With blue water, a stunning natural environment, and a distinctive culture, the Azores islands are absolutely worth a visit by any traveler!
The Azores islands are an archipelago located off the coast of Portugal that has gone under the radar of travelers for a long time. The nine islands are sometimes called the Hawaii of Europe, for good reason – spending time here is like spending time in paradise. With blue water, a stunning natural environment, and a distinctive culture, the Azores islands are absolutely worth a visit by any traveler! Join AESU and discover the charm of the Azores for yourself on our upcoming Multi-Generational Tour, “Amazing Azores”, in 2023! Here are some of the biggest reasons why you should consider a trip to the Azores.
Environmental Variety
Each of the nine islands of the Azores has its own distinct environment, and seeing one island doesn’t mean you’ve seen the entire region. Santa Maria, for example, is home to a plethora of white sand beaches. Terceira is the island with the oldest settlements and houses a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the capital town of Angra do Heroísmo. São Jorge is famed for villages known as fajãs, which are settled in between mountains and the ocean on thin strips of land. The island of Pico is the location of the tallest mountain in Portugal. It’s worth taking the time to experience all of the differences that each island in the Azores offers!
Focus on Sustainability
Nowadays, many travelers are choosing to focus more on their footprints and how their travels impact the planet as a whole. The tourist experience in the Azores was designed with this in mind. It was the first archipelago in the world to be given the EarthCheck certification for sustainability. There are no high rise hotels or gigantic shopping malls on the islands. The focus is on sustainability and conserving the ecological environment here to pass on to future generations. Beauty spas here use products made from natural ingredients drawn from the local environment, and there is a strong local tradition of recycling and architectural design which has a low environmental impact.
Distinctive Culture
The Azores has a unique take on Portuguese culture thanks to its physical distance from the mainland. You’ll find most of this history in the capital town of Angra do Heroísmo – it features stunning old buildings with old-world charm and a lot of traditional Portuguese architecture. When it comes to food, thanks to its location, the Azores has arguably the best seafood in all of Portugal – though, perhaps surprisingly, foodies also rave about the cheeses made on the islands. The Azores also have a strong wine-making tradition, so be sure to pair your meals with a glass of a local vintage. Finally, tea lovers will rejoice as the islands house the oldest tea plantation in Europe!
Explore the World with AESU!
Are you ready to plan an adventure of a lifetime? AESU offers unique, thrilling travel programs for college students and young professionals at affordable rates. Each trip is action-packed and informal—designed just for people your own age. We are also able to design custom tours just for your group.
Experience an exhilarating adventure in 2022 on the Cosmopolitan, Great Escape, Greek Island Hopper tour, and more! 2022 tour dates are now available! If you have any questions or want help booking your next adventure, please contact AESU by calling 800-638-7640, or fill out the contact form found on our website. Follow AESU on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.