Hello Deb, I thought I would just throw this in.... a recommendation for a guide. I’ve been to the Azores several times and on my last three visits to Sao Miguel, we have used a wonderful guide, Gary Travassos.
I’ve also used taxis but there is really something to be said about having a guide who can show you so much in the most economical use of your time. Gary spent some time in Canada and then his parents decided to return to the Azores, so Gary speaks perfect English. We have always loved our time with him. I do not have ancestry in Sao Miguel so never tried to find specific village streets with him but am sure he would be great with that too. Sao Miguel is really a show stopper in my book.... I can’t say it’s my favorite as I stay true to my island ancestry LOL.... but my non Portuguese husband will flat out tell you, it’s the best for beauty. I would suggest going for a day with him before going out on your own which you still could do. To see both sides of the island, we actually used him for two days and feel it was very worthwhile! https://www.azoreantours.com/ We had a guide in Faial and Pico which I would not particularly recommend. You are in for a treat! My first visit was in 1983.... life changing I would say as my visit gave me so much insight about who I am. The islands have called me back 5 times since that first visit and I hope for one more trip to take my youngest daughter’s family! I’ve been waiting for my littlest grandson to get a little older:) Savor each moment! Susan Vargas Murphy > On Mar 15, 2019, at 4:00 PM, 'Deb McCabe' via Azores Genealogy > <azores@googlegroups.com> wrote: > > Thanks everyone for your suggestions for my trip to the Azores in May. Such > good ideas! > > If anyone has specifics about car rental, people who give tours, places to > see in FAIAL (Feteira is where grandpa is from) and PICO (which is where more > distant relatives are from), I would appreciate it. > > Deb > > > > When I searched for ancestors, I found friends! > > > On Thursday, March 14, 2019, 5:02:01 PM PDT, Cheri Mello > <gfsche...@gmail.com> wrote: > > > Deb, > > If you know where you are going, rent a car. Or you can go to the taxi stand, > ask for an English speaking driver, tell him where you want to go. Ask him > how long it will take to get there and back, and an hour (or whatever to > sightsee). If he says 4 hours, ask him what he makes in 4 hours and pay him > that. Many people on this list have kept the names and numbers of specific > taxi drivers who kinda double as tour guides. I'm sure they will speak up. > > I don't know which freguesias your ancestors were from. Sao Miguel is the > largest island, 40 miles or so by 10 miles or so. If your ancestors are from > the western end of the island, stay in Ponta Delgada. If they are from the > northern side, you may want to say in Ribeira Grande. So it just depends. > > Others with Pico and Faial connections will probably have recommendations. > Good luck and enjoy! Cheri > Cheri Mello > Listowner, Azores-Gen > Researching: São Miguel island: Vila Franca, Ponta Garca, Ribeira Quente, > Ribeira das Tainhas, Achada > > > On Thu, Mar 14, 2019 at 4:47 PM 'Deb McCabe' via Azores Genealogy > <azores@googlegroups.com> wrote: > Four of us are visiting the Azores in May for two weeks. Any recommendations > on where to stay on Sao Miguel, Pico, or Faial? I would appreciate your > opinion on whether to rent a car or to hire a driver on each island. Any > names for either? > > I want to go to the villages where my ancestors lived. We also want to enjoy > the food and do some walks/hikes. Anything you would recommend? > > I would appreciate any thoughts you can share. > > Deb > > > When I searched for ancestors, I found friends! > -- > 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 azores+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. > Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/azores. > -- > 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 azores+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. > Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/azores. > -- > 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 azores+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. > Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/azores. -- 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 azores+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/azores.
