I heartily second my cousin John's recommendation of Residencials as alternatives to tourist hotels, not only for the prices but also because I find their staffs generally friendlier. Of course there's a range of quality in the accommodations: e.g., I would never consider sharing a bathroom with a stranger, but I realize that wouldn't bother other folks. Best bet is to ask someone who knows -- which on this board is really easy, since a number of us have been to the Azores (some of us even to multiple islands, and multiple times)! Katharine.
On Monday, February 4, 2013 7:29:08 PM UTC-5, John Vasconcelos wrote: > > *Lorraine, > I agree with you, travelling from the US to the Azores by boat is not > worth it and probably more expensive than flying. In fact, I think that > probably the only way to get to the Azores from the US by boat is on a > cruise ship. > Inter-island travel by boat, as my cousin Katherine points out, is an > entirely different matter, especially in the central group. The "Espressos" > (which I think are hydrofoils) are a really fun way to to get around the > central group. In 2003, we took one from Angra, (leaving in mid-morning) to > Madelena Pico with two stops in Sao Jorge (we had lunch at one), and one in > Caes do Pico before arriving in Madelena, Pico in time for dinner. > We spent a couple of days on Pico and Faial (taking the local ferry), Then > we took the auto ferry from Horta with 2 stops in Sao Jorge and a stop in > Gracioso (for lunch) before landing at Praia on Terceira. It was a long day > but very interesting. There were some boy scouts (Scoteiros) returning from > a camping trip on Pico. > > On our last trip to the Azores, we had flown to Faial on our way back from > Flores. After our stay there, we took the local ferry to Pico where we > spent a couple of days. When we got ready to leave, we caught the " > Espresso" from Caes do Pico, made a stop for lunch on Sao Jorge, then back > to Angra. We spent another two or 3 days there before flying back to Boston. > > Another thing we do is stay in Residencials (even on the continent) , > rather than 5 star hotels. Those usually run from 25 to 50 euros a night. I > think the record bargain was 20 euros a night (including continentel > breakfast) for a simple but clean residencial in Coimbra, > > Regards, > John Vasconcelos .* > > On Fri, Jan 25, 2013 at 4:55 AM, Isabella Baltar > <[email protected]<javascript:> > > wrote: > >> Lorraine, >> >> I'm leaving to Portugal and Azores in two weeks. I will stay in Terceira >> for one month; João Ventura is helping me with my stay and car. I want to >> drive so I will feel free to visit whatever I want, and stay at those >> places as much as I can to do my research, take photos and write a journal. >> As Celeste Perry has said previously, João Ventura is very reliable. >> >> I think travelling to Azores by boat is not worth, its too far way, >> almost 1000 miles/1500 km from the mainland. Sata is the best from US (west >> or east coast - I'm on east coast). Unless you want to experience how >> people were used to go back and fourth from there. I have atravel agent in >> Terceira who planned all my flights. She manages to find the best dates and >> deals. If you want her contact I can give to you. I use skype to talk to >> her. >> >> Last, but not the least, there is a website where you can search for >> local places to stay; they are private homes or rooms for rent all over the >> world, and as well as in Azores. Lots of reviews from each place. >> >> airbnb.com >> >> If you want any additional information while I'm there or when I come >> back, feel free to contact me. >> >> Isabella Baltar >> myportuguesegen.blogspot.com >> >> >> On Thursday, January 24, 2013 9:38:38 AM UTC-5, Lorraine wrote: >>> >>> *We’re planning a trip to the Azores in May. Does anyone know of any >>> planned trips, good deals, air fares, hotels? I’m guessing the main >>> airport is in San Miguel. We’ll want to travel to Graciosa (my family’s >>> birthplace) and probably Terciera, by boat? plane?. Any other >>> suggestions? What about a driver/tour guide? Thanks much!* >>> >> -- >> -- >> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >> [email protected] <javascript:>. Follow the confirmation >> directions when they arrive. >> For more options, such as changing to List, Digest, Abridged, or No Mail >> (vacation) mode, log into your Google account and visit this group at >> http://groups.google.com/group/Azores. Click in the blue area on the >> right that says "Join this group" and it will take you to "Edit my >> membership." >> >> >> > > -- -- To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. Follow the confirmation directions when they arrive. For more options, such as changing to List, Digest, Abridged, or No Mail (vacation) mode, log into your Google account and visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/Azores. Click in the blue area on the right that says "Join this group" and it will take you to "Edit my membership." --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Azores Genealogy" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
