Azores

[Anonymous]

Thinking about doing a trip to the Azores with our college-age kids this summer. Is 5-6 days enough? Any hotel or itinerary recommendations? Budget is flexible and we are an active family. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

5-6 is definitely enough for Sao Miguel. Not sure if you want to see multiple islands.

We stayed in Punta Delgada which was convenient for driving around but think our hotel has changed hands.

[Anonymous]

Honestly, I don't think the Azores are a destination that is good for kids, even college-aged ones.

Sure, there is some interesting scenery and the people are friendly. But it does not have a variety of activities that will keep you busy for almost a week. IMHO.

[Anonymous]

College aged kids are adults

[Anonymous]

Yes! 5 days around Sao Miguel is great (what we did too). We stayed a few nights at the Azor Hotel in Punta Delgado, got a driver the first full day to take us all around the famous blue/green lakes/Sete Cidades and to a famous area of the ocean that had a hot spring-- we were happy for her to navigate the ridgeline and hairpin turns around trucks and cows and show us cool hikes-- then rented a car the other days to drive all around ourselves; stayed two nights in Furnas to relax at the low key spa and see that side of the island. We particularly liked the tea plantations on the north side of the island and the amazing seafood at Bar Caloura on the south side. Enjoy!

[Anonymous]

Here is my report - 2 adults but would have been fine for college aged kids too.

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1146806.page

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, I don't think the Azores are a destination that is good for kids, even college-aged ones.

Sure, there is some interesting scenery and the people are friendly. But it does not have a variety of activities that will keep you busy for almost a week. IMHO.

I thought there is a lot of hiking, biking, kayaking, surfing, paddle boarding, so on? Sounds good to me for a trip with teens.

[Anonymous]

Thank you for your recommendations and itinerary PPs!

[Anonymous]

We are also considering a trip to the Azores in July and looking at the same flight from EWR to Sao Miguel as one of the pps did. This would be just me and my hsuband and we are active travelers in good shape. How many days are ideal? Is it easy to get from one island to another? We can probably do a week, and have never been to Portugal. Is it worth doing a couple of days in Portugal and then doing Azores, or just sticking to the Azores?

[Anonymous]

I think 4-5 days Max if you just stay on Sao Miguel. It’s beautiful for hiking, whale watching, surfing, horseback riding, and other outdoor adventures. We liked Santa Barbara Resort.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are also considering a trip to the Azores in July and looking at the same flight from EWR to Sao Miguel as one of the pps did. This would be just me and my hsuband and we are active travelers in good shape. How many days are ideal? Is it easy to get from one island to another? We can probably do a week, and have never been to Portugal. Is it worth doing a couple of days in Portugal and then doing Azores, or just sticking to the Azores?

I would stick to the islands! They are fascinating and you'd shortchange yourself on the mainland Portugal end trying to fit both. They're like a blend of Hawaii, Iceland and Ireland.

We took the Boston flight in 2017 which was easy, for comparison sake.

[Anonymous]

We loved the Azores. Absolutely beautiful and a quick flight. Just don't fly Azores Airlines. We had a nightmarish experience with it.

[Anonymous]

if we do another island in addition to Sao Miguel which should we do?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, I don't think the Azores are a destination that is good for kids, even college-aged ones.

Sure, there is some interesting scenery and the people are friendly. But it does not have a variety of activities that will keep you busy for almost a week. IMHO.

My young kids loved Sao Miguel. We were there 5 days last summer and it was not enough time. 7-10 days would have been ideal.

[Anonymous]

We liked Madeira better than Sao Miguel.