Vila Belgica, Azores

Advantages: Relaxing, stunning scenery and still unspoiled!
Disadvantages: Cuisine lacking in fancy menus.

...Sâo Miguel also known as the Green Island is 65 kilometres long and 16 kilometres wide. It is the largest of the islands making up the Azores. The island is made up of several volcanic groups, the black lava fields form a dark coastline dotted with a handful of beaches, but the green hills provide some splendid scenery, and every turn (and there are many!) along the windy roads unfolds some wonderful surprises. In the east the highest point is Pico da Vara standing 1,103 metres tall, in the centre is the Sierra de Água do Pau, with a volcanic Lake called Lagoa do Fogo. In the west are the smaller volcanoes, and the highest point is about 900metres, one of the most popular places to visit called the Caldeira das Sete Cidades, where the ground still rumbles and geysers boil and streams flow with the water of hot springs. There are two... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: fine mixture of brasilian and a little bit of western style
Disadvantages: it is not possible to stay for ever ;-)

...I travelled quite some places in Brasil, but Vila Bela Vista is the nicest my girlfriend and me have been to. Not only the rooms are clean and the place offers a pool, but the staff cares with little details like flowers on the bed and in the bathroom. Definitly the best place to spend your precious holiday with the one you love. The breakfast is how we westerners like it in the morning :-) Vila Bela Vista is a quiet place and all the bars and restaurants are within walking range (And what is more delightful than walking home by night in such a great place?). The owners Patricia and Marcio are very helpful and like to give you any information, also concerning the best spots around for kitesurfing.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Stunning scenery, history and a great cup of tea!
Disadvantages: None

...Did you know that tea grows in Europe? Well I didn't until I went on holiday in the Azores. Friends all said "Where are the Azores?" so I'll start by briefly explaining where these wonderful islands are situated. The Azores consist of nine islands found in the Atlantic Ocean between the continents of America and Europe, Sao Miguel is the largest of these islands and is about a two and a half hours flight from Lisbon. Not quite the middle of the ocean, but a good distance from Portugal, so it came as a surprise to see tea growing. The temperate climate and rich volcanic soil results in lush vegetation and the growth of tropical plants - I can recommend the pineapples! We were touring the island and were on the lookout for another tea factory mentioned in the guide book, which we knew the bus tours visited, so were delighted to find... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful