Extend Your Stay

We went on this trip April/May this year and the weather was cold, very wet and very windy with the odd bit of hailstone. Headwater (to whom this self-guided trip was seconded) need to get their agents in the Azores (Melo) to tighten up the transfer arrangements made by Melo and their agents (Novo Rumo) in Faial & Pico. Buses on the islands are very few and far between and cannot realistically be used for going to the start and ends of the walks. Taxis are mentioned but this needs to be stressed more in the notes. The Cantinho do Piano “self-catering” accommodation on Sao Jorge made it quite clear that the kitchen area could be used for coffee/tea making with the cooker not to be used (it was boarded in) and not even a table supplied. Not the best for making even just your own breakfast. The Aldeia da Fonte accommodation on Pico (in a gorgeous setting) really needs to put its staff on a customer relations course – a bit like Fawlty Towers where guests seemed to be an inconvenience. On Faial, the Pousada Forte da Horta was a very nice place but its dining was not equal to this and HB could be dropped there as there are many alternatives for food in Horta. As SATA has very few planes it is NOT advisable to have a domestic flight returning to Sao Miguel on the same day as the international flight home. One lost plane caused chaos one day.

Brian Struszczak Island Hopping in the Azores

Fantastic area of Italy. Unspoilt rural haven.

Liz Herrick Walking in Tuscany

Just returned from a fantastic week exploring the beautiful, flower covered mountains and stunning coastline of western Algarve.
Francisco and Rafael were wonderful guides sharing their knowledge and enthusiasm for the local culture, history and especially nature and its conservation. … all with good humour and patience.
There was a great mix of walking and visiting local artisans. Also the food was delicious!

Eileen Blackwood Walking Portugal's Wild Algarve