The Azores is an achipelago situated in the North Atlantic roughly 1,500 Km West of Lisbon, made up of 9 islands with land masses varying between 17 Km2 (Corvo) and 747 Km2 (São Miguel). The archipelago in an area of approximately 2,333 Km2 forming 3 groups of islands: the Eastern group which is comprised of of Santa Maria and São Miguel; the Central group which is comprised of Terceira, Graciosa, São Jorge, Pico and Faial; and the Western group which is comprised of Flores and Corvo. |
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Island life is often described as more laid back and indeed time spent on these islands seems to take you back a little to the more simple days when there was time to just relax and enjoy.
The Azorean archipelago has an intricate culture affected by many other parts of the world. This combined with its remote mid-Atlantic location makes it both isolated yet worldly. It is a strategic transit point for both mariners and aviators. There is a history of pineapple and tea plantations, wine once bottled solely for the Russian Tsar, intricate scrimshaw, whaling, volcanic activity and waves of emigration. This archipelago is a natural gathering place for whales, dolphins, migrating birds and seabirds. This year the cruise has an added day to allow more time in São Jorge – visiting all nine islands. |
