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Hidden Jewels of The North Atlantic - The Azores

Ask someone if they know about the Azores and there may be quite a pause before the discussion continues. Do try to be patient. It's a topic worth the wait.

No less than nine little flower-covered islands - of lakes and waterfalls, volcanic cones and craters - lie smack bang in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean, each one with distinctly individual characteristics, and each one a mini-paradise unto itself.

The Azores are, as yet, largely undiscovered by the North American tourist, because, for one thing, it is usually well into the dark night when Europe-bound airliners pass over at 30,000 feet. And yet, a vacation here for resorting, sailing, cycling, golfing, cottaging, hiking, surfing, star watching, nature-gazing - or simply just for good food and Portuguese wine - is far less expensive than the equivalent on the mainland.

The Azores Islands are located in the Atlantic Ocean, about two hours flying time and 930 miles (1500 Km) from Lisbon, and about five hours flying time and 2422 miles (3900 Km) from the eastern coast of North America. These European flavoured islands are only a few hours flight from most major cities in the Eastern USA & Canada, and perhaps better still, a very different kind of Portuguese adventure awaits.

The 9 islands of the Azores archipelago are divided into three groups:

• The Eastern Group of Sao Miguel and Santa Maria

• The Central Group of Terceira, Graciosa, Sao Jorge, Pico and Faial

• The Western Group of Flores and Corvo.
  

First impressions are the clincher, so be sure to take a good look from the window as you come in to land. All around, the exaggerated colors and contours of Sao Miguel - as well as Santa Maria, Terceira, Graciosa, Sao Jorge, Pico, Faial, Flores, and Corvo - will appear like it was plucked from the coloring book of a child.

The name Azores comes from the archaic Portuguese word "azures" the plural of the word blue and only the greenest crayon colors could recreate the high rounded hills that roll, at whim, into deep plunging valleys - plus a deep line of chocolate brown to sketch in a checkerboard of little fields all over the rolling landscape.

The backdrop: a precision blend of lavender with pastel blue would depict the unusual clarity of an untarnished, ocean sky. Dots of black and white 'cows' bring contrast to all the greenery and vibrant red and yellow dots are the wildflowers. Sparkle paint would be used to show sunlight shimmer on the cobalt sea - and yet all the illumination could never be as bright as the actual rays of the sunshine on the long and broad stretches of the whitest sand beach.

More about the Azores around the Web:

• The Azores

• Beautiful Azores