Insert the usual start to my voyages here. A 15+ hour layover in Toronto that I spent working and chilling at the Marriott Gateway at Toronto Pearson (thank you for letting me check in before 7am). My airport is down to two flights at day and the flight to Toronto leaves around 5am - it is what it is. After some room service, it was time to explore T3 (I feel like I live at Pearson, but I'd never been in T3) and meet up with the gang before our flight to São Miguel island in the Azores. It was a nice change, heading out on a travel trade trip and actually knowing some people in advance!
Flight was uneventful - just a quick 5.5 hours from Toronto - and we landed to a beautiful, sunny morning in Ponta Delgado. Our large group (more than 100) was split across two hotels. I stayed at the Octant - a beautiful hotel across from the harbour. I had a beautiful room with a balcony facing the water, equipped with everything you could need for your stay. I cannot sleep on planes, so I was thankful for early check-in and an a coffee machine.
Activities started in the afternoon with a walking tour of historic Ponta Delgada. It's a cute town for walking around, lots of shops and restaurants. Our walking tour was a quick one, so I walked around for another hour or so myself, hit up a grocery store, and headed back to the hotel. Our welcome dinner was at the lovely Pedras do Mar Resort & Spa. Wednesday morning kicked off with day one of our conference, featuring members of the ACTA team, Portugal and Azores tourism, and more. It was a real treat to have so many members of the trade there to speak with us. After lunch, it was time to see more of this beautiful island. We visited Sete Cidades Lake, drove along some of the volcanic craters, and made a few photo stops. Dinner this evening was hosted by Batalha Golf Course.
Thursday morning was part two of our conference, which included a panel of Canadian trade members, and then a fantastic trade show where we had a chance to meet up with dozens of local Azorean suppliers. After lunch, it was time for another outdoor adventure - but we traded our bus for a boat and went out to search for whales with Picos de Aventura. This was an amazing afternoon - the weather was beautiful, the tour company was fantastic, we saw whales and dolphins (not best captured with a smartphone), and we sailed back into Ponta Delgado just as the sun was setting. We wrapped up our day with a gala dinner at Jardim José do Canto.
Friday was was packed with adventure, starting in the steamy Furnas Valley. At Caldeira Velha, we soaked in the sights (and smells - ugh, rotten eggs!) of bubbling geothermal springs. At Caldeira do Vulcão das Furnas, the ground was alive with steam vents and boiling pots, while locals were busy setting up a charming nativity scene that popped up around every corner. The fountains there offered “refreshing” sips of naturally flavored spring water that locals believe are good for various ailments (but let's just say most of them are not delicious).
Next, we headed to the Gorreana Tea Factory to see how tea goes from field to cup. I even tried a sample, though as someone who doesn’t like tea, my verdict was: still tea.
Lunch was a real highlight at Casino Terra Nostra, where we tried cozido, a regional stew slow-cooked underground by volcanic heat. Think earthy, hearty flavors - but I had the veggie version, which was filling and less… meaty.
We capped off the afternoon wandering Terra Nostra Park, with its exotic plants and peaceful paths. Sadly their thermal pool was undergoing some maintenance.
The day ended at the charming Solar da Graça for dinner and some excellent live rock covers. The band was so good they made me forget I was running on a few hours of sleep a night.
Saturday started early, as it was time for us to move from São Miguel to Terceira. The inter-island flight was a quick one and we were to our next hotel in time for breakfast. After a bite to eat, we set out on a brief city tour of Angra do Heroísmo, a town brimming with charm and history. It’s no surprise it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its beautifully preserved architecture and cobblestone streets. Highlights included the Duke Garden, a few of the town's striking churches, and some postcard-worthy ocean views. Lunch was at Quinta do Martelo, where we got a real taste of the island’s traditional flavors and hospitality.
My accommodations for this part of the trip were at Shipyard, where I had a one-bedroom apartment with living room, small kitchen, a king bedroom, and a small balcony. While it didn't have the ocean view of my previous hotel, it was only minutes from the ocean. To wrap up the day, we dined at Terceira Mar Hotel - a lovely end to the day.
Our last day on Terceira was packed with adventure, starting with a visit to Ponta dos Biscoitos. The volcanic rock pools and dramatic coastline made it easy to see why this spot is a favorite. Then it was off to the wine museum at Brum Winery, where we got a taste of the island’s traditions, and Natal Cave, where stepping underground felt like walking into another world.
Lunch was at Pousada Forte Angra do Heroísmo, a historic gem nearby my hotel. Afterward, we made our way to Serro de cume, where the views of the island stretched out endlessly before us in a checkboard pattern of green fields. Beautiful!
And then there was the grand finale - a vibrant Azores Islands Colour Party at Quinta da Nasce Água. It was the perfect way to celebrate not just the beauty of these islands but the incredible people we shared the journey with. Honestly, that’s the best part of these adventures: the people. From the warm and welcoming locals to the other Canadian advisors, reps, and trade press who shared this journey - the connections you make are what truly stick with you.
Monday is was sadly time to return home. We had an early afternoon flight back to Ponta Delgado and then a late afternoon flight back to Toronto. I spent the night at the Courtyard Toronto Airport. Milk run home on Tuesday included a nice visit with my Globus rep in the lounge before my first flight, business class upgrades for both flights, and getting some work done in the Montreal lounge. Back home mid-afternoon and that's a wrap for 2024 (need a window to renew my passport anyway). Adventure, wellness, culture, food - the Azores have it all. It should be on your list. It's staying on mine.
Ange out.
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