Two Weeks in the Azores (June 3-16)
"Falling" into place...
After a busy final few weeks in the US (selling our car, storing everything in a POD, packing, visiting Dan’s folks in Ohio, attending a wedding and Dan’s college reunion), we flew out on June 3rd for the Azores– the Portuguese volcanic islands in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.
Why the Azores? Originally, we’d hoped to put our Portuguese residency cards to use for the first time, a plan foiled by the Portuguese bureaucracy which is still “processing” our application two and a half years later. But starting the trip with some island time (and avoiding a red eye!) kept the Azores on our itinerary.
And how was it? Well, not the complete decompression we’d planned for. After an overnight layover, our inter-island flight the next day was canceled. With another 24 hours to kill, we ended up lingering at an adult-sized fitness playground, where Juna fell off the adult-sized monkey bars, breaking both bones in her forearm.
Thankfully, there was a children’s ER nearby and Juna was a champ as she waited for an orthopedist without any pain meds. Her cast put a bit of a damper on our “beach and playground” plans for the two weeks, but we changed course (UNO, hiking, reading lessons, ferry rides) and enjoyed ourselves.
2 Islands: Sao Miguel & Pico
Two nights in the Grand Hotel Açores Atlantico in the city of Ponta Delgada on the island of São Miguel. We loved the indoor pool & how helpful they were when we needed to extend our stay a night at the last minute.
A week at Lava Homes on the incredibly peaceful island of Pico— we could have spent days looking out at neighboring São Jorge island, the ocean & clouds from the patio (could have, as in, if our kids were not traveling with us).
After Pico, we spent five nights back on São Miguel at Terra Nostra Garden Hotel, in Furnas.
Recommendations
Terra e Mar Sushi, Pico - Great sushi from locally caught fish, unbeatable view. We ate here twice & wish we’d gone more!
Fresh fish and extraordinary views at Terra e Mar Sushi Ponta de Ferraria, São Miguel - An incredible inlet where hot spring water meets ocean waves – a natural hot tub & cold plunge. Alli & I could have stayed all day.
Volcanic hot springs in the ocean Azores Wine Company, Pico - Alli & I had the “A Kind of Magic” dinner and were blown away. The young chef Rui Batista is an Azores native & wildly talented. If this spot were on mainland Portugal it would have a Michelin star (or two).
Volcanic vineyards at Azores Wine Company Cella Bar, Pico- Impressive views and architecture. Ideal spot for an Aperol spritz.
Lazy day at Cella Bar
What did we learn?
Spot your child on the monkey bars!.. especially when you’re mesmerized that they’ve nailed almost every rung and are reaching for the last one.
Life is better on islands with 360 ocean views and no traffic lights.
Dan loves being a teacher again (and Juna is an eager student). Highlights so far are lots of progress with reading lessons, a dictated (& Juna illustrated) journal, STMath puzzles, and making math equations with UNO cards.
The Azores are raw and epic, known as the “Hawaii of Europe.” Try to visit soon before development and the tourist trail hampers the tranquility.
6-month old babies are the squishiest!
Fabulous family and amazing adventures! What a wonderful way to learn! Thank you for sharing the journey, cannot wait to read more!
Adorable!!! Love it all -- and yes, Juna is a champ! (Happily bones mend quickly at that age!) Keep the adventures coming!