Trip-Spiration: 5 Reasons You Need To Visit The Azores ASAP
Now is a great time to go, as Delta is offering cheap fares from a number of US cities to the Azores, with fares from $400 round-trip.
The Azores, an archipelago of nine volcanic islands belonging to Portugal, came in at number one on the TPG list of must-visit destinations to visit in 2018. What's so amazing about these islands in the Atlantic anyway? Read on to find out why they should be on your list to visit in 2018.
The Azores are close to both Europe and the US
The Azores are located about 3/4 of the way to Europe from the Eastern coast of the US. Just under 1,000 miles from mainland Portugal, the islands are easily accessible from both the US and Europe, meaning you can combine a trip to Portugal or Spain with a stop in the Azores.
Arrival will soon be easier
The ideal time to visit in 2018 is after May 24, when Delta begins operating a flight five times weekly to Ponta Delgada (PDL) from its hub at New York-JFK. The route joins the only other nonstop service to and from the US on Azores Airlines from Boston Logan (BOS).
If you want to fly Azores Airlines, great news: you can now fly a brand-new Airbus A321neo instead of the ancient A310s the airline used to fly to Boston. You can try out the new aircraft between the two cities four times per week until March 25, when flights increase to six times per week. Clearly, between these new planes and the Delta route, spring and summer is the time to go!
Expect a paradise for the outdoorsy
Regardless of what activities you're into, if you love being outdoors, the Azores is a dream destination. It's known for whale watching and has excellent snorkeling and diving too. Biking or hiking around some of the villages, hills, cliffs and beaches is the best way to explore. Speaking of beaches, there's plenty of them on the nine different islands. Some are rocky and many have black sand — and get ready for some sweet waves if you plan to surf.
The Poça da Dona Beija or Terra Nostra hot springs on the island of San Miguel offer the ultimate relaxation: outdoor, geothermally heated pools of groundwater coming from the Earth's crust. Although they might smell a bit funky because of the iron in the water, bathing in these is actually great for your skin.
So many spectacular landmarks
The Azores have no shortage of breathtaking spots to check out. One of the most incredible is a giant volcanic crater that spans three miles, named the Sete Cidades. Speaking of volcanoes, don't miss the Algar do Carvão, Portuguse for "the cavern of coal," a 300-foot deep volcanic chimney that dates back over 3,000 years. Mount Pico is a volcano rising almost 8,000 feet above sea level, the highest peak in Portugal.
Visiting the Gorreana Tea Plantation is a must, as it's the oldest (and now only) tea plantation in Europe, with its massive green rows of tea. You can also have tea tastings there.
Amazing and affordable cuisine
Foodies will delight in different cuisine found on all the islands of the Azores, but a fan favorite is definitely the cheese made on the island of São Jorge. This famous cured cheese, which has the same name as the island, is made from unpasteurized cow's milk, has a tangy flavor and boasts a texture similar to an aged Parmesan.
Seafood is popular on the islands, but not codfish like you may find on mainland Portugal. Instead, expect tuna, wreckfish and parrotfish on the menu, as well as octopus and deep-fried mackerel and eel.
You can't leave the Azores without sampling what may be their most famous and unique dish: Cozido das Furnas, cooked by volcanic rock and steam. The hearty mixture of blood sausage, chicken, pork, beef, potatoes and veggies is topped with volcanic salt, put into a pot, covered with a cloth and buried in the volcanic soil. When dug up later that day, voilà — the mixture has been cooked by the furnas (furnace) of the hot volcanic underground geysers.
When to go
The best time of year to go is between May and September, when it's warm and dry. This is perfectly timed with the new Delta route launching at the end of May. Although temperatures are often mild-year round, you may have rain during other times of year. Plan to check this site for listings of festivals and events throughout the year across all the Azores if you'd like to experience more of the local culture and celebrations.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees