Plane tickets – use your favourite flight search engine. If you don't have a favourite, try kiwi.com. Flights with the Portuguese company TAP Portugal are usually a bargain. It's often worth buying tickets with a 1-2 night stay in Lisbon. Be sure to check out the offer from Azores Airlines – you can also use them for local flights to one of the other Azores islands.
Restaurants – if you want to go to a nice restaurant for dinner, it’s essential to have a reservation, especially in high season. You can find some really very good restaurants in Ponta Delgada. If you want to get to know the local gastronomy and traditions a bit better, try restaurants in smaller villages – we tried a few and it was always great. Even at places where they didn't normally cook, we managed to make an arrangement to come back in an hour and they would prepare something for us. The prices at these local establishments are low.
Car renatal – use AVIS. The rental is right in the arrivals hall at the airport. Beware – the roads may be narrow on the island, so it might be a good idea to get a full insurance while renting.
Driving a car – nothing complicated, driving on the right, all regulations are followed. Some roads are narrower and lined with rocks. Distances on the island are not great, so a smaller car will suffice.
Prices in the destination – prices in the Azores are not staggeringly high. Accommodation can be more expensive as capacity is limited. On the other hand, prices in restaurants and bistros in small villages are very low.
Calls and data – For EU citizens, everything is the same as at home. WiFi is common in hotels and restaurants and is free.
When to come here – practically any time, but in winter it will not be as warm, and it rains more often. In the summer months (July and August) there are of course a lot of people, but if you book everything in time it is not a problem.
Treks – if the suggested treks don't suit you, it's not a problem to choose other walking trips – feel free to use the VisitAzores app or the WalkMe app (which is very nicely done). The Mapy.cz app is also a good help.
Adventures – for the adventurous there is the beautiful Gruta do Carvão – Monumento Natural cave. They offer two tours and the longer one is breath-taking. Unfortunately, the number of people per tour is very limited so you have to book as soon as possible! Email address: grutadocarvao@amigosdosacores.pt.
Recommended websites: visitazores.com and on them especially the overview of the routes trails.visitazores.com.
TIP – you can make your holiday longer and go to one of the other Azores islands. You can take advantage of regular air or boat travel – there are plenty on offer.
Niky Malečková