Santa Maria
São Miguel
Terceira
Graciosa
São Jorge
Pico
Faial
Flores
Corvo
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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 # Santa Maria is best known for its white-sand beaches contrasting the dark-sand volcanic origin beaches found on the remaining islands of the Azores. The warm weather and beaches make Santa Maria’s activities revolve around water sports and activities. Praia Formosa and Sao Lourenço are the two best beaches due to their fine-grain sand and extension. These beaches are excellent for windsurfing, surfing, water-skiing and sailing. Skin and scuba diving can be better appreciated in Prainha and Xareus Cave. Sportsfishing is also a popular activity where one can catch of bluefish bream, amberjack, conger eels, stone bass, grouper, mackerel, snapper and anchovies and many others.In addition to its great beaches Santa Maria’s coastline features natural swimming holes such as Sao Lourenço, Maia and Anjos swimming spots. Hiking and trekking can also be done in the many pedestrian walking trails and hiking circuits featured all over the island. The hiking circuits allow the user to experience a range of diverse eco-systems and protected areas of the island that are not easily accessible to most tourists. Several natural landscapes have been preserved or designated points of natural interest by the Regional Government in order to foster conservation and support endemic species of flora and fauna, as well as provide communal forms of recreation and nature interpretation. Santa Maria’s cultural heritage consists of many public buildings, churches and other structures such as military constructions that have been remodeled and preserved for their important historic and cultural significance. Since there is no historical volcanism and therefore fewer incidences of earthquakes, Santa Maria, which was the first island to be colonized, features older buildings and structures than any other island. 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 # As in all the other Azorean islands, one of the most popular events is the Holy Spirit Festivals (Divino Espirito Santo celebration). These festivities date back to the original settlements and were introduced by the Order of Christ and the Franciscan monks in the 14th century. The festivals include a religious ceremony, starting with the "crowning" of one or more children with a silver-plated crown adorned with the symbols of the Holy Spirit, and culminate with a grand feast on seventh sunday following Whitsun. On the occasion of these feasts, a traditional soup of bread soaked in a meat broth is distributed freely at the "Imperios" across the island. Vila do Porto holds the festival of “Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres” and on August 15th the parish celebrates the “Nossa Senhora da Assuncao” (Our Lady of the Assumption) festivities. “Mare de Agosto”, celebrated in Praia Formosa in the last week of August is the biggest music festival in the Azores. It attracts large crowds of locals and visitors and features national and international world music acts. Gastronomy
Sopas 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 # Santa Maria gastronomy is rich and diverse. The “Sopa de Peixe” (a fish soup), and “Caldeirada de Peixe” (a mixture of fish or seafood in broth and/or bread); Sweet desserts such as “Suspiros” (meringues), “Melindres” (honey cakes) “Sopa de Nabos” (turnip soup), “Bolo de Panela” (cake), “Caçoila” (a thick meat stew in traditional ceramic pot), “Molho de Figado” (a liver stew/sauce), “Biscoitos Encanelados”, “Tigeladas” (a pudding), "Biscoitos de Orelha”, ”Biscoitos Brancos”, “Biscoitos de Aguardente” and “Cavacas" (sugar-coated biscuits) are features in the local cuisine. For those interested in fishing for local consumption there are plenty of bluefish bream, amberjack, conger eels, stone bass, grouper, mackerel, snapper and anchovies. Santa Maria’s wine comes from the São Lourenco foothills. Wines and liquors include “Vinho Abafadinho” and “Vinho Abafado” (both fortified wine liquors), “Licor de Amora" (blackberry liquor), " Licor de Leite" (milk liquor) and " Aguardente" (Portuguese brandy). Handicraft
Clay 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 # Due to Santa Maria’s natural resources of wool and clay, the handicraft industry consist of pottery, ceramics, wool sweaters, ornate sheets, blankets, towels and other embroidery. Homespun garments include coarse woolen jerseys, embroidered linen shirts and embroidered women's jackets. Similarly, straw hats, baskets and various other objects traditionally made from wood, fish scales, corn flask and metal are sold as souvenirs. 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) # Local Santa Maria product include pottery, embroidery, cheese and Alheiras. |
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