Terceira - an island that is called Ilha Lilas ("lilac" or "violet" island), is located in the central part of the Azores. In addition, it is one of the largest islands of the archipelago with a population of 56 thousand inhabitants. Away from the coast, the island becomes wild, and the hilly terrain with numerous hiking trails that cross the entire central part of Terceira is mostly a nature reserve.

The island is also rich in scenic landscapes: green pastures, lush vegetation, blue lakes, panoramic ridges , coastal cliffs, volcanic craters and grottoes, caves with stalactites and stalagmites. Today Terceira is the second most visited Azores and compulsory in the route of all holidaymakers on the Azores archipelago in the Atlantic.

Here is the historical capital - Angra do Heroísmo - the old city, which is a UNESCO heritage, there is also the Supreme Court, the main base Air Force of the Azores and the US Air Force

How to get to Terceira Island

Nearest international airport is located in the town of Lajes directly on the island. You can get to the island in several ways:

• by plane: planes to the island of Terceira fly from the USA, Canada, and also from the cities of Portugal. A ticket from Lisbon will cost around 300 EUR, from Porto at 340 EUR, from the island of Pico at 145 EUR, and from San Jorge the ticket costs approximately 115 EUR.
• by water: the island can be reached from the neighboring islands by water , for example, from the island of San Jorge, the ferry ticket will cost about 64 EUR, from the Pico island - 22 EUR, and from the island Faial - 26 EUR. Transportation is carried out by Atlanticoline company

Weather in Terceira

This beautiful island has a subtropical marine climate with warm hot weather all year round. The weather in Terceira depends on the state of the ocean, but still the climate is fairly stable throughout the year. The temperature in the summer is around + 25 ° C in the hottest months, and around +16 ° C during the winter. Precipitation is moderate throughout the year and minimal during the summer months. The island is located in the belt of hurricanes of the North Atlantic and the probability of their occurrence increases from August to November

Transport

Numerous taxi cabs on the island that can be easily distinguished by their white / cream color with two wide blue stripes near the rear passenger door , are in very good condition. Most drivers speak English, but they drive rather casually.

Be very careful if you decide to rent a car and drive yourself. Animals have a privileged right on the road, although they are found only in the interior rural areas of the island. There is one highway, via Rapida, which connects Praia de Vitoria with Angra De Heroism, 15-20 minutes drive. The average speed is limited to 100 km / h for this route. Renting a car is easy enough and a lot of such agencies are found near airports and hotels

Cuisine and restaurants

Trade routes of galleons and other ships from exotic countries passed through the island of Terceira for many centuries and traditional food lost its original appearance and taste as early as 16-17 centuries. At that time, other tastes and products came, adding real wealth and sophistication to the dishes of the island "gastronomy". The influence of Spanish troops for nearly 80 years, liberal emigrants from absolutism and the British associated with the "orange trade", added traditional sweets and liqueurs to the traditional monastic recipes

It is worth trying the meat dishes Holy Ghost (soup), alcatra and cozido, as well as wine de Cheiro. During festivals, local people like to bake buns massa sovada or kneaded douth, which are sculpted in amusing forms, including animals and humans. No less delicious dishes of caldeirada (stewed fish) with apples, sarapatel (a dish of lamb liver) and morcela (sausage type), as well as various traditional recipes from octopuses, rabbit (with special molho de vilão sauce), crabs.

But cooking on the island, perhaps, has reached perfection in more than two hundred recipes of sweets. Most of these sweets, such as donas-amélias and coscorõe, are made according to monastic traditions.

Fresh cheese made from goat's milk, and Ilha cheese made from cow's milk, perfectly complement traditional dishes. Regarding wines, attention is paid to Porto Martins and Pesqueiro produced by Verdelho, and Biscoitos wines that enjoy great local fame

Beaches of Terceira Island

The beaches of the island are truly magnificent. There are both long stretches of coastline, for example, Praia de Vitoria, and smaller and cozy beaches with bays. Worthy of attention and the natural pools, which are created by volcanic stones. Small beaches such as Porto Martins and Contendas are ideal if you just want to swim, while the extensive beaches are better suited for sailing, surfing and yachting.

Entertainment, excursions and attractions Terserey

• Sao Mateus da Calheta is a picturesque fishing village. Here are the forts Grande and Negrito, remaining from the former fortifications, established all over the island to protect against the Spanish invasion (XVI century.). Two picturesque imparios or chapels Holy Ghost (XIX century.). The whaling station, described by the Prince of Monaco - Albert in the XIX century, which existed in Negrito. Places to visit: Parish Church; Chapel Nossa Senhora da Luz.
• Santa Barbara - a parish church, a 15th century building, rebuilt in later times. Gold-plated relief work on wood. Picture of St. Barbara, in stone from ARQA. Close to the church is impаrio Holy Ghost (XIX century).
• Vila Nova is a characteristic village for the island of Terceira. On the neighboring Agualva creek there are many old water mills that perfectly fit into the green landscape. Interesting impаrio Holy Ghost (XIX century.). Places to visit: the church Divino Espirito Santo.
• Fontinhas - the church of Nossa Senhora da Pene. The building of the 16th century, which was heavily rebuilt in the 19th century. The main throne, cut woodwork, decorative tiles give it an unforgettable look. Also worthy of attention is the chapel Santo Antonio, which was built in the 19th century

• Lajes - the old village where the air base was located, which played an important role in the Allies antisubmarine campaign during World War II; It also served as a support point for several air operations against Axis forces. Today it is part of the Atlantic defense system. Places to visit: the church of Sao Miguel Arcanjo and Casa do Espanhol.
• Sao Sebastiao - the first settlement on the island. An old, traditional city that received its charter in 1503. The most beautiful imparios or chapel of Holy Ghost (XIX century.), With numbers. Places to visit: the church of Sao Sebastiao and the chapel of Santa Ana
• Ribeirinha - the church of São Pedro, the building of the 16th century, which was expanded in the 18th century. The main throne, the gilded cut woodwork of the 16th century, the image of Christ adorn this monument of architecture. In the village there are four imparios Holy Ghost, three of which are dated to the 19th century.
• Galleons, shipwrecks and treasures. Not far from the shore of Terceira are the remains of fast caravels and other vessels engaged in African trade, large galleons from Peru and the East, warlike frigates with a bright bronze cannon. These ships have turned the coast into a hidden museum of remembrance of past times, struggle and suffering, hope and danger.

Active rest

Green grass of 18 golf courses, holes spread over gentle hills near Algar do Carvao, are an excellent place for fans of this sport.

Angra do Herorismo and Praia da Vitoria offer excellent conditions for sailing, windsurfing and water skiing. A set of grottoes in the bowels of the Earth will spur the curiosity of speleologists. Green fields invite visitors to make peaceful walks through pastures and flowers, while those who are more keen on sporting routes will find the climb on Serra de Santa Barbara and Pico Alto interesting enough and will certainly be shocked by the opening scenery.

You can try to catch a fish from a rock or from a boat swaying on the waves, to walk on hills and valleys in the hope of meeting elusive rabbits. Terceira Island will leave a lasting impression and memories for years to come.

Holidays and Festivals

Festival of the Holy Spirit takes place throughout Terceira Island

Associated with the Franciscan mysticism and charitable spirit of the Queen of St. Elizabeth of Portugal (16th century), Festivals of the Holy Spirit arrived in the Azores with the first settlers. Emigrants, devoted to Brazil, America and Africa, have preserved the old ceremonies, which are now repeated in all their traditional splendor. Festivals of the Holy Spirit are also held in Hawaii, where there is a large Azorean community. The charity goal of the festival is the distribution of food to those who need it.

St. John's Festival or "Festival of the City"

Related to the traditions of the so-called Popular Saints - St. Anthony, St. John and St. Peter - these festivals have been transformed over time on holidays with live "bullfighting on ropes" in the streets and with the views of the bullfighters riding a horse or on foot in the arena. The festival of St. John usually includes an ethnographic procession with old tools of farm labor, folk costumes and typical vehicles called carros de toldo. Are held in the city of Angra De Heroism.