About Pico

Pico is the second largest island in the Azores, a Portuguese archipelago in the North Atlantic Ocean. With a landscape dominated by exotic plants and its namesake volcano, Pico is one of the best islands in the Azores for hiking and mountain biking. Wine production also plays an important role in Pico’s culture, with UNESCO protected vineyards in the towns of Lajido, Cabrito and Madelena, which are all well worth seeing. Pico boasts the finest natural swimming holes in the archipelago, too, and the longest lava tube in Europe, which reaches over 3 miles, so there’s plenty to enjoy whilst exploring the island. Given Pico’s central location in the Azores, it is a good departure point for the rest of the archipelago. From the island’s main port on the north-central coast, numerous ferry routes are provided to most of the other islands.

About Graciosa

Graciosa is a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve island in the Azores, a Portuguese archipelago in the North Atlantic Ocean. Portuguese for ‘graceful’ and nicknamed the ‘white island’, Graciosa is one of the most peaceful and picturesque of the island chain, characterised by rolling hills and whitewashed houses. And with roots in the farming industry, the landscape is primarily wheat fields and vineyards, producing some of the finest wines in the country. Relaxing in natural thermal pools, exploring sulphur caverns and deep sea diving are popular excursions on Graciosa, and the beautiful, main settlement of Santa Cruz has narrow, cobbled streets and a charming central square which are well worth seeing. Graciosa sits in a relatively central position within the Azores, so travelling by ferry is a convenient and popular way to get there. Routes are available from nearly every other island, with ferries docking in Vila da Praia on Graciosa’s east coast.