Eighteen years ago, Sunvil organised its first holidays to the Azorean Archipelago. These islands are set in the mid-Atlantic - yet warm - waters of the Gulf Stream, 1,500 km from Lisbon and 3,900 km from New York.
The Azores are spectacular islands of gleaming blue and green lakes, volcanic craters, vast undulating valleys, rugged mountains and sheer cliffs plunging into the sea. This natural paradise is ideal for walking, dolphin watching, cycling, horse riding and golf. Keen gardeners, artists and photographers will be in their element, too.
Although not a guaranteed winter sun destination, the Azores are ideal for nature lovers and those wishing to relax and unwind away from the crowds. The climate is mild in the winter months, with average temperatures of 14ºC/15ºC – much warmer if you’re sitting in the sun, as my February suntan will attest!
Recently National Geographic magazine commissioned some 600 experts to study islands worldwide and to assess which were best preserved and least affected by tourism. The islands of the Azores came second in the world (the Faroes were marginally ahead). That study alone should give you an idea of why the archipelago of the Azores is worth visiting.
Sunvil is the leading tour operator to the Azores (and by that we mean just a modest 2,000 customers annually!). Every Saturday this coming winter will see the first weekly scheduled flights from Gatwick and Manchester to Sao Miguel, the largest of the nine islands. It’s a simple three-and-a-half hour hop to this relatively unknown and completely unspoilt European destination (the Azores belong to Portugal, having been discovered by Portuguese navigators en route to the New World in the15th century).
We have negotiated some very attractive winter prices. Seven nights’ bed and breakfast in a comfortable three-star hotel range from £359 to £379 per person, including flights from Gatwick, transfers, accommodation with breakfast, a half-day dolphin-watching excursion (sometimes you will also see whales, although not as frequently in winter), a Bradt Azores guidebook and all surcharges and airport taxes. A four-star, ocean-front hotel with car hire adds only £53 per person per week, i.e. a total cost of between £400 pp and £420 pp per week, and with a car you’ll be able to explore the delightful country lanes of Sao Miguel at your own pace. The Manchester flight supplement is just £15 per person.
We hope very much that you will be tempted to visit these beautiful islands for a relaxing week away from the rat race this winter – but don’t forget that, if you’d like to visit the Azores a little earlier, we can offer you direct flights twice a week, on Tuesdays and Saturdays, during the spring, summer and autumn months. That makes a 3 or 4-night short break perfectly feasible – or indeed a longer 7, 10 or 11 night stay. Why not treat yourself and plan a couple of trips this year, perhaps sampling some Azorean island-hopping on a longer trip? We’re confident that you’ll thoroughly enjoy these beautiful, unpolluted and little-known islands and that you will wish to return.
If you would like further information on winter holidays in the Azores, please call Sunvil Discovery on 020 8758 4722
