Expedition Azores: charming and unspoilt – an island paradise in the Atlantic

Funchal is the capital city of Portugal’s Madeira archipelago. It’s backed by hills, and known for its harbor, gardens and Madeira wine cellars. The centuries-old Funchal Cathedral, which mixes Gothic and Romanesque styles, is notable for its carved wooden ceiling. Fronting the harbor is the São Tiago Fortress, built in the 1600s. It now houses the Contemporary Art Museum, with a large collection of Portuguese works.

Santa Maria is a city in California’s Central Coast region. It’s known for Santa Maria Valley wineries and Santa Maria-style barbecue, a local specialty. Preisker Park draws birds such as Lawrence’s goldfinches. The Santa Maria Historical Society Museum chronicles the town’s past through photographs and artifacts. West of the city, the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes stretch down the Pacific Coast.

Pico- is a unit prefix in the metric system denoting a factor of 1 trillionth; that is, 10⁻¹². Derived from the Spanish word pico, « peak, » « beak, » « bit, » pico- is one of the original twelve prefixes defined in 1960 when the International System of Units was established.

Pico- is a unit prefix in the metric system denoting a factor of 1 trillionth; that is, 10⁻¹². Derived from the Spanish word pico, « peak, » « beak, » « bit, » pico- is one of the original twelve prefixes defined in 1960 when the International System of Units was established.

Graciosa Island is referred to as the White Island, the northernmost of the Central Group of islands in the Azores. The ovular Portuguese island has an area of 60.65 square kilometres, a length of 10 kilometres and a width of 7 kilometres.

São Jorge is an island in the central group of the Azores archipelago and part of the autonomous region of Portugal. Separated from its nearest neighbors by the 15-kilometre Pico-São Jorge Channel, the central group is often referred colloquially as part of the Triangulo group or just « The Triangle ».

São Miguel is the biggest island in the Portuguese Azores archipelago. It’s known for its volcanic scenery, flora and rich marine life, including whales. Ponta Delgada, the capital, is home to the 18th-century City Gates, Gothic St. Sebastian Church and 16th-century Fort of São Brás. The twin crater lakes of Sete Cidades, one green and one blue, lie to the northwest. To the east, Furnas has fumaroles and hot springs.

São Miguel is the biggest island in the Portuguese Azores archipelago. It’s known for its volcanic scenery, flora and rich marine life, including whales. Ponta Delgada, the capital, is home to the 18th-century City Gates, Gothic St. Sebastian Church and 16th-century Fort of São Brás. The twin crater lakes of Sete Cidades, one green and one blue, lie to the northwest. To the east, Furnas has fumaroles and hot springs.