Nature and environment
The Azores commitment to the preservation of nature and environmental protection led the European Union to award the Azores an honourable mention in 1995 as part of the European Awards for Tourism and the Environment.

The region's concern for this area is borne out by the presence of dozens of natural reserves, areas of protected landscape, parks and forests on the nine islands, a fifing testament to the commitment the regional government shows towards their ecological preservation.

Flora
Over 55 native vascular plants transform the Azores into a fascinating botanical garden for plant lovers. Cedar trees, heather, ling, mountain grapes, white wood, ginger, dogwood and the tarnujo bush, to name but a few of the local species. Then there are the new additions accumulated over the centuries such as the Japanese criptomera and the acacia tree both used in the manufacture of wooden products; the flowering hydrangea and azaleas; camellia, incense and many other ornamental plants.

Fauna
Without a shadow of a doubt, the birds are the most attractive fauna of the region, in particular the priolo, a native species, the hawk, blackbird, cagarro, wood pigeon, and common and red garajau. The sea off the Azores is home to hundreds of species of fish and shellfish as well as imposing mammals such as sperm whales, making it a truly living aquarium for those who enjoy underwater diving.

Cultural heritage
The islands churches provide the only remaining traces of the settlement period. The 15th to the 18th centuries saw intense building work on the islands resulting in interesting examples of civil and religious art, especially baroque. Baroque takes on a character all of its very own on the islands in view of the limited material available locally and the distance separating the islands from mainland European cultural centres. As the first Atlantic city built according to 16th century town planning standards and endowed with worthy reminders of its cultural heritage in the form of its churches, palaces and fortress, Angra do Heroismo (Terceira island) was awarded World Heritage status by UNESCO. The art and ethnographic museums and the popular architecture of each islands give credence to the cultural heritage of the region and allow us to delve deeper into the history and life of Azoreans over the centuries.

Local Festival
The Azoreans are a deeply religious people and this finds no better expression than at their festivals, which carry on the traditions of pious devotion. The Festivals of Espirito Santo, rooted in medieval traditions, are common to all the islands (May and September) and offer up an opportunity to fraternise with the locals. The Festivals of Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres in Ponta Delgada (Sic Miguel); the Festivals of Sanjoaninas in Angra do Heroismo (Terceira island); the Semana do Mar in Horta (Faial island); the festival of the whalers on the islands of Pico and Mare in August on Santa Maria island; and the merry carnival of the island of Graciosa constitute the high points of the festival calendar which lasts all year round.

Gastronomy
The many traditional recipes of Azorean cuisine are a culinary delight for the gastronome, particularly those with a penchant for sumptuous, fresh fish who will find their own personal heaven in the Azores. For dessert, there are a wide variety of puddings as well as excellent cheeses (the prime example coming from the island of Sic Jorge), sweet and juicy pineapples, the tropical passion fruit and herb tea grown on the island of Sic Miguel.

White and red wines, brandy from the island of Graciosa, verdelho from the island of Pico and Biscoitos (Terceira island) are all a must  for those making a gastronomic tour of the Azores.

Handicraft
Using local materials, the Azorean artisans keep alive century old traditions. From coloured ceramics to delicate embroidery and lace, from works made of whalebone and teeth to the exquisite floral arrangements crafted out of fish scales, to pieces made from the pith of fig trees and hydrangea. And let us not forget the miniatures of elegant whale boats and every-day traditional objects, the guitars which lend life to a land that loves its festivals and works crafted from black basalt.

Tourist facilities
Comfortable hotel installations accommodate tourists on all the islands, with the exception of Corvo, which has only one bed and breakfast. On the islands of Faial, São Miguel and Terceira tourist facilities are to be found in a rural setting, affording high quality accommodation in homely surroundings.

Clothing
Whatever the time of year, lightweight clothing with one or two woollens for those cool evenings is all you'll need. Raincoats are recommended from October to April when rainfall is more frequent though a sunny spell is always just around the corner.