About Terceira

Terceira is the easternmost island of the Central Group in the Portuguese Azores. It was the third Azorean island to be discovered, hence its name which means ‘third’ in Portuguese, and is currently home to the second largest population of the archipelago. Also, in 2012, the island received the ‘Quality Coast Gold Award’ for its eco-tourism efforts, thanks to its immaculate beaches and crystal clear waters, ideal for scuba diving. The capital, Angra do Heroismo dates back to the 16th Century and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It played an important role in the country’s history thanks to its conveniently located port in the North Atlantic, but, today, it boasts picturesque streets and alleyways alongside impressive palaces and monuments. The island’s main ferry terminal is in the village of Praia de Vitoria on the east coast, which offers a few sailings each week to almost every island in the Azores.

About Faial

Faial is one of the Central Islands in the heart of the Portuguese archipelago, the Azores, in the North Atlantic. ‘The Blue Island’ is the third most populous in the Azores, so named for the long rows of hydrangea and blue and white housing. However, it’s colourful not only in landscape, but also in culture, with the principal settlement of Horta offering lively bars, a quirky marina and the fascinating Scrimshaw Museum featuring a comprehensive collection of maritime artefacts. For outdoorsy types, a hike to the Monte da Guia crater and the Whaler’s Chapel affords sublime views over the island and neighbouring Pico, while the surrounding blue ocean offers some of the best diving and whale-watching spots in Europe. Ferries sail to Horta on the southeast coast of Faial from almost every other island in the Azores, except the tiny island of Corvo in the northwest corner of the archipelago, making ferry travel one of the easiest ways to get around.