Azores Region

U.S Airways and SATA sign interline agreement to the Azores and beyond

Friday, 29 October 2010 00:00

Portuguese airline SATA Internacional and US Airways have established a comprehensive interline agreement, providing new and convenient connection options for both SATA and US Airways customers wishing to travel between US Airways’ domestic cities and Portugal. Effective October 12, 2010, travelers will be able to purchase a single itinerary for travel on flights of both carriers in one simple transaction, with connecting service between most US Airways cities and SATA’s hubs in the Azores, Lisbon and Madeira via Boston Logan Airport.

This new partnership will offer convenience to travelers on both sides of the Atlantic by allowing customers to travel on one single e-ticket and by offering through check-in service. Travelers will be able to check their bags to their final destination and receive boarding cards for both carriers’ flights upon check-in with either US Airways in the U.S. or SATA in Portugal.

US Airways, along with US Airways Shuttle and US Airways Express, operates more than 3,100 flights per day and serves more than 200 communities in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Europe, the Middle East, the Caribbean, Central and South America. The airline employs more than 31,000 aviation professionals worldwide and is a member of the Star Alliance network, which offers its customers more than 21,200 daily flights to 1,172 airports in 181 countries. Together with its US Airways Express partners, the airline serves approximately 80 million passengers each year and operates hubs in Charlotte, N.C., Philadelphia and Phoenix, and a focus city in Washington, D.C. at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

Azores Express (part of the SATA Group) connects New England with the islands of the Azores. SATA has been offering flights between the nine islands of the Azores for more than 60 years. In the past two-decade, SATA has linked Boston to all the islands of the Azores, Mainland Portugal, Madeira, and now Spain. Year-round flights are available from Boston, with connecting service to Lisbon, Porto and Madeira. To book travel, call 800-762-9995 or visit www.sata.pt for more details.

Bensaude Tourism Hotels’ Fall-Winter campaign

Tuesday, 19 October 2010 00:00

The Bensaude Tourism Hotels are offering their Fall-Winter campaign, which runs from October 1^st 2010 on, and consists of reduced price accommodation packets. The packets are for a minimum of two-night stays and include breakfast and a car rental for two days, on the islands of São Miguel, Faial, or Terceira. The final prices vary according to the number of nights the guests will be staying and begin at 81 Euros per person. Go to www.bensaude.pt for more information.

Ferraria Spa on S. Miguel reopens to the public

Saturday, 25 September 2010 00:00

The Azores Regional Government announced the contract for the refurbishment and upgrading of the Spa of Ferraria, in the town of Ginetes, S. Miguel. The spa reopened in June 2010 and its project involved the recovery of the old building and upgrading the baths and surrounding areas and includes access to the cliff.

Azorean architecture restaurant one of the most voted at the 2010 World Architecture Awards

Wednesday, 15 September 2010 00:00

Restaurant "Paladares da Quinta" in Lagoa, S. Miguel in the Azores has won high praise from two separate architecture websites. Archdaily.com writes: The restaurant and bakery is located in a farm composed of different Azorean species of a certain age. Its main purpose was for the visitors to enjoy nature's changeable and irreverent environment during their stay. For this reason, the area¹s history and the existing species¹ location was respected and a building was drawn so that it coexists and dialogs with its surroundings, allowing for the present and human experience¹s concept and language evolution to be revealed. While www.worldarchitecture.org/ says:
The restaurant and bakery is located in a farm composed of different Azorean species of a certain age. Its main purpose was for the visitors to enjoy nature¹s changeable and irreverent environment during their stay. For this reason, the area¹s history and the existing species¹ location was respected and a building was drawn so that it coexists and dialogs with its surroundings, allowing for the present and human experience¹s concept and language evolution to be revealed. Based upon the environment and landscape components of the area, the construction seems simple yet aims to stress out a significant amount of elements that make up for its sustainability. The building is divided into two boxes: one for restaurant support and the other for food preparation and holds the dining room. Both volumes are connected by a cover piece, the result being an external area partially covered, bringing into life the volumetric unit between both boxes and allowing for light, water and nature to invade this space built in an abundant and permissive fashion.

The Islands of the Azores – air and 6 nights hotel for $719

Monday, 13 September 2010 18:21

The authenticity, style, and romance of Europe is just 4 hours away from Boston with Azores Express/SATA’s newly announced fall and winter packages to the Azores.

The Azores are the closest and one of the more affordable destinations in Europe. Azores Express/SATA hotel and air packages give travelers the opportunity to explore five different islands while staying at one of 24 hotels.

There are four hotels offered on the island of Terceira, two on the island of Faial, one on the island of Santa Maria, one on the island of Pico, and 16 on the island of Sao Miguel.

All packages depart from Boston’s Logan Airport and include roundtrip, non-stop air, six nights lodging and daily breakfast. Flights depart and return on Tuesday and Fridays and passengers can upgrade from coach to SATA Plus Business-Class for just a few hundred dollars each way. Kids under six stay free, and pay only a child’s airfare.

The Azores Express/SATA packages cost $719 to $1,299 per person, before tax and are available through September 30, 2011. Availability depends on your choice of hotel, the islands you wish to visit and travel dates. To book travel, call 800-762-9995 or visit www.sata.pt for more details.

São Miguel- São Miguel, with its crater lakes, geysers, and seaside villages is the main island in the Azores and where all flights from Boston land in the fall, winter and spring. With easy access to the airport and major roads, Ponta Delgada is a great location to make day trips from to the rugged coastline. Venture to mountain crater lakes or visit the steaming thermal lakes and tea and pineapple plantations in the interior.

Terceira - Terceira’s lively and historic main city, Angra do Heroísmo, has been classified by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site and has ample cultural offerings. The north coast offer black lava cliffs and a wine museum.

Pico - Meaning "peak" in Portuguese, Pico is characterized by the steep volcanic mountain that often rises above the cloud cover. Visitors can climb to 7,700 foot summit, the highest point in Portugal, or stay closer to sea-level and enjoy Pico’s signature wine known for carrying just a hint of lava.

Other Islands - Two of the other islands offered include Faial, famed for its harbors that are often filled with yachts from around the world, and sunny Santa Maria, known for having some of the best beaches in the Azores.

About the Azores: The Azores are the closet point in Europe to North America. The islands were created by volcanic activity millions of years ago which has created a stunning and dramatic environment. From the black lava cliffs of the island of Terceira, to mythical mountain Lake of Fire on São Miguel, the Azores offers an intensely green and sculptured landscape. This ocean-enveloped land enjoys a mild climate year-round between 60°F and 80°F.

The National Geographic Center for Sustainable Destinations recently named the Azores islands as the world’s second most appealing islands destination in its fourth annual Destination Scorecard survey. A panel of 522 experts reviewed conditions on 111 islands and archipelagos. The Azores received the title of “Authentic, unspoiled, and likely to remain so.”

Azores Express (part of the SATA Group) connects New England with the beautiful islands of the Azores. Year-round flights are available from Boston, with connecting service to Lisbon, Porto and Madeira. For information call 800-762-9995 or visit www.sata.pt.