{"id":23884,"date":"2019-03-11T09:42:17","date_gmt":"2019-03-11T13:42:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.escapeartist.com\/?p=23884"},"modified":"2020-11-04T13:28:45","modified_gmt":"2020-11-04T18:28:45","slug":"the-most-magical-atlantic-paradise-of-all","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.escapeartist.com\/blog\/the-most-magical-atlantic-paradise-of-all\/","title":{"rendered":"The Most Magical Atlantic Paradise of All"},"content":{"rendered":"

 <\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

There is a magical island where everything grows \u2013 forests of fir, cedar, and sycamore trees along with forests of giant tropical tree ferns, fields of corn, fields of taro (the starchy staple of Polynesia \u2013 Hawaiian\u00a0poi\u00a0is made from taro), and every kind of flower in riotous abundance.<\/span><\/p>\n

Orchards produce every kind of fruit from tropical to citrus. Herds of cows produce every dairy product including fabulous cheeses \u2013 and great steaks.\u00a0Due to its unique ocean location, the sea swarms with fish and seafood. The sport fishing, such as for blue marlin, is fantastic. So is the trout fishing in the mountain streams.<\/span><\/p>\n

So is the golf, the sailing, the scuba-diving, the surfing, the hiking on mountain trails to hidden waterfalls and hot springs. The coastline is dotted with beaches, picturesque fishing villages, and tiny coves with natural rock swimming pools. The interior is dotted with crater lakes, among which is one of the most beautiful lakes in the world.<\/span><\/p>\n

Temperatures are in the mid-60s in the winter and mid-70s in the summer, the sun shines most every day, when it rains it usually pours for 15 minutes then out comes the sun again. There are neither snakes nor mosquitoes.\u00a0Nor is there any pollution \u2013 the air is sparkling clear, the land preserved spotlessly clean by the islanders.\u00a0The place is so peaceful it\u2019s virtually crime-free.<\/span><\/p>\n

The beer the islanders make is good, the wine even better. The islanders are friendly, hospitable, devoutly Christian, and proud members of Western Civilization. A great many speak English, but there are not a great many of them.\u00a0They number 140,000 spread out over 300 spectacularly scenic square miles.<\/span><\/p>\n

They love drinking ,parties, cheerful festivals, and bright colors \u2013 with their charming homes painted the color of key lime pie, raspberry mousse, or oceanic blue, and gaudily decorating prayer chapels called Imperios.<\/span><\/p>\n

They love liberty so much they\u2019ve had this motto emblazoned on their coat of arms for centuries:\u00a0 <\/span>Antes morrer livres que em paz sujeitos<\/span><\/i> \u2013 <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/i>Rather die free than live in peaceful subjugation.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"TheFor the past two weeks, we explored <\/span>The Atlantic Paradise of Madeira<\/span><\/a>, then <\/span>The Atlantic Paradise of Faial<\/span><\/a>. Our <\/span>grand<\/span><\/i> finale<\/span><\/i> this week is the most magical of all:<\/span><\/p>\n

\"TheIt\u2019s a short 50-minute flight from Faial, right in the Azores.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"TheWe check into the brand new <\/span>Azor Hotel<\/span><\/a> overlooking the harbor marina in Ponta Delgada. It\u2019s a very pretty place, especially at dusk when we take a stroll through it before a seaview dinner.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"TheGet ready for the magic that you\u2019ll be infused with for the next few days. Today, we\u2019re on a private drive to the photographic wonders of <\/span>Sete Cidades<\/span><\/i>. Enroute, we stop at the <\/span>Pico do Carvao <\/span><\/i>to see how this is an island of volcanic cones, lakes, and craters.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"TheSete Cidades<\/span><\/i> means \u201cSeven Cities,\u201d referring to the seven volcanic craters and lagoons within one large caldera at the western end of the island. There is an iconic trail leading to the famous viewpoint called the <\/span>Miradouro Boca do Inferno<\/span><\/i>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

\"TheMost iconic of all is <\/span>Miradouro do Rei<\/span><\/i>, the King\u2019s View, of the Green and Blue twin lagoons.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"TheAfter our visit through the entire caldera, we drive along the north coast, noting how the road is lined with flowers. Perhaps nowhere on Earth is there so many flowers as in the Azores.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"TheWe reach the beautiful garden city of <\/span>Ribeira Grande<\/span><\/i> for an ocean view lunch.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"TheWe then get to relax at a magical spot hidden in a tropical forest nearby where a waterfall pours out of a hot spring into a thermal pool: <\/span>Caldeira Velha<\/span><\/i>. Time for a nice warm soak.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"TheOn the way back to Ponta Delgada, we take time to linger at the idyllic <\/span>Lagoa do Fogo<\/span><\/i> \u2013 Fire Lake. It\u2019s simply mesmerizing.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"TheWe start the next day by exploring the <\/span>Gruta do Carv\u00e3o<\/span><\/i>, a huge multi-colored ancient lava tube created 12,000 years ago \u2013 walking through it is breathtaking.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"TheNow it\u2019s time to get out to sea. Right off the south coast at Vila Franca do Campo, we sail to <\/span>Princess Ring Islet<\/span><\/i> \u2013 yes, this really exists. Here\u2019s a drone shot.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"TheWe\u2019ll explore sea caves along its outer rim and go snorkeling inside the crater lake teeming with tropical fish like an aquarium. Nothing but fun.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"TheBy noon, we get to have lunch in a furnace \u2013 actually a volcanic wonderland of thermal pools, mineral baths, hot springs, boiling fumaroles and mini-geysers called <\/span>Furnas<\/span><\/i>. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"The<\/span><\/p>\n

\"TheIt is here that the emblematic meal of the Azores is cooked \u2013 <\/span>Cozido das Furnas<\/span><\/i>. A selection of meats, vegetables, and spices are placed in a large pot, covered, and lowered into a volcanic steam vent to be slowly cooked for several hours. What emerges is a uniquely delicious dish \u2013 which is on the menu for lunch today. Volcano cooking at its best!<\/span><\/p>\n

\"The\"TheAmidst all the volcanism, we find a haven of beauty and serenity, the <\/span>Terra Nostra <\/span><\/i>botanical garden well over two hundred years old. 1775 may seem like a long time ago, but not to the Portuguese who first settled Sao Miguel (there were no native inhabitants of the Azores) in 1449!<\/span><\/p>\n

With over 2,000 different kinds of trees and flowering plants from everywhere on earth, plus geothermal streams and pools, immaculately cared for and manicured, Terra Nostra is considered one of the most astoundingly beautiful botanical gardens in the world. This is a place in which to linger and luxuriate \u2013 and let the soothingly warm mineral waters dissolve your cares away.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"The\"The\"TheWe arrive back at the Azor in time for a sundowner or two at the hotel rooftop pool before dinner.<\/span><\/p>\n

Our third day is yours to make it as special as you want. There are so many different things to do on this island that it really is mind-boggling. The variety is so extensive that there\u2019s no one-size-fits-all. \u00a0Here\u2019s a small sample out of many, from high-adrenaline to tranquil.<\/span><\/p>\n

You can rappel down a waterfall\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

\"TheFly a motorized parasail over the island\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

\"TheGo big game fishing, some of the best in the world\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

\"TheOr scuba dive, fabulous for that too\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

\"TheThen again, you could go on a flower-strewn coastline walk\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

\"TheSoak up some rays at a postcard-perfect beach\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

\"TheOr get a massage in a tropical forest\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

\"TheThere\u2019s lots more. You just have one job today \u2013 have the most fun you can by doing what you want. We\u2019ll want to hear all about it when we reassemble for our Farewell Dinner celebration that night.<\/span><\/p>\n

This is our last day \u2013 but we\u2019re not done yet! The flight back to Boston doesn\u2019t leave until 3:45 p.m. This gives us all morning for a quick drive up to Ribeira Grande to witness the extraordinary spectacle of the <\/span>Cavalhadas de S\u00e3o Pedro<\/span><\/i>. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It is St. Peter\u2019s Day, and for over 500 years (the town was founded in 1507), the people have been celebrating it with a medieval procession of gaily dressed knights, lancers, stewards, and clowns on caparisoned horseback with trumpets blaring.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"The\"TheIt\u2019s a festive celebration with five centuries of tradition, food, wine, and happiness galore. We get to join right in \u2013 one final wonderful time in our Atlantic Paradises.<\/span><\/p>\n

We\u2019ll return home filled with so many memories of all we discovered and experienced in these magical places. Memories so vivid they will always be a part of our lives.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"The<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

Here is<\/b> probably the most extensive ebook on <\/b>Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Eliminating Your Taxes, Protecting Your Assets And Regaining Privacy Over Your Life And Investments<\/i><\/b>. It is called<\/b> The<\/b> Ultimate Guide To Going Offshore<\/b><\/a>.\u00a0 <\/b><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

  There is a magical island where everything grows \u2013 forests of fir, cedar, and sycamore trees along with forests of giant tropical tree ferns, fields of corn, fields of taro (the starchy staple of Polynesia \u2013 Hawaiian\u00a0poi\u00a0is made from taro), and every kind of flower in riotous abundance. Orchards produce every kind of fruit […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":366,"featured_media":23862,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"content-type":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"yst_prominent_words":[3722,10259,10261,2477,5147,7335,2476,28927,9753,10258,1916,10253,10262,10255,2479,10254,10256,2198,7375,10260],"acf":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.escapeartist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/image11-3.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.escapeartist.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23884"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.escapeartist.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.escapeartist.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapeartist.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/366"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapeartist.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23884"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapeartist.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23884\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":43192,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapeartist.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23884\/revisions\/43192"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapeartist.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/23862"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.escapeartist.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23884"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapeartist.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23884"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapeartist.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23884"},{"taxonomy":"yst_prominent_words","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapeartist.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/yst_prominent_words?post=23884"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}