Travel guide The Azores

Introduced by Portuguese settlers, the pineapple has become the flagship of Azorean agriculture and the symbol of the archipelago, particularly São Miguel. It is smaller than the African or Caribbean pineapple. Its acidity, more marked than that of its Caribbean cousin, enhances its aroma and makes it one of the best fruits that can be tasted here.

The Azores anticyclone, whose name is often mentioned in weather reports, is, like the morning fog, sometimes dissipated. When it's centered right on the archipelago, it's no guarantee of good weather there; it's better if it's just a little bit off. On the other hand, it is a barrier against bad weather and rain in Europe.

The mythical animal of the Azores, the whale - or more precisely the sperm whale - was still hunted in 1987, especially on the islands of the central group. Today, they are protected and mostly observed by tourists. Horta is the best place for this activity; the marine corridor of the central archipelago is the richest in sperm whales.

Each island is associated with a color that reflects its characteristics and history. São Miguel is known as the green island, Faial is blue, Graciosa is dressed in white, Santa Maria sees life in pink, Flores wears a yellow jersey, it's brown for São Jorge and lilac for Terceira, while Corvo is gray and Pico is draped in black.

A spectacular tree with red sap and medicinal virtues (hence its name, associated with dragon's blood), often a hundred years old, highly protected by the locals, originally from Cape Verde. Visible along roadsides, it is a symbol of the absence of pollution. The main square in Santa Cruz de Graciosa boasts an exceptional and magnificent collection.

There's no shortage of churches here! It seems that for the Portuguese, any opportunity was a good one to build one. When they set out to discover the world, every time they set foot on land, a church popped up. When they survived a storm, a church. To make up for not having mercy on the pirates, a church..

A culinary pride of place, particularly in São Jorge, where the succulent baked cow's milk cheese comes from. Similar to Gouda, and very tasty, it undoubtedly has its origins in the know-how of the archipelago's Dutch settlers. Visit one of the agricultural cooperatives to discover its manufacturing secrets and go shopping!

Originally from Asia and introduced to the island by the Portuguese, this magnificent grove of pink, lilac and violet flowers has become a veritable mascot of the archipelago. Hydrangeas lend their unusual, romantic character to the island's landscapes. They bloom from late May to late August and can reach colossal sizes.

The many mills on the Azores bear architectural witness to the arrival of the first settlers from Flanders. They vary from island to island, and often have a surprisingly northern feel for these subtropical islands. You'll come across them on a hike to Graciosa or Faial, for example, and notice their red domes.

Putting on your sneakers and taking to the trails of the Azores is one of the activities that will leave you with the most beautiful memories. Marked trails, close proximity to towns and villages: nature, volcanoes, lakes and waterfalls lend themselves perfectly to hiking and walking. There's something for everyone on each of the nine islands.

Surprising as it may seem, the Azores are the only place in Europe where tea is grown. Perceived as a sensible alternative to orange cultivation, which was in serious crisis in the ^19th century, the first plantations were established in São Miguel. Today, two factories open their doors to you, in Porto Formoso and Maia.

The tectonic activity is felt everywhere in the Azores! Volcanism has left fascinating traces here: Mount Pico, the highest point in Portugal at 2,351 meters; on São Miguel, the fumaroles of Furnas lake or the crater lakes of Fogo or Sete Cidades are marvels. On Faial, the volcano of Capelinhos was born... in 1958!