nine inhabited islands spread across three geographic groups, and the right mix depends on your trip length, interests and the transport links […]
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Azores Festivals 2026: Events, Traditions & Travel Guide
Festivals are one of the best ways to understand the Azores beyond the scenery. Religious processions, Holy Spirit celebrations, street parades, concerts, maritime traditions and returning diaspora communities give each island a distinct rhythm through the year. The 2026 calendar was especially significant because the Azores marked 50 years of Regional Autonomy. This guide looks […]
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Surfing in the Azores: Best Islands, Seasons & How to Plan
Surfing in the Azores is less about memorizing one famous break and more about matching the island, coast and conditions to your ability. The nine volcanic islands sit in the North Atlantic with coastlines exposed to different swell directions, so the best place to surf can change from one day—or even one side of an […]
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Traditional Azorean Wines and Beverages: What to Try and Where
Island flavors, explained Traditional Azorean wines and beverages tell the story of the islands in a glass: vines sheltered by black-basalt walls, tea grown on São Miguel, small-scale coffee from a São Jorge fajã, fruit liqueurs, and soft drinks that locals recognize immediately. This guide explains what to try, where each drink belongs, and how […]
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Azorean Desserts: 10 Traditional Sweets to Try
Azorean desserts are one of the easiest—and most enjoyable—ways to taste the differences between the islands. São Miguel has its Queijadas da Vila and bolo lêvedo, Terceira has Donas Amélias, Graciosa has its delicate star-shaped queijadas, São Jorge has spiced espécies, and Santa Maria preserves the craft of biscoitos de orelha. Some of these sweets […]
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First Time in the Azores: The Essential Trip Planning Guide
Planning a first trip to the Azores is easier once you understand one thing: the archipelago is not a single destination. It is a group of nine islands, and the best first vacation depends on how much time you have, whether you want to drive or be guided, and how many island changes you are […]
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Azores Honeymoon: Best Islands, Romantic Experiences & Trip Planning
An Azores honeymoon is a strong choice for couples who want dramatic scenery, thermal pools, coastal drives, food and wine, whale watching and outdoor experiences rather than a conventional all-inclusive beach resort. The islands can work equally well for a quiet one-island escape or a multi-island honeymoon with contrasting landscapes. For most first-time couples, São […]
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4 Days in Lisbon, Portugal: A Practical First-Time Itinerary
Four days in Lisbon give first-time visitors enough time to explore the historic center, Belém and several of the city’s most distinctive neighborhoods, with one day left for Sintra or Cascais. The key is to group nearby sights instead of crossing Lisbon repeatedly and to treat the fourth day trip as a choice—not an attempt […]
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Dolphin Watching in the Azores: Best Time, Species & Swimming Rules
Last reviewed: September 2026. Dolphin watching in the Azores can mean two very different experiences: observing wild dolphins from a licensed boat, or joining a regulated open-ocean swim when the species, sea conditions and animal behavior allow it. Both take place with free-ranging wildlife, so the most important expectation is simple: the dolphins decide whether […]
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