FX Excursions

FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.

Awesome Azores: Archipelago Offers Adventure, Luxury

by Carley Wade

Jan 9, 2018

Paop | Dreamstime.com

Destinations / Europe

Climbing through cliffs and rappelling down waterfalls. The heart-pounding thrill of watching a bull run by you in the street. Ooohing and ahhing as your small boat chases a pod of dolphins in the Atlantic. This is all within a day’s adventures in the Azores, the archipelago once under Portuguese rule that’s now mostly autonomous — and still under the radar as far as a great family destination. From new seaside luxury hotels to plenty of activities and unique microclimates that provide tasty farm-to-table fare, there’s a lot going on in a little space on these nine islands.

 

There are a couple of ways to get there, and it’s now easier than ever from the East Coast. Although there are more options during the summer, direct flights are offered year-round on both TAP Air Portugal (to larger islands Sao Miguel and Terceira), and on Azores Airlines. Both of these larger of the chain’s nine islands are worth exploring, particularly Sao Miguel, which welcomed its first 5-star luxury resort in 2016, the Azor Hotel, right on the waterfront in Ponta Delgada. The rooftop’s infinity pool is great for cooling off, as is the lobby ice cream bar, where kids can delight in unique flavors like coconut and anise. Don’t miss out on an included morning smorgasbord featuring locally made spreads and cheeses, either, including the yellow pumpkin jam unique only to the Azores.

Mountain landscape, hiking trail and view of lakes, Ponta Delgada, Sao Miguel Island, Azores, Portugal

© Boule13 | Dreamstime.com

 

The hotel is just a quick walk from Picos de Aventura, a one-stop shop for all of the capital’s fun. Whether it’s a simple whale watch, or canyoning, which includes strapping on a wet suit to hike up cliffs and then rappel down the waterfalls, there is something for all ages and ability levels.

 

It’s also worth heading a bit further inland and checking out the iconic Lagoa das Sete Cidades, magnificent green-blue lakes nestled in the crater of a dormant volcano. Book a fun Jeep “safari” to bounce over sometimes-rugged roads—you won’t have to worry about a scratch on your rental!—and sit back and enjoy the ride as your guide navigates to the crater past emerald hills lush with hydrangeas and rolling farmland that produces some pretty fine produce indeed. Paired with the bounty of the sea at family-owned restaurants like Saca Rolhas Taberna, where the daily catch is always to die for and the wine mostly from Portugal’s Douro Valley, no one will leave hungry.

 

More of a meat eater? Don’t worry, there’s plenty of that, too, and one of the most treasured local dishes, cozido, is a must-do. This steaming plate of hearty beef and vegetables is cooked with geothermal energy in Furnas, a resort parish with botanical gardens at the Terra Nostra Hotel, which also offers outdoor geothermal pools accessible for just a few dollars if you’re not a guest.

 

Angra do Heroismo, Terceira Island, Azores

Angra do Heroismo, Terceira Island, Azores. Photo:Eyewave | Dreamstime.com

 

Grab dessert on the island of Terceira, where the pasteis de feijão almond tarts are worth the trip alone. They’re easy to find in Angra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site city that was an important port for trade in the 15th century and today is dotted with pastel-colored homes and winding cobblestone streets leading to the shore. And if it’s shore you like, your family is in luck at Terceira Mar Hotel, since each guestroom, common area and indoor and outdoor pool offers up views of the Atlantic. Local guide Miguel Mendonça of TuriAzores will even pick up your brood on site for activities like horseback riding, hiking, hot air ballooning or the unique local running of the bulls in the streets (not to worry, though, the beasts are returned back safely to the farms they came from).

 

Recent dad Mendonça is great with kids and local insights, including where all Terceira island families spend their Sunday dinners — even grabbing yours a hard-to-nail-down reservation months in advance at Ti Choa.

#WhereverFamily

Insta Feed
Travel Tips
Sep 8, 2023

How Can Disney Vacation Club Work for Your Family?

Can joining Disney Vacation Club help you save on family travel? Well, David’s Vacation Club Rentals, a source for Disney Vacation Club rentals, can provide some insight. Disney travel experts like Melissa Mullett, director of operations, David’s Vacation Club Rentals, provided some tips and insider knowledge on how Disney Vacation Club works.

Interior Upgrades Begin Rolling Out Across United Fleet

United Airlines is in the midst of a major initiative to modernize its fleet over the next several years. After first announcing the plan in 2021, planes fitted with United’s signature interior are finally beginning to appear across the airline’s narrowbody fleet of Boeing and Airbus planes. United flyers are sure to notice these enhancements from the moment they step on board: Each new or updated plane sports remodeled seats, seatback entertainment screens for everyone, Bluetooth connectivity and more, all adding up to a better experience on every journey.

Kids
Sep 6, 2023

Bright Stripes Activities for Car Travel with Kids

Does your road trip crew include young kids? We’ve been there, too, and know keeping everyone busy and entertained makes those long stretches of interstate much more peaceful.

Multigenerational
Sep 1, 2023

Atlantic and Target Now Offer New Family-Friendly Luggage Line

In the market for new luggage? If you’re outfitting your entire family of travelers, you may want to check out some new offerings available at Target from travel brand Atlantic. Atlantic’s new line focuses on making travel more convenient with kiddos, and includes seven pieces to choose from, all made with durable, lightweight, sustainable materials (each item is made from up to 27 recycled plastic bottles).

United Airlines Celebrates its First Class of United Aviate Graduates

As the only major U.S. airline to own a flight school, United Airlines already hit a major milestone, and now the carrier celebrates another important — and historic — step as the inaugural class of United Aviate Academy pilots graduates, leading the next generation of aviators. The 51 students in the graduating class were majority, at 80 percent, women and people of color — another stride toward United’s goal of training 5,000 new pilots by 2030 with half women or POC.

Travel Tips
Aug 25, 2023

Little Free Libraries Make Road Trips Fun for Kids

Engaging children in a family road trip can be a challenge, so parents often concentrate on keeping backseat passengers amused with games and activities. These focus their attention inside the car instead of on the places you travel.