Beaches and History: Portugal is a Vacationer's Paradise
Portugal is a land of plenty. From its gorgeous beaches to its volcanic islands; its full-bodied wines, to its unique and splendid landscapes; there is so much to discover, and it’s only a plane ride away.
With millennia of history, Portugal is a popular destination to many, and a draw from around the world for countless reasons. For local photographer Kim Gelissen, and her husband Frank, a drone photographer, their latest foray into the lands of the Portuguese was the Azores Islands. The couple, who have toured and photographed in Iceland, the Philippines, and Vietnam, had been to Portugal before, but on the advice of a co-worker they started looking into these highly regarded islands.
“I had heard really good things about it and not a lot of people had heard of the Azores,” explains Kim.
A stone’s throw away
Located in the North Atlantic Ocean, a mere 1,900 kilometres from Newfoundland and 1,400 kilometres from mainland Portugal, the Azores are a chain of nine spectacular volcanic islands. Settled in 1432, these islands host just under a quarter million residents, and their economy is built on agriculture, livestock, dairy farming, fishing, and tourism.
After seeing many spectacular photos of these lands, Kim and Frank decided to see them for themselves in July of this year. They chose the main island, São Miguel, as the focal point of their visit.
“I loved the look of the landscape—it’s so green and lush,” states Kim. The photographs her and her husband returned with tell stories of ancient, forgotten volcanism morphed and translated into breathtaking pastels of greens and blues shaded over the ridges of craters. Further, they tell stories of abandoned churches, hotels, and abbeys, with backdrops of deep blue ocean, smoky mountains and hills, and decadent crater lakes. There is something mystical and ethereal in these images and they take you there in daydreams.
Each of the nine Azores have something to offer. Faial’s City of Horta is loaded with history and features the fabled Peter Cafe Sport with its famous local gin and tonic, Flores is a hiker’s paradise, loaded with trails, and known for its canyoning, Pico is a wine hotspot with its rich volcanic soil, São Jorge is reputable for its gorgeous scenery and its sweeping Fajãs—ancient volcanic landslides, Terceira’s Algar do Carvão offers the incredible opportunity to hike the inside of an extinct volcano, as well, the island features the picturesque city of Angra do Heroísmo—a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
According to Kim, São Miguel was not crowded, often having sites to just her and her husband. “It was very safe, and there were hydrangeas everywhere,” she marvels. “Down the roads, everywhere you drove, there were hydrangeas on the sides of the highways—which were only two-lane roads. It was like, ‘Wow, that’s so beautiful.’
“The food was great, and the people were friendly, and it wasn’t packed, but there were other tourists. We started walking through the village and ended up hiking. People leave their front doors open, and you’re walking by—it’s so safe and welcoming. I loved it!”
Across the Atlantic
On the mainland, the sights to behold are countless. Douro River Valley is honeymooner’s paradise and a choice destination for all. Centred on the Douro River, this region is Portugal’s wine country. Known for its Port wines, the lush green hills roll as far as the eye can see. Ancient archaeological sites from the third and fourth centuries show wine-making dating back to the Western Roman Empire.
These spectacular lands lay sheltered from the brutal winds of the Atlantic and enjoy hot and dry summers for vacationers to come and enjoy the vineyards and try countless Douro vintages.
Land steeped in history
Known for its gorgeous Mediterranean climate, Algarve is a beautiful and historic region of Portugal. A land of ancient artifacts and landmarks like the Megalithic Monuments of Alcalar, a necropolis dating back to the third millennium BCE, the two-millennia old Roman ruins of Milreu in the regional capital of Faro, and the great walls of Lagos that were partially destroyed in 1755 by a thunderous earthquake and subsequent and devastating tsunami.
The region has many other great spots to visit, like a 170-sq. km nature reserve known as the Ria Formosa Lagoon, known for its hundreds of varieties of migratory birds, the outstanding Benagil Cave and Marinha Beach in Lagoa, the reputably sunny Monte Gordo, and the region’s many beach and golfing resorts along its southern coast.
Across the Atlantic
On the mainland, the sights to behold are countless. Douro River Valley is honeymooner’s paradise and a choice destination for all. Centred on the Douro River, this region is Portugal’s wine country. Known for its Port wines, the lush green hills roll as far as the eye can see. Ancient archaeological sites from the third and fourth centuries show wine-making dating back to the Western Roman Empire.
These spectacular lands lay sheltered from the brutal winds of the Atlantic and enjoy hot and dry summers for vacationers to come and enjoy the vineyards and try countless Douro vintages.
Land steeped in history
Known for its gorgeous Mediterranean climate, Algarve is a beautiful and historic region of Portugal. A land of ancient artifacts and landmarks like the Megalithic Monuments of Alcalar, a necropolis dating back to the third millennium BCE, the two-millennia old Roman ruins of Milreu in the regional capital of Faro, and the great walls of Lagos that were partially destroyed in 1755 by a thunderous earthquake and subsequent and devastating tsunami.
The region has many other great spots to visit, like a 170-sq. km nature reserve known as the Ria Formosa Lagoon, known for its hundreds of varieties of migratory birds, the outstanding Benagil Cave and Marinha Beach in Lagoa, the reputably sunny Monte Gordo, and the region’s many beach and golfing resorts along its southern coast.
