Ci siamo arrivati un po’ per caso, cercando luoghi non colonizzati dal turismo di massa, posti dove le persone sono persone e la natura è sovrana. Ci siamo imbattuti in un’isola magica, lunga poco più di 25 chilometri e con una larghezza massima di 17.5 km chiamata Terceira, essendo stata la terza isola dell’arcipelago ad essere scoperta nel XV secolo. Meta un tempo dei galeoni e delle navi che commerciavano tra l’Europa e le Americhe, Terceira mantiene ancora oggi tutto il fascino di un posto di passaggio, con ritmi e tempi che in cinque secoli non sono cambiati.
1 Terceira, the coasts
The coasts of Terceira, of clear volcanic origin, plunge steeply into the sea, then suddenly surprise with natural pools formed from lava flows. Biscoitos, Cinco Ribeiras, Quatro Riberiras are just some of the natural pools that offer breathtaking landscapes, and bathing in the cold ocean waters surrounded by curious and elegant formations of black lava is an unforgettable experience. The wind always blows steadily, sometimes stronger and sometimes gentler, ensuring a perfect climate both for a dip in the sea and for walks and excursions. Because despite the size of the Island, on Terceira it is possible to combine many holidays.
2 Terceira, on top
The center of the island is dominated by a 1,032-meter mountain from whose summit it is possible to see the other islands of the archipelago: Fajal, Pico, and Sao Jorge. Climbing to the summit, the landscape changes suddenly and unexpectedly: from the initial pastures, where cows and some goats roam freely surrounded by hydrangeas, then leaving these hilly landscapes to find an alpine scenery with cryptomerias, tree ferns, resin scents, and flowers.
3 Terceira, the nature
Nature is the most magical spectacle that the Azores and Terceira offer: the area of Serreta is the western part of the island; very green, fragrant, rich in native vegetation with an explosion of flowers and trees that take your breath away. The island is also densely inhabited by cows, all strictly grazing – there are no barns – and it is fascinating to witness the milking and meet old men on a horse or donkey with tin cans carrying milk to the island’s processing plant.
4 Terceira, Furnas
Wandering through Terceira, in some sections it feels like being in the Alps, moments later it almost feels like Iceland admiring geological phenomena called Furnas, sulfur emissions from the ground. The red and iron-rich soil mixes in color plays with the black lava sediments, hydrangeas abound and grow lushly along the sides of the roads, accompanying the visitor on a magical journey.
5 Algar do Cavalho
Siendo Terceira de origen volcánico, no se puede dejar de visitar el Algar do Cavalho, el volcán cuya erupción generó la isla. Entrando en el cono del volcán, completamente cubierto de vegetación, se desciende hasta un pequeño lago de donde brota lava y se pueden ver los flujos de lava aún impresos en la roca, las explosiones marcadas en las paredes y los conos secundarios. Un espectáculo único e imperdible.
6 Terceira, the cave
Other caves on the island allow you to admire nature from completely new viewpoints, they are not caves with stalagmites and limestone formations, but lava tunnels and sulfate formations. After the caves, getting lost in nature and exploring the island’s woods and valleys on foot is an exceptional experience.
7 Azores, slow tourism
The Azores should be visited calmly. This we learned by following the advice of Fatima and Jean-Claude: there is no rush, it is better to visit one island at a time in order to fully enjoy the atmospheres, scents, colors, and nature. And although the islands are all small in size, except for São Miguel, they are different from each other and hide magical places waiting to be discovered, getting lost among the gravel streets and lanes. For those who love dolphins and whales, the Azores also offer the possibility to go on boat trips to see cetaceans and dolphins up close: our rubber boat was accompanied all the time by a group of dolphins that followed us delighting us with jumps and play.
