Azores High

If you want to experience life in the country, Azorean style, this is the place to come! You may see horses, oxen and donkeys working as pack animals, plowing or pulling carts. During the local festivals ox-carts and even goat-carts are used to carry bread, wine and cheese in a decorative procession.

From the main town of Horta and its modern marina you can go whale watching, swimming with dolphins, deep sea, coastal and sport fishing, diving and sailing. These are the main attractions, along with a visit to our spectacular "Caldeira", and the dramatic moonscape of the Capelinhos eruption site and lighthouse, which now boasts an impressive underground interpretation centre.

There are passenger ferries to Pico and Sao Jorge, allowing you to explore two more islands during your stay on Faial. Pico boasts the highest mountain in Portugal, a whaling museum, whaling factory, vineyards which feature on the UNESCO World Heritage sites list, the wine factory and fascinating lava tube caves. Sao Jorge is simply a beautiful, quiet island, ridged with volcanic craters and edged by cliffs sheltering pretty villages - the "fajas". The cheese factory is always a favourite visit on this island.