Santa Maria
São Miguel
Terceira
Graciosa
São Jorge
Pico
Faial
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Market browsingBrowsing and shopping local outdoor markets is a local pastime # HikingLagoa do Congro - The Azores have numerous hiking trails # Yoga in the parkParque Urbano (Ponta Delgada) - Yoga hour. # Wind SportsFrom paragliding to sailing the Azores is ideal for wind sports # Bike ridingThe Azores are a bike riding friendly place # Hiking and WalkingHiking and Walking are a local pastime # Whale and Dolphin WatchingCetaceans can be observed in many island of the Azores. You may swim among dolphins if you feel adventurous # Bird WatchingThe Azores is popular with bird watchers # The crystal blue ocean surrounding Pico is an invitation to fish and to practice underwater observation of rock formations and rich sea flora and fauna. Swimming is possible in the various natural pools along the coast, and the occasional sand beach that pops up every year. Our favorite swimming holes are Madalena, Santo Antonio, Sao Roque and Prainha. Hunting is a (albeit sad we admit) pastime on this island. Wild rabbits in large numbers (considered almost a plague) and partridges, snipe, pigeons and quail (though not in large numbers), can be found or the island. Walking, trekking, hiking trails are abundant features in Pico. The size of the island makes it possible not to have to repeat a walk or hike. Those with endurance may want to climb up Pico Mountain a task that can be more or less difficult depending on the chosen access. People interested in speleological studies have long caves to climb down and discover, although they should always be sure to take a guide with them. The "Gruta das Torres" is a must visit place. Being roughly 5 Km long it is the longest volcanic lava tube in Portugal, and is part of the UNESCO heritage list. But it is the simple charms of the island of Pico, made up of green pastures, maize fields, sweet-smelling orchards and dark lava fields, that excite those who seek to discover, by walking, all the attractions of the youngest island of the Azores born from the ashes. Events
IRC Rally AzoresS. Miguel island is part of the IRC car rally circuit happening annually # Senhor Santo CristoArguably the biggest religious festivities in Azores, happens annually on the fifth weekend after Easter # Bull Fights (bull on rope)People waiting for bull - Typical of Terceira island it happens in many places throughout the island from May to September # Limas water battlesPonta Delgada - Traditional battle of limas happens during carnival # Flower street carpetsTraditional flower carpets adorn the way for processions in religious festivities # Festival of lightsConvento da Esperanca - One of the highlights of religious festivals are the amazing light displays # Street VendorsSelling the typical tremoco (lupinus) and candy /__404__ CarouselAlways a hit with young and old carousels are part of the festivities fabric #
Holy Ghost Festivals in Pico have a regional twist. The tradition, started by the first settlers, was deeply rooted in the population since the aide of the Holy Ghost was requested in prayers to hold back the streams of lava that devastated houses and crops. The "Espirito Santo" festivals retain the charm of former times in Pico. The curious ceremony of the "emperors" carrying the crown and sceptre in procession, and the "function" that marks the feast day itself, are repeated in every parish on the island from Whitsun. The processions, with such delicacies as rosquilhas, bolos de vespera and pao doce which at the end of the festivities are distributed among all those present and passers-by, maintain all the color of times gone by. The "empires", which are simple constructions having the white dove of the Holy Ghost at the top of the roof, are present all over the island and are an interesting example of folk architecture. Festival of Bom Jesus - São MateusThe "Good Lord" festival is a popular Pico festa where the parish is colorfully decorated for the occasion and music is supplied by local traditional bands. Bom Jesus is one of the most important religious festivals in the Azores, the high point being the Ecce Home. It is held every year on August 6th. Festivals of the Whaling Men - Lajes do PicoThis Pico festival dates back to 1883 with the arrival of an image of Our Lady of Lourdes. The whaling men gradually took part in the festival over the years with gave way nowadays to a splendid religious procession, followed by evening festivities with music and dancing. It is held in the last week of August. Festival of Saint Mary MagdaleneThis is another Pico traditional festival with a varied program including a procession and other liturgical ceremonies, festivities with music, dancing and illuminations. It is held on July 22nd. Grape Harvest FestivalHeld in the second week in September. GastronomySopas FeastsTraditional Holy Ghost Sopas from Santa Maria # Dill & MintDill is specific of Santa Maria. Mint is used in all Sopas # Lining up for SopasLong lines demonstrate the popularity of Sopas feasts # Sopa BowlSopas a tradition shared in every Azorean community # Biscoitos (cookies)Making biscoitos de orelha # Sopa plateThe famous sopa plate # Torresmos de porco (small browned rashers of bacon), morcela (blood sausage), linguiça com inhames (Portuguese sausage with yams) and molha de carne (a meat speciality) are the main dishes of a cuisine which, with caldo de peixe (fish soup), polvo guisado em vinho (octopus stewed in wine) and bolo-de-milho (prepared with maize), delights ail hearty eaters. Those who like shell-fish will find worthy companions for their appetite in the local lobsters, deep-water crabs and cavacos. The soft, white fresh cheese of Pico is a good start to a meal, which can end with the typical, delicious cheese of São Joao, with its yellow rind, soft interior and intense smell, produced from cow's milk. Massa sovada (sweet bread), rosquilhas, vesperas and arroz doce are the typical sweets of the island, connected with the Holy Ghost Festivals. They are completed by the Carnival sweets, the filhoses, coscoroes and sonhos. Fig and local brandies, made in old copper stills, are digestive beverages that are much appreciated. For those who like sweet drinks, Pico can offer the typical angelica. Pico wine, the "verdelho"Born on the soil of lava, protected from the wind by walls of rough, dark stone, warmed by the rays of the sun, the grapes acquire the sweetness of honey. Squeezed, they produce a dry white wine with an alcoholic content of 15 to 17 degrees which, after ageing serves as an excellent appetizer. In the last century it was exported to many countries in Europe and America and even reached the tables of the Russian Court. The vineyards, which mark the landscape of the island, also produce a dry, fresh, light and fruity wine that is the ideal companion of a dish of shell-fish or fish, and also the red vinho de cheiro whose presence is compulsory on tables on feast days. The orchard islandThe ground made of lava, the sun and the dry climate make Pico the orchard of the Azores, where apple and pear trees, damson and peach trees, plum and orange trees flourish and produce sweet, juicy fruits that are taken early in the morning on the fruit boats to the town of Horta by the men and women who sell them there. But it is the figs, with an interior that is as red as rubies, a true delicacy for gourmets, that best symbolize the delicious fruit of Pico. HandicraftClay workClay and Wicker are art forms that span centuries in Azores # BonecosBonecos are figurines made of straw and cloth # Wicker workWicker is used for many uses. More traditional for basket weave. # Clay artisanAzores ceramics industry is world renowned # Mantle weavingSanta Maria mantle weaving # The hands of the women of Pico create fine crochet lace using traditional or more modern designs, straw hats and rush mats. The hard tooth of the sperm whale serves as the raw material for the scrimshaw techniques brought over a century ago by the American whalers who came to the waters of the Azores to hunt and recruit harpooners who were famous on the seven seas. The themes carved on these small but valuable works of art are sailing ships, scenes of combat with the great sea mammals, the feminine figures that fill mariners' dreams. But the cachalot also gives rise to other curious pieces. From its teeth, bones and jaws, skilled hands make small sculptures recalling its asymmetrical profile, tails that seem to sweep the ocean and rings, ear-rings and pendants. Connected with whale hunting are also the delicate and complete miniatures of the elegant whaling-boats, worthy to appear in museums, produced by some of their former crew members. Local Products
FlowersAzores flowers for all tastes # Pineapple of S. MiguelPineapples are grown in green houses and are only a product of S. Miguel # MeatsIn Terceira, for example, cows outnumber people 2:1, thus the abundance of dairy and meat # FishFish, abundant and varied, is an essential ingredient in the Azorean diet # Cheese - A SpecialtyCheese from S. Miguel, S. Jorge, Faial and Pico are world renowned # VegetablesA variety of vegetables can be found in the Azoes including the local inhame (yam) # Pico island is home to the best “verdelho” wine in the Azores and original handicraft including crochet lace work, straw hats and rush mats. |
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