I am pleased to present a new Solo Travel Destination Post from Dawn, a member of the Solo Travel Society on Facebook. Dawn is from Scotland, and submitted the following report about her trip to Sao Miguel in the Azores. Do you have a solo travel destination that you would like to recommend? Submit your description here, along with a few photos, and share it with fellow travelers!
Solo travel rating: 1.5 (1 is easiest, 3 is most difficult. Please see chart below)
Languages spoken: Portuguese, English
Costs at Destination: Reasonable (local transportation, dining, tours, events, and attractions)
Ponta Delgada, Sao Miguel, The Azores
Reasons to Visit Sao Miguel
The Azores are a group of 9 islands which constitute an autonomous region of Portugal, about 1000 miles west of Lisbon. I believe there are direct flights from the US, but being from the UK, I had a few days in Lisbon before taking a flight to Ponta Delgada, the capital of the main island, Sao Miguel.
There is a lot to see and I only had two full days. I did a half-day trip to see the west of the island and a full day trip to see the east. In this time I saw where they grow pineapples in greenhouses and it was explained how they do this. I saw a tea plantation and went to Furness where they cook underground using the heat of the volcanic activity. The food was delicious and served up with a wonderful Portuguese red wine and pineapple for dessert.
In this region there are also thermal baths which are amazing. Sao Miguel has many lakes and many, many amazing views.
I stayed at Casa Ateneu right in the heart of Ponta Delgada. I had breakfast in a local bakery which had good coffee and pastries, although breakfast is also available at Casa Ateneu. There were restaurants and shops close by.
Underground volcanic activity in Furnas means food can be cooked there
Thermal baths
Solo Travel Destination Rating System
Safety – 1 (1 very safe, 2 safe in most areas, 3 be cautious at all times.)
Language – 2 (1 English is first language, 2 English speakers easy to find, 3 English speakers rare)
Navigation – 2 (1 easy to navigate by transit or car, 2 poor transit, car necessary, 3 not easy to get around)
Culture – 1 (1 Similar to North America or Western Europe, 2 Different from above but relaxed and easy, 3 Challenging)
Average Rating – 1.5 (1 is easiest, 3 is most difficult)